Wil's Rant

As if the Iraqi people haven't had to deal with enough, a stampede has now killed hundreds. I think these people really could use a break. The ability of a mere rumor to panic a group of pilgrims to the point that so many end up dead is clear indication that these folks are right on the edge of chaos.

What started as a fairly orderly preparation for the hurricane has quickly turned into a major human disaster. We've heard a lot about the lack of relief to the people in New Orleans but from what I can see, the Coast guard and other relief agencies have responded in super human fashion to the situation. Many of the people who now have to be rescued were warned to evacuate and chose not to. This has drawn valuable resources away from those who couldn't leave such as those in hospitals, shelters, and jails. Meanwhile, the rest of the Americans have already started to respond in force to the need of those in the South. The Red Cross is reporting massive donations and other agencies are mobilisng. Canadians are starting to assist and are waiting for instructions from the U.S. government on what to send and where. News reports in Canada are clearly showing how desperate the situation is and the urgent need for massive relief efforts. It really is time for the rest of the world to recognize the need and to respond with generosity as the American people have so often done for others.

My final point on this has to do with the grumbling in the news about the resulting climb in oil prices. As a less than opulent person, high gas prices are very troubling to me. Yet I can't help but feel that we still pay a falsely low price for gas. The price does not reflect the true value of oil and it's non-renewability. There is no doubt that a temporary increase in fuel prices will be costly, but it pails in comparison to the terrible situation that so many in the South are now dealing with.