Being a skeptic

I have to send an apology out to the cosmos (or something) for thinking negatively last week about the world’s reaction to our natural disaster. Yes, the Muslim radicals did declare that Katrina was God’s wrath on the infidels – though I’m still not clear why the tsunami wasn’t God's wrath on someone else – but we’ve come to expect that; they never disappoint. No, I was thinking that there was a decided lack of statements issued, aid offered, prayers made and sympathy expressed from all the factions that normally weigh in on a country’s misfortune. Maybe it was just that I missed it all in the flurry of news. Last week it looked like no one else cared; like we were on our own to deal with the mess. But now it seems that I was just being a skeptic.

That other countries are actually sending money and doctors, donating oil, and expressing their concerns and best wishes is very heartwarming to me. The music industry has finally gotten on the ‘bandwagon’ with a benefit concert. I don’t know that Hollywood has weighed in yet, although, since they are such absolute authorities on everything I'm sure they'll be sharing their wisdom and political condemnation soon. I don’t remember yet seeing a statement from the Pope, though maybe I just missed that. But Mexico (Mexico!) is sending a convoy of kitchen trucks and medical workers (although the picture of Mexican troops driving into Texas is disturbing, as, frankly, is the dominating presence of our own military taking over a US city – but that’s another thing.) Middle East countries are donating oil, and even tiny, poor countries are sending nominal amounts of money. While Chinese newspapers condemned us (“the looters showed the dark side of American life,”) the Chinese government has, nevertheless, expressed its sympathy to Katrina’s victims, sending the U.S. a $5 million donation plus tents, bedding and electricity generators.

Amazing.

But I reserve some of my sarcasm. The political fight got nasty quickly – just as I’ve come to expect. Jesse Jackson finally showed up to get some press coverage for himself. Nanci Pelosi got nasty and Hilary called for a 'commission.' Geraldo Rivera was in the thick of it, surpassing even his own usual audacity by claiming that he was pleased to see some of the men “I served with in the Gulf” as he met various National Guard groups. So I can still be a little bit of a skeptic, right? We’d be worried if there wasn’t some of that.