ronin
08-29-2008, 02:34 PM
The Sun Herald collected the perspectives of many folks in our community and we just wanted to share our words of appreciation on the third anniversary of hurricane Katrina.
Here is a link to our submission:
Atheists in a hurricane (http://www.sunherald.com/letters/story/779232-p4.html)
Now...we're back at it for Gustav as well.
See y'all in a few days.
My most vivid personal recollection of Hurricane Katrina was the huge outpouring of real support from others of all backgrounds from around the world.
In the few hours I had after the long shifts at the Gulfport Police Department, items we personally received through donations from assorted atheist and humanist groups familiar with our plight were given out everywhere people were in need.
Many good folks from these same groups came to our ravaged property from many miles away to "camp out" and put our house in better shape than it has ever been.
It was truly a wonderful experience and they are in my family's thoughts and memories and have our deepest appreciation.
Somewhere in all of that contrasting despair and hope I also had the honor to meet with Sun Herald Executive Editor Stan Tiner regarding these good folks and our efforts, which he was gracious enough to recognize with a touching personal column.
It has now been three years since Katrina slammed ashore, Mr. Tiner, and it is still our strong participatory humanism that brings us forward. I'm ever more convinced of this because it has been tested by experience and expressed so compassionately in real human terms.
Though Hurricane Katrina was a force of nature rarely seen, humanity is an even more powerful force of nature when led by unconditional love and care even in the midst of devastation and horror. And that is a true wonder to behold.
We're stronger now, Jobar and Puck (are the others here at TR yet?)...so your fine walls should hold nicely even through a direct hit.
:wave:
Here is a link to our submission:
Atheists in a hurricane (http://www.sunherald.com/letters/story/779232-p4.html)
Now...we're back at it for Gustav as well.
See y'all in a few days.
My most vivid personal recollection of Hurricane Katrina was the huge outpouring of real support from others of all backgrounds from around the world.
In the few hours I had after the long shifts at the Gulfport Police Department, items we personally received through donations from assorted atheist and humanist groups familiar with our plight were given out everywhere people were in need.
Many good folks from these same groups came to our ravaged property from many miles away to "camp out" and put our house in better shape than it has ever been.
It was truly a wonderful experience and they are in my family's thoughts and memories and have our deepest appreciation.
Somewhere in all of that contrasting despair and hope I also had the honor to meet with Sun Herald Executive Editor Stan Tiner regarding these good folks and our efforts, which he was gracious enough to recognize with a touching personal column.
It has now been three years since Katrina slammed ashore, Mr. Tiner, and it is still our strong participatory humanism that brings us forward. I'm ever more convinced of this because it has been tested by experience and expressed so compassionately in real human terms.
Though Hurricane Katrina was a force of nature rarely seen, humanity is an even more powerful force of nature when led by unconditional love and care even in the midst of devastation and horror. And that is a true wonder to behold.
We're stronger now, Jobar and Puck (are the others here at TR yet?)...so your fine walls should hold nicely even through a direct hit.
:wave: