----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Volk" <joevolk@fcnl.org>
To: "Miriam Vieni" <miriamvieni@optonline.net>
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 5:03 PM
Subject: Hurricane Katrina: A Compelling Call "To Do Justice, Love Kindness,
and to Walk Humbly" (Micah 6:8) - FCNL
As the fourth anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaches, the
people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are facing a disaster of far
greater proportions: Hurricane Katrina. Thousands are feared dead.
Hundreds of thousands are homeless. Most of New Orleans remains
submerged under toxic, bacteria infested, disease-laden floodwater. The
regional economy, upon which the country depends for much of its energy
and international trade, has been brought to a standstill. It will take
many years of intensive, costly effort for the region to recover. See
below to help meet the needs of those affected now.
After painful delays, aid is flowing now into the stricken region.
Yet, beyond the devastation, Katrina has left in its wake many
troubling questions about federal budget and policy priorities and
about the capacity of the federal government to carry out its primary
function - to "establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defense, and promote the general welfare. . ."
The disaster has laid bare the devastating impact of decades of
misplaced priorities that have favored the rich over the poor,
marginalized communities of color, failed to address a growing energy
crisis, and wasted hundreds of billions on war and preparations for
war.
* Warnings ignored: For years now, why has the federal government
ignored warnings that New Orleans was at high risk of being devastated
by a major hurricane and ignored local and state appeals for assistance
to restore wetlands, strengthen levees, and take other measures to
reduce the threat? Has it been too distracted by the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan? And by the demands to spend more and more on "military
security?"
* No eyes to see: As the hurricane approached, why was so little done
to assure the health and safety of the poor, the institutionalized, the
infirm and those without access to private transportation? Why weren't
city buses and school buses mobilized to transport people out of
harm's way? What was done to evacuate those who do not read or watch
the news, who do not trust public officials, who have no place to go,
or who are elderly or disabled shut-ins? Did our national officials not
have eyes to see the most vulnerable people?
* Billions for security or for profit?: After the hurricane hit, why
was the federal response so slow and ineffective in the crucial first
days? After spending tens of billions on homeland security, why
couldn't the federal government do better than this? Where has the
money gone? Evidently not to rapid responses to aid people in harms
way.
* Human security too late: Why does it take a devastating hurricane to
get the government to finally provide food, health care, shelter, and
public safety to people long-afflicted by poverty, hunger, inadequate
health care and housing, and unemployment? Will the government now give
greater priority to addressing similar concerns in communities across
the country where basic human needs continue to go unmet?
* Energy policies put us at risk: Why hasn't the federal government
done more to reduce U.S. dependence on oil (and thus, U.S.
vulnerability to economic disruption and environmental degradation)
when viable alternatives exist? Will the federal government provide
increased emergency energy assistance to the poor and working poor
across the country who are burdened the most by sky-rocketing gasoline
and heating fuel prices?
* Wars that weaken the U.S.: To what degree have the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan undermined the capacity of the federal government to
respond to national emergencies and meet basic human needs?
We urge Congress and the administration to consider these questions in
the months ahead. We urge them to shift federal budget and policy
priorities away from a bleak future of perpetual war toward taking away
the occasion for war through the peaceful prevention of deadly
conflict, meeting basic human needs at home and abroad, advancing human
rights, and reducing the U.S. and world's dangerous, harmful
dependence on oil.
But viewing this crisis just days before the fourth anniversary of
September 11, we are reminded that in the days following those heinous
attacks the president had an historic opportunity to chart a new course
in U.S. foreign policy, one dedicated to advancing the rule of law
internationally, peacefully preventing deadly conflict, and
cooperatively addressing the root causes of violent extremism. It was a
rare opportunity to respond to a grievous wrong with restraint,
justice, kindness, and humility.
Instead, President Bush, with the support of Congress, chose the rule
of force, war, unilateralism, and threats. President Bush and Congress
missed that opportunity at a time when the world was ready to unite
with the U.S. in common cause and good will. The ensuing wars in
Afghanistan and Iraq have diverted resources away from addressing vital
human security needs at home and abroad. Today, Hurricane Katrina
presents another similar opportunity to transform our nation's budget
and policy priorities to address the needs of the poor and vulnerable
at home and abroad; to bring an end to the costly, depleting, and
devastating wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; and to accept the good will
and assistance of allies and adversaries alike. We urge the President
and Congress to seize this moment "to do justice, love kindness, and
to walk humbly."
Take Action Now
1. You can help meet the needs of those affected now by contributing to
the American Friends Service Committee Katrina Relief fund:
http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/FBLGEZSDWT/BTZKEZSGUW/
2. Please contact your legislators. This is no time for more tax cuts
for the wealthiest Americans nor for cutting spending for the poorest
Americans. Providing sufficient resources for Medicaid, food stamps, or
other programs that serve the poorest and most vulnerable people in our
communities should have priority over tax cuts. Urge your members of
Congress to oppose more tax cuts for the wealthiest and spending cuts
for the poorest when they draft and consider the budget reconciliation
bills in September.
The people of the Gulf Coast need the federal government's help now.
So do the millions of people elsewhere around the country who live in
deepening poverty and without health care coverage. The deep economic
disparity and dismal poverty revealed in New Orleans in the wake of the
hurricane can be found in cities, rural areas, Indian reservations
across this country. The job of Congress is to promote the "general
welfare." It's time that Congress got started doing it. Let them know
that you, as a taxpayer, are willing to contribute your share.
You can contact your members of Congress and find a sample letter on
FCNL's web site, http://capwiz.com/fconl/utr/1/FBLGEZSDWT/CYZVEZSGUX/
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________________________________________
Friends Committee on National Legislation
245 Second St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-5795
fcnl@fcnl.org * www.fcnl.org
phone: (202)547-6000 * toll-free: (800)630-1330
We seek a world free of war and the threat of war
We seek a society with equity and justice for all
We seek a community where every person's potential may be fulfilled
We seek an earth restored.
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