Sunday, Sep 18, 2005
Let me add a little preface here about this blog; while this is not about "Lost" the show, there will probably be several references to it which may confuse anyone who has not watched the show and/or posted to the message board about it here.
A lot has happened over the last few weeks that has brought the division between faith and science into sharp focus for me. I don't have any faith anymore, and probably haven't for a very long time. I'd say when I managed a home-electronics store in Chicago in the early '90s is probably when it happened. I had so many people ripping me off, it wasn't even funny.
My lack of faith... in people, gods, the great force of the universe, what have you... is probably why I identify with the character of Jack much more readily than Locke (both from LOST for the uninitiated). While both men seem a bit imbalanced in their approaches, I can usually see where Jack is coming from, while Locke remains a mystery, or worse, appears to have gone looney-tunes.
Even now, post-Katrina, where most everyone has been very kind and helpful, it has not restored my faith. I see huge fundraisers and telethons going on, supposedly for my benefit. I smirk and wonder how much of it would actually make its way to me if we were actually seeking help (hubby is stubbornly proud) and how much of that money is actually going to benefit opportunistic businesses and the managers of these events. One Wal-Mart employee told me that they're not offering discounts at their store (this was one with a grocery in it that's very close to our new apartment) because the Corporate office has already donated a million dollars. Okay, I can accept that... I guess. Donated to whom? For what purpose? I can tell you, I need groceries *today*. I'm not going to need money to rebuild until tomorrow, if then. That's the "science" part of my nature... the pragmatist.
It's great that people are giving, and giving generously... but when will we get what they gave? Six months from now when the bureaucracy has finally finished with it? I probably won't need it then. Give us tax breaks, price breaks, whatever, but not promises. Because if the Red Cross is anything like the Army, they're spending most of that money on moving people around, and wasting half of it on food people don't eat. I'd like to see the garbage the shelters are producing, just to see how much waste is taking place. And if donations are going to help "rebuild" New Orleans, good luck... because I swear if I see one single repair to a government building before housing is rebuilt, I will go ballistic.
A lot has happened over the last few weeks that has brought the division between faith and science into sharp focus for me. I don't have any faith anymore, and probably haven't for a very long time. I'd say when I managed a home-electronics store in Chicago in the early '90s is probably when it happened. I had so many people ripping me off, it wasn't even funny.
My lack of faith... in people, gods, the great force of the universe, what have you... is probably why I identify with the character of Jack much more readily than Locke (both from LOST for the uninitiated). While both men seem a bit imbalanced in their approaches, I can usually see where Jack is coming from, while Locke remains a mystery, or worse, appears to have gone looney-tunes.
Even now, post-Katrina, where most everyone has been very kind and helpful, it has not restored my faith. I see huge fundraisers and telethons going on, supposedly for my benefit. I smirk and wonder how much of it would actually make its way to me if we were actually seeking help (hubby is stubbornly proud) and how much of that money is actually going to benefit opportunistic businesses and the managers of these events. One Wal-Mart employee told me that they're not offering discounts at their store (this was one with a grocery in it that's very close to our new apartment) because the Corporate office has already donated a million dollars. Okay, I can accept that... I guess. Donated to whom? For what purpose? I can tell you, I need groceries *today*. I'm not going to need money to rebuild until tomorrow, if then. That's the "science" part of my nature... the pragmatist.
It's great that people are giving, and giving generously... but when will we get what they gave? Six months from now when the bureaucracy has finally finished with it? I probably won't need it then. Give us tax breaks, price breaks, whatever, but not promises. Because if the Red Cross is anything like the Army, they're spending most of that money on moving people around, and wasting half of it on food people don't eat. I'd like to see the garbage the shelters are producing, just to see how much waste is taking place. And if donations are going to help "rebuild" New Orleans, good luck... because I swear if I see one single repair to a government building before housing is rebuilt, I will go ballistic.
Posted by Diela, 7:58am
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Posted Sep 18, 2005 9:13 am PT
I'm firmly on your Jack side, living the life of "no good deed goes unpunished." I haven't faith either: the good folk are the minority, because, like many of the traits the creatiionists claim we don't have because we aren't evolved primates, the actual social skills of empathy and kindness do indeed have to be taught: our species evolved to require that teaching to survive, and now that it's not done, well. . .
I'm not being tested as severely as you at present, but I sympthasize greatly. At least you're not alone, you have your family to help you in this difficult time, the most difficult of your life. What a world.
I'm not being tested as severely as you at present, but I sympthasize greatly. At least you're not alone, you have your family to help you in this difficult time, the most difficult of your life. What a world.
Posted Sep 18, 2005 9:57 am PT
Diela, I am sadly certain that you will see government buildings go up before many have housing. It is the nature of our government to take care of itself before the people it is meant to serve.
Those of us in the unaffected parts of the country are angry FOR you - as Betts stated, we are frustrated that there is so little we can do that DIRECTLY helps Katrina vicitms RIGHT NOW. We see footage on the news of relief workers with food being turned away, of swindlers going to Louisiana to try & make a buck off the tragedy, of the deplorable conditions...and there seems to be nothing we can do financially except donate to the Red Cross, which we hear is marginally effectve, at best. We feel paralyzed, and we are so sorry for you.
Those of us in the unaffected parts of the country are angry FOR you - as Betts stated, we are frustrated that there is so little we can do that DIRECTLY helps Katrina vicitms RIGHT NOW. We see footage on the news of relief workers with food being turned away, of swindlers going to Louisiana to try & make a buck off the tragedy, of the deplorable conditions...and there seems to be nothing we can do financially except donate to the Red Cross, which we hear is marginally effectve, at best. We feel paralyzed, and we are so sorry for you.
Posted Sep 18, 2005 10:00 am PT
I have to admit the cynic in me wonders if my donation really goes where they say it will.I hate to think like that but even after 911 it came out that so many of those dollars were mismanaged. I hope you can get the help you need now and good luck in your new start. I hope it will all work out.
Posted Sep 19, 2005 7:59 am PT
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