I’ve found it difficult to write much of anything about the devastation in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The tragedy is so overwhelming, it defies description.
There were some early reports on Monday afternoon suggesting that Hurricane Katrina had taken a subtle shift to the east, preventing what would have been a true catastrophe. These reports were wrong; this is a natural tragedy unlike anything we’ve seen in the United States for a very long time.
Given the circumstances, it’s tempting to avoid talking about politics altogether, since it’s so much less significant than the crises facing people suffering on the Gulf Coast. Nevertheless, I feel compelled to do what I ordinarily do. As a friend of mine recently told me, some semblance of the usual routine can be therapeutic in helping to maintain internal equilibrium in the face of a disaster.
Regardless, this is a calamity that deserves a response. If you haven’t already, please consider donating to the American Red Cross, which can be reached online or via telephone at 800-HELP-NOW.