Summer of Pain

Customarily, I try to devote this site to positive things, but it would be insensitive not to mention a couple of events.

1. The Emergency Response to Hurricane Katrina

I feel like I'm watching the end of civilization. When Americans are left to live in filth and die of easily preventable causes, something dramatically wrong has occurred. If we cannot respond promptly and effectively to an emergency that was considerate enough to give us a week's notice, then we should be ashamed as we approach another anniversary of September 11th and realize that we are not prepared for any future threats.

2. The Subway Bombings in the UK

To our brothers & sisters in the UK, stay calm. Facing the dangers of WWII and IRA bombings enabled you to handle terrorists--citizens gone mad. Your determination strengthens us. I gasped in shock and anger when I first heard the news. The image of soot-stained faces was unfortunately too familiar. You returned to daily life while simultaneously struggling with grief and gave us a sterling example of how to face these lovers of death.