I just wrote my first letter to the president. In fact, it's my first letter to any government official. I could barely type this without tearing up.
This is also my first Daily Kos diary.
Letter below:
September 2, 2005
President George Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Sir:
Throughout Sunday, August 27th I, as did much of the nation, watched in horror as a cataclysmic storm barreled toward the Gulf Coast. From our living rooms it was apparent utter devastation was all but inevitable.
Since you declared a state of emergency in Louisiana on Saturday, there certainly was understanding of the direness of the situation, so I find it incomprehensible that there was seemingly no federal assistance with the evacuation of New Orleans nor an immediate relief and stabilization effort once the storm began to subside.
Throughout this week I have sat transfixed, heartbroken and furious, by the news coverage of the aftermath.
Never in my life did I expect to see such massive, prolonged, needless and preventable human suffering in my country, exacerbated by the shocking incompetence of your FEMA bureaucrats. The lack of leadership and delay of response borders on the criminally negligent.
This week has been a shameful black mark on this country's history.
You and your entire administration should be ashamed.
As an American citizen and as a human being I am ashamed of you.
Sincerely,
cc: Sen. Charles Schumer
Sen. Hillary Clinton