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The Forum > Article Comments > Civic mindedness US style! > Comments

Civic mindedness US style! : Comments

By Brett Bowden, published 8/9/2005

Brett Bowden argues Hurricane Katrina has shown how fast the degeneration of civil order can occur in the United States.

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FEMA prevented water being given by large compnaies,as it was not on their list of 'must do's'. Whilst ignoring the local Governing bodies. The lack of organisation showed itself within 24 hours of the disaster. Many Australians have asked why the people were still there if there was a hurricane of that magnitude on the way. They could not leave. Many had no money for fuel or accomodation. There is no 'social system' in the USA, there is no access to transport or accomodation provided for the have not's, for evacuation. So, they stay. They go to shelters or risk staying in their homes. I lived in Biloxi last year when Hurricane Ivan was approaching,. There were no buses to take people out. People from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana were all sharing one main highway and 2 minor highways to escape. Not great road planning for disaster management. We had a home to return to. Had we still lived there this year, there would have been no home, as our old apartment complex is gone. Regarding the issue of the anger and violence, the outbursts to newsmen by the victims,were the result of being without water or any sustenance for more than 3 days, which, would test the strongest. Would any of us sit quietly and die? I feel most of us would fight for survival. As to the violence, the history of the USA is by and large built around strength, and, God Country and Gun is a significant belief of the citizens. Yes, there have been unfortunate instances of violence, but was it necessary for the Government to send armed troops into New Orleans ready for battle, rather than sending in medicine, water, food and respite? I think not. It also took a week for many Americans to open their cities, homes and hearts to the plight of the victims.
The world has seen the USA and found it wanting. Shame, shame shame. This is not just systemic yank bashing, this is seeing a westernised industrial nation in its true glory.
Posted by tinkerbell1952, Thursday, 8 September 2005 2:55:17 PM
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One of BOAZ_DAVIDS mates has told us who's to blame for Hurricane Katrina ......Gay's. mad as a hatter.
http://www.repentamerica.com/pr_hurricanekatrina.html
Posted by Kenny, Thursday, 8 September 2005 6:33:53 PM
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Ugh. Nutbags.
Posted by Laurie, Friday, 9 September 2005 12:08:45 PM
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Its interesting that there has been a long US right wing expectation that when civilisation breaks down - the subjects of racial division and "Godlessness" will rear their ugly head.

The right wing survivalist "cure" has been to buy more guns and a lot more ammo to defend "the faarrmmmm" from those rootless masses coming up from destroyed cities.

This "breakdown of society" scenerio appears to have been played out in New Orleans.

It would be interesting to see if there has been a significant jump in gun ownership in the US in the next 3 months or so.

Having lived in central Texas for 2 years (several years ago) the spirit of the gun, and God, as weapons in the war on society's problems, is alive and well.
Posted by plantagenet, Friday, 9 September 2005 1:58:55 PM
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Kenny,
There were probably 2 disasters at New Orleans. One was the cyclone, and the other was the relief effort, which was a disaster in itself.

But I have noticed your many maligning posts about other posters, and now you have maligned another poster who hasn’t even posted onto this particular forum.

I can’t really understand the rules of the forum when this is allowed to happen, but maybe you could get a certain role in a certain Shakespearian play
Posted by Timkins, Friday, 9 September 2005 2:11:41 PM
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Timmy the piece is about US culture and I put a relevant link what is wrong with that?
Posted by Kenny, Friday, 9 September 2005 3:00:17 PM
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