this shouldn't be

the only piece of news that I've really been interested in for the last few days is what's happening in New Orleans. Here's an update for those that want to know:
'Hope is fading’ at Orleans convention center
I just can't seem to get my mind around the idea of so much chaos and danger and despair here in the US. We were in Baton Rouge just over a year ago for a friend's wedding, we flew into New Orleans and rented a car to drive the rest of the way. And now it's gone, and anarchy is reigning the streets. It brings me to tears to think of all those people so lost and desparate, not having even the basic necessities to stay alive, and losing hope of rescue. Again I find myself not too sad that I don't have tv reception, because I don't know if I could really look at video footage of the devasation, the pictures have been more than enough.

So I don't know if it's the government's fault for not getting aid there quicker, or if they just underestimated the need, that's what most people seem to think. It's definitely more important to figure out how to help instead of figuring out who to blame. I've wanted to do something, but giving money seems insufficient. We don't have a lot of money to give these days, but I know every bit helps. But would I actually go? Hop in a car and travel 1200 miles to see in real life the pictures I've seen in the media? I could get the vacation time, but I don't know that Seth could, and the only other barrier would be cash to get down there and take care of ourselves. Oh, and I suppose I should probably run the whole thing by my husband. That's what I get for thinking things up at lunch.

It's also been running through my head the magnitude of hurricane Katrina, it's an act of God almost to Old Testament proportions. The quick thought is that New Orleans is an evil city, full of lust and greed and wickedness, even the citizens themselves would seem to agree, according to Brian Thomas, in a Washinton Post article

"Thomas, the philosopher, waved his bandaged hand. He had a theory: "God's angry with New Orleans. It's an evil city. The worst school system anywhere. Rampant crime. Corrupt politicians. Here, baby, have a potato chip for daddy."
The 2-year-old, Qadriyyah, took a chip from her daddy and gobbled it up. Her face was covered with mosquito bites. But she smiled just to be in daddy's arms.
Thomas continued: "A predominantly black city -- and they're killing
each other. God had to get their attention with a calamity. New Orleans ain't seen an earthquake yet. You can get away from a hurricane but not an earthquake.
Next time, nobody may get out."

I'm thinking that's not quite as important right now, even if it were the case, they still are in tremendous need, and it's our duty as Christians to do something.