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Lakes and pains
Sep. 4th, 2005 10:17 pm
So at least the rate at which the situation in New Orleans was deteriorating can be said to have slowed. After the putrefying corpses, the alligators, and the poisonous smoke filling the skies, I had an each-way bet on the city being further ravaged by either an avalanche or Moth-Ra. This without even considering the bewildering all-too-human savagery going on in the few areas of dry land. (People never let me down in their concerted insistence on zooming beneath even the the most jaded cynic's expectations at a moment's notice. "I haven't eaten for three days, I'm living in unbelievable stench and squalor, and I'm trapped indoors like this with thousands of poor and starving people. Time to get me some rape.")
In the midst of America's current uncanny impression of a corrupt and hapless third world country, on which even the country's staunchest defenders can't try and put a mollifying spin, there's been a startling outbreak of unfettered debate. Fox reporters contradicting their Bush-fellating anchormen, the mayor of New Orleans swearing in frustration on national radio, and a general re-awakening of dark suspicions that America's black population isn't welcome. True or not, it's going to be hard to fight that perception.
Not maybe the most in-depth critique of events, but my own personal favourite, came from Kanye West during a live telethon. First time round, watch him. Second time round, watch Mike Myers.
What was that about money for New Orleans flood defences, George? Massively cut back, you say? What did you think was going to protect flood-prone areas from floods? Praying really hard? Wait—is John Prescott advising you on this?
NB - For anyone reading this journal chronologically, the rhetorical question in the final paragraph is addressed to the President of the United States, not George from Rainbow.
