Looking for hope, not blame
In five days, it will be the fourth anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.
It is so sad that four years to the day of that tragic event, many Americans will be doing the same things others were doing on that day four years ago -- taking stock and looking for survivors.
If there are similarities to be drawn between 9-11 and Hurricane Katrina (and there are) one difference between the two events is striking.
September 11, 2001 was a tragic day, a sad day, and a day that will never be forgotten. But Sept. 12, 13 and 14 were also very important. You read stories about heroes, you mourned, and you prayed. People were angry, and rightfully so. But out of that day came hope and understanding, and perhaps a stronger faith in America. This faith was in the kindness and bravery ofthe people. There was a media focus onthe donations and the blood drives.
When I think of the aftermath of 9-11, that's what resonates the most. There were the amazing qualities of most Americans, and the fact that sometimes, the worst brings out the best in people.
Now here we are four years later. A major disaster has hit America. And while many brave souls are fighting to save lives, there is another group. If you read the columns being written about Katrina, you find many columnists are not focusing on the tragedy itself, but rather, on blame.
Some have blamed the president. Some have blamed the governor. Some have blamed the mayor and others. Some have written entire columns defending one while shifting blame to the other.
All this before we have a concrete idea of the number dead or the number that still need to be saved.
In spite of all the chaos shown in New Orleans and other places, we can't forget that there are heroes right now risking their lives. There are still people in need, people in trouble.
Did the government drop the ball? Probably. In fact, it's likely that there is to be blame on all levels of government. But that shouldn't be the theme right now. Helping and donating should be.
In the aftermath of 9-11, the country remembered that it needed to be one. Blame would eventually be cast, but in due time.
Americans have already donated $404 million to relief efforts.
Four years after 9-11, it's time to remember that blame has its place. At the same time, there are more important things than that to worry about.