is it just me?

It has become clear that was has happened in Lousiana and Mississippi is a clear, unmitigated disaster. I have absolutely no idea what I would do if I lived there, and my heart goes out to those who do. The pictures, in case you live under a rock and have not seen them, are truly astonishing. My one hope is that this will help put other things into perspective. I hope that it will make people complain less about their own lives, at least for a few days. And I hope it will keep people from overestimating their own disasters. For some reason, this bothers me. For instance, a couple of weeks ago a tornado hit a town near here. (If you live anywhere other than Wisconsin then they told you it hit Madison - this news even made it to my brother-in-law in Paris - but it wasn't actually Madison.) Anyway, it was kind of bad. I think about 30 homes were completely destroyed, and more were damaged. Maybe one person was killed. Obviously, it was very unfortunate for those affected, but in the grand scheme of things: manageable. Among other things, the homes destroyed were not trailer homes, they belonged to people who can afford things like insurance. Anyway, it was big news around here, and they quoted a guy saying "This is our tsunami." I'm sorry, but...no. You are not allowed to compared this to more than 100,000 people being washed out to sea, along with entire towns. Not allowed. Really. Hopefully this hurricane will make people realize that even in the case of natural disaster, most of the time we are all pretty freakin lucky. And the people in New Orleans are now allowed to call this whatever they want. Because really, it doesn't get that much worse. Fortunately most people had time to get out of the way, as gradually (though relentlessly) rising water is kinder than a giant wave that comes out of nowhere. Though you will notice that the people who are left behind in New Orleans are the ones who don't have insurance or money or support networks. Nope. It's poor people and old people and sick people. God help them all. mercy. Interestingly, I read one guy in Lousiana quoted as saying "This is our Hiroshima." An interesting reference, given that that was sixty years ago and people usually pick their favorite recent calamity. But I would say not a good reference. It's really not the same, due to the complete lack of intention in the case of Katrina. I'm not that comfortable with the comparison, but whatever. I am trying to understand the compulsion behind drawing comparisons. Does it make it seem more real? Does it make people feel like others understand what they're going through? The terrorist attacks in Spain and London were "Our 9/11." Things that happen in Iraq are "Our D-Day." Start looking for it. It's everywhere. But of out respect for those who have suffered greatly, please try to keep things in perspective. Don't complain about your job for one day. And send money to the Red Cross.

I think one of the most tragic parts of this whole thing is that some people have decided to use it as an excuse to rob people at gunpoint, shoot at medical helicopters, shoot police who try to restore order and contribute to even greater mayhem. Why must you do this? I do not understand. Sure, break the glass and steal water from Wal-Mart. This makes sense. You are desperate. But checking the stickers on sneaker boxes before stealing them? Shooting people? Is this really necessary? Obviously none of those people are reading this, but if they were I would beg them to stop before we lose all hope. Seriously.

Somewhat relatedly, they are also about to start the trial of a guy who killed six hunters in the woods last fall. Perhaps you heard about it, another great story to help put the fine state of Wisconsin on the map. They are refering to it as a 'massacre' which to means seems overly dramatic, but it was pretty brutal. He says he did it in self defense, though after shooting eightpeople that gets a little harder to believe. We'll see. I think he's in trouble.