I am currently reading the book of Job. A few of Job's "friends" suggest that all Job needs to do is what is "right" then God will bless him. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar (please don't chose any of these names for your children) are telling Job that obviously he is doing something wrong that is he is sinning, which is the reason for all the calamity in his life. All he needs to do is what is right and he will be blessed by God.
We all have heard this and in fact I am guilty of telling my children the very same thing. Who hasn't heard the proverb - You get what you deserve and you deserve what you get.
But, Job rightly argues that there is a lot of unfairness in life. You don't get what you deserve. You often do bad and nothing happens or you do good and miserable things happen. Job's friends were arguing for prudential wisdom. All you have to do is learn the rules. You learn what "good" is you learn what "bad" is. Just do "good" and everything will be "peachy" for you. Not only by doing what is right, but by doing it you get immediate rewards. That is extreme prudential wisdom. Job's friends believe that is wisdom. Job argues against it.
So, I need to be careful in instilling in my children that if they just work hard and do what is right that life will be good. You know maybe I need to reprogram my own brain as I tend to look on other peoples misfortune as what they deserve.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Friday, September 02, 2005
"Not Acceptable"
President Bush is calling it like it is:
"A lot of people are working hard to help those who've been affected, and I want to thank the people for their efforts," Bush said before leaving the White House for a tour of the devastated areas in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. "The results are not acceptable."
What went wrong?
From what I have seen on TV and read, my answer would be communication and security.
In the last couple days I have read articles that are trying to draw parallels to Katrina and 9-11. I believe this is a unfair comparison. Yes, there are things we should have learned and applied, but I view them differently for these reasons. First, 9-11 was perceived as an attack on America. All people regardless of race or economic status rallied together to defend America and what each believed America stands for. Secondly, 9-11 effected thousands (that is those that were actually at the Twin Towers, Pentagon or the airplanes that were used as weapons. Those thousands then effected 100's of thousands as you include their families and friends. Katrina is effecting 100's of thousands first hand which in turn effects millions.
Looking back we can ask questions; why was this or that done or why the delays to act? I guess the one that I tend to ask most often is: Why when we knew for days that it was headed for this area (and the predictions were for an almost direct hit on New Orleans) was the preparation not there? I don't know this for a fact, but would be willing to wager the house on it that there have been studies done and mock simulations of disasters and how to play them out. And mind you most of these are local response plans.
The Mayor of New Orleans Ray Nagin and the Governor of Louisiana Kathleen Blanco have not impressed me with their leadership. I don't see either of them rising out of this tragedy with anything close to the kudos that Rudy Giuliani received.
It also should be noted that at least 20 counties have offered aid. People have said sarcastically to me "I wonder if any countries will help us."
Lastly, I refer you to two commentaries: David Brooks of The New York Times writes The Storm After the Storm and Sam Storms writes Katrina, Common Grace, and a Theory about the End of the Age.
"A lot of people are working hard to help those who've been affected, and I want to thank the people for their efforts," Bush said before leaving the White House for a tour of the devastated areas in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. "The results are not acceptable."
What went wrong?
From what I have seen on TV and read, my answer would be communication and security.
In the last couple days I have read articles that are trying to draw parallels to Katrina and 9-11. I believe this is a unfair comparison. Yes, there are things we should have learned and applied, but I view them differently for these reasons. First, 9-11 was perceived as an attack on America. All people regardless of race or economic status rallied together to defend America and what each believed America stands for. Secondly, 9-11 effected thousands (that is those that were actually at the Twin Towers, Pentagon or the airplanes that were used as weapons. Those thousands then effected 100's of thousands as you include their families and friends. Katrina is effecting 100's of thousands first hand which in turn effects millions.
Looking back we can ask questions; why was this or that done or why the delays to act? I guess the one that I tend to ask most often is: Why when we knew for days that it was headed for this area (and the predictions were for an almost direct hit on New Orleans) was the preparation not there? I don't know this for a fact, but would be willing to wager the house on it that there have been studies done and mock simulations of disasters and how to play them out. And mind you most of these are local response plans.
The Mayor of New Orleans Ray Nagin and the Governor of Louisiana Kathleen Blanco have not impressed me with their leadership. I don't see either of them rising out of this tragedy with anything close to the kudos that Rudy Giuliani received.
It also should be noted that at least 20 counties have offered aid. People have said sarcastically to me "I wonder if any countries will help us."
Lastly, I refer you to two commentaries: David Brooks of The New York Times writes The Storm After the Storm and Sam Storms writes Katrina, Common Grace, and a Theory about the End of the Age.
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