Sep 1st, 2005 I Don’t Know
The focus of this blog is (hopefully) pretty evident: technology and all things geek. It’s only been active for one week now, but already I must break face and write about what truly matters.
The events surrounding Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath that is now taking place have forced me to consider my position and do what I can to help. I’m literally in shock at how devastated New Orleans is — how those people are. It takes a strong person to say, “I don’t know,” and I’m doing that now: I don’t know what’s going on down there, I don’t know how I should feel about it, and I don’t know what to do.
I’ve heard from someone who has close friends near the city (I don’t believe they’re refugees but, rather, live in a small city outside of New Orleans) saying that the media has sugar-coated what’s happening. If that’s the case, and this is sugar-coated, then I’m at a loss for words. I cannot even imagine what those people are going through … and I feel terribly sorry for them.
Everyone wants to blame someone or something in this situation. It’s understandable. I mean, we’d like to have an explanation for our kids (and ourselves). I honestly don’t know how to explain this. I know one thing, though: God isn’t to blame, and neither is the American people. We didn’t bring this upon ourselves, as some are arguing (in the same way they did with 9/11). This isn’t some judgment because of Mardi Gras — please.
There are four kinds of people I’m praying for right now:
- Those refugees who heeded the call for evacuation and fled the city but now have nothing to return to and nowhere to go
- The relief workers and military who are trying to construct some sort of peaceable order and offer aid
- Women, children and elderly who got caught in the storm and (for some reason or another) couldn’t evacuate fast enough — and who are still hanging on for their lives
- Leaders in local and federal government who are making decisions on how to handle the situation
Then there are those I’m praying against:
- Demon-inspired looters and rebels — those that are shooting at relief workers, raping women, stealing valuables and causing disorder
- Apathetic Americans who are too caught up in their own lives and lifestyles to notice what’s taking place in their own country — God forbid anything happen to them and their fellow countrymen continue without so much as a second look
- Arrogant and self-seeking church leaders who appear on television or preach from their pulpits that this natural disaster is a result of America’s sin
Beyond prayer, money and thoughts (written or spoken), I don’t know what else I can do.
Sean Sperte is Geek & Mild. His passion for technology and media, along with his interest in 
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Comments
Fabian De Rango
September 6, 2005
How does your blog work it’s wierd whats all the links on the front page
Sean Sperte
September 6, 2005
The blog is relatively new so I’m trying something a little Kottke-esque. I’ve gotten some negative feedback about it, so I may change the layout.
The links are basically just random links I discover around the web and like to share.
sj
September 8, 2005
My dad lives in Baton Rouge now and has taken in some friends who have been displaced… probably 12 times a day I catch myself worrying about work or a project that’s launching….and I get angry at myself for being so closed off to the world.
It’s crazy – a city as ‘progressive’ and ‘self-aware’ as NYC doesn’t seem to be phased by it much. The logic is probably, ‘That’s terrible what’s going on down there….oh well, nothing I can do. Back to the party!’ Not that I’m any better….but it’s events like these that wake me up, ever so briefly, to the fact that we are in a world at war. If I knew what was good for me, if I cared enough, I might be compelled to do something about it – to change my life’s direction in some powerful, meaningful way.
And then a client calls….
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