I am astounded at the pictures of New Orleans and Biloxi, along with other places greatly affected by Hurricane Katrina. I am affected even more by how people are having to live as they wait to be rescued from these places. New Orleans has gotten the most attention because they not only lost everything they had from the fierce winds, but flooding ensued. People drowned, some are still trapped on their roofs or upper stories, and others evacuated to the Convention Center and Superdome. Yet, they are not getting the food, water and shelter that they were promised. It seems that the entire evacuation was poorly planned. There was no food or water waiting in either location to take care of those who sought shelter there. There were no medical supplies to help those who need insulin, oxygen, dialysis, or other medications. It’s not like the hurricane came unexpectedly. I wonder why the local Costco, Walmart, etc. was not delivering supplies by the truckload before Katrina hit land. Yet, that is all in the past. What needs to be focused on is how to help the people.

The Coast Guard is flying around trying to rescue people from their rooftops. Buses are coming in to cart people to Texas, where they will stay in another football arena, hotel or other form of shelter. Yet, the food only started coming today, 4 days later. Some people cannot survive 4 days without food and water, and the results are clear. I’ve seen images of the elderly slumped in the wheelchairs, as they waited for some form of nourishment, that never came. One elderly woman even had a scrap of paper in her hand that said her name, Ethel, and contact information, possibly of family that could be told of her whereabouts. Babies are lethargic and hang limp in their mother’s arms as they wait for milk and water. Those that have died are either covered up and placed on the side of the road, in the median or are dragged by their grieving family members, who cannot bear to let them go.

In the midst of this tragedy, even more injustice is taking place. People initially looted for weapons and other unnecessary items, but soon turned to loot for food and water. Women are being raped in the Superdome, which is crammed with over 20,000 people. Nobody is stopping it. The National Guard has come in to enforce the peace, but I pray that they will be wise in the actions they take. I really hope it doesn’t turn into a mob versus the police mentality. I hope that people will stay calm and patient as they continue to wait. If they don’t, I fear the police will use their weapons and more will die. This is not happening in a 3rd world country, as it seems. This is the United States. What’s wrong with this picture?

For those of us who don’t have family in that area and the only things we know are the images we see on the television, there is something we can do. We can donate our money, donate blood and pray. I urge anyone reading this blog to log on to www.redcross.org or call 1-800-HELP-NOW and donate. Even if you’re only able to donate $1, it all helps. $1 can buy water and food. For those like me, who like Starbucks, try going without one drink and donate that four or five dollars to help save those dying of starvation and dehydration. You can help and I urge you to do so. If you cannot help financially, please pray. Pray that the supplies get there quickly, that stranded people are taken to safety and that peace may abound amidst all of the chaos. Pray for the health of those who need medical attention and pray that these people will be treated better than they have been so far. I hope that New Orleans, Biloxi, and everywhere else can rebound in the years to come. In the meantime, may we do all we can to help our fellow Americans.