Opinion: Disaster brings out best in America

The response of the American people to tsunami relief provided a silver lining to that dark cloud, and Hurricane Katrina compares both in destruction and in the magnificence of the response of Americans.

American tsunami relief giving seemed as generous as a people could be expected to be. However, the response to Hurricane Katrina destruction is on course to be even greater.

The ongoing flow of money and commodities is a welcome feel-good ingredient.

Next to the horrors of the hurricane damage seen on TV, the most discouraging episode has been the political posturing and finger pointing blame game that at times appeared to be of more interest to the media than the damage itself.

The Wall Street Journal labeled the federal happenings as ‘’the Earp vs. Clanton mood in Washington.’’ While no “Gunfight at the OK Corral” took place, the embarrassing squabble was joined by finger-pointing state and local politicians. Thankfully, everyone had their acts together by the time Rita hit.

To their everlasting credit, the American people went beyond the political infighting and opened their hearts and pocketbooks to the victims. Volunteers have flocked to the afflicted areas to lend all sorts of personal aid. In many cases, communities, including the Ozarks, have provided shelter for survivors who were forced out of their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

The magnitude of the outpouring of aid is so vast that it is difficult to comprehend. Hurricane relief is everywhere.

The early scenes of Coast Guard helicopters airlifting survivors off roofs of flooded houses are etched in my mind. Visions of Americans, not Third World citizens, as refugees, wading in floodwater with no place to go, triggered the largest giving campaign I have ever seen.

The hurricane winds had hardly subsided when compassionate groups were loading up trucks and heading south with bottled water, food, clothing and other survival items.

Volunteers from every corner of the nation have answered the call. Many groups and individuals from the Ozarks are an integral part of it all.

Churches are doing what churches do: caring for those in need. They have raised money and sent members of their congregations to pitch in and help.

If, when everything is back to pre-hurricane conditions, a minimum wage were to be assigned to hours volunteered by people who wanted to help, the payroll would be staggering.

The total amount of private donations to aid victims may never be known. However, we do know that taxpayers will probably pay more than $200 million to rebuild ravaged areas. Americans from all walks of life have given whatever they can in all sorts of ways.

Author John Grisham, a Mississippi native, was one of the first to respond by establishing a $5 million hurricane trust fund. Celebrities and athletes have given their names and donations of money to concerts and telethons. Former Presidents Bush and Clinton were asked by President George W. Bush to lend their names to fund-raising efforts that have brought in millions.

Young people have had car washes and set up lemonade stands to make money to contribute. Two Maryland girls, ages 14 and 11, collected 6,000 backpacks filled with supplies to send to victims.

These dark clouds do have silver linings that are especially welcome. It’s true that the worst of times bring out the best in people.

Joe McAdoo is former chairman of the communication department at Drury University.

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