sad…

deery-lou.
today i'm sad. i've been spending days trying to avoid the news of new orleans but eventually one can hide no longer. and things catch up to you. on saturday night eugene and i spent some time talking about all the crap that was happening there and how sad and disappointing it was. then today i listened to the mayors broadcast. i was even more saddened. i read a few more articles here and there, watch some more videos, and wondered "why". there are times that i'm ashamed to say i'm american and these are one of those times. at a time of need people should be coming together not tearing each other apart. and the fact that our own government has responded poorly is even more sad. you have newscaster referring to people of color as "looters" while white people are "just trying to survive". haven't we gotten past the whole color/economic issues. obviously not and its sad. because i don't think we ever will. why are we so concerned with other countries and when our own is in need we take our time. is it because "they" have nothing to gain from what's in our own backyard? it would be very easy for me to get into the whole war business right now but i don't want too. having lived outside the u.s. for the past year you start to get a new insight. especially when you see how other countries deal with issues. i'm living in a country where i'm a minority and i have yet to experience anything as harsh as what some of my asian friends experienced while living in america. this attitude of ours has got to change. our government has got to change. the more i think about it, i'd probably be better off serving bush's term in korea. i'm beginning to think people have forgotten what america was founded on. maybe this simple reminder of what's carved on the statue of liberty will help us remember. please take note mr. president.

“The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles.
From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!"” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

perhaps what we really need is a woman in charge. i'm usually not one to go on ranks but felt like i needed to say something. hopefully as americans we can all come together and help each other out.

be well…