Katrina: On the way home from the movies last night, I picked up a local free weekly, and it had a wonderful article on the Katrina response. It started with local officials, providing a historical view of why New Orleans was unable to properly response. Next, it refused to blame the war, though missed the point in the process (it's not a question of never sacrificing to fight a war -- it is that this war is not worth it). But, then it spelled out in detail why the federal response was morally criminal. A well rounded account, and ever more useful for its measured outrage.*
Movie: The movie was The Constant Gardener, concerning a stolid British civil servant (having some role in international development) investigating the suspicious death of his young reformist wife on some road in Africa. It is well done, the human stories of the two stars as strongly portrayed as the underlining poverty in Africa and the corruption that arises from it in the pursuit of money ... with more than a tinge of racism thrown in.
It all has something to do with her investigation of drug trials and though one is sure to be reminded it is fictional, it surely brings to light reality (more complicated, but just as troubling) and to mind real life politicians. Note, for instance, trials of the first successful birth control pill was run in Puerto Rico -- we generally outsource our clinical trials as well, opening up the path to abuse.
Sports: The Yanks managed to come back from four down vs. the Devil Rays, who handedly won the season series. The Mets dropped to a new low. They finally had a chance to win in Atlanta, but the closer blew the (slim ... they got two in the first, and that's it) lead in the ninth. The Mets came back. The closer (who already threw over 30 pitches) came back and blew the lead again! The horrible thing is that he was left in until they loaded the bases.
Ah, but not so fast. There's more! The newest reliever, a White Sox closer reject but apparently having talent, came in. And, go the first two outs. Ran the count 3-2. And, gave up the winning runs. This is unconscionable. The team has the talent to do better than this ... not playoff, but not repeatedly pathetic efforts either. And, so, though they did clearly improve, there is reason to be dissatisfied.
Mayoral Race: Four democratic contenders for the primary, none really that exciting (one named "Anthony Weiner"), and none really likely to win vs Mayor Bloomberg whose Jets Stadium shenagians make me unable to vote for him. How exciting voting is!
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* A nod also to Al Franken today for putting the events in context, railing against the usual suspects, but also examining the new bankruptcy law and poverty in general. Hours on end of "look at how corrupt the response was" is good and all, but self-limiting.
A big FU to a local editorial who, after noting the feds were "slow," smeared the New Orleans' mayor, called Dean a "loony" (since 3/4 of what he says is right, what does that make you?), and missing the point so grievously (he thought the mayor's note in July that the city could not handle the removal of over a hundred thousand people was somehow a slam against the mayor -- it only underlines the importance of federal aid. Also, I doubt if my mayor could easily handle that many people leaving their homes all at once).
Oh, and since at least a "smidgen" of the malign neglect going on is racially based (see linked article), I guess Bush -- using his words -- should be shot. What an asshole.