120 days until......

HURRICANE SEASON!

I heard someone say that a day or two ago. All I can respond to that is -- Well, thanks for that comment, moron! As if we didn't know that. As if that fact isn't playing around in everyone's minds. Whaddayawannado, idiot? Have a count-down on the nightly news?!?! ....Excuse me, but, WTF!

Since I can't point my finger to anything else, I'll blame that comment for the
boil-over my city seems to be experiencing today. ....Not that we aren't on a constant simmer these dazes. Lately, it seems to me that threats (verbal ones) are the weapons of choice whenever people disagree about what should be done regarding rebuilding this hurting state. Threats like the one mentioned above -- only x-amount of days before.... Threats like -- well, it could be Baton Rouge next. Threats like -- what would Jesus do?

This current boil-over concerns the placement of.. what else but? ..FEMA trailer parks. Apparently, FEMA trailers are being installed in a couple of parishes that some lovingly refer to as 'white-flight parishes' and it's not going over too well. (To say the least.) It is one hell of a mess.

On one side: Property values. Safety. Perception of trailer parks and their residents. Perception of many who lived in New Orleans pre-Katrina. Already over-crowded roads, schools, etc. Out right prejudice.

On the other side: ....Lest you think all those slated to be moved into those trailer are happy about it, consider this. How would you like to be: Moving to the sticks with a bunch of rednecks pointing shotguns at you. Moving to the sticks. Living in a trailer. No public transportation....which leads to no way to get ANYWHERE -- not to jobs, shopping, doctors, etc. New Orleans was a city, a city that was setup quite differently than where many of its displaced are finding themselves.

Let me say here that, even though I know there are those (residents and displaced) who have the feelings mentioned above, I also know that there are many (residents and displaced) who are trying their dead-level best to do the right thing. And, based on my personal experiences, I think most of us are in that category -- trying to do the right thing. ....Even though, listening to the press, you might not think so.

So, at this moment in time (I'll most likely feel differently in an hour) the only way I can figure to maneuver in this mess is to be a realist. August 2005 changed our world (speaking locally). In one day Baton Rouge and New Orleans were changed and things will never be the same. All we can do is what we do every day, try and make decisions that will shape us into the person we want to be.

And, in case anyone still feels the need to remind us.... Yes, we realize that the season is 120 days away. And, yes, we realize that it could be us next time.