When bad things happen to good people, most of us want
to help in any way we can. When terrorists destroyed
thousands of lives on Sept. 11, 2001, people all over
the world reached out.
Hurricane Katrina brought another round of good will.
But there are always those that see tragedies and
disasters as a way to get rich.
I've been selling some heirlooms and trinkets on eBay
for the last month. After Katrina petered out, I noticed
literally hundreds of listings that claimed they would
give part of their sales to help the survivors of the
disaster. The same thing happened after 9/11, and there
were the memorial sales too.
I don't know about you, but if I want to give my
hard-earned money away I want to know where it's going.
The flood of listings on eBay and in my e-mail tells me
there are many who clap with glee when bad things
happen. It's another chance to prey on the generosity of
those who can help. I guess I shouldn't be shocked
anymore at the callousness of others, but it does bother
me.
What bothers me more is the sudden flow of cash
coming out of Washington, D.C., since the hurricane.
Congress had been slashing funding at record rates and
claimed there was more to be cut. Then Mother Nature
gave the Southern coast a whack, and the president vowed
the government will spend any amount asked for to make
things right.
Is this what it takes for the Bush administration to
give to the needy what they've been crying for the last
five years? Apparently so, but how in heaven's name are
we going to pay for this pledge? Hurricane Rita came on
the heels of Katrina, adding to the list of disaster
relief victims. FEMA will need more money, and those who
gave all they could for Katrina might not be able to
empty their wallets again.
I haven't heard one word about rolling back tax cuts.
Gas prices continue to rise along with the federal
deficit. I haven't heard anything about the
mega-corporations stepping up to the plate and handing
over some of their record profits.
I do hear the chant to members of the working class
to open their meager coffers and help.
I do read about help coming from developing
countries.
I do see the poorest of the poor opening their homes
to those who had theirs swept away. Apparently the
government and the rich need to listen and learn from
people who know tragedy.
The effect of 9/11 taught us that we are not immune
to terrorism just because we are Americans. Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita taught us we are not immune to nature's
devastation just because we are Americans. I hope
America keeps these lessons close.
Those who don't learn from the past are doomed to
repeat it.
McKee, a wheelchair user, is an Albuquerque
writer, poet and producer. You can e-mail Barbara
at chairgrrl@chairgrrl.com.
Her column runs on Tuesdays.
