We Shouldn't Have to Place Blame...

I started this blog months ago but haven't really used it yet. But after the events of the past week, the more I read the newspapers and web magazines, watch the news and read the blogs, the more I understand how important it is to say the things left unsaid and ask the unasked questions.

I do agree that it doesn't make too much sense to ask the people responsible for relief efforts to explain themselves now, of all times but at the same time, I think it's important that we all just pay attention to what we've witnessed.

When a crisis occurs, it's the duty of our president to put down whatever he's doing and manage the situation. Even if that means just offering support to local officials who have things in hand.

In the case of relief efforts in Katrina's aftermath, local officials did not have the situation in hand but that's understandable due to the magnitude of of the destruction.

That's where the President failed us.

The whole point of having a president is to, when necessary channel the power of a nation through an individual. In times of crisis we should never have to hear the president talk about waiting to get an okay. If there is no plan it's up to the president to do what he needs to to eliminate the drudgery of bureaucracy and act when lives are at stake.

However, our president instead wandered around the country for most of the week as if he had no idea of the magnitude of what was happening. He very well may have not, which would be equally damning.

But as of right now, that's not the issue.

I know there are a lot of people like me, who are not surprised by the president's actions. But calling for his head right now, when there's no way we'll get it will only weaken our efforts when it's time for accountability. His administration has proved time and again that the only thing they do know how to do is spin peoples attacks on them. So don't give them abything to fight and they'll reveal who they really are.

This is bigger than right and wrong.

I would hope that anyone that didn't come through and meet their responsibilities would hold themselves accountable. But these are not the people running the country.
Soon we will be forced to take a real look at the people we entrust with our safety, the media and ultimately ourselves. To imagine otherwise is to continue to walk calmly to our end.