Having seen the film three times, each time getting something new out of the movie, I found the music and characters began to resonate with me more and more.  Perhaps it’s because my childhood was somewhat similar, but for whatever reason, the themes that the film contained touched me.

The music, masterfully composed by Giacchino, is both reminiscent of the music of John Williams and entirely original.  The first time you hear the music in the film is with the studio logos, before the movie even begins, and I can remember feeling that music already transporting me back to my childhood.

It is then that the film begins, with a loss that hangs over the whole film: an accident at a plant that takes the life of Joe Lamb’s mother.  It is this beat that sets up the emotional journey of Joe, as he sets off through the summer, trying to be a kid while also trying to deal with the loss of his mother and a father that doesn’t know how to be there for him.  Joe holds tightly to a locket that had belonged to his mother and finds it difficult to move on.  He finds himself on a journey of discovery as an alien is loose in his small town.  The culmination of his journey is in the moment that he confronts the alien face to face.

“Bad things happen,” he says, “but you can still live.”

He is speaking to himself just as much as to the alien.  He’s lost his mother, and has had this amazing adventure while helping his friend to work on a movie.  It is this moment that he knows that life can still move on after you’ve lost someone.  When you lose someone, sometimes it seems like it isn’t fair to still be alive without them, to live your life.  This leads to the final letting go, as Joe knows his mother will always be with him, but he is able to let go of her locket, letting her move on.  He then takes the hand of Alice Dainard, a simple gesture that tells us a couple of things.  He’s ready to really live and his life has a direction after the credits roll.

The film also brings about the innocence of childhood in the way that the children interact with their parents and with one another.  The kids in the film are all very real personalities and were perfectly cast.  While each one may display one stereotype or another, that really reflects real life for a lot of us.  The kids each display distinct personalities and traits and these are definitely kids that would have hung out with each other.  They definitely swore more than my friends and I did (rarely, if ever), but they were also dealing with their lives being turned upside down.

While all of this was happening, one of the characters was working very hard on a short film, speaking highly of production values.  These are kids that are making a movie for the shear love of creating something for yourself and others to enjoy.  Writer / director J.J. Abrams, producer Steven Spielberg and composer Michael Giacchino all created films when they were children, and this film was a way for them to celebrate that childhood hobby.

The film also features the journey of Joe’s father Jackson, as he deals with the loss of his wife and the need to be a father on his own while also taking care of the town as the Deputy during this crisis.  In the end, when he says the line “I got you” he isn’t saying it because he feels that he’s rescued his son.  He hasn’t done that, so that would be illogical.  He says it because he finally gets his son.  He doesn’t yet know the extent of the adventure that his son has been on, but that doesn’t matter now.  He knows that his son had been at the school, he knows that Alice Dainard had been taken by the alien, and he saw them both together.  It is obvious to him that his son had something to do with her rescue.  But now he understands his son’s need for him to be there for him.  He understands and has also learned something from his son – that bad things happen, but you can still live.

In Super 8, J.J. Abrams has captured the footprints of real characters dealing with supernatural situations, and has managed to give the audience stories to focus on that keep the film grounded in ways that we may not perceive at first, but bring more depth the more that you look.

Abrams actually mentioned something during a talk he gave at TED back in 2007, that the film E.T. was actually about a family that was going through the loss of their father, in much the same way that Super 8 touches on the similar theme, with the loss of a mother.

I highly recommend Super 8, and I wonder what you will learn from it.  I hope that it effects you in the same way that it effected me.  I also hope that this film isn’t just a final farewell to films like this, but the beginning of another renaissance of films shot in the old Amblin style.  But if it is, there could be no better sendoff than to end where it really seemed to begin – a hopeful look upward, toward the open sky.

It might not be the best written piece I’ve done, but in trying to capture my thoughts for this movie, words escaped me. There are so many themes to talk about, and so many thoughts, that to capture them all, I would need to write a short novel.

