Katrina

I wish I had some sort of skills that were needed so that I could help the victims of the hurricane.  I can not imagine how those people must feel, what they must feel, where they will go on from here.

If I could, I would go to those small Louisiana and Mississippi towns and do what I could. 

At times like this, it's when I realize how really useless a cog in the wheel I am.  That big bad Master Degree doesn't make me wholly practical at all.  I'm oh so glad I went to B school.  Having worked for an excavation company that does a lot of septic and sewer work, I can, however, tell these victims of the weather,  they are basically screwed, all the natural bacteria you want in the system is totally compromised.

I fear for the diseases on top of the devastation.  Bad diseases produced by untreated human waste on top of unknown chemical releases from untold sources. 

So, I'm basically not much use at all, although I do have a pretty strong back and a giving heart and I can tell you untreated sewage floating around is a pretty bad scenario.

I could make them a lot of lasagnas and freeze them up and take them down, but they have no stove to cook them in.  No plates to eat them off. Not to mention a place to sit and eat a meal.

Since I have no life-saving talent or skills to help, I can suggest this:  Donate cash to the Red Cross.  Every little bit helps.  I talked to a woman with the local Red Cross here in Livingston County.  They don't know how to get goods in and out at this point, so cash is very helpful.  Every little bit helps.  Gift cards aren't a great idea, because a lot of the big chain stores just aren't there anymore or in any condition to redeem gift cards.   

This is so sad and tragic.  All I can think about is Stephen King's book, The Stand.  Not about a weather disaster but a flu outbreak, but all the rest is there.  A decimating cataclysmic event, total chaos, all lines of communication shut off.  Desperation.  Looting.  I hope that this does not become a story of good vs. evil as The Stand was.

One thing I can do, with my sad lack of life-saving, useful skills and being chronically broke and bankrupt?  I can pray.

And provide a link for help:

http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html

Comments

[Michelle]

I'll be your prayer buddy, Lis, since that is all I'm good for too. How devastating.

[possumbear]

I am jumping on board as well Lisa as a prayer buddy . Haven't heard of anywhere as yet out here in the land of Oz that we can donate yet,but the Aussies and Poms and Americans are there for each other, friends and neighbours.

[Sain't Christopher]

I won't muss up your site with political ravings . . . but if you're looking for a silver lining, I think this will be seen as the turning point against W. and neo-cons. If you want a fully detailed rant, we'll set up a time to talk over the phone when we can both be drinking red wine.

[Lisa]

The Feds have totally dropped the ball on this one and Dubya is sounding like a total emotional VOID at this point.

I really hate that man. I won't go into politico blog, but hello, do you think we have a few problems HERE that need to be addressed very badly? And have had for quite some time.

People in this country go hungry every single day. I have to buy toilet paper for my kid to take to school because the school can't afford it for the year. THERE ARE NO NEW JOBS.

WTF, Dubya, what about the nation you are allegedly leading?

[dragonlady474]

What I don't understand is why don't they give those poor people food and water while they're waiting to be evacuated?? Why? People are dying for God's sake. All they have to do is make drops, they don't even have to land.