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During the media coverage of Hurricane Katrina, and beyond, we saw many images on our television screens of looters, and people shooting at police officers and fire-fighters. We were shown many very disturbing images and we have all heard many very emotional stories.
We have also seen many examples of heroic efforts and real heroes.
In his first speech as Prime Minister in 1940, Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill said, "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat."
"We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. Let that be realised; no survival for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for, no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that mankind will move forward towards its goal. But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, "come then, let us go forward together with our united strength."
Today, the American Gulf Coast, and New Orleans is facing its own "war". It will be a war of rebuilding, overcoming bureaucratic red-tape, in many cases, years of deeply entrenched corruption. The task of rebuilding is going to be a huge task.
The world is watching, and in some cases, expecting America to fail.
The British Press, infamous for tabloid journalism at its worst, have reported "Doctors Killed Critically Ill Patients" and that "British Aid to Katrina Victims to be Burnt". Many of these stories have not been covered by other major media and can not be fully confirmed. Sensationalism? Perhaps.
What is starting to come out from this disaster are the stories of many unsung heroics performed by people from all walks of life, and from all over the nation, and the globe.
Today, the word "Hero" is perhaps overused. But in the response to this disaster, there are many real people who have "stepped up" and performed deeds that are heroic.
The coming days, weeks, months, and years, are going to need hard work, and the combined efforts of caring people everywhere. The recovery efforts are going to take a long time and likely will fade from the front pages of most newspapers, vanish from the lead stories of most televisions and leave the people of New Orleans, and the Gulf Coast States to do most of the hard work.
The need for real heros has never been greater. The only question remains, is who will "step-up" and offer the real leadership needed in this effort? Where are the Winston Churchills?
These leaders will come forward, terrible events always offer "heroes" a way to come forward and offer up that kind of leadership.
The rebuilding efforts offer unique opportunities however that should be explored.
The communications infrastructure could be replaced with modern wireless communications. "Telecommunications? Who needs wired telephones when we can use low-cost WiFi routers throughout the city (as is now common in much of the world)."
Homes that have been destroyed could be replaced with structures that are designed to withstand future storms. Dome shaped homes, while looking rather futuristic are also very hurricane resistant.
The federal government has pledged billions of dollars to rebuilding the infrastructure, and President Bush has promised to make things "better" than they were before. The opportunity is present for a rebuilding effort that will ensure that the area is far more hurricane resistant than ever before.
The promises have been made, that is the easiest thing for a politician to do. Now comes the hard part, making sure that those promises are honored.
The real work will be done by the people who live in the disaster area. That is perhaps the real opportunity here. As people rebuild, and work together, they will forge bonds to their new neighborhoods, and to their newly rebuild city.
There is an opportunity for greater civic pride, and "ownership" in the areas which will be rebuild. Further, there are job opportunities, where the people displaced by the storm will learn new skills as well. Those skills will help as well in creating new pride in accomplishing and learning those new skills.
In some ways, the role of governments will be to set the standards for building codes, and to make sure that the massive funds offered are used in the most economical and effective means possible.
The involvement of the people affected however is paramount and should be a priority of all levels of local, state and federal government officials.
With "blood, sweat, toil and tears", this could be the Gulf Coast and New Orleans' finest hours.
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