Related Posts

• May 13, 2009 -- E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial – Sequel?
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When I first heard the song “Fireflies,” I thought it was Relient K, who I consider one of my favorite bands of all time.  It turns out that I wasn’t far off of the mark.  Not only was Relient K frontman and song-writer Matthew Thiessen a co-writer on both “The Bird and The Worm” and “Tidal Wave,” but he also provides vocals to “Cave In,” “The Bird and The Worm,” “Tidal Wave” and “Fireflies!”  Somehow I knew that Relient K had something to do with it.

I’m looking forward to hearing more Owl City, now, as he seems to be very talented.  I just hope that his being ranked #1 for a song doesn’t make him into a one-hit-wonder.  I think, though, that if he sticks to his guns and doesn’t let it all go to his head, he could have a long and fruitful career in front of him.

Sometimes, when an artist gets this big, this fast, they are stuck in a box that they created, and are unable to change, or experiment with their music too much.  Matt Thiessen had about four albums before Relient K was finally discovered by a mainstream record label.  And those four albums were nothing short of brilliant.  They had already proven, with each album, that they could do many styles of music, but all sounding like Relient K.

When people hear new music by Owl City, they’re going to want more of the same, while also wanting different stuff.  I think he’ll be able to overcome the rut by continuing to be creative in both lyrics and music, instead of succumbing to pressure and releasing the same song with different lyrics, like Nickelback.

Fireflies
by Adam Young (Owl City)

You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep

‘Cause they’d fill the open air
And leave teardrops everywhere
You’d think me rude
But I would just stand and stare

I’d like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay
Awake when I’m asleep
‘Cause everything is never as it seems

‘Cause I’d get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to dance

A foxtrot above my head
A sock hop beneath my bed
A disco ball is just hanging by a thread

I’d like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay
Awake when I’m asleep
‘Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
‘Cause I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep
(Please take me away from here)
When I’m far too tired to fall asleep

To ten million fireflies
I’m weird ’cause I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell

But I’ll know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
‘Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar

I’d like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay
Awake when I’m asleep
‘Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

I’d like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay
Awake when I’m asleep
‘Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

I’d like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay
Awake when I’m asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams

Related Posts

• May 25, 2005 -- Song: Mood Rings
• August 14, 2004 -- The Journey to Finding God’s Will
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• February 17, 2004 -- Song: Softer To Me

Last year, there was a Heroes soundtrack released (Heroes Orginal Soundtrack-Deluxe Edition), but it’s composed of songs that the writing staff listened to while writing the scripts for the show. It also included a little bit of the score, but all in all I only was able to handle it a couple of listens. It wasn’t something that I enjoyed, as I didn’t really know many of the songs, and if I did, I wasn’t a fan of the artist, for the most part.

Then I got an e-mail from La-La Land Records. I had ordered a couple of soundtracks from them recently: Superman: Doomsday and Batman: The Animated Series. The e-mail detailed the Heroes Score that was releasing the next day at Noon. I had checked their website, and eventually e-mailed them to find that out when I couldn’t find a reference for it on their website. It turns out that the release date and time was only listed in one corner of the e-mail, and it was pretty small. I was focused on the content of the e-mail. Perhaps that is something that they’ll fix in the future.

Anyway, I got to the website the next day, and was able to order it fast enough to get the autographed edition of the score. Sweet! It’s been in my car ever since, and there are very few tracks that I would even consider skipping. It’s a brilliant soundtrack and one well worth owning for any fan of Heroes.

Get the Heroes Score!

Presenting the premiere release of the original score to the hit NBC series HEROES, starring Ali Larter, Hayden Panettierre, Masi Oka and Adrian Pasdar. Acclaimed composer team and recording artists Lisa Coleman & Wendy Melvoin (aka Wendy & Lisa) (DANGEROUS MINDS, SOUL FOOD, TV’s CROSSING JORDAN, TV’s BIONIC WOMAN) immerse the listener with a stunning, atmospheric music score, featuring internationally renowned vocalist/musician Shenkar (PASSION OF THE CHRIST, JACOB’S LADDER). All the excitement, drama and action of this beloved series is reflected within its powerful score – a must for all HEROES and television music fans. HEROES airs Monday evenings on NBC.

