Part V

So the critisms are gaining momentum but I told you I would follow up on which countries would provide aid if any did. I heard this afternoon that 39 countries say they will help out in the relief effort. It is pleasing to hear that the international community is going to help for helps sake.

 

The situation does look grim down south but it is only going to get better as the days pass. President George W. Bush will sign or has already signed a 10.2 billion aid package that goes in affect immediately and government aid will continue to help the people and to rebuild the city.

 

On that note I have some intreguing information. 94.9 fm Kouw.com interviewed  Lawrence J. Vale, co-author of The Resilient City: How Mondern Cities Recover from Disaster, discussed how No major city in the world has ever failed to recover from a major event. People have way to much love for there city to give up on it. Some good examples are Hiroshima (A-bomb), Toyko (fire-bombed) and Berlin (allied bombing and ground warfare). These cities have recovered and are now stronger after their disasters. These cities were totally destroyed but the people persivered and rallied behind their city. So I don’t buy the agrument that New Orleans or other Gulf cities will not recover.

 

There is a major problem with the every increasing violence in the Gulf area but I would put money on it that that problem will be resolved soon.

 

In conclusion, The United State of America will prevail through this tragedy but it will take time. The resources are being dispatched and arriving on scene to assist everyone. It speaks true to The United States of America culture that we will help. It doesn’t matter what country you are from, if there is a disaster then we will be there to help out and that I can promise you.

 

To everyone who has been affected by Hurricane Katrina my heart & prays go out to you and that you find a way to have your pain eased.

 

Sincerely,

 

Toby Barnett

Part IV

Is this section there two main points in which I shall try to cover. The first will be on the response of time of US government with critiques coming from the global community. Second will be the people and their re-action to the conditions they are facing.

 

The local government and police department of New Orelans informed everyone to get there butt out of town before Katrina made land. Now that is a perfect decision for that situation. Get out!! Save your butt and live another day. But the problem is alot people stayed. The international community has been showing some different views towards us.

 

1. It’s God paying us back for crimes against humanity. That is the extremist view I read to day, God is punishing us right now.

 

2. WOW, evening in the riches community it still gets affect by natural disasters. But why should the US get aid? They are the richest country.

 

3. Yea, we will help out. I interepted Hugo Chavez’s statement that he will send crude oil if the US asks.

 

4. The increase and strength of storm’s is due to global warming and the US is the biggest contributor and they are reaping what they soue (sp).

 

Contestant number #1 stand up please. The US being pushed by the Gods for all the bad stuff we have done and you, the extremists, are getting helped out. These extremists kill innocent people in the name of God, sorry but I don’t think so. Next!

 

Number #2 what are you saying? The US is by far the richest country in world that is a given but no help? To me help isn’t about how much you give but the simple action of "offering" help. It means alot when someone, in this case a county, stands up says "you can count on us, we will help you". In past blogs I have posted that we give more aid and are expected to give aid to other countries when there are in trouble. Usually we are the first in and the last out. But when we hit like this the international community says "your rich, do it yourself." Totally astounds me in people’s reaction when we have a problem. Bush has said when we need help we will ask for it. We haven’t asked yet still no one has even said "we were on our way".

 

Hugo Chavez, number #3, says he will help if we ask. The US government and the Venezulian government isn’t on the greatest terms right now. I won’t cover that but go look it up. So a guy that hates us will help us out, that is a commendable gesture, I am NOT pro-Chavez, but did you know that we are the biggest buyer of Venezulian oil? So there is a political and economical motive for Chavez to say yes. But there is some of the help I was looking for but it doesnt quite hit the mark.

 

Number #4 has a half merit about it. Yes, the storm’s strength are coming from global warming and Yes, we are a major contributor of green house gases but it is fair to say we are getting what we deserve? It seems pretty harsh to me and makes me feel bad that people would kind of wish this upon us or on any for that matter.

 

Now, some of these positions overlap and to put the story together it needs another eliment. Our response was pretty good, I thought, but all of people didn’t leave and now the crime is gaining momentumn because they didn’t leave and the international community is saying we are doing a crappy job. How can that happen in the United States? It can happen anywhere I am afraid. It just doesn’t in the US very often, well not since the 60′s. Everyone is saying the government is no where to be found but it takes some time to mobilze and gear up to go in. Gotta give us grief just because it isnt flawless. Let see this size of hurricane hit in your country and see what happens. Every other country would be leveled and how many resources could they moblize to save their ass. Not as much as us so get off the back and let us handle it. I get tired of people bitching about what the US is not doing. We do more for any one else hands down. Billions poor out of country to help the needs of others around the world. So I guess that means, no one helps us when we are in trouble.

