...And Things Of That Nature

Am I to understand that Channel 4's Conan Nolan is questioning Governor Schwarzenegger's use of funds to help the people hit by the mudslide in La Conchita?

From NBC4.TV:
At the same time he says the state needs to save money, Schwarzenegger seemed to be pledging state funds -- potentially millions -- to rebuild the mudslide-ravaged community of La Conchita, even though geologists say the community is destined for another disaster and should be condemned.

The governor told Nolan that he did not offer to buy residents' homes, just to help them rebuild.

"And if that means money, so be it?" Nolan asked.

"Yes, that is what money should be for -- emergencies like that -- and, of course, to help the children in this state," Schwarzenegger said.

You've really got to be kidding on this. Nolan is a local reporter. These people could have been his neighbors. But it only seems to matter when it's MASS of deaths as opposed to a few locals.

You know, I don't seem to remember the huge global outporing of food and money and shelter after the 1987 Whitter quake, or the 1989 Loma Prieta Quake, or the 1992 rains, or the string of Florida hurricanes, or the Okalhoma City Bombing, The World Trade Center bombing, or the 9/11 attacks. Oh sure, the world expressed sympathy. But I ask, because, I honestly can't remember, what foreign nation pledged the kind of support that we've given to the entire world at one time or another to the United States when we've experienced disaster?

None. We take care of our own. And unfortunately, the more the world sees us help anybody and everybody in need, the more they feel they can just brush us off.

So yes, Mr. Nolan, the Governor is using funds to help people in need.

It's called the lamentation of the people.