Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it caused is one of those matters where I know I should step out of the way as far as blogging goes. I would have nothing to add in news value to what you can find elsewhere. Nor am I particularly happy about being a pundit on the issue, although I do have one thing I would like to say.
I’ve been watching the news videos and I must say they are truly horrifying, although calling the destruction an "American Tsunami" as some have is a bit rich for my blood.That involved millions of victims in a dozen nations that were far less well prepared than the US to offer aid and assistance to their own citizens. A sense of proportion would be a good thing for such commentators to gain.
I’m always leary about writing on topics where others opinions are peculiarly American - I’ve been here a few years but I’m not an American and don’t plan to stay and make my permanent home here. So I’m always afraid of putting my big Scottish foot in it, somehow. This is one of those topics. I have no wish to offend Americans and have every sympathy for those in peril or in hardship even if I feel others elsewhere in the world have a harder life as their daily lot than the poor people of New Orleans do under such adversity. Nuff said.
But...best of luck, all those who are in trouble. I will do what I can to donate or otherwise offer what assistance I can. I am not saying I am turning my back on you.
For further coverage I will defer to my American colleagues at the Unpaid Pundity Corps, who are doing great work on the subject.
Update The BBC seems to have the best at-a-glance collection of links (16 in all) for agencies seeking donations or volunteers. Pass it on, folks.
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