 

On to the Second major point, The rescue population and civil unrest. The people who decided to stay, for various reasons, are now the one requiring all the aid. I don’t mind the aid part at all. I think it is great that we take care of our own with all the resources we have. NGO’s & the government have jumped in to say were coming!! Volunteers are mobilizing and I have a friend that just signed up. I will publish an first hand interview about her experience and what drove her to sign up. These times do bring the best in people but it also has brought out the worst I’m sorry to say.

 

Civil Unrest has errupted and small time looting is esacalating into big crime and violence. People are now shooting at the military and helicopters, Shinook if I am correct, and cause a major disturbance in the region. All the police that were helping in the rescue effort have now all been redirected to stop the mobs. OMG people get a clue, you are just making the situation worse. It is a self defeating purpose to casue problems when the government is trying to bring aid and help in. These people are taking scarce resources away from the most important job right now, saving lives. Don’t make the problem worse in a time like this, for this I plead.

 

Needless to say the situation is not going to well down there. But in a few days there will be a different story to write about.

 

Toby’s prediction: The government will stabilization the situation and other groups will get medical help to people, food & water will be getting distributed, and don’t forget all the private enterprises have to rebuild so they can start making money.

 

These businesses are, gas companies, from crude oil extraction to pipline distributors, will want to be in production, electric companies, food, septic and on and on. They are wanting to do it  ASAP so they can start making money again. I know it sounds self but just bear with me. This will result in commerce and the people coming back to the area. The whole are will start to rebuild itself and it will once again become one of the great cities of the United States.

Help with the Katrina Relief Effort

American Red Cross

The following is quoted  from the American Red Cross website, 8/31/2005 6:29pm PST

Hurricane 2005 Relief and other Related Events:
Victims of Hurricane Katrina are attempting to recover from the massive storm that is still making its way across the Mid-Atlantic States. American Red Cross volunteers have been deployed to the hardest hit areas of Katrina’s destruction, supplying hundreds of thousands victims left homeless with critical necessities. By making a financial gift to Hurricane 2005 Relief, the Red Cross can provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need.

National Disaster Relief Fund:
You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each yearby making a financial gift to the Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need.

Your Local Red Cross Chapter:
Your local Red Cross chapter is committed to meeting the humanitarian needs of the people in your
area, be it in disaster preparedness, disaster response, first aid and CPR training, or disease prevention.
You can help support your local chapter programs and services by a gift to Your Local Red Cross
Chapter. The gift will be sent to your local area chapter based on zip code.

International Response Fund:
You can help those affected by the West African famine and countless other crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. For the bomb emergency in London, the British Red Cross has not requested assistance; therefore the American Red Cross is not soliciting or accepting contributions for this emergency. The American Red Cross has also announced that the needs have been met for its tsunami relief program.

The American Red Cross is not a government agency and all Red Cross disaster assistance is free thanks to the generosity of people like you. The value of your donation is increased by the fact that the ratio of volunteer Red Cross workers to paid staff is almost 36 to one. Contributions to the American Red Cross, a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, are deductible for computing income and estate taxes.

Part III

Today is so damn cool, I recieved a postcard from The KING!! This is the coolest shit I tell ya. Meeting some good people online through MSN Spaces no less. So King, these Coronas are for you!!

 

I have met so many cool people out here that it truely amazes me. Times are great when you go through them meeting new people and experiencing new things/same things. Who knew the internet who evolve into a place where people can become a community. My mom wanting me to get a labtop when I was 19 to track my expenses and I told her "I don’t want a stupid computer". Good thing shit changes

 

So here to YOU!! <tipping up a Corona>

 

wahoo..that was a long one

 

Ok time to touch on a blog that is on Part III, read Part I & Part II.

 

I heard the reports today on Hurrican Katrina and seen the images and OMFG!! Last I heard there was 55 dead and the photos I seen of the Hilton Hotel, correct me if I am wrong, that was just blow out. Neighborhoods are no longer; they look like some let loose a bunch wood in HomeDepot My prayers continue, please join in and praying for them. This makes my heart hurt…

 

Referencing last night’s post, sorry have to get political, I ask the question again: Who on Earth will help US?

