For better or for worse

With all that’s happened in the past week, one must try to observe and distinguish between those trying to make a situation better and those trying to make it worse.

I will address the likely political fallout regarding NO soon, but in the meantime must quickly relate an anecdote.

My lovely gf and I were watching the news, and I got upset about a guy claiming that there were awful rapes and murders happening in NO. My objection was that what he was saying might or might not be true, but it did not stop the network (in this case CNN) from broadcasting it.

Now this:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/katrina/story/0,16441,1563532,00.html

It’s amazing what people will say in trying times -- and increasing rumors and claiming unwitnessed mayhem does not improve anyone’s life. I am working hard to understand the human animal...

A more complete treatment by Michelle Malkin.

Comments

[M@]

So I am wondering why it bothers you that they report the evils occurring in New Orleans. If these atrocities are occurring, which it sounds like they are due to the numerous reports from different sources, then it should be reported. The importance of that report is to identify problems in our society that need to be fixed. I can see how it could be perceived that this is making a bad situation worse but the fact of the matter is the first step in solving a problem is identifying a problem. If the people in that city are at the barbaric level to perform such acts, even if it is catalyzed by a natural disaster, then that is something that needs to be taken into consideration and fixed. It is no secret that New Orleans has a lot of under privileged people. And it is obvious that the local government in that city had some problems. As a matter of fact the corruption of public officials is probably the second most famous thing about New Orleans next to Mardi Gras. Reports like this expose the results of such problems and should obviously be used as a wake up call for reforms to be made to help people. Help people to receive proper education and jobs also to ensure proper law enforcement to drive out elements that breed such behavior.
-M@

[Matt Sherman]

I don't disagree that they should report it -- if these things were occuring. Read the Guardian article and you will notice that many of the worst allegations simply have no evidence to back them up.

It goes without saying that the disaster and its aftermath are hard to fathom, and that the toll is incredible. The problem is the allegation of awful things that weren't witnessed. These are effectively urban myths, and they help no one.