Don't Confuse Incompetence with Racism

Kayne West apparently believes that George Bush is a racist. I strongly doubt that. George thought Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and was a friend to Osama Bin Laden. Oh yeah, he also thought the Iraqis would be dancing in the street after we took over. So, why would we be surprised that he would under estimate the need for federal government to jump in and help the people in New Orleans? Why we would be surprised that his reaction would not be fast enough with the immediate and massive support required.

Like Kayne (I assume this is his real motivation), it breaks my heart to see so many people suffering and the seemingly incredible slow pace of help. Unlike Kayne, I see people screwing up (not helping quick enough) and people suffering. I don't think playing the race card explains or helps the situation. The New Orleans mayor and the Louisiana Governor are also hugely to blame for such a colossal failure to plan for this. It is not like this scenario was never considered. It was considered.

Are New Orleans Police Officers taught how to introduce order and organization? I mean if you put 30, 000 people in a single location with little contact with the outside world, limited resources, and high duress, you need to help them get organized and manage their situation. You need some folks to focus on sanitation, some to focus on supplies and rationing, some to focus on security, etc. The thing that disgusted me the most in this whole situation is the simple and urgent requests from some of those at the convention center and on the bridges. They simply wanted to know "what is happening, what should I expect, when are people coming, where should I go, etc?". Surely, we could have managed some reasonable answers even if there were to admit that we don't fully know yet and here are some things you need to do (like get organized).

As to the looters, if there were looting for food, water and necessary supplies that they intended to share with all, no problem. However, I have NO patience and would not be bothered by the most extreme punishments for those hauling off merchandise that was just for greed (electronics and such). For the rapists that we heard about, the end of their existence would be a welcome change to the planet.

I sure hope we don't let this horrible experience and the inept response by some in authority, illegal and violent behavior of some in the streets of New Orleans, over shadow the pure enormity of the disaster and the Herculean efforts many are putting in to help.

As for Kayne who I know little about, I assume that his ability to get on national TV to make such statements implies that he has the resources to contribute and do a lot. He should quit his f**king bitching and go do something! If he is so torn to help, he should go help. Anybody stopping him from renting a shitload of buses, buying a shitload of food and water, and organizing a rescue mission. As it is, I think he hurt the cause instead of helping it. Just my opinion, your are welcome to your own. I will be so glad when we can STOP separating each other into color groups. We are all people.