Thursday, September 01, 2005
What do you say in a time like this. I've seen the most amazing people humanity has to offer juxtaposed by the scourge and human filth that we must co-habitate with. I had planned to spend a weekend with my family fishing for my birthday. However, Dad will be busy helping rebuild America's petroleum industry and I will make myself useful in some other way. I'm coming home after the football game tomorrow night and cleaning out everything in my closet. I'm taking everything I haven't worn in a year, shoes, shirts, pants, pj's, you name it. I'm taking it to S.O.S. for the refugees here in Liberty County. Then I'll see where else I can help. I don't care if I serve food all day long I've got to do something.
I'm proud of Houston for stepping up and taking these people in. I'm proud of all of our area for answering a call for help. I'm overwhelmed with emotion and driven to help these people. My Dad went to wal-mart where he bought $700 worth of blue tarps to send back to the Houma area with one of his clients. This same client took his crew boat down to rescue his employees and other's who needed it. These same people shot at him. I wonder if people realize that not only did this cripple our petroleum industry by uprooting rigs and delaying refinery production, but most of the people who run these rigs live in the areas hardest hit. How do you rebuild a company when you can't even find its employees? There is a list of refugees in our area that need work. Dad's going to try to hire some tomorrow.
As Bush urges the nation to conserve gas I'm one step ahead of him. We filled up everything we owned Sunday night. I've been driving 55 miles an hour and not a bit over since then. Those of you who know me know that is the equivalent of me giving a kidney. I don't drive 55. Gas was $2.97 tonight and I'm sure it will be over $3 in the morning.
So many things about this situation in New Orleans that I don't understand and can't explain, nor can I criticize, only sit and stare with tears streaming down my face. I can't comprehend the loss and devastation. I'm not sure any of us who didn't see it first hand would be able to. I will say I find it amazing that we can jump through our ass to help other countries, but we don't seem to be doing so well for our own selves.
Shepard Smith has been amazing to watch. All of the journalists have been. The tears in their eyes, the breaking voices. I can't imagine being in their shoes. I watched Shep tonight on O'Reilly talk about rebuilding the city. I was struck by the look on his face and the tone of his voice when he responded to Bill with "you just haven't seen this Bill, you just haven't seen this."
I'm thankful that my coworkers families have been found and are safe. I'm thankful that Kevin and his family are safe. I'm thankful that Tracy, Jeff and my boys dodged a bullet this year. I could go on for days about the things I'm thankful for, and I'm thankful for that.
♥Oh, so vintage... 8:47 PM
