Why didn't we protect the museum?

The catastrophe along America's Gulf Coast is a devastating kick to the groin for this nation, and its impact is going to be felt by all of us soon enough. The more I read and see, the more the ramifications multiply in my head. So many elements of our society are; or soon will be, taxed by this massive event.

I feel almost guilty, therefore, in writing something which politicizes the damn thing but I'm so struck by the proliferation of ironies that I would feel somewhat remiss in letting them go by without at least calling attention to them.

Like this one:

Blanco acknowledged that looting was a severe problem but said that officials had to focus on survivors. "We don't like looters one bit, but first and foremost is search and rescue," she said.

Granted, we're talking jeans and DVD players rather than cultural antiquities, but the similarity in focus by authorities on higher priorities wasn't lost on this observer.

It will also be interesting to see how the international community responds to this disaster. In the wake of the unprecedented response to the Banda Aceh tsunami, what, if any international response will be forthcoming? Most international media seem to be giving the story a high level of attention, but in some corners it's just another case of roosting chickens. To date, I've come across no mentions in the media of international offers of logistic or financial aid. Not even a paltry $35M, although maybe we should give it another couple days. To be fair, the U.S. is in a stronger position vis-a-vis logistics and economic wherewithal, and the number of casualties looks to be significantly lower. But, even so, in reporting on the disaster the BBC did manage to make this critically relevant point

President George W Bush, whose ratings have fallen to an all-time low in the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll, has cut his holiday two days short.

As I said previously, I feel guilty mentioning these ironies at a time like this. We need to focus on the situation at hand.

I don't expect significant help or financial support from the international community. However, at such a time the American response to others' crises stands in stark contrast to the international communiy's responses to ours. That is not to say we are without friends and the international community shows no compassion for the woes that can befall the U.S. However, we often hear of the unequal and hypocritical application of American might in picking and choosing its responses. (Of course, we're not allowed that luxury. We must respond to them all) This is almost always an above-the-fold, page A1 story. But if it's ever reported at all, the unequal and hypocritical application of international responses to American misfortune is always a back-pager.