New Orleans

I was born in New Orleans. I spent the better part of my teenage years there. I still have friends and family living there. Over the last few days I've been watching the news, reading the reports coming out of the city and I'm saddened and horrified.

I haven't had news about anyone I care about, and it doesn't look like there will be a reliable way to reach any one for a long time to come. I can only hope that by some miracle news will filter out. I have two aunts living in the city, one whose family couldn't afford to leave and one whose family chose to stay. I worry about them and the situation they must be facing now.

I'm horrified by the news of looting and violence. I know that the situation for the people of New Orleans is bleak and scary, but it always makes me shudder when the base side of human nature rears it's ugly head. I can only hope that things will get better as quickly as possible so that the scenes we see on the evening news will begin to be a little more about the goodness of humankind, and less about the ugliness.

I encourage anyone that reads this to click on the link above, if you can help in anyway, please do. The people of New Orleans are living in Third World conditions and the state and local governments are coping as best they can, but they are overrun by the need. If you can offer help in any fashion, please do.

Let's all try to remember the people all along the Gulf Coast that have lost everything and maybe be a little nicer to the people we meet today, be a little more thankful for the things we have, even if they aren't everything we want. Say a little prayer, in whatever fashion you like, but remember the people that are suffering so close to home.