Ummm....

I recently read an article stating how even though the Democrats are in control of Congress, we shouldn't expect any earth shattering changes because the majority of them share the view of the majority of the rest of us Americans on what we hold our government responsible for. The article went on to explain how--in the author's opinion--when compared to most other countries in the world, more Americans feel a personal, as opposed to a government, responsibility to provide for themselves. Sort of like....level the playing field, give me an equal opportunity, then get out of my way, and let me go at it--I guess.

If the author's observations are true, I'm sure the reasons are complicated and multi-layered, but that's not why I referenced the article. What brought the article to mind was Bush's State of the Union speech, and the fact that he didn't make mention of the on-going recovery of the Gulf Coast.

Should he have? Has it been long enough that individuals should be taking responsibility for themselves? Hasn't recovery money been allocated? And, if so, isn't the money there, or here, or available when a plan has been formulated, has a plan been formulated? Can New Orleans be protected? Should New Orleans be protected? Doesn't Bush have more pressing things on his "to-do" list than the Gulf Coast?

All the above questions (and plenty more) are still being discussed around here. Even so, after Tuesday night's speech, it was interesting to hear how tentative many people in my city were to voice their opinion on "W" not mentioning our area. (After a while it becomes whining, doesn't it?) This hesitancy caused me to remember the above mentioned article. Most of us, like the rest of the country, believe in self-sufficiency, resiliency....all that good stuff the article made mention of. But, there are myriad ways of expressing those traits.

A navy veteran, living in a FEMA trailer (or a house you wouldn't want your dog to live in) because he's lost everything. A retired couple, living in a FEMA trailer (or a moldy, mildewed home that's in tatters) because they've lost everything. Families, living in a FEMA trailer not enrolling their children in school because they still have hopes of going home. Children, living in FEMA trailers not going outside to play because there is nowhere to play outside. And....if there was space to play, God only knows who's living in the surrounding trailers because FEMA won't give BR a list so we'll know if there are those close by that the children should be protected from. The list goes on and on.

It may not be recognizable at first, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find better living examples of self-sufficiency and resiliency than many, many displaced New Orleanians. Just like with everything else, they are doing it in their own way. And, God bless them.

As for our president not using a few words to let many, many struggling souls know they are not forgotten....I'll just sum it up with what I've heard a surprising number of people around town say (some being Bush supporters)....

With due respect to the office--he's a friggin' idiot.