Funny how a few years changes everything eh ‘Murica?
And the timing is quite interesting.
Just as we all (yes, even those of us fortunate enough to live beyond your borders) stop and remember the many people we ALL lost on 9/11, we see revisions to the toll of Hurricane Maria. Maybe I find it especially fascinating simply because I still recall, in all its’ vivid clarity, the horror of watching about three thousand people perish day seventeen years ago. Perhaps it’s because I recall, with far too much detail, the sight of Canadian soldiers who’d paid the ultimate price, pass my office window in large and heartbreaking motorcades after having served shoulder-to-shoulder with your brave men and women fighting (in vain?) to rid the world of an enemy barely seen but often heard and felt. I mostly certainly recall, the feeling of emptiness, soul-searing sadness and deep concern about the world ahead in the hours after the towers fell. I remember feeling assured though. Assured by a nation, neighbour and world leader who took the proverbial bull by the horns and acted on the events of that day. We can endlessly argue as to whether the actions were right, just, appropriate ( www.rawstory.com/...) but at least you did what you’re supposed to do; ACT.
Make change.
Stand up for those that couldn’t come back.
Three thousand-odd Puerto Rican residents later, yes, Americans, you’ve allowed yourselves to do squat. Your ‘leader’ denies the numbers. Your FEMA director (WTF???) can’t even line up with the numbers and makes excuses to deny the veracity of the numbers and FURTHER — cast aspersions on those that sought to understand the disaster.
No investigation.
No effort to learn and grow.
No effort to make the next episode less of a disaster.
Hell, barely even lip-service to the SAME NUMBER OF VICTIMS as 9/11.
I am not sure if I am just plain saddened by America, disgusted or simply no longer surprised.
I know, you’ve heard it all before. Perhaps, one might argue, from me. Alas, for the sake of my own sanity and the far-fetched hope that it may foment some true action, I have to say it again. Your brand is significant trouble. Potentially irreparable trouble. Your Drumpf is making all of you — Dem, Rep, left, right, all your fave ‘colours’ (‘cause, ya, you still insist on categorizing each other that way….), men, women and children, world pariahs.
You folks are above-average fans of the bible, you claim to be ‘civilized’, you obviously have some smart citizens — so why is this BS lingering?
3000 people dead.
3000 people dead.
3000 people dead.
How many times does it take to wrap your heads around this one?
What does it matter if they were crushed, incinerated, drowned or dead of stress?
Never too late to break out the torches and pitchforks folks (and no, not those crappy tiki torches those whitebread morons favour either….). People are watching. If this is how you treat your own, who in their right mind would trust you?
Do you see where this headed?
Sorry folks. More stunned disbelief from a neighbour to the north who still hopes (in vain?) that you’ll become the great things you were, you should be, you owe your children. I’d come down and tell you but I have seen a real live marijuana plant in my lifetime so the Gestapo you’ve allowed to police your borders wouldn’t let me in.
Sigh.