Words seem inadequate

It has developed into a disaster of such proportion, such magnitude, such devastation, that words seem inadequate to describe the situation along the Gulf Coast in what used to be New Orleans, La., and Biloxi, Miss.

Like many Americans, I suspect, I have grown a bit immune to the seemingly endless reports whenever there is a natural disaster or some tragic calamity. Earlier this summer, the coverage of Hurricane Emily seemed almost comic as television reporters struggled to stay out in the windy storm to scoop their competition. So when I heard a few early reports about a hurricane, this one named Katrina, headed toward New Orleans last week, I paid little attention. My increasing activity at work meant less time for watching news, so I only caught bits of information in passing. But I have been drawn to this event in the last two days, and I have just come to realize the full extent of the damage, the devastation, the repercussions of this hurricane.

A few aspects have been especially troubling:
Those in such dire straits that they have resorted to opportunistic looting are despicable. Taking some food or bottled water or other supplies from a vacant grocery store is, I think, rational during an emergency. A person can come back later and pay, and it is likely the groceries would have spoiled anyway. But to grab toys, electronic entertainment equipment and such defies any understanding. There is no electricity to run the electronics anyway.

The pathetically slow response from the federal government is troubling. One reporter on CNN, speaking about the large number of people who trekked to the convention center in New Orleans hoping for relief, found little in the way of provisions or assistance. They followed the law, he said, they trusted their government to help them. They relied on the infrastructure and support they believed would be there for them. It wasn't. We have to find a way to do better -- or even more people will die.

Helecopter flights were grounded after officials realized that the flights were unsafe because people were shooting at the 'copters. Shooting! There is no humane explanation for such behavior. So, while resources were actually available and helping, some fool turned to violence and caused a disruption in the rescue system that likely led to danger or deaths.

Word came today that "Pvt. Katrina" had joined the fight for the Islamic terrorists. Leave it to extemists to use a natural disaster for propaganda purposes. Surely Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell can't be far behind in their willingness to blame this event on gays and the ACLU.

Former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton have been deputized again to coordinate the collection of funds to assist in the relief efforts. So the beggars in chief will hold out their palms -- this time for an area so hard-hit that it is beginning to look eerily like Indonesia or Sri Lanka of eight months ago.

The most outrageous snippet I heard today: That New Oleans should declare itself a separate nation and ask for global relief. Who knows?

In coming weeks and months, people will question the political decisions and such that contributed to the disaster. The cleanup will continue, and people will try to put their lives back together. We'll all suffer -- economically and with an influx of Louisianans determined to live somewhere else. For now, though, workers contend with flooding, with bullets and with hot tempers. I wish them the best.

-- Wenatchee, Wash.