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August 31, 2005
Horrors of Natural Disasters
I am not sure that those who have viewed television coverage of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina have noticed, but the media coverage of this tragedy has been terrible. I have been limited to online stories and streaming media, so perhaps I was missing something in coverage elsewhere. Maybe I should clarify my perception of the coverage as terrible. I found the news reporting disrespectful of this storm's victims and downright cold in its focus. Yesterday, I watched an NBC interview with the governor of Mississippi and the line of questioning turned quickly from destruction updates and details of the rescue and cleanup efforts to the state's economic losses from the casinos. Am I missing something here? This disaster has killed many; it has destroyed countless people's homes, businesses and lives. We are more worried about casino incomes? Give me a break! The same goes for the concentration on oil refineries and the oil rigs in the gulf. There are more important things to be worrying about than prices at the gas pumps right now. Yes, this is an impact of the storm, but the real story with the oil should follow months down the road - after people have roofs back over their heads and the clean up has begun. The accurate and intelligent story about oil in the gulf should then be focused on our insane dependence on it. Were our national head where it belonged this problem would be addressed prior to natural disasters and fluctuations in foreign oil production.
Maybe I am overreacting, but the human and animal losses should be the story - not the economic impact and insurance risk analysis. We seem to measure everything today by economic losses. We should concentrate more on the natural world, our effect on it, and the human toll resulting each day from our ignorance. Money makes the world go round, but it is not what this story should be about.
Posted by capecodcyclist at August 31, 2005 07:04 AM
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Comments
You're right. When the tsunami hit Thailand no one mentioned the loss of money from the child sex trade. The focus was on loss of life, stories of triumph and tragedy. While I'll keep wondering why anyone would ride out a hurricane when the building is essentially underwater to begin with, I'll still pray for all the loved ones lost.
I hear Nstar is sending 20 people to help. I'm hoping there are a few zero's missing from that number. For all the winter storms that hit us and the southern states send help, it's only fair that we do the same during their time of need.
Posted by: Rebe at August 31, 2005 08:31 PM