| As I sat, remembering the pain, anger, loss, grief, | | | | We've experienced our share of verbal abuse about |
| patriotism, and unity that 9/11 caused, I can't help but | | | | our city and ourselves, so it's almost natural for us to |
| also think about the controversy that New Orleans | | | | go on the defensive. Don't roll into town and question |
| Mayor Ray Nagin's comment caused a couple of | | | | us in a way that seems to suggest that what |
| weeks ago. The hoopla began the Thursday before | | | | happened in New York was more devastating, and |
| the 60 Minutes episode where Nagin was interviewed | | | | expect us to remain hospitable. |
| for the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. | | | | Still, with that said, as a public servant, and a |
| When asked by the reporter why the recovery | | | | representative of New Orleans and its residents, |
| effort seems to be going so slow in New Orleans, | | | | Nagin should have kept the first answer to pop into |
| Nagin went on the offensive and reminded the | | | | his head to himself. He should have used more tact |
| reporter that New York was still grappling with its | | | | and made his point in a more eloquent way. Although |
| own rebuilding effort where the Twin Towers once | | | | he has recently made a reputation for himself as a |
| stood. In replying to the reporter's question about | | | | "straight-talker," there are more intelligent ways in |
| New Orleans, Nagin ended up referring to the spot | | | | which he could have made his points. In the future, I |
| where the towers once stood as "a hole in the | | | | hope he chooses those ways when controversial |
| ground" that still exists although it has been five | | | | issues arise because just as we continue to suffer, |
| years since 9/11. | | | | I'm sure that the families and friends of 9/11 victims |
| While I found his reference completely insensitive, I | | | | continue to do so, too. The disasters of 9/11 and |
| understood the angst behind it. I am not one who | | | | Hurricane Katrina are incomparable--they are both |
| particularly sympathizes with or for politicians, but I | | | | devastating enough to cause grief for years and |
| can relate to why Nagin grew defensive. Despite it | | | | years and years. What's more important to me, at |
| being a year plus since Katrina, her survivors are still | | | | least, is that we remember and that we remain there |
| dealing with fear, anxiety, depression, uncertainty, | | | | for each other as Americans and simply as human |
| grief, and several other emotional and mental issues. | | | | beings. |