Sept. 24, 2005

It's been a while since I posted anything under here. One reason is that I've been posting to my blog. Another is that I haven't had a letter to the editor published since early July. In fact, I haven't written a letter either. I have a fairly good success rate and, this year, I think they've published every letter I've submitted. Historically, I am sure I am above a 75% publication rate. Maybe I'm a good writer. Maybe they publish my letters so everyone can find out what a weirdo I am. I am inclined to believe the former rather than the latter but I suppose we cannot rule out the latter.

There has been no dearth of topics to discuss, either. The most discussed is, obviously, Katrina. Why some people act like Dubya acted irresponsibly by not going to the Gulf 48 hours before landfall and driving every citizen out himself is beyond me. While I do not believe Dubya is a great president he will have a lasting effect on our society as his election as ushered in the "blame the President" era. From the economy to terrorism to oil prices to natural disasters to a personal inability to find a job, every negative thing that happens is now the President's personal responsibility. We are led to believe the President is omnipotent and is supposed to personally step in every time some adverse event comes our way. Personal responsibility has long gone because lawyers have been able to convince stupid people that others are to blame when they fail. Now, that has evolved into thinking that our local government is not responsible when something goes wrong; it's the federal government's fault and the term "government" is now used with "president" interchangeably. Never mind that there are different levels of government as I am convinced this is not taught in schools anymore.

Government did fail in response to Katrina; local government. There is a chain of command to follow. Local government -> state -> federal. Local comes first, federal is the last resort. We don't need any federal inquiries to ask why people don't leave when a Category Five/Four hurricane comes their way. Yes, there are those who can't leave but I find it hard to believe that none of those left behind didn't have a friend or relative to give them a ride. Where were all those "leaders" who say they care about the poor - the "leaders" who show up after the damage is done and then blame the President? Why weren't they there before to help out? Maybe that should be the focus of the inquiry and the people who believe their piffle should lead the charge and ask the questions.