Mr. Speaker, from hurricanes and floods in Latin America to earthquakes in Asia, natural disasters are increasingly becoming a regular feature of life for large numbers of people around the globe.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Sometimes it takes a natural disaster to reveal a social disaster.
We have a real role in how our own collective lives, our nation, and our world and society turn out. Seizing those opportunities is important, and disasters are sometimes one of those opportunities.
In all natural disasters through time, man needs to attach meaning to tragedy, no matter how random and inexplicable the event is.
Never in our country's history have we witnessed a natural disaster that has impacted so many people in such a wide area. In fact, as of the writing of this column, millions of people along the Gulf Coast have been displaced from their homes in a period of only five days.
Very large scale disasters, especially those that have occurred in the developing world, have very long recovery periods.
If a natural disaster strikes your community, reach out to your friends, neighbors, and complete strangers. Lend a helping hand.
While natural disasters capture headlines and national attention short-term, the work of recovery and rebuilding is long-term.
What we ought not do is play politics with those who've been afflicted by disasters. This should not be controversial. Stop playing politics, do the right thing for the country and let's make sure we're not making politics with disaster relief.
There also is the plight that comes from natural disasters; these natural disasters could be alleviated or dealt with; we only need some time to do it.
My friends, as I have discovered myself, there are no disasters, only opportunities. And, indeed, opportunities for fresh disasters.