September 11th and Hurricane Katrina

September 11th... the "infamous" date in U.S. History. Who would have thought that we'd still be reading every single day in the newspaper about how more of our soldiers were killed in the war that "ended" years ago? And at the same time our country is coping with the biggest natural disaster in our history. I wonder where all the money is coming from to support these causes. And then I wonder... if we have all that money now to spend on the war and the disaster, what was all that money being spent on in 1995? Or 1998 (for examples)? How can the country have all this "extra" money NOW? Is the government maxing out its credit cards or something?

I had a thought... What if two days before the hurricane hit, the federal government offered every person who evacuated the coastline $500 -- or even $1000 -- in cash? Would the people have found SOME way to get out of town then?

Another thought... remember New York Mayor Giuliani and how he seemed so on top of things? How he was right there telling everyone what was happening... getting things DONE... instilling confidence... even though that attack came out of nowhere as a huge surprise? Where was that kind of leadership and involvement after Hurricane Katrina hit... with days of warning?

It's just kind of a depressing time in our history (understatement). :-(

Because it sure seems like we need it these days!