December 23, 2005
Don't Get Stuck on Stupid
I don't know why I'm even thinking about this. But I am.
This issue of Time is something I usually look at every December with mild interest, but not much more. Obviously the results don't really change anything, so I really don't care most of the time. But this issue really bugs me.
I'm trying to figure out why. I think it's because this time around, I feel like I know someone who would've been much better. I shouldn't take this personally, but I am.
Bono? Bill and Melinda Gates? Good people, all, I'm sure. It just feels wrong to me to reward multi-billionaires who decide to spread a little of their wealth (which doesn't require a whole lot of effort), instead of acknowledging the accomplishments of someone who was able to effect dramatic, positive change in a way that doesn't result in a tax write-off.
Yes, I'm biased since I live in New Orleans and every day of my life is Katrina rehash. Yes, I live in a Katrina-centric part of the world, so that skews my vision. I recognize all of that. But I still wish they would've named Lt. General Russel Honore as Person of the Year. Or at least as Someone Who Mattered.
C'mon. You saw the footage -- I won't link to it. You can find it, it's everywhere. You read the news stories. You know how bad it was here in the darkest days. This beleaguered, sunken city was in chaos, with a freaked out mayor who couldn't wrap his brain or arms around the situation, a governor who looked catatonic and a President who was on vacation. All of these people made mistakes (and don't even get me started on Michael Brown, who doesn't deserve a link), but none of them turned this city around. Lt. Gen Honore did that.
This man single-handedly jumped off a chopper into a city that most media outlets were reporting (and I don't blame them for the misinformation) was in complete chaos and was incredibly dangerous, and he led his troops straight into the 'Dome without incident. He immediately established control, got vital supplies to those who desperately needed it, oversaw the evacuation of an entire American city and didn't go running around taking credit for what a fabulous guy he is. In short, he kicked ass.
And don't get me started on his quotes, either. There's almost nothing I love more than I good turn of phrase and this is an eminently quotable man. One of Archi-Sapper's favorite Honore quotes is, "You're looking at your calendar. I'm looking at my watch." Love it.
He showed compassion to the citizenry he was sent to help. According to an article on www.nola.com, he stated, "These were mostly poor people who didn't have much other than their homes," Honore said. "We didn't pull anybody off those rooftops that said, 'Damn, I left my Lexus!' "
Of the poor, he said: "When it's hot, they're hotter. When it's cold, they're colder. When the wind blows, they go over farther. And when a plague hits, they die faster."
I just don't get it. One of the United States' most beloved cities gets hit by the worst natural disaster in our country's history, we send a man into this nightmare as our last desperate hope to turn things around (does anyone remember Mayor Nagin's "desperate SOS" he sent to the rest of the country four days after Katrina? I do.), he takes control and reclaims an entire American city when everyone else stood by helplessly, and he's not Person of the Year?
Whatever.
Posted by Kitty at December 23, 2005 03:48 PM
Comments
Bill and Melinda should give the most money EVER since they've made the most money ever. I have experience with them, as well, since Melinda went to my high school and gave them money. I appreciate their generosity, but that's exactly the point I was making -- it's easy to give money and much harder to go and work face-to-face with people in need. Bill, Melinda and Bono could've been made persons of the year next year -- Gen Honore is the most timely recipient for 2005, in my opinion.
And yes, I know there are things going on in the rest of the world, but thought I had mentioned in my post how my opinions are skewed since I live in post-Katrina New Orleans. I want the rest of the world to receive the help they need as much as the next person, but when I have to live every day in a destroyed city and deal with the weight of the cumulative depression of it, I have a difficult time worrying about what's beyond my front door, and I'm not going to apologize for that.
Posted by: kitty at December 28, 2005 06:12 PM
I'm unapologetic about it, too, kitty. While the rest of the world receives aid and a little sympathy when disaster befalls them, Louisianians are getting scolded for political corruption and for choosing to live in an area that is affected by hurricanes.
Posted by: Rob at December 30, 2005 05:39 AM
bravenet.com
I can see your point, but at the the same time, Bill and Melinda Gates have set up the largest charity ever to exist, and they give more than anyone has EVER. I have been on the receiving end of their charity (I grew up in Seattle, and they are very generous with public schools), and I have also worked for common goals with them in Peace Corps. I also think Bono deserves it because he actually uses his position of fame to try to do some good in the world, and was involved in G8 debt relief. I'm not saying that General Honore didn't do important work, it just that the rest of the world has things going on too, tsunamis and earth quakes, famines and plagues...
I'm not trying to argue so much as add my perspective.
Posted by: Amanda at December 27, 2005 04:46 PM