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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS HERALD |
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Along with most Americans living outside the Gulf Coast, I’m compelled to watch every news report about the misery taking place in New Orleans and the surrounding area. Mothers wading through waist deep water filled with gasoline, snakes, alligators and human corpses, attempting to move their children to dry ground leaves you almost speechless. The mere idea of a major American city being reduced to basic survival causes a reaction once reserved for catastrophes in the Third World. Americans are rightfully horrified by the tragic loss of human life in the Gulf Coast. The time has come to also be outraged by the political attacks coming from the very politicians who failed to protect the citizens in New Orleans. Catastrophic events happen. We understand that political leaders will be judged on their reaction and ability to protect those that cannot protect themselves. The hypocrisy of the Democratic Mayor in New Orleans and the Governor of Louisiana attacking the President is incredible. I’m sure most people have now seen the photos of literally hundreds of school busses sitting under water. Why were these busses not full of residents and traveling to high ground on Saturday and Sunday? Why was an evacuation order given without providing any means of escape to those that rely entirely on public transportation? Many people that stayed behind were not trying to brave the storm. They were stuck without any means to move their families to higher ground. The same politicians that abandoned ‘the least among us’ by calling for an evacuation based almost exclusively on private transportation are leading the partisan political attacks. Reports of proposed plans that included using the rail routes and barges to remove people from low lying, flood areas have also surfaced in recent days. Why were those plans not implemented days before the storm hit? What was the specific plan for mass evacuation from every neighborhood, wealthy and poor, if the levee was breached? How dare divisive leaders like Jesse Jackson lecture us on racism when thousands of the poorest African American residents were left behind by their own municipal government. Contrary to the statements of the Mayor and the Governor of Louisiana, the President and other leaders are doing everything possible to clean up a mess caused by nature and exacerbated by bad decisions. Look at the quick and efficient response from the government in Houston. Readying the Astrodome for tens of thousands on a days notice is impressive to say the least. Hot showers, meals, cots and medical care are now available to folks that have suffered incredible losses. In Mississippi, Governor Barbour, has been strong in his leadership and even-tempered amidst tremendous destruction as he directs emergency response and shows the kind of on-the- ground leadership not seen since 9/11. The time for political debate will come. For now, let’s get people still in danger to safety and recover the bodies of those left behind. Sincerely, Bill Spadea 
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