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September 16, 2008
Houston's SOS To The National Press
Those of us living in southeast Texas understand the gravity of the situation facing this area in the wake of Hurricane Ike -- we're living through it every day. But does the rest of the country realize what is happening here?
We have seen comments on the Chronicle Web site from Houstonians staying in other parts of the country who cannot believe the lack of media attention to this catastrophic event. It is as if we too are victims of the vapid 24-hour news cycle in which our country is trapped. The national press has moved on from Ike; unfortunately, we're stuck with him.
Sure, Anderson Cooper and some of the national media were here when the storm actually hit, for the dramatic video, but where are they now? Do they know that over 70% of people in this region are without electricity? Do they know there are serious shortages of ice, water, food and gasoline here? Do they understand that whole communities have been totally wiped out? Do they care?
We realize that there is a hot presidential election happening, that Wall Street is in the midst of serious turmoil, and that OJ is back in court, but for us to get the resources needed to begin recovering from this disaster, we need national attention paid to it.
It is frankly a slap in the face that this community, which did so much for its fellow citizens three years ago after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, is essentially being ignored today. It is now our time of need. Pay attention and help us!!
Posted by houtopia at September 16, 2008 05:06 PM
Comments
I am a Southeast Texas transplant and after viewing the extensive damage to the area EAST of Houston and Galveston including oil slicks, refinery damage, homes destroyed, etc. I can say that I am extremely surprised at the media silence. Its almost an eerie sort of quiet. No one mentions a word about the people who are MISSING and possibly DEAD. The media is quick to dismiss local rumors, which have managed to travel all the way to the midwest. And what was MHC Investigations doing on the scene after the whole thing blew over anyway? Just curious - do they always follow up a natural disaster with an MHC investigation team? All I have to go on right now is word of mouth and I would rather believe a REAL TEXAN any day than any media staff. So, my heart goes out to those good people who have lost their homes and it is my sincere hope that soon I will be able to get in touch with all the people in Galveston that I still cannot reach. And to the media SHAME ON YOU! TEXANS are in need and you have become strangely MUTE! The rest of the world WANTS an explanation!
Posted by: aellipse at September 26, 2008 09:26 PM