8/31/2005

Ten Disturbing Visions from the Last 24 hours

Kalani is right: TV is evil... Most of the time.
However TV is also information, a lot of it true and valuable information. This has been one of those times. Right now TV, and the images that reach us, can elevate us and our humanity to new levels. From it we can learn things we were never aware we didn't know. We can feel emotions that are far too often foreign to us in our hectic self focused lives. We can be motivated to act in positive ways when we would normally let such opportunities pass us by. It can put our lives in a little clearer perspective.
In Buddhist terminology: It can help us be aware of impermanence and suffering and awaken our compassion.
Today, TV wasn't evil.

Ten Disturbing Visions from the Last 24 hours

1- Red 'X's' painted on 3 houses in a row (signifying dead bodies inside that cannot yet be moved)
2- People sitting on roofs of their houses for over 36 hours waving desperately at helicopters that have to pass them by
3- An empty wheelchair in an alley
4- A man too much in shock to cry as he told a reporter that his wife was torn from his and his child's arms by the wind and had no idea where she was
5- A man being axed out of his attic who only had inches of dry crawl space remaining
6- A bird struggling valiantly against the winds being tossed along the ground
7- A seal that had been tossed onto dry land that couldn't be saved and was shot
8- The roof of the Superdome (once touted as the sturdiest building ever constructed)
9- The famous Bourbon Street sign (no longer there)
10- My kitchen (with full fridge, running water, and working appliances)

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Comments on "Ten Disturbing Visions from the Last 24 hours"

 

Blogger Erik said ... (Tuesday, August 30, 2005 10:17:00 PM) : 

You know, in the hububb of life (packing, friends, other non-absolving excuse) I really hadn't paused to reflect on Hurricane Katrina until this list.

Although you're only the messenger of what has happened, you still struck a chord. I really appreciate that.

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (Tuesday, August 30, 2005 10:57:00 PM) : 

A poignant list. Thank you.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (Wednesday, August 31, 2005 3:46:00 AM) : 

I'll admit it. I spent a little bit of time at my mother's house watching the news. It's devastating. I felt guilt tucking my children into bed, warm, safe, and fed.

Compassion, so powerful, the benefits are endless. You reminded me yet again why I admire you so much.

 

Blogger Juli said ... (Wednesday, August 31, 2005 7:52:00 AM) : 

I wish I could feel compassion for the ghetto-scum looters. Is it an act of survival? I think not.

Last night was the first I'd watched the news in MONTHS. It is heartbreaking to witness the tragedy even if it is 1,000 miles away. I couldn't help but remember other recent memorable tragedies: 9/11 and the Tsunami in SE Asia. I hope those people know they've got a world thinking of them and wishing them strength and peace.

 

Blogger Juli said ... (Wednesday, August 31, 2005 7:52:00 AM) : 

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 

Blogger Mara said ... (Wednesday, August 31, 2005 8:30:00 AM) : 

Tragic and heartbreaking. The destruction is so widespread...

Even a couple, fleeing New Orleans and seeking shelter in a Georgia hotel...

A tornado - born of the remnants of Katrina - descended upon thier hotel obliterating it...

Ti voglio bene miei angeli.. my heart is with them all.

 

Blogger Chris said ... (Wednesday, August 31, 2005 9:46:00 AM) : 

Even more disturbing than anything you've listed (at least in my opinion) is the reporter from CNN huddled in a parking garage, giving her last report of the evening. You can hear her choking back the tears as she describes complete darkness around her and all she could hear were people screaming out for help all around her. It reminded me of the CNN reporter on 9/11 who broke down live on the air after her 100th or so interview with someone who was frantically looking for a loved one.

 

Blogger jamwall said ... (Wednesday, August 31, 2005 11:09:00 AM) : 

i attended the local state fair a couple of times. through all the people-watching its amazing how many of these image-conscious teens and adult lard butts walk around obsessing about their imperfections as its somekind of great tragedy. i hope those folks take a hard look at the huge losses down south and then look at their current situation up here complete with electricity, comfortable homes, food, water and THEN see how they feel about themselves.

 

Blogger Webmiztris said ... (Wednesday, August 31, 2005 5:02:00 PM) : 

that is just awful. I can't even imagine what it would be like to have to deal with all of that.

 

Blogger Stella said ... (Wednesday, August 31, 2005 9:25:00 PM) : 

Thanks for the list.

To be far from tragedy doesn't mean we should turn a blind eye or heart to it.

https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp

 

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