FACING THE FLOOD
Viewing the Mississippi flooding up close was awe-inspiring…in terms of the best of human values at work, as well as the majesty of nature. The pictures you see here were taken by significant other and I in Quincy, Illinois and Hannibal, MO.
Homes under water. Business districts under water. Bridges under water, and countless acres of farmland immersed.
But, also, an incredibly strong expression of sense of community. Neighborhood folks, military reserve personnel, Mennonite farm families, and local high school kids pulling together to fill, just in one medium size community, what a city official said was 1.3 million sandbags as they fought to keep the vast waters from spilling over the levees.
As many other commentators have noted: no riots. No looting. The National Guard coming in with shovels instead of M16s.
And, in perhaps the most whimsical picture, we observe that when their favorite watering hole happens to be a waterfront tavern, Americans don’t just abandon their regular routines…J
Says something about values in the Heartland, doesn’t it?
June 24th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Bet you in 2 yrs time Iowa will be up and running, fully productive and only minimal traces of a large state that was flooded (I think I heard something like 89 counties out of 97 or something like that).
Just goes to show, Martin Luthor King Jr. was right. It’s not about color but about character. And obviously, Iowians are of a far stronger character than New Orleanders.
Who have received more aid than probably ANY victims of a natural disaster in the history of mankind and still can’t seem to pull it together except to exclaim they’re owed more. *shrugs*
June 24th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
I have family in Iowa and Missouri, I know what they are “made of”.
This may set them back, but it won’t keep them down, I’m proud to say. There is a true sence of “community” in Middle America that I have not found anywhere else in this land of our’s.
I can’t wait to get back to the land I came from.
Biker
June 25th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
“As many other commentators have noted: no riots. No looting. The National Guard coming in with shovels instead of M16s.”
MMMM… Sorry that is just NOT TRUE! Strike teams” consisting of police, firemen and government employees have been breaking into houses of flood victims and threatening anyone who questions their actions in complete violation of the 4th amendment right that protects against unlawful search and seizure.
No-knock home invasions are being carried out under the flimsy pretext of “checking for structural damage” and residents are being prevented from returning to their own homes whether they want to or not.
A incident almost boiled over into a confrontation when one resident dared question why the “strike teams” were breaking down doors and climbing through windows of homes without even knocking first.
Police Officer Josh Bell threatened the man with arrest if he didn’t shut his mouth.
This occurred after Cedar Rapids police chief Greg Graham promised residents over the weekend that “Law enforcement officers are not entering homes.”
As we clearly see in the video it is simply not true! This is another Katrina wrapped up in a different package. Watch the video…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONAudPPhum8
~Brogan
June 25th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
It is nice to see Americans facing bad circumstances in a manner that we can all be proud of when we hear about it.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Interesting to see the media has not mentioned it THIS TIME. I wish I could see the video link you posted. I’m real rural with a weak signal on a cellular modem. I am lucky to be able to surf the web 70% of the time let alone download video.
I hope though I am far enough away from town in the country so no one ever sees the need to bother out here breaking in, and I am not speaking about the crooks. I lived through 4 hurricanes in 2 years and even though it was not New Orleans we were lucky enough to not have it that bad. A lot of places were residents were not allowed to return for some time but no illegal searches.