 

I am going to keep good tabs on this topic and I assure you that I will answer it very soon.

 

Now here is what going to happen. Currently, the US government has said it will provide the aid necessary, (do you notice that is given not asked?, to rebuild New Orleans. New Orleans just finished a $ 4 billion reconstruction. I am proud of our government stepping in IMMEDIATELY to help those that have been harmed, by mother nature, because our government wants too…

 

There are some things I can’t explain how I am feeling but hopefully my opinion has been articulated. But I can say this; The United States of America is the best damn country to live in.

 

Your friend in Time, Toby…

Part II

I just seen some of the destruction of Hurrican Katrina. Buildings looked like there were bombs in them, analogy, and the streets we flooded with cubic meters of water. From the sounds of it, casualties are zero but the cost of destruction is going to be very very high. President Bush said today that help is on the way. America is a nation of good people. We help and we help others. So why are we so bad in the global community? Do we not provide more aid and help than any other country in the world? Natural disaster who is the first on the scene, from the global community? America is.

 

When there are natural disaster who rushes to in with aid to help? Who has helped with the last two years aiding in hurricane relief? If someone else has please correct me.

 

Just thought to ponder and are policies may not be perfect but so far our system works the best. I’m not saying our culture is the best and i do not want to go there. Our system that our country operates in is pretty darn smooth. Where else can you find the stability, peace and economical potential currently? There are some up and coming players and I am anxious to see what they do economically and the business leaders directing that visions.

 

So pay attention because the world is changing. If you don’t take the time to look at it or part take in its adventure that’s your bad. Believe you can make a difference and I will garantee that you will not be disapointed with your results.

 

So hears to you all. May you capitalize on opportunity, show that your worth it and enjoy the benefits of your hard work. <CHEERS>

 

Your friend in Time, Toby

Part I ~ Hurricane Katrina

Alert! Alert! Alert!

 

BREAKING NEWS from New Orleans!! Hurricane Katrina is heading inland and is rated at a Category 5. The amount of water which a hurricane can spill out is monumental (to better understand how they work click here to watch Looking at Hurricanes, 8 minutes). So we have rain, ok, what about wind? Oh man do we ever. 165-175 sustained winds and which creates the 20ft storm surge. But that is that bad right? Way bad for New Orleans.

 

Most of the city lies below sea level. It is protected by 15ft barrier and has ennormous pumps to help get rid of the water. My prays are for everyone in the great New Orleans area. The chief said this today "pack your bags and get your ass outta here". my quote could be wrong so please forgive me. The traffic is bad and the dome is going act as emergency shelter for those who can’t get out. Good Job everyone for taking the advice to save your ass. Also Good Job to those making those decesions earlier enough and to have systems in place to aid in move to safety.

 

Now what has been the contributing factor to the increase of hurricanes through the world? I say global warming. To me the evidence is conclusive, though others argue, and I apply Toby’s Theory of Commonsense, I notice that humans are contributing to much CO2 and other green house gases to the environment NOT to have an impact.

If you think that we NOT are making an impact in the global climate change I think your stupid. The essay needed at least one rant

 

The ocean levels are rising, glaciers are reseeding, polar ice caps are shrinking and the evironment will live in is changing. Well the arguement can be made that we don’t have enough long term data to accurately make the assumption. Formulating that conclusion would a thousand years of solid data to make but unfortunelty we do not. So we have to infur on the data we do have and the computer models. Our bests minds are working on this as we speak but what are some of the things we can do to easy the pain of planet Earth? Remember, this is the only one we have right now.

 

Drive less is the most obvious solution. With more than 20 million cars world wide our global emission are out of control. Taking mass transit, riding a bike (get your big ass out the car), walk, carpool or do what ever it takes to do your part. I am not saying give up driving completely but reduce how many trips in you make. Try living closer to work so you dont have to compute 30 miles and takes 2 1/2hrs a day. You know much time out of your life you spent in traffic? You do the math.

 

So lets do are part and make living on planet Earth the most enjoyable and sustainable as we can. We are special so lets treat ourselves that way. Until the next time this is Toby signing off…