"Compassion is the hallmark of success."

-- H. Vanoy Barton

Lessons from Hurricane Katrina

What have we learned from the disaster of Hurricane Katrina? We have learned that if you are poor in America, the federal government does not care if you live or die. We have learned that despite protestations to the contrary, the federal government cannot respond quickly in a time of crisis and duress. We have learned that there is no true leadership in the federal government - it is as much a morass of functionaries as post-Katrina New Orleans is of filth and muck. We have learned that our domestic tranquility and general welfare is entrusted to these clueless functionaries.

We have learned that we are on our own. We have learned that the federal government cannot protect us and may very well not care about us. We have learned that the federal government is very good at spin. We have learned that the true heroes are we the people. We have learned that Sheppard Smith, Geraldo Rivera and Anderson Cooper are perhaps the only television reporters that have told viewers the truth in the past twenty years. We have learned that Louisiana's governor is incompetent and along with the federal government is entirely incapable of foresight and leadership.

We have learned that if we are victimized by another terrorist atrocity, especially if it is a simultaneous attack, our nation is doomed.

© 2005 - 2008 H. Vanoy Barton, all rights reserved.