The state of assistance and aid has grossly deteriorated in New Orleans last night and today. The news has kept me from being able to focus on writing the film, music, and book reviews I promised earlier in the week.
This is going to be a disjointed post and I apologize.
I don’t know if you realize this, but when we wake up tomorrow, the masses of people at the convention center and Superdome will be going on day five without food and water.
Oliver Willis links to footage of an onsite reporter covering the convention center in downtown New Orleans. It’s a devastating report. People, even two infants, died of dehydration in front of him. And as of this evening, no food or water has been airlifted in to these people. Where is the aid?
When I was young, one of the most disturbing images I saw on the television screen were the Jonestown suicides (1978). 912 bodies were strewn about a makeshift village and community hall. Jim Jones persuaded them to drink grape punch. Tomorrow, if help doesn’t get to these people, the landscape of downtown New Orleans aired into our family rooms will be another Jonestown. And our leaders will be blamed, as they should be, for the lack of bandwidth to help. As Oliver Willis noted, this tragedy should never happen here.
Other links to commentary I've followed today:
Sidney Blumenthal
James Wolcott
Pris Campbell
The Washington Times, regarding international aid and support
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