Veneer of Civilization Eroded in the Big Easy
There are only two types of people: the Decent; and the Indecent. That’s what Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) wrote in his seminal book, Man's Search for Meaning. Frankl, a Neurologist and psychiatrist, had his far share of suffering by living through the holocaust in a death camp. Frankl did not divide man according to race, nationality, class, or economic status. That’s why he did not hate the Germans for wiping out most of his family and a good portion of his Jewish people.
Seeing television coverage of the looting and hearing reports of robberies, rapes, murder, beatings, and thefts in New Orleans has an impact. But, there is something rather personal when hearing a testimonial from someone with whom you are evenly remotely acquainted. Jeff is the son of our friends Larry and Jean. In a phone call Monday, Jeff stated he thought that he had enough food and water for a month. He last left a message Wednesday mid-day. Larry and Jean wrote,
Jeff has not been heard from since.
It is clear that a vicious, indecent populous lives amongst us. If you live in the ghettos of most big cities, that statement is no surprise. What we are seeing in New Orleans, and witnessed during the Los Angeles riots in 1992, is an acceleration, a compression, an intensification of the everyday circumstances in many less fortunate communities. We expect that sort of activity to accompany riots, but we don’t really expect much of it with natural disasters. I wrote about values and the eroding away of civilization’s veneer here.
Under the conditions of riot, and now we know to include natural disasters, if there is not an overwhelming law enforcement or military presence, chaos and anarchy will reign. Beyond the loss of property and the destruction of businesses and livelihoods, the real victims are the “decent” members of the community. The trauma of beatings, rapes, stabbings, shootings and the murder of friends and family can not be healed by throwing relief monies at the victims. Many will remain scarred for a lifetime.
Reflecting upon the current events in New Orleans, it is clear that American civil society exists in a tenuous state of uncertainty depending upon the success of the state to protect the citizens. When the state fails, it behooves the citizens to have the ability and will to protect themselves.
News reports yesterday and today reported instances wherein ordinary citizens realized that their safety was in there own hands, took up arms and successfully protected themselves and their property. Next time the anti-gun crowd begins to spout off, tell them to mind their own business because you have learned the lessons of New Orleans and Los Angeles.
Seeing television coverage of the looting and hearing reports of robberies, rapes, murder, beatings, and thefts in New Orleans has an impact. But, there is something rather personal when hearing a testimonial from someone with whom you are evenly remotely acquainted. Jeff is the son of our friends Larry and Jean. In a phone call Monday, Jeff stated he thought that he had enough food and water for a month. He last left a message Wednesday mid-day. Larry and Jean wrote,
Jeff lives a few blocks from the French Quarter in a house built in 1865. All we can say about his gun comment is that on Monday, just before ending our call, he said "this place is utter chaos, I wish I had a gun". He is well aware of the mentality of a lot of people there, having been a victim in 2001. He was riding his bike home late one night and was run down, asked for his money (of which he didn't have any), and left lying in the street with an injured leg. (He thought they would finish the job and run him over). In the morning, most people he asked for help passed by. Luckily a good samaratin did not approach but called emergency services.
Jeff has not been heard from since.
It is clear that a vicious, indecent populous lives amongst us. If you live in the ghettos of most big cities, that statement is no surprise. What we are seeing in New Orleans, and witnessed during the Los Angeles riots in 1992, is an acceleration, a compression, an intensification of the everyday circumstances in many less fortunate communities. We expect that sort of activity to accompany riots, but we don’t really expect much of it with natural disasters. I wrote about values and the eroding away of civilization’s veneer here.
Under the conditions of riot, and now we know to include natural disasters, if there is not an overwhelming law enforcement or military presence, chaos and anarchy will reign. Beyond the loss of property and the destruction of businesses and livelihoods, the real victims are the “decent” members of the community. The trauma of beatings, rapes, stabbings, shootings and the murder of friends and family can not be healed by throwing relief monies at the victims. Many will remain scarred for a lifetime.
Reflecting upon the current events in New Orleans, it is clear that American civil society exists in a tenuous state of uncertainty depending upon the success of the state to protect the citizens. When the state fails, it behooves the citizens to have the ability and will to protect themselves.
News reports yesterday and today reported instances wherein ordinary citizens realized that their safety was in there own hands, took up arms and successfully protected themselves and their property. Next time the anti-gun crowd begins to spout off, tell them to mind their own business because you have learned the lessons of New Orleans and Los Angeles.
posted by Paul Coambs | 10:30 PM
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