Devastation has been on our minds here in Connecticut. I recently learned of the Flood of ’55, one of this country’s most devastating natural disasters. Being the 50th Anniversary, it happened the week of August 18, 1955 in the Naugatuck Valley in Connecticut. The Naugatuck Valley is comprised of many little towns and several cities in central Connecticut, most notably Waterbury. It was so bad, buildings were washed off their foundations. Many people lost everything; some lost their lives. The economy was crushed as many industries left because their business was wiped out. Noone was prepared for what happened that week in 1955. It happened so quickly without warning. We expect to have learned from the disaster. Seeing what happened recently, I hope we have.
The devastation Katrina has wrought on Louisiana is gut wrenching. Watching the news coverage of the situation is difficult. I don’t have any family or friends that live in the area or have suffered from the displacement but as I continue to watch the images across my tv screen I am saddend.
What has happened in Louisiana is said to be the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States. If it is the worst, then why has it taken so long for our federal government to respond to desperate pleas for aid to the devastated area? Why is President Bush so reluctant to send aid when he had no problem sending aid to other country’s natural disasters without even batting an eyelash?
Just who is he supposed to be protecting anyway?