TRACK LISTING:

1. HEROES Title (0:14)*
2. Peter (6:12)*
3. Claire (6:43)
4. Hiro (7:30)
5. HRG (6:24)*
6. Mohinder (7:59)
7. Sylar (5:30)*
8. Jessica / Niki / Gina (5:55)
9. Kirby Plaza (5:41)*
10. Fire And Regeneration (2:21)*
    Total Time: 54:49

Music Composed and Performed By
Lisa Coleman and Wendy Melvoin
* Featuring the voice of SHENKAR

Get the Heroes Score!

Related Posts

• November 16, 2008 -- Donkey Kong Country Trilogy, My Dream Game
• September 11, 2004 -- God Bless the Heroes.
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• March 19, 2002 -- An American Tail Soundtrack Review

May 5th Future of Forestry unveils the next step in the journey with Travel – songs that will provoke contemplation, encourage day-dreaming, and deepen perspective on all things beautiful.

Track Listing

1. Wish I Could Feel
2. This Hour
3. Color in Array
4. Hallelujah
5. Close Your Eyes
6. Travelers Song

Order Future of Forestry – Travel

Related Posts

• November 9, 2008 -- Future of Forestry – Advent Christmas EP

This comes on the heels of Paul Colman’s announcement that he is returning to his solo music career. And we’ve just about come full circle. All we need now is to see an announcement of the return of Phil Joel to the band. But that’s not something that is bound to happen any time soon, as far as I know.

Newsboys also have a new album dropping this spring. The first single from it is classic Newsboys, and that gives me hope for another incredible record!

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Jan. 5, 2009 – Guitarist Jody Davis returns to newsboys after a five-year hiatus. Davis, who was a member of the band from 1993-2003, contributed to many of newsboys’ greatest hits like “Shine,” “Entertaining Angels,” and “It is You.” In 2003, he took time off to care for his daughter, Bethany, who has cerebral palsy.

“I am thrilled to be returning to the band and back with my bandmates, who are some of my best friends,” says Davis. “This is a big change in my life, and I’m looking forward to the tour and new record with excitement.”

Peter Furler, lead vocalist for newsboys, is also excited about Davis’ return. “Jody is like a brother to all of us, and we have missed him greatly over the last five years. It’s going to be great to have him back with us.”

Paul Colman, who played guitar with newsboys the last three years, will be continuing his solo career and performing shows nationwide in 2009. “My three years with newsboys were among the best of my life. I learned an immeasurable amount about music, ministry, and life, and am happy to say I left with all our friendships wonderfully intact. I always was and always will be one of newsboys’ biggest fans. I am very excited about the return of Jody Davis!”

newsboys will release the title track and debut single, “In The Hands Of God,” from its forthcoming May 5, 2009 project to both AC and CHR radio Jan. 16. The band will also embark on a 30-city “Join the Tribe” tour with special guests DecembeRadio, Vota, and Bread of Stone in February. Additional tour details are forthcoming.

-via Newsboys.com

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• October 26, 2005 -- About My Friends Part 1

The band’s first Christmas release brings you Holiday songs you have probably heard and loved a million times before… but you have never heard them like this!

Future of Forestry took traditional Christmas songs and infused them with their signature atmospheric tones, orchestral arrangements, and celestial melodic rock qualities.

If you love Christmas songs but are tired of hearing them the same way, this album will give you a new perspective. It will bring you through the nostalgia, stillness, and excitement of Christmas all in one listen.

Future of Forestry - Advent Christmas EP

Related Posts

• April 19, 2009 -- Future of Forestry – Travel

The Backstrokes: Melissa Nicklowitz (Vocals), Rob Antecki (Piano & Keyboards), Â Justin Dore (Guitar), Kyle Tomczyk (Drums)

A friend of mine named Rob Antecki is in a band called The Backstrokes. He asked that we all share this if we wanted to. I figured I would.

