Katrina's eye
In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the storm stripped away more than the roof of the Superdome. It peeled away some of the nicer social layers that we Americans often use for shelter from the uglier realities of the classful society in this country.
We saw the best and worst behavior from the citizens of New Orleans, a city that I dearly love. We saw institutions stripped to their essence. The television screens were full of both kinds of policemen, the brave and noble ones risking their lives and ignoring their own problems to rescue survivors, as well as the arrogant baiting and beating kind that unfortunately leaves a more lasting impression.
The normal political bantering that's ear fluff most of the year appears exquisitetly strident as an audible backdrop to video of flooded neighborhoods; the mayor, governor and White House pointing fingers at each other. At least Brownie is doing a heck of a job.
Now Bell South reminds us why we don't want monopolies. Bill Oliver, a Bell South executive, angrily withdrew his offer to the city of a damaged building to be used as the new police station. Why? Because the city had announced plans to create a free, municipal wi-fi network to help revitalize the local business economy.
Bravo for Bell South. That's like giving a housekeeper cast off clothes and then demanding them back when she didn't do the dishes well enough.
This institutional nakedness left bare from the storm is unsettling. Let's go back to ignorance where all police officers are helpful, the phone company is a service organization and the President of the US has the job because he's smarter than you are.
Posted on December 05, 2005
