If you haven’t heard much of what’s happening in Gary, Ind., don’t be surprised. It’s been 21 years since Hurricane Katrina caused damage to New Orleans and people were left without electricity and had to seek sanctuary in the Superdome where they were sexually assaulted and forced to leave their dead relatives outside to decompose in the summer heat.
It was the moment in George W. Bush’s presidency where a lot of people changed their opinions of him forever. But our current President’s administration has said very little about an Aug. 11 storm, nine days ago, that has left people without electricity after a storm produced winds over 100 mph and tornadoes. Seven people have reportedly died. People are being forced to throw out cold/frozen foods that have spoiled. Schools are still closed as tens of thousands won’t see any relief until after the weekend.
About three-fourths of Gary’s population is black/African-American, which is why this is not making much of the rounds on major news outlets. And yes, NOAA forecasts Gary’s temperatures are going to be in the 70s. But the lack of urgency should piss anyone off. It’s been in the high 90s here and over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. A storm came through the Tahlequah area on Monday. Some people were without power for over 24 hours.
And for those saying we’re weak for going one or two days without electricity, I grew up in the 1980s and 1990s with only a landline phone that supposedly was a digit or two off from the emergency line to one of the power companies. That means anytime there was a bad storm, the phone would ring with an irate southern caller, sometimes swearing, as they were upset their power was off.
Very rarely, and I do mean, very rarely were the callers at least cordial. We didn’t have Caller ID so we had to answer the phone as we didn’t know who it was. And yes, people called in the middle of the night and would even argue with us they called the wrong number. So I can understand why people in the Gary area would be very upset.
They have every right to be upset. I don’t think they should all be punished because on Aug. 14 a utility vehicle was struck by gunfire. Actually data reports indicate crime is actually down in the area in the last few years. I’m sure some of the people who called our house were probably cleaning their guns ready to go down to the power company.
I know some people will say remember this in November but that’s more than two months away. People need help and relief now. They needed it many days ago. What’s wrong with helping people out as soon as possible?
My stepfather worked for Georgia Power snd he often told me stories of how they’d take naps in the utility trucks in shifts and had to drop their pants to drop a deuce when they were up on a tower if they couldn’t hold it. A lot of them work long, hard hours restoring electricity because they know it’s their people (family, friends and neighbors) who need it.
I’m sure a lot of people care, but it’s a shame our elected officials don’t.
Zane Says 