Archive - 2005
September 6th
Reconnecting citizens with compassionate civic life
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Tue, 09/06/2005 - 15:37(Originally published at Greater Democracy
I remember working with my wife on her first campaign speech. There was a bit of biography, talking about “neighborhood Easter egg hunts and the pickup games of whiffle ball that filled our summers”, “being proud to be from Bethany”, and “believing that a community sticks together and helps each other out”.
She went on to say, “September 11th happened, and then it seemed possible, for a brief moment, that we would come together as a nation and rally once more.” Today, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we face the same possibility.
September 3rd
Katrina and my friend - Saturday
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Sat, 09/03/2005 - 20:15(An email from a friend of mine from New Orleans)
Dear Everyone:
Today's update will be shorter as I'm exhausted.
We moved from Starkville, MS to Atlanta yesterday. The drive was uneventful but it was really odd meeting many evacuees from New Orleans once we were so far away (if only geographically). In Mississippi, we met a man who had biked (using his wife's mountain) from the Cotton Mill Apartments in New Orleans' CBD to Baton Rouge on Wednesday. He says that there are still six families barricaded in the complex who thought it was too dangerous to leave. His wife picked him up in Baton Rouge and then had trouble getting gas to make it to Northern Mississippi. We met another person (a former resident of Chalmette who has lived in Alabama for 14 years) desperately trying to find a relative in Thibodaux. (Thibodaux is supposedly fine).
September 2nd
Katrina and my friend - Friday
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Fri, 09/02/2005 - 12:38Friday's update from my friend from New Orleans:
I've decided to send updates on a daily basis since I hope we can collectively help more than we each can individually and in more creative and long-term ways.
It's Friday morning and I'm in Starkville in Northeast Mississippi. We've spent yesterday moving from