Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Whither humanity?

Reports of large-scale looting and rape in New Orleans post-Katrina make one wonder whether humanity exists at all. The Bush administration has clearly failed to cope with the disaster. Contrast the situation with the Bhuj earthquake and the recent tsunami in India. Not a single case of rape was reported. People collected and sent clothes to those who had lost their homes and, most important, ensured that there was no food shortage in relief camps unlike in New Orleans where people have not eaten in days. Those of us who emulate the West in all aspects should certainly not emulate it in this regard.

B. Murthy,
Chennai

If the media reports are true, New Orleans suddenly finds itself in the Middle Ages. It is difficult to believe that the people of the richest economy can plead on television for help. One is shocked at the Bush administration's inability to maintain law and order, and rush relief. The people need to question the priorities of a government they re-elected less than a year ago. The self-proclaimed war President needs to act fast.

Nijoe Joseph,
Norwich, U.K.

Incidents of rape and looting have caused more devastation than the hurricane itself. India can categorically claim that whatever its shortcomings as a nation, greed and selfishness take a backseat during calamities. Our deep-rooted values evoked compassion and sympathy for our fellow countrymen when the tsunami struck. New Orleans is a lesson for all those who think the U.S. is heaven.

J. Eden Alexander,
Thanjavur, T.N.

I had almost come to believe that the U.S. with its wealth and technology could beat back anything. But the widespread rape and looting speak volumes about where it stands in the face of adversity. Compared with such behaviour and the Bush administration's failure to cope with the situation, we from the so-called developing nations stand out as beacons of courage with superior human values.

S.A.R. Adil,
Bangalore

It is indeed a quirk of fate that the wondrous city of New Orleans, located on the Mississippi and romanticised by Mark Twain, has turned into a hell today. What is shocking is that the tragedy has exposed that even the superpower is as helpless and as pathetically ill-equipped to tackle natural calamities as was the Maharashtra Government during the recent Mumbai rains. What is even more horrendous is that scientists had warned the U.S. of the hurricane. Katrina is a grim warning to the U.S., which is letting its economic interests take precedence over environmental issues.

Nalini Vijayaraghavan,
Thiruvananthapuram

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