Criticism
not helping hurricane victims
Our
view
In
the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the
United States is taking undeserved criticism
from the rest of the world, as evidenced
by a Reuters article titled, “World
stunned as U.S. struggles with Katrina.”
The article begins by calling the U.S. a superpower struggling with the aftermath
of a major hurricane. This is indisputable fact and definitely newsworthy.
It continues to say this chaos ”has exposed flaws and deep divisions
in American society.” From that phrase onward, much of the article displays
unfair bias — one of the cardinal sins to objective journalism.
The expose does not forget to mention the looting going on in New Orleans.
Supposedly people are “shocked” at the images, according to the
report. Does the world honestly believe America is a utopian society without
citizens capable of criminal activities? Americans are easily capable of evil,
as is the rest of the world — no news there.
The article fails to mention any of the benevolent efforts going on nationwide
from here in Long Beach to Daytona Beach, Fla. Simply excluding that fact reveals
bias and a lack of consideration for presenting all sides, whether Americans
are taking advantage of a tragedy or contributing to help others in need.
The quotes in the article further provide analysis of the whole situation.
A Sri Lankan was quoted as saying — “not a single tourist caught
in the tsunami was mugged.” As if he were everywhere to actually know
that fact. He also implied Americans are uncivilized with regards to their
apparent lack of concern for others in tragic times.
Try telling that to the Americans who donated blood after 9/11. Try putting
that statement in the face of those who donated millions to Indonesia. Try
placing such pessimism in the face of children selling lemonade throughout
America with the intention of donating the profits to New Orleans victims.
America’s benevolence has gone unnoticed and that is simply unfair.
Of course, the article does not forget to take a few stabs at Bush. People’s
feelings of aversion, annoyance and aggravation for the current president reach
insane levels at times. They want to blame him for just about anything and
everything.
He is definitely at fault when it comes to certain issues relating to Iraq
and his lack of adequate grammar, but blaming him for the chaos ensuing after
a hurricane is uncalled for. The Reuters article quoted a French newspaper
that said, “A modern metropolis sinking into water and into anarchy — it
is a really a cruel spectacle for a champion of security like Bush.”
That French statement is a cheap shot — a real sucker-punch at a time
when the U.S. is experiencing dark hours. It’s like kicking a man when
he’s down. It foolishly implies Bush’s security priorities extend
to preventing natural disasters, that the Texan cowboy can lasso hurricanes
as easily as catching terrorists. The French newspaper statement simply proves
that with hate comes a lack of reasoning and logic.
While many disagree with his policies, this is an instance where Bush isn’t
directly to blame for the poor planning and prevention.
Another not-so-brilliant quote was from an employee of a South Korean firm
who said it was no accident the U.S. was hit — America was hit as punishment
because of its actions in Iraq. Clearly the Reuters article picked only the
best statements to fit its mission.
Near the end of the article, Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said
the United States needs a strong state to help poor people.
This statement, upon closer observation, advocates policies of socialism, policies
which reflect some of the liberal democratic ideals. These strategies function
in much of Europe but not here in the United States.
The United States helps its citizens but people here do not rely entirely on
the government. Promise in America is achieved completely through the actions
of the individual without assistance from the state. It’s up to Americans
to fight for that promise of success.
There would be no problem with the Reuters article should it be labeled as
commentary. Shame on Reuters for presenting its commentary under the guise
of news.
This is a case of one bad apple ruining he whole bushel. Let’s quit criticizing
and help the hurricane victims rebuild their lives. |
