PARTISANSHIP OR COMPASSION
I’ve been reading through 2 Corinthians in the morning, and over the last couple of days have gotten to the section where Paul exhorts the church in Corinth to prepare for his arrival by raising as much money as possible so he can bring it to churches and communities in need. It is a beautifully written appeal for compassionate and cheerful giving.
It has been heartening to see how many Americans desire to be generous in this time of desperation in New Orleans, and how many have acted on that desire and given of their time and money to support those in need. But two things have left a bad taste in my mouth concerning the aftermath of Katrina. One is how poorly organized and poorly conceived are some of the relief efforts, both public and private. It pains me to see inefficiency when it comes to matters of such grave importance and in situations of such scarce resources.
I have also been disappointed in the venomous partisan politics that have flavored many peoples’ take on this tragic event. Conservatives are vilifying the looters as lawless and immoral losers who would dare commit crimes at the expense of people and organizations and municipalities already bearing so great a loss. Liberals are venting all their frustration with President Bush, chastising the federal government for being slow and stingy in their response to this disaster and insinuating that it is because of a lack of concern for the mostly poor, mostly minority citizenry that is left in New Orleans.
I do not discount that there is some truth-telling on both sides. And every world event is indelibly laced with strands of politics and race and class. But I guess it is my hope that the character of America, which is revealed in times of desperation, is proven to be one of compassion, cheerful giving, and selfless courage, not of bumbling bureaucracies and partisan finger-pointing.
I’ve been reading through 2 Corinthians in the morning, and over the last couple of days have gotten to the section where Paul exhorts the church in Corinth to prepare for his arrival by raising as much money as possible so he can bring it to churches and communities in need. It is a beautifully written appeal for compassionate and cheerful giving.
It has been heartening to see how many Americans desire to be generous in this time of desperation in New Orleans, and how many have acted on that desire and given of their time and money to support those in need. But two things have left a bad taste in my mouth concerning the aftermath of Katrina. One is how poorly organized and poorly conceived are some of the relief efforts, both public and private. It pains me to see inefficiency when it comes to matters of such grave importance and in situations of such scarce resources.
I have also been disappointed in the venomous partisan politics that have flavored many peoples’ take on this tragic event. Conservatives are vilifying the looters as lawless and immoral losers who would dare commit crimes at the expense of people and organizations and municipalities already bearing so great a loss. Liberals are venting all their frustration with President Bush, chastising the federal government for being slow and stingy in their response to this disaster and insinuating that it is because of a lack of concern for the mostly poor, mostly minority citizenry that is left in New Orleans.
I do not discount that there is some truth-telling on both sides. And every world event is indelibly laced with strands of politics and race and class. But I guess it is my hope that the character of America, which is revealed in times of desperation, is proven to be one of compassion, cheerful giving, and selfless courage, not of bumbling bureaucracies and partisan finger-pointing.
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