Katrina will test nation's maturity: 9/ 17/ 2005
Katrina will test nation's maturity: 9/ 17/ 2005: "Disasters happen. They're not important. The only thing that is important for us as individuals, or as a country, is how we react to them. And the jury is still out on just how we will react to the disaster named Katrina.
Yes, I know what President George W. Bush said Thursday night. And yes, I know that all sorts of people from celebrities to children have started fund drives for those victimized by this storm. But two things are obvious: The government at all levels -- whether headed by Democrats or Republicans -- failed the people it was supposed to serve at a time when the people most needed it.
And Americans -- both liberals and conservatives -- are a compassionate people with good hearts who when they see others less fortunate, will quickly reach out.
What isn't obvious is whether we now have the true grit it will take to respond in a meaningful way to this challenge because to do so we have to change. We need unity, but unfortunately 'national unity' has come to mean that everyone should 'fall in behind me.' And who 'me' is depends upon who thinks they are in charge at the time. But that isn't what 'unity' is about in a democracy. Unity in a democracy can't be commanded -- it has to be achieved through difficult and honest -- and yes, frequently boring -- discussion.
We have been avoiding such discussions recently. Instead we have become masters at fostering disunity and wallowing in it. Our politicians and our pundits encourage divisions. Who wants to watch an intelligent discussion of the issues on TV? Isn't it much more fun to see people throwing clever barbs at one another? Talking heads are boring -- shouting heads draw viewers and advertising dollars. "
Yes, I know what President George W. Bush said Thursday night. And yes, I know that all sorts of people from celebrities to children have started fund drives for those victimized by this storm. But two things are obvious: The government at all levels -- whether headed by Democrats or Republicans -- failed the people it was supposed to serve at a time when the people most needed it.
And Americans -- both liberals and conservatives -- are a compassionate people with good hearts who when they see others less fortunate, will quickly reach out.
What isn't obvious is whether we now have the true grit it will take to respond in a meaningful way to this challenge because to do so we have to change. We need unity, but unfortunately 'national unity' has come to mean that everyone should 'fall in behind me.' And who 'me' is depends upon who thinks they are in charge at the time. But that isn't what 'unity' is about in a democracy. Unity in a democracy can't be commanded -- it has to be achieved through difficult and honest -- and yes, frequently boring -- discussion.
We have been avoiding such discussions recently. Instead we have become masters at fostering disunity and wallowing in it. Our politicians and our pundits encourage divisions. Who wants to watch an intelligent discussion of the issues on TV? Isn't it much more fun to see people throwing clever barbs at one another? Talking heads are boring -- shouting heads draw viewers and advertising dollars. "
posted by Blackgold at 11:21 AM
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