Katrina: Lessons Learned on the Nature of Man
For many years, novels and films have given us apocalyptic views of how easily mankind could disintegrate into ruthless barbarity once removed from the constraints of law and order, and the comfortable smooth machinery of "civilization". But all that was just fiction, right? Not really. The reality is in the news.
While the people of New York City responded predominantly with goodwill and a heroic attitude to the World Trade Center attacks, it is important to keep in mind that the basic structure of the city - the services, facilities, and general day-to-day functions - were still intact. The disaster that has befallen the gulf states is an entirely different kind of animal. The entire city of New Orleans has been utterly devastated. Many peripheral communities and cities have been essentially washed away. There is no source of free-flowing fresh water, food sources have been severely depleted, virtually no energy infrastructure remains, although line crews from neighboring states are working feverishly to get power restored to critical facilities like the water supply system. Tens of thousands of people have lost their possessions, their homes, their jobs, and their entire way of life. As some of the survivors have put it, they are literally "adrift".
While many people do have a positive, strong mental and psychological orientation, allowing them to forge ahead and find a way to carry on within the boundaries of law and moral principles, many others do not.
Poverty-stricken communities already have a tendency to have higher crime rates under normal conditions, due to obvious environmental factors. Many people in this environment often become dependant on the "welfare-state", deriving some of their income, access to services, and food allowances from government-sponsored systems. In a "civilization-destroyed" scenario, these systems cease to function. In times like this, people who ordinarily would not resort to outright theft or robbery do so, and the more violently criminal-minded become even more ruthless and barbaric.
A disaster on the scale as that of the gulf states, where the ability of the government (local, state, or federal) to control affairs is seriously diminished, creates a ripe opportunity for the desperate and the criminal to exploit the misfortunes of others. And they're doing it. Armed gangs roaming the demolished landscape, reports of rape inside the overwhelmed astrodome, boundless pillaging of every storefront or home left standing; these are the stark images that tell us just how fragile our domestic peace really is.
America is truly a great nation, populated by many great people. But there is bad among us, too, waiting for the opportunity to seize upon the misfortunes of others, whether for profit or just for plain pathological gratification.
For more information on what you can do to be better prepared to protect yourself and the ones you love, visit http://www.1stdefenseproducts.com .
Jonathan Merritt has over 20 years of experience in the security industry, and has written numerous articles on personal, family and home security. His company site, http://www.1stdefenseproducts.com, provides links to government and community security information, as well as access to his newsletter 1st Defense Network.
Latest News
Wireless Home Security Installation Basics Corsavoo.com, France - Wireless home security electronics have few parts, but that does not mean that you should ignore the packaged directions. Most of the wireless home security ... |
 Blogger News Network | Security Cameras Installed At Anthony Home Central Florida News 13|, FL - ORLANDO -- Workers began installing security cameras around the home of Caylee Anthony's grandparents, where the missing 3-year-old's mother, Casey, ... Search For Caylee Anthony Called Off Temporarily Search For Caylee Suspended Amid Wet Conditions |
 CBS News | Where do Obama, McCain stand on the issues? Part 2 Newsday, NY - Newsday examined the positions of Obama and McCain on 10 key issues, first looking at the economy, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, national security, ... Obama's Speech to the AARP Convention |
401 (k) ‘dippers’ robbing future to pay now Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - “There’s no do-overs when it comes to retirement,” said Beth Almeida, executive director at the National Institute on Retirement Security. ... |
Rapid growth = expansion for security company TMCnet - Boothe says since he opened the security services company out of his home in April 2005 it has experienced tremendous growth. "By July that first year, ... |
 CTV.ca | US seizes Fannie and Freddie CNNMoney.com - The Treasury, with fellow regulator FHFA, will also buy preferred stock in Fannie and Freddie to provide security to the companies' debt holders and bolster ... Video: Feds Take Over Mortgage Giants Paulson Engineers US Takeover of Fannie, Freddie (Update2) Paulson Rolls The Dice At Taxpayer Expense |
Consumer Complaints: ADT Home Security WalletPop, VA - Have you looked at your home security system bill lately? Have you ever wondered exactly what kind of service you're receiving for your monthly fee? Me too! ... |
New Hampshire Race Focuses on the Pocketbook New York Times, United States - ... the price of gasoline and home heating oil, health care costs, job security — that make this race emblematic of Senate contests across the country. ... |
 Boston Globe | White House race a cliffhanger as home stretch looms AFP - Gallup surveys show "swing voters" broadly believe Obama is better on the economy and McCain is more trusted on national security and terrorism: so the ... Video: Social Conservatives And Palin Sarah Palin: northern star injects new life Selection of Palin may have set McCain back |
Evacuees Say Thanks as They Head Home KTAL, LA - I barely had the money to go back home." However, before Richard had a chance to break a window Homeland Security stepped up and paid for a locksmith. ... |
Resources
-
Sorry Currently Unavailable