Rob writes:

To the friends and fans of The Backstrokes:

We are happy to announce the release of our debut E.P., “Things to Come.” We have included five songs on this release: “Reflections,” “Haunted Landscape,” “Broken Bicycles,” “To Alina,” and “The Secret.”

For those of you who have been following us, you know that this recording represents a very large investment of time, work, finances, and emotional involvement. With this in mind, we would like to ask you for a favor.

Right now, we are at the ground level of our work together. Everything we have done, we have done on our own and with the generous help of family, friends, and acquaintances who believe in our music. We do not have the luxury of major label (or ANY label) support. This means we are fully responsible for recording and promoting our material.

If you like our music, support our material, ideas (detailed below), and plans for the future, I ask you to please spread the word about us. The best advertising you can give us is to tell your friends, for them to tell their friends, and so on. This favor will only take seconds of your time but would mean the world to us. Almost as important, we encourage you to purchase a copy of our E.P., for which we have provided a convenient and secure link. These will also be available at our concerts. We think $5.00 is a reasonable price for your own convenient, CD quality copy with liner notes. Therefore, please pass our music around to friends and spread the word, but also encourage them to purchase the E.P. if they like it and listen to it. We have many plans for the future, which include a debut album, releasing our work on vinyl, concerts, music videos, and short films. All of us are in school and work, so our time and financial resources are very limited. Anyone seriously involved in music understands how expensive studio time, equipment, CD pressing, and promotions are. Any support you can give us is very much appreciated.

With this said, we would now like to introduce some general principles which guide us in our work.

1) Despite the popularity and ubiquity of MP3’s and other forms of low quality digital music, including streaming audio and video, we believe that people still have the ability to discern and appreciate high quality recorded music. In view of this, we fully support the widespread return to vinyl records for serious music listening. For digital music, we support FLAC and other lossless compression formats which preserve the original, CD quality audio file. While there will always be a place for CD’s, we hope that in the future the most common method of music distribution will include a vinyl record with a coupon for a free lossless digital download.

We are aware of the heated debate concerning analog versus digital music. This is something we will address later in a technical paper. Suffice for now, we will leave you with this thought: It is simply not possible for digital quantization at any level to compete with something which preserves an infinitely smooth waveform. In this respect, there is no debate. At extremely high levels of quantization and sampling, the debate shifts to whether or not it is possible for the human ear to distinguish the difference between analog and digital music. For just one example, hair follicles in the inner ear are known to be able to sense movement as small as the width of a hydrogen atom. With this said, we believe the answer is obvious. Finally, it also becomes a question of the purpose of recorded music altogether. Is the purpose convenience, or is the purpose to offer as real and as powerful an experience as possible outside of a good live performance? I can’t imagine that it was ever anything other than the latter. Why make a recording of music at all if the purpose is simply convenience, and not a superior experience?

Additionally, vinyl records offer far greater capacity for physical, tactile artwork and information to compliment the music. Finally, the greater care and patience involved in selecting a vinyl record, adjusting a personal turntable, and sitting and listening to the music are activities reflective of more thoughtful listening behavior. One which moves music away from an existence as background noise against which we carry out our daily activities and fosters the qualities of patience, discernment, and subtlety. It is true that almost everything in life can be reduced to that which will have the widest appeal and greatest convenience, but at what some point we will lose sight of the entire purpose of an activity or phenomena in the first place, not only in superior quality but in meaning. Yes, vinyl records are more fragile and sensitive than other media, and require a quality turntable and speakers, but caring deeply for something like music means investing your time and effort into it. Similar arguments can be made for other stalwarts of art and information, such as physical books, newspapers, paintings, and so on.

