The Gumbo of Wrath

[MichaelHarris]

Seeing our countries response to this disaster has me reflecting on our history covered in literature and cinema. One such novel, The Grapes of Wrath speaks volumes for the people of the gulf. As the news broke today of Rehnquist's death I am reminded of a quote in which Tom Joad says, "Seems like the government's got more interest in a dead man than a live one." In the days to come we'll see more and more from the media and the administration about Rehnquist's passing if only to take the spotlight from those who are really suffering and who are still dying.

The conservative media and Bush administration will call on us to pray for Rehnquist and his family, they will surely shift the focus from the hurricane to the passing of a single man. " I wouldn't pray just for a old man that's dead, 'cause he's all right. If I was to pray, I'd pray for folks that's alive and don't know which way to turn."

I see the likes of Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity discuss the "looters" and the "ignorant" who refused to leave and it takes me back to the same feelings some had for the Okies in that novel, "You and me got sense. Them Okies got no sense and no feeling. They ain't human. Human being wouldn't live the way they do. Human being couldn't stand to be so miserable."

Seeing the image of the dead woman left in the wheel chair I'm drawn to the letter left behind when the Joad's buried their Grandpa on the side of the road, "This here is William James Joad, dyed of a stroke, old, old man. His fokes bured him because they got no money to pay for funerls. Nobody kilt him. Jus a stroke and he dyed."

We have people hurting in this country just as we did then, and the government is still reacting the same way almost 80 years later.

Michael Harris

[undeterred]

1. You hit the nail on the head.

[MichaelHarris]

2. Thank you

I had written it last night and posted it during the middle of the night. I decided to repost it because every now and then DU'ers need sleep. :)

[undeterred]

3. kick!

[LeftCoast]

4. Possibly so, but they will be unsucsessful.

This disaster will be reverberating through our society for some time to come. Virtually every city in America will probably be accepting refugees from this crisis and local communities will be hard-pressed to help these folks get back on their feet. Bear in mind, that we already have a social net too weak to support our existing homeless population. Now add a million more.

Not only that, but this disaster has shown a light on the Bush administration that few can deny what is shown. Even conservative commentators who have up till now, dutifully regurgitated the party line at every opportunity and dutifully spun the President's perpetual mis-steps have now opened fire on the Bush team.

As with 9/11 this has changed the debate, the major difference is that Katrina will have a far wider and more lasting impact.