Comments on: Burning Lake of Fire: New Orleans sinks and Montecito burns http://globalcomment.com/2008/burning-lake-of-fire-new-orleans-sinks-and-montecito-burns/ where the world thinks out loud Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:39:16 +0000 hourly 1 By: bL-aKtivist http://globalcomment.com/2008/burning-lake-of-fire-new-orleans-sinks-and-montecito-burns/comment-page-1/#comment-2067 bL-aKtivist Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:33:56 +0000 http://globalcomment.com/?p=615#comment-2067 You know Renee, as I mentioned before, I've made this comparison before with some of the disasters that have occurred in California since the Hurricane. And I am bothered that I haven't stumbled upon others pointing the glaring issues with how we treat and treated folks based on our preconcieved notions of pathology. Further, I think you touch on so many of the driving factors that keep Kartina survivors from making the recovery they deserve. That includes our lack of support in terms of collaboration with folks on the ground to get mental health, housing and education services to those in need. I've worked with two organizations committed to Gulf Coast relief, with an emphasis on New Orleans. The sad thing is we don't have the likes of David Plouffe to run a campaign and raise funds for New Orleans renewal campaign. What more, it's hard to gauge what the participation could or would be 1. after this emotionally draining election, and in concert with this economic crisis. I'm trying to find the silver lining here. I keep the Gulf on my mind. One of the first things I've said in recent weeks with regard to this historic accomplishment by Barack Obama (even with the tragic blow to the LGBT community with the likes of Prop 8 and related measures in Florida and Arkansas) is "I wonder when and if Barack is going to get someone working full steam ahead on restoring New Orleans and the Gulf." You know Renee, as I mentioned before, I’ve made this comparison before with some of the disasters that have occurred in California since the Hurricane. And I am bothered that I haven’t stumbled upon others pointing the glaring issues with how we treat and treated folks based on our preconcieved notions of pathology.

Further, I think you touch on so many of the driving factors that keep Kartina survivors from making the recovery they deserve. That includes our lack of support in terms of collaboration with folks on the ground to get mental health, housing and education services to those in need. I’ve worked with two organizations committed to Gulf Coast relief, with an emphasis on New Orleans.

The sad thing is we don’t have the likes of David Plouffe to run a campaign and raise funds for New Orleans renewal campaign. What more, it’s hard to gauge what the participation could or would be 1. after this emotionally draining election, and in concert with this economic crisis.

I’m trying to find the silver lining here. I keep the Gulf on my mind. One of the first things I’ve said in recent weeks with regard to this historic accomplishment by Barack Obama (even with the tragic blow to the LGBT community with the likes of Prop 8 and related measures in Florida and Arkansas) is “I wonder when and if Barack is going to get someone working full steam ahead on restoring New Orleans and the Gulf.”

]]> By: Kevin http://globalcomment.com/2008/burning-lake-of-fire-new-orleans-sinks-and-montecito-burns/comment-page-1/#comment-2058 Kevin Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:49:00 +0000 http://globalcomment.com/?p=615#comment-2058 Exactly, what people fail to realize is that it's hard to pull yourself up by your bootstraps when you don't own any boots to begin with. Contrast the Katrina situation with this recent bailout business, which has turned out to be nothing more than an assurance that a bunch of CEOs get to keep their very expensive boots, and the logic of meritocracy begins to crumble. Government handouts are fine and dandy as long as they are maintaining the status quo. Exactly, what people fail to realize is that it’s hard to pull yourself up by your bootstraps when you don’t own any boots to begin with.

Contrast the Katrina situation with this recent bailout business, which has turned out to be nothing more than an assurance that a bunch of CEOs get to keep their very expensive boots, and the logic of meritocracy begins to crumble.

Government handouts are fine and dandy as long as they are maintaining the status quo.

]]> By: Stephanie http://globalcomment.com/2008/burning-lake-of-fire-new-orleans-sinks-and-montecito-burns/comment-page-1/#comment-2056 Stephanie Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:17:44 +0000 http://globalcomment.com/?p=615#comment-2056 Excellent article! The author demonstrates a true understanding of the plight of those displaced by Hurricane Katrina. We have worked closely with a family displaced by Katrina and have seen these struggles first hand. In addition to the lack of counseling offered for PTSD, there is a distrust which makes them reluctant to seek professional help. The old saying "time heals all wounds" is completely false. With PTSD, time magnifies the trauma, and those affected are left to deal with that while the rest of society condems them for their actions. This is only one issue of a myriad that the survivors have to deal with, and do not have the means or capacity for. Stephanie Ehmen author of "Angels and Quilt Pieces...Our Journey with a Katrina Family" Excellent article! The author demonstrates a true understanding of the plight of those displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
We have worked closely with a family displaced by Katrina and have seen these struggles first hand. In addition to the lack of counseling offered for PTSD, there is a distrust which makes them reluctant to seek professional help. The old saying “time heals all wounds” is completely false. With PTSD, time magnifies the trauma, and those affected are left to deal with that while the rest of society condems them for their actions.
This is only one issue of a myriad that the survivors have to deal with, and do not have the means or capacity for.

Stephanie Ehmen
author of
“Angels and Quilt Pieces…Our Journey with a Katrina Family”

]]> By: Mark http://globalcomment.com/2008/burning-lake-of-fire-new-orleans-sinks-and-montecito-burns/comment-page-1/#comment-2053 Mark Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:50:03 +0000 http://globalcomment.com/?p=615#comment-2053 This is also why in poorer countries where the social and personal devastation may have been greater than what happens in America, there is still a greater emphasis on America. Hurricane Katrina was the costliest hurricane in the US. See here (tomorrow)... http://www.crackinsurance.com/2008/11/17/crackinsurance-insurance-trivia-tip-of-the-day-hurricane-katrina/ This is also why in poorer countries where the social and personal devastation may have been greater than what happens in America, there is still a greater emphasis on America. Hurricane Katrina was the costliest hurricane in the US. See here (tomorrow)…

http://www.crackinsurance.com/2008/11/17/crackinsurance-insurance-trivia-tip-of-the-day-hurricane-katrina/

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