Since any form of recorded music is only an approximation of live music, even if vinyl offered no advantage in faithful sound reproduction, we feel most people would prefer the warmer and richer sound quality they produce. We are not in any way maligning artists who record solely in digital or the concept of digital music itself. High quality digital studio recording techniques are as much an art form as vinyl record mastering, and with the advent of higher bit and sampling rates, can offer extremely faithful music reproduction.

In summary, digital and analog music can and should thrive side by side, each complimenting the other with its advantages. However, at the current time analog music is far behind in practice. We are pleased to sense a resurgence in its popularity and will do all we can to cultivate its growth.

2) Music can serve two main purposes. One is to provide entertainment and the other is to proffer a serious artistic statement. These two purposes have coexisted since time immemorial. However, we feel that popular music has much more capacity for the latter than that currently displayed by most “mainstream” artists. To be succinct, we feel that mainstream music could and should serve the deeper purpose of uplifting society and making serious insights into the human experience, in addition to providing a positive entertainment experience and welcome relief from day to day reality.

3) Many feel that music is one of the most powerful artistic mediums that exists. In our modern times, we know that film can also prove highly moving. Thus, it would seem natural to assume that the combination of the two would result in a new art form with unprecedented capacity to engage the human mind and spirit. That is, the music video. Unfortunately it seems that most mainstream examples in the genre seek to appeal to the most base of human instincts while offering little in substance and originality. ***

4) Originality, in style and substance, should be a prime consideration in any creative attempt. There is no point in doing something which has already been done.

5) While it appears that a small handful of powerful forces, which shall not be named here, have a chokehold on the music industry and on popular tastes, we feel it is still not to late to change what is considered “mainstream” and introduce original ideas into the wide public sphere through these same and alternative channels. This requires strong grass roots efforts along with concerted and widespread person to person communication.

6) We feel musicians and groups have a responsibility for stewardship of their influence and resources. Music is one of the most powerful social forces throughout our modern civilization. Those who achieve the highest levels of renown in the field have been given a unique and rare opportunity to make a positive impact on the world both through their personal behavior and financial resources. A tremendous amount of change would be possible if those in this position would humbly turn their efforts to positive ethical and moral endeavors.

7) Thanks to the advent of technology and resources like myspace, facebook, online music sharing networks, and more accessible recording and audio equipment, it is easier than ever before for independent artists to reach the public. There is no doubt this is a positive development.

However, major record labels still represent the most powerful tool for the discovery, development, and promotion of new artists, especially in a way that allows them to devote their full time and energy to music. Their wide range of resources, which includes long established media channels, access to the highest quality recording studios, musicians, engineers, and pressing facilities, can be used as a positive or negative force. As it currently stands, it seems predominantly inclined to have a negative influence on music. Specific examples include unfair artist contracts, refusal to transform the stagnant mainstream radio sound, overpriced records, and a seemingly endless stream of trendy and short lived, underdeveloped groups which the public burns through at an ever increasing rate. On the contrary, used in a positive way, working together with artists and the public, their resources and influence have the ability to usher in the advent of a major change in popular music which would include development of more original artists, greater diversity in mainstream sound, fair music pricing, and new mediums of music distribution including the substantial return of vinyl records.

The only way those in power will realize the above is by the widespread support, in record sales, concerts, promotion, and radio play, of independent artists, even to a much larger extent than occurs today. As this continues to eat away at major label and radio conglomerate control of the popular music industry, perhaps they will see that a major revolution is needed. One which will ultimately benefit everyone involved.

If you agree with these principles, please join us in helping to disseminate them. Feel copy these idea into your notes and blogs on facebook, myspace, and the like, provided that proper credit is given.

