boon's log 3705.07: A nation in remembrance... (delayed)

September 11, 2005. Last Sunday was the first time the nation remembered the dreadful day when the USofA was attacked by terrorists 4 years ago. Being here really makes the difference - solemnity, practically, swept across town. I guess, much of the contribution to it is also the wake of the hurricane.

Katrina has been at the edge of everyone's lips, so to speak. I have one colleague here whose family is actually lives in New Orleans and is affected by the hurricane. It's devastating. It puts you in a position where you think to yourself, what do you (or can you say) to these people to make them feel better? Helplessness falls on your lap. The first thing that comes to mind is in our donations - then again, remember the Tsunami - where fund management was an issue and was questioned? Irregardless, it's really sad.

On top of that, there has been accusations that the Bush Administration is not doing it's best to help the hurricane victims - citing discrimination as a factor. On Sunday, Lakeside's pastor said something which I think can prove to be quite true. During the 9/11 incident, there was an external enemy that the nation was facing and therefore the nation could unite themselves and look outwards and together with the nation's leaders to fight against the enemy that is causing the hurt and pain to the entire nation. However, in the case of Katrina, there is none - no external forces (leave alone the natural ones, of course), thus the nation is now looking inwards and this could have been the very fact that stirred up the unnecessary "side effects" of the hurricane. Well, I thought that made some sense. But I guess the former part may have it's truth in it, judging from the history we've read from Mr. Michael Moore... Anyway, to each his own. This is mine.

One other thing that came out of this catastrophe is, it may surprise you (it may not) is that people are more opened up to the idea of God. Television and radio stations are more leaning towards airing God-influenced programs and interviews, which is good. Like the other night, Alvin Slaughter and a couple of other gospel singers coming up on National TV singing Gospel music to raise money for the Red Cross for the hurricane victims. I believe the program was aired on several channels also. I believe that is truly what we need - amidst of all the 500-over million US dollars donated to the Katrina victims, we need a nation (or a world) of prayer...

boon out...