Idiot Money
So I bellied up to the table and donated some money to The Salvation Army to deal with the hurricane mess. But I'm kind of rethinking it now. Because let's face it -- 98% of the people who DIDN'T evacuate when instructed were being hard-headed, ignorant or (mostly) just plain stupid.
First the exceptions, which I estimate to be 0.1% of the general population: People who were incapacitated. Really old people with no family and don't know anybody with a car. People who don't know how to use the phone or internet to check the bus schedule. These few people, while they offer compelling personal stories, were few in number.
But let's be clear: this was NOT the tsunami. Forecasters predicted that a massive, possibly catastrophic hurricane was en route and told everybody to get the hell out of Dodge. It dominated the media, people were talking about it left and right -- everybody knew this was happening. This was no surprise wave in a country with bad infrastructure and communication networks - this was an anticipated event in the good ol' USofA. And, to their tremendous credit, 80% of the residents in New Orleans did leave town.
So where's my money going ? Presumably to pay for food and shelter for people who didn't listen to the warnings, some of whom later decided to do some looting. I realize that Katrina was a catastrophic event and that giving food and shelter in a time of need is the right thing to do, which is why I did it. But one part of me can't help but wonder if by supporting idiots there's some kind of anti-Darwin thing going on here - that I'm encouraging the Devolution of New Orleans.
Which, by the way, would be a cool name for a movie or book.
posted by Matt Stewart @ 8:03 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
I think a lot people feel like you do. However, since many in that area are poor (or i guess poorer than me), you might understand (a little) not wanting to leave all that you have (which was almost certainly uninsured) to an unknown fate.
We gave some money as well, but it sucks not being able to do anything but say, "here, have some cash, and good luck piecing your life back together" b/c there is no way to get in to the area or stay there to help.
nobody wants to leave home, I entirely agree. but if tornados or aliens or hurricanes are coming, I'm outta there!
as a former peace corps volunteer, I can say that money is the best thing to give. time and effort are nice thoughts, but are usually far less efficient and useful than cash.
It seems to me that New Orleans being on the poorer side of the economy had a higher percentage of people who just couldn't afford to get out of town. Where were they supposed to go if they didn't have any family and barely enough money to make it to the end of the month when their paycheck was due?
I'm sure there were some stubborn people who thought they could ride it out, but I would hope the percentage would be low. Most people have enough common sense to get the hell out of Dodge if need be. The problem is, do most people have the means to get out of Dodge?
when the earthquake hits, let's also hope the snipers don't come out, or the rapists, or the thugs. it is unbelievable that people are shooting at rescuers.
still, the devastation is tremendous and W has shown again that he's an invisible man in a crisis. of course, the only people criticizing W are HIS OWN PARTY and Bill Clinton, who's retired and technically nothing these days. Democrats are such wimps, I hate it.
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