Haitians=New Orleans

[gypsyman]

I just new it was going to happen. Now the Haitians are getting riled up because the aid isn't coming fast enough. Have to increase security to keep the natives from getting to restless. And, I know it's that damned George Bush's fault. He caused the earthquake. I know that CNN will have something on this later. Stay tuned!! gypsyman

[Questor]

Dang right, Gypsyman! We haven't blamed George Bush for anything new lately. This is a good thing to blame on him.

I saw the news story about the whining about slow relief. There were hundreds of tons of stuff headed there the same day as the earthquake. My impression is that a destitute country like that with no natural resources and a worthless economic environment is lucky to get anything at all from anyone.

[powderman]

Lou took in a bunch of those katrina folks. Next storm Lou said we don't want anymore of them. A local woman offered her home to entire families, one woman said no cause if she accepted the govt wouldn't give her any more money. A very ungracious group as a whole. POWDERMAN. 

[BrianB]

I spent about 6 months (on and off) working on the Gulf Coast following Katrina. (not New Orleans)  The most common phrase I heard from the affected was "Thank You".

[MGMorden]

I spent about 6 months (on and off) working on the Gulf Coast following Katrina. (not New Orleans)  The most common phrase I heard from the affected was "Thank You".

Indeed.  You were working with individuals.

It's from a comedy ("Men In Black"), but a great quote is:

"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals and you know it."

Look at any large group of people - be it Haitans, New Oleanders, people from Manhattan, or wherever.  As a GROUP, things are going to start to fall apart after a huge disaster - mostly because that rare but vocal and active idiot will set things into motion that everyone else simply reacts to (and their action, taken individually, may even be the best thing for them - IE, if a crowd starts running/stampeding then it's a bad thing because people will get hurt - the crowd shouldn't do so, HOWEVER, the individual would be wise to move with the flow, else they be trampled or crushed).

This is simply the way the way the world works, because it's how PEOPLE work.

[gwhilikerz]

People caught in a situation such as what is happening in Haiti are stunned and don't know what to do. They need help. Of course there will be complaints and even worse. But it is natural reaction. The looting and lawlessness will come soon enough. I see no reason to complain about their complaining. Most people would do the same if they were in the same position. Thank God FEMA is not running this show.

[GunRookie]

People caught in a situation such as what is happening in Haiti are stunned and don't know what to do. They need help. Of course there will be complaints and even worse. But it is natural reaction. The looting and lawlessness will come soon enough. I see no reason to complain about their complaining. Most people would do the same if they were in the same position. Thank God FEMA is not running this show.

Excellent point.  I live in south Mississippi near where the Katrina landed.  So I've seen plenty to gripe about, but it doesn't accomplish anything.  There is bound to be entitled ingratitude in the mix with heroic self-sacrifice when these things occur.  I just pray that we hear about the later more than the former.

[BrianB]

MGMorden...what a great quote.   It really is true.

Questor, gotta agree with you.  FEMA set a new gold standard in disorganization and lack of planning.  And Nagin? Well, my favorite t-shirt slogan ever was "Drink Until Nagin Makes Sense".

[powderman]

Anybody remember who the first responders were after katrina? It was a group of Canadians, they started South before the storm even hit. POWDERMAN.