Katrina and Human Tragedy

Today, I noticed this letter to the editor in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:


The drowning of New Orleans III

Friday, September 2, 2005

I wonder how many countries from around the world are going to pledge billions in relief dollars to help the United States of America and her people recover from the damages caused by Katrina.
It seems the entire world looks to the United States when they need money for disaster relief -- and if we do not give as many billions as the others think we should freely give, look out, the United States is bad-mouthed. Well, let's see how many countries pledge to give the U.S. billions in relief.

I bet President Bush wishes we still had even some of the money we gave out for the tsunami relief or AIDS in Africa -- not to mention some of the billions spent in Iraq. Some of these billions could have gone to help our own people in our own country -- now that we are going to need help.

Charles Aftosmis
Greensburg



My heart has been breaking all week at the images from Louisiana and Mississippi. And the comparison that has been obvious to me all week, seems to have escaped Charles. The truth is simply this: The people who were left behind in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and are dying are the poor who could not afford to avoid the disaster. Interesting that it seems to be the same with AIDS in Africa. The people who are dying of AIDS in Africa, by and large, live on less than $1 per day.

I wonder which dollar Charles would have them send for Huricane Katrina relief.

Charles, remember, to whom much is given, much is expected.