Rob Antecki
September, 2008
www.myspace.com/thebackstrokes

Related Posts

• April 2, 2009 -- My Most Anticipated Movie of April 2009: Disneynature’s Earth
• November 16, 2008 -- Donkey Kong Country Trilogy, My Dream Game
• September 29, 2005 -- Song: Walking Her Home

Walking Her Home
Mark Schultz

Lookin back
he sees it all
it was her first date the night he came to call
her dad said “Son, have her home by nine.
Promise me you’ll never leave her side.” (they go out on a date)

He was walking her home
Holding her hand.
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah (etc)
He remembered where he was the night he fell in love
He was walking her home
He was walking her home

(years pass, because he’s hitting the highlights)

Nursing home
At 92
it was their first night alone in separate rooms
at three am, shook by a storm
and when he awoke, she stood outside his door.
Nurse came down, she’d heard it all
She looked in the room, then down the hall

He was walking her home
to room 103
He needed to be with her so that she could fall asleep
Just for a while
They were 18
She was still more beautiful to him than anything
He was walking her home
He was walking her home

Related Posts

• February 4, 2010 -- Owl City – A Spark of Relient K made me a fan
• April 2, 2009 -- My Most Anticipated Movie of April 2009: Disneynature’s Earth
• November 16, 2008 -- Donkey Kong Country Trilogy, My Dream Game
• September 26, 2008 -- New Music: The Backstrokes
• September 6, 2005 -- Hurricane Katrina Reactions

I was sure by now God,
You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
that it’s still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain,
“I’m with you”
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away. Â

Chorus:
And I’ll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
that You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry You
raised me up again
my strength is almost gone
how can I carry on
if I can’t find You.
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
and as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus

The Blame Game

Right now, what angers me more than most anything else, is just how much people are throwing blame at the President for the “slow response” after the Hurricane.

Look, I know that most people that are blaming him have only gotten word on what’s been happening down there from the news. I, like many others, got word of it from people that live in Louisiana. Close friends of mine, one of whom had a father that worked Fire Rescue for nearly a week in New Orleans, helping to rescue people and just came home on Sunday. People in surrounding areas were able to get in and start helping out on day one.

The problem with this, isn’t that ONE MAN didn’t respond to the tragedy by sending aid after five days. The problem came with groups of looters and rioters mobbed the streets, hijacking cars, busses, shooting at people, killing people, and this scared off many of the relief workers who were being shot at. So the National Guard had to be brought in.

Another fact is that the damage of this storm was much worse than predicted. Yes, people were able to make it out on foot, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that rescue vehicles could make it to where they were located.

Here’s a couple things from my friends that are down in Louisiana:

From my friend Ashley: I first wanted to let everyone know that I know of one other place to volunteer in Lake Charles. Supposedly, the Burton Colliseum will also be uponed. If you are a member of a church, also check there. Many churches are opening up their doors. Praise God!

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING!!!!! especially for girls…There have been reports of weapon smuggling into the Civic Center, theft, & car break-ins. Please, I don’t intend to discourage you from volunteering…I only wish to encourage you to please be cautious! Bring a gentleman with you or go in groups. I have not, repeat HAVE NOT, heard reports of rape in Lake Charles yet, but…please be always aware of your surroundings.

From my friend Allison:

My take on the looting….so sue me…

1.I feel that survival is key. If you need to steal food or water…or even supplies to keep you clean (towels, soap, etc.) so be it.

2.There is no need to loot the houses on Canal and St. Charles Avenue (may lightening strike you dead one day or soon).

3.There is no electricity, nor will there be for months, to watch your brand new big screen tvs, just leave them in the store.

4.Its sad that a bunch of mean ol New Yorkers can get it together and act more civilized after a disaster then their good ol’ southern counterparts. Evidently even if it were a bunch of terrorists that caused this they find a reason why “they deserved to take it all for themselves cuz we owe um.”

5.These ‘Gangsta’ families are making it easier to find themselves now. They didnt head to the Super Dome because they couldnt bring in their guns and drugs. Keep it up…now you’ve made the Mayor so mad that you idiots have the cops stopping most of the rescuing of innocents so they can come after you! Stupid bastards.

6.Looters going into homes of where the owners are dead should at least have the decency to bring the bodies out so the rescuers have an easier time finding them instead of just trampling over them to find what little the storm didnt destroy…then when you come out may lightening strike you dead.

Hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20. Everyone has made a mistake at one time or another, but not everyone has the entire country saying “he took too long.” I don’t care if it was five days or two days, any amount of time would have been “too long.” If it were only two days, then we’d be saying “It took us only two days to send aid to the people after the Tsunami, and our own people on our own land took just as long?”

A Tsunami is a completely different storm as a Hurricane… a Hurricane takes some time to discipate(sp?) before anyone can do much.

NEW ORLEANS FLASHBACK: OFFICALS WARNED RESIDENTS ‘YOU’LL BE ON YOUR OWN’
Mon Sep 05 2005 18:57:15 ET
Before residents had ever heard the words “Hurricane Katrina,” the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE ran a story warning residents: If you stay behind during a big storm, you’ll be on your own! Â

Editors at TIMES-PICAYUNE on Monday called for every official at the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be fired. In an open letter to President Bush, the paper said: “Our people deserved rescuing. Many who could have been were not. That’s to the government’s shame.”

But the TIMES-PICAYUNE published a story on July 24, 2005 stating: City, state and federal emergency officials are preparing to give a historically blunt message: “In the event of a major hurricane, you’re on your own.”

Staff writer Bruce Nolan reported some 7 weeks before Katrina: “In scripted appearances being recorded now, officials such as Mayor Ray Nagin, local Red Cross Executive Director Kay Wilkins and City Council President Oliver Thomas drive home the word that the city does not have the resources to move out of harm’s way an estimated 134,000 people without transportation.”

“In the video, made by the anti-poverty agency Total Community Action, they urge those people to make arrangements now by finding their own ways to leave the city in the event of an evacuation.

“You’re responsible for your safety, and you should be responsible for the person next to you,” Wilkins said in an interview. “If you have some room to get that person out of town, the Red Cross will have a space for that person outside the area. We can help you.”

Developing…
http://www.drudgereport.com/flash3kt.htm

So please, send aid, do something to help, but stop complaining. A lot of us are very fortunate to be in areas that are not effected so badly by natural disasters, but that doesn’t mean that we’re simply not effected. Tornados have destroyed whole towns. I know because I’ve been there. I saw it happen in the late 90s. Did the president send in aid at all? How quick was our response to help them out..? Oh, that’s right…most of the country had never heard about the F5 tornado that destroyed that small town in Kansas.

My point is, there’s nothing we can do to fix the problems of how this was handled. All we can do now, is CHOOSE to be more well prepared for the next one, and try our best to help those in need RIGHT NOW, because all that we have is the present, and that’s all we’re ever going to have.

Related Posts

• September 5, 2005 -- Song: Prodigal
• February 4, 2010 -- Owl City – A Spark of Relient K made me a fan
• October 31, 2005 -- About My Friends Part 2
• October 26, 2005 -- About My Friends Part 1
• September 29, 2005 -- Song: Walking Her Home

Living on my own, thinking for myself
Castles in the sand, temporary wealth
Walls are falling down, storms are closing in
Tears have filled my eyes, here I am again

And I’ve held out as long as I can
Now I’m letting go and holding out my hand

Daddy, here I am again, will You take me back tonight
I went and made the world my friend and it feft me high and dry
I drag Your name back through the mud
That you first found me in
Not worthy to be called Your son
Is this to be my end
Daddy, here I am
Here I am again

Curse this morning sun, drags me into one more day
Of reaping what I sow, of living with my shame
Welcome to my world, and the life that I have made
Where one day you’re a prince, the next day you’re a slave.

Related Posts

• September 6, 2005 -- Hurricane Katrina Reactions
• February 4, 2010 -- Owl City – A Spark of Relient K made me a fan
• September 29, 2005 -- Song: Walking Her Home
• August 29, 2005 -- Song: This Man by Jeremy Camp || Lord of the Rings
• June 21, 2005 -- Song: Things I Prayed For