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Editorial

September 23, 2005

Original Article (Spanish)

Marine Helps a Little Boy in New Orleans

The United States authorities have expedited preparations before the imminent and feared arrival in Texas of Hurricane Rita, not only due to the force and virulence of the phenomenon, but because criticism is still fresh of the lack of efficiency dealing with the aftermath of Katrina in New Orleans.

 Obligatory evacuations, a declaration of emergency and the sending of personnel, military and communications equipment, in addition to medical provisions and basic necessities, are some of the measures adopted by authorities.

And it could not be otherwise before a hurricane like Rita, that moves with a destructive force of 175 miles per hour [281 kph] and that, according to the authorities, is a category 4 or 5.

Nevertheless, as we have said on other occasions, the fury of Mother Nature compels us to witness the weakness and fragility of human beings; and although there is no doubt that preventive measures are fundamental for preventing death, the ruin that follows in the wake of a hurricane like Rita is inevitable.

Canadian Sailors Come to the Aid of Biloxi

Living with hurricanes is part of life for people living near the Atlantic Ocean, just as those of us in Central America must live with tremors and earthquakes; as is the knowledge that these events can destroy many years of work and effort.

This reality should cause us to contemplate not only the essence of our human vulnerability, but the tremendous solidarity, sympathy, tolerance and respect in  carrying out, not only the missions of evacuation and reconstruction, but also a vision of equity, a brighter future and a sense of optimism. 

Certainly we are fragile before the forces of nature, but we are also strong and powerful when nature prompts the best of our humanity to shine through, standing together in justice and fairness and with the hope of improving the lives of others, because although nature puts obstacles before us, it is this that makes us great.