Relief efforts are amazing. They call for a united effort in helping people or groups in need. Just when I thought that Americans were being chastised for well, generally being self-centered and unappreciative of our lifestyles through times, I see that so many Americans are pitching in with the Katrina relief efforts. Seeing all these people in the media– professional athletes, movie stars, select politicians, everyday citizens volunteering their time and money to help people in need restores my faith in the common sense of “Good Samaritanism.”

I was turning a somewhat disdainful shoulder and snubbing my nose at the everyday pace of news, with all the ravage and terrors they report. Don’t get me wrong—I respect the art of journalism, but not when it starts sandbagging everything in sight and questioning decisions left and right, always seeming to cast that never-ending “Et tu, Brutus?” epitaph of betrayal, newfound shock and disbelief in the cornerstone of the ideal American principles. The events of the past week, mainly the contributions that our nation’s stars (outside of the political arena) are making, warm my heart and go a long way towards restoring my faith in common ideals and role models in our communities.

Although, in exercising my very American right, I do question the seemingly laid-back approach the White House took in coming to the aid of the displaced families/individuals left floating in Katrina’s wake. I don’t understand how our nation’s leader(s) can be so complacent when disaster hits home and yet rush ever so quickly to the aid of other countries–most notably the recent tsunami? Granted, the government is now involved and doing what is needed to be done, but the burning question still remains. Are our national priorities in line? I’m not so sure. And I was going to blog about my incessant ire RE: people who rubberneck. Maybe another time.

*shutting door*