After the Hurricane

**Shannon Chenoweth** · 09-04-2005, 08:49 AM

After the Hurricane

Johann Christoph Arnold

In the wake of Katrina, one could say plenty regarding our government�s response (or lack thereof), and about how many more lives could have been saved if those in power had been more on the ball. But this is not the time to point fingers: we have been struck, unprepared, by a mammoth refugee crisis, widespread lawlessness, martial law, and a degree of public panic that has never been associated with life in the United States.

Not surprisingly, the news media is obsessed with the economic consequences of Katrina: the skyrocketing cost of gas, the instability of the real estate market, and the weakening of the dollar, to name just a few. As usual, it seems that the financial and material aspects of the disaster are of paramount importance to us. For many people, the biggest question seems to be, �How long will it be before the price of gas goes down again, and I can return to life-as-usual?�

Very few people seem to be asking what sort of a spiritual impact this disaster will have, and whether we are going to let it affect our consciences and our collective soul. Shouldn�t we all be praying for a spiritual renewal, and for a new era of justice and love? To me, that is the sort of question we should be asking.

RC

**Ray G.** · 09-04-2005, 08:50 AM

Uh?

**Mark** · 09-04-2005, 08:51 AM

There's a minute of my life I'll never get back.

**Taxman** · 09-04-2005, 08:52 AM

I don't think that my spiritual renewal i more important thatn the people who are still dying, will be dying, and have have their lives destroyed.

Sorry.

**kaptain** · 09-04-2005, 08:56 AM

It won't have any spiritual impact. For the most part we're horrible soulless people. Our politics reflect that. Our rampant consumerism reflects that. The only faith we cling to is the one that allows us to treat our fellow human beings like shit, the one that allows us to pursue wealth at all costs. We are a damnable people and this tragedy will not change that.

**Ray G.** · 09-04-2005, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by kaptain

It won't have any spiritual impact. For the most part we're horrible soulless people. Our politics reflect that. Our rampant consumerism reflects that. The only faith we cling to is the one that allows us to treat our fellow human beings like shit, the one that allows us to pursue wealth at all costs. We are a damnable people and this tragedy will not change that.

Nice. You know, I wonder how our own citizens can seem to hate our culture and our species so much.

**Taxman** · 09-04-2005, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by kaptain

It won't have any spiritual impact. For the most part we're horrible soulless people. Our politics reflect that. Our rampant consumerism reflects that. The only faith we cling to is the one that allows us to treat our fellow human beings like shit, the one that allows us to pursue wealth at all costs. We are a damnable people and this tragedy will not change that.

I am glad that someone is able to put a positive spin on things.

**Violet Curmudgeon** · 09-04-2005, 08:59 AM

I'm guessing the spiritual renewal RC is proposing is a collective one that takes into account and helps those that have suffered the most from this disaster. So not so much that you as an individual go to church and get back with god, but that we as a people work together to help those with nothing left rather than worrying about our own individual problems.

correct me if I'm wrong about my interpretation.

**Violet Curmudgeon** · 09-04-2005, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by kaptain

It won't have any spiritual impact. For the most part we're horrible soulless people. Our politics reflect that. Our rampant consumerism reflects that. The only faith we cling to is the one that allows us to treat our fellow human beings like shit, the one that allows us to pursue wealth at all costs. We are a damnable people and this tragedy will not change that.

it's sad to say, but to some degree I agree. people are too wrapped up in themselves and too protected from the tragedy at hand. On the otherside, however, I don't think there is anything wrong with hoping that it will have an impact.

**Taxman** · 09-04-2005, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by Violet Curmudgeon

I'm guessing the spiritual renewal RC is proposing is a collective one that takes into account and helps those that have suffered the most from this disaster. So not so much that you as an individual go to church and get back with god, but that we as a people work together to help those with nothing left rather than worrying about our own individual problems.

correct me if I'm wrong about my interpretation.

Well, we really don't know what RC has in mind since she posted a commentary from soemone else without comment. But what you are talking about, I believe is happening.