The depth of the gulf coast disaster is becoming more apparent as more of the victims voices are being heard. The aerial coverage is giving way to ground reports, triage areas and refugee camps are being infiltrated by reporters. Sickening first-hand accounts of neglect, filth, rape, and death are coming out, and it is difficult to believe that this could be happening in the U.S. – the “beacon of hope,” the “light” to the rest of the world.
As more reports come out, we see that for many the official relief effort did nothing to preserve the dignity of the victims, living or dead. It is comforting to hear reports that grace has been displayed by the “unofficial” relief effort – the regular citizens who have opened their homes, provided food & water, and simply offered kindness & comfort. But as the politicians point fingers at one another, the true light of grace will remain a pinpoint in the darkness of our society and the political game that trivializes the plight of the poor.
Driving to work today with these thoughts in my head, I turned on the stereo and heard this song, by Ray LaMontagne:
How Come
People on the street now / Faces long and grim
Souls are feeling heavy / And faith is growing thin
Fears are getting stronger /You can Feel them on the rise
Hopelessness got some by the throat / You can see it in their eyes
I said how come
How come
Everybody on a shoestring / Everybody in a hole
Everybody crossing their fingers and toes
Government man spin his politics till he got you pinned
Everybody trying to reach out to each other / But they don't know where to begin
I said how come I can't tell the free world from living hell
I said how come
How come all I see is a child of god in misery
I said how come
The pistol now as profit / The bullet some kind of lord and king
But pain is the only promise that this so called savior is going to bring
Love can be a liar / And justice can be a thief
And freedom can be an empty cup from which everybody want to drink
I said how come I can't tell the free world from living hell
I said how come
How come all i see is a child of god in misery
I said how come
Its just man killing man
Killing man
Killing man
Killing man
Killing man
I don't understand
Its just man killing man
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