Response Time

I am thankful to all the men and women who have done so much to assist those devastated by Katrina. They are courageous heros who deserve praise and support for all they are doing. At the same time, I am also in shock and disbelief at the lack of coordination and the lethargic response of the governmental agencies in coordinating efforts to ensure necessities get to those that are suffering. This is utterly outrageous. As has been said by others, how can we (on the one hand) be so quick to respond to disasters in other nations and yet it's taking 3-4 days to finally get food and water (and protection) to the folks who need it in our own country? How can this be?! How?!

I believe there is plenty of blame to go around, from the looters & thugs terrorizing the innocent survivors of this desperate city, to the mayor of New Orleans and all the way up to the top of the Federal Government. The local, state, and federal governments do not seem to be working together at all. A total and deadly mistake in my opinion. They should have been in constant contact from the start. Organized and ready to respond at all levels. This is unreal, and unacceptable. I have always felt & believed that "we take care of our own." That belief has been shaken to the core. That being said, there will be enough finger pointing to go around later. The time to act was days ago, the time to act is right now!

Get these people some water, food, medicine and get them the heck out of there, now! Finally, that is starting to happen but how much needless suffering and death has been caused by delays in responding to this crisis?

I am grateful to the great state of Texas for the efforts this state is making to assist our fellow Americans in their time of need. In the midst of utter chaos we will find a way to help. That's just how we are. A shining example, that America does take care of it's own--just as it should be.