A world power

I've always been proud of my city, but not necessarily my country. And this week has been just another example of good hearts stepping up to the plate when supposedly good minds have not.

My overseas friends may have heard that Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the US earlier this week. That simple statement doesn't come close to describing the magnitude of the devastation. Worst yet, people trapped in Louisiana and Mississippi are literally starving to death.

The media has shown images of dead bodies on the street and reports have come in of looting, shots fired at rescue helicopters and elderly people trapped in the attics of their homes. There is no clean water and no food. It is hell.

One Chicago man, John Maas, has decided to take matters into his own hands and try to save his Mississippi hometown. He was interviewed yesterday on WGN-TV and asked anyone who can help to please donate food, water, clothing, baby supplies, etc.

That was 24 hours ago.

This morning, the same man was interviewed in a warehouse and he has automobile-sized piles of bottled water, baby diapers and formula, canned food. He said that a local trucking company has offered to drive all the supplies down to Mississippi and help his hometown. (Way to go Chicago!)

From the WGN website:

We've been following the relief efforts of John Maas on our newscasts. If you'd like to help, you can drop off donations at: New Life Community Church and Center, 51st and Keeler (near Midway), 773/838-9470.
Mr. Maas is planning to leave for Mississippi Saturday morning.
To contact Mr. Maas directly:708-743-6562

That's one great guy!

What's our federal government doing? Well, the President JUST LANDED on the Gulf Coast today (four days after the hurricane). If I recall correctly, the President was in NY just ONE day after Sept. 11.

Of course, scores of media personnel have been on the scene for days. If the reporters can get there, why can't emergency personnel with food and water??

If you'd like to help, please contact the American Red Cross, Salvation Army or Catholic Charities.

One more thing....I'd like to give credit to CNN for its incredible coverage of the storm, the flooding and the aftermath. The news crew seems to be shifting its focus as necessary, showing rescues of stranded people from rooftops, interviewing survivors and letting them give names of people who are missing, and keeping up to date with the internet websites that are popping up to help survivors. (I guess I notice stuff like this because I used to be a reporter).

On a lighter note....contributions to the Katrina aid fund have been received from Britain, Japan, Australia and...Sri Lanka! God love em!!!