Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Sick Of Conservative Arrogance

Specifically, I'm sick of arrogant conservatives spinning everything into a political issue:
Why no widespread looting in Galveston/Houston areas, just because a Hurricane comes ashore?

That's all we read about during Katrina.

Looting, rape, shoplifting, murder, gang activities, etc.

And while all that was going on, they were wanting to know why the Government wasn't giving them anything.

Texans must have the where-with-all to take care of themselves. So the media sees no story in that.

How refreshing.

But wait, what’s this?

"We are still doing search and rescue operations, and they will continue for two days at least.  We have had some looting, we have eleven arrested looters now who have been arrested,” LeBlanc said.

Oh, whoops, there’s more:

Police say 30 looting arrests after Ike

HOUSTON — Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt says the department made about 30 looting arrests in the 24-hour period.

Houston officials have issued a weeklong curfew for the city devastated by Hurricane Ike, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Hurtt says the looting arrests, between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday, were burglaries at pawn shops, convenience stores and auto-parts stores.

And finally, there’s this interview with Texas Gov. Perry:

Hopefully the federal government again will treat Texas just as well as Louisiana was treated when Katrina came. That's our request to them. We're not asking for anything more. Just give us the same type of treatment you did to Katrina back in 2005 and that will be very helpful.

So much for that “refreshing” “take care of themselves” wherewithal.

You know, each disaster is different. Katrina was vastly different from Ike. I would hope we all learned a lesson from Hurricane Katrina, lessons that will be reflected in future disaster management. And I don't begrudge Texas any federal help -- they're going to need help from FEMA to get back on their feet, and they're entitled to it. Yes, even the people who stupidly stayed to "ride out the storm," even the people who live on a barrier island that probably should never have human habitation. It's someone's home now. We rebuild because that's what we do.

Just don't tell me that those awesome Texans aren't a bunch of whiners like the people of New Orleans. That shit stinks.

For once in their lives it would be nice if conservatives could just view everyone as Americans. Now that would be refreshing.