Job Discussion Forums

[shmeagain]

I'm not usually one to get into "deep" stuff on forums, but I would like your thoughts few about the following:


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050902/ap_on_re_us/hurricane_katrina

I know there's a $hitstorm over on the China forum (where DO they find the time?) about what the US should have done and couldn't have done.

My interest is in the "human nature" side of this story. A while back I saw 'War of the Worlds' and although I didn't think it was that good I thought it was an excellent insight into human nature as to what "might" happen when major disaster struck.

I thought it could happen, but I wasn't sure. Now, sadly, this seems to be true.

I followed the tsunami as close as possible, yet never saw the same thing reported (violence and rape). If it was the case in the aftermath of the tsunami - please set me straight.

If not - I'd like to hear your thoughts as to why you think this is happening.

[Horizontal Hero]

Nobody seems to be sayin' much . Regardless of what I think, this is a real time to reflect for the US. It doesn't look too good on the news when you see lootin' and shootin' (well, people threatening to shoot).

Some analysis suggests that there is a breakdown between state and federal authorities, thus the slow response. Some are pulling the "race" card - i.e. just leave the black folks to drown. That's a bit too simple for me.

There seem to be a lot of guns being waved about, something that will worry a non-US person like me. Why the need for so many guns? But the gun lobby seems to be pretty powerful over there. We need guns because society is bad, they say. But maybe society is so bad becasue there are so many guns. A bit of a chicken and egg question.

[shmeagain]

Thanks for the reply HH!

I guess this was the wrong forum to post it on, but I thought I'd give my 'homeforum' something else to discuss except wages and holiday time.

Anyhoo, I heard one reporter comment that he reckons it's because no-one took the lead and said what should be done.

He made a comparison between the way Rudi Gulliani walked out one of the 9/11 buildings with the firemen and rescue services behind him and held a press conference telling everyone they'll get through it and that they're strong enough. The reporter said he didn't see that in New Orleans.

Then again, if you're hungry and thirsty for days 'human nature' kicks in I guess. It's just not the side I admire.

Wonder what would happen in HK?

[parrothead]

As an American I really have to cringe. I am a bit ashamed for the way the aftermath has played out. I don't necessarily think it should be a race issue...but a socio-economic one. The rich got out, the poor couldn't. Hotels, transportation, food; all of these things cost a lot more than many in New Orleans could afford, so they stayed behind. And on top of that New Orleans has a black majority, so it's safe to assume that most people on the news would be black.
I really don't think there are too many exact comparisons with the hurricane disaster. Most of New York was able to go on functioning during and after the 9/11 attacks. The entire city of New Orleans stopped. And the water stayed, unlike most of what happened in southeast asia. You can bulldoze a pile of rubble, but all the firemen in America wouldn't be able to contend with the water. It's true that strong leadership is needed in these kind of crises (if not just to rally the troops), but it shows that America is still very vulnerable. Plus the president and his cabinet couldn't be bothered while they were literally vacationing.
The looting part is just sad. Even police officers were filmed filling their carts at a Walmart. Just where did these people think they were going to plug in their TVs? I do think one major difference between the comparable disasters, though, is that the people of New York and Thailand came together to help one another out. An awful lot of people in New Orleans just pointed fingers.
Such a pity for such a wonderful city.