Rita Will Be the Proof

Hurricane Rita has just left the Florida keys, and is drawing a bead on the Texas Gulf Coast. She may or may not actually make landfall in Texas, but wherever she hits is going to take a hard blow. The forecasters expect her to be a Category 4 by the time she comes ashore. Katrina was reported to be a Category 4 at the time she came in.

Our government's response to this new hurricane is going to be a critical test. If our government can respond effectively (like it should have with Katrina), then we'll show ourselves to be the USA everyone expects us to be. But, if we don't or can't, we'll show ourselves to be the failed state that I'm afraid we are.

This past weekend I wondered how we would respond to the long expected "Big One" in Los Angeles, if it happened this month. I'm afraid we'd be stretched too thin with Iraq, Katrina, and an earthquake in Southern California. Well, it looks like the test is going to happen, but it will be another hurricane.

I may just be voicing my normal pessimism. I hope I am! But, I'm afraid that my expectations are pretty accurate.
- posted by Marcos @ 8:40 PM