Hurricane of Hope

If you haven't seen Robert Tracinski's controversial piece about the New Orleans disaster, check it out.  Whether or not you agree with his position, it's atypical, intelligent commentary on the matter.

I, for one, have no empathy for those that take little responsibility for their own life.  I've personally seen too many examples of people rising out of squalor and personal tragedy (esp in the Marine Corps) to go along with the current, unspoken, popular view that all poor people, no matter what their actions, deserve our judgeless concern.

For anyone who chooses, their poverty can in fact become their greatest blessing.  Conversely, if you let it, unearned wealth can become a life sentence to torment and sorrow.

To be clear, I am concerned and alert to when my striving, fellow man is dealt a tough blow.  At these times, it is mine and all good citizens' duty to defend and uplift him with every reasonable means possible.  Overwhelmingly, this is exactly what I've seen of the New Orleans aid so far - and this continues to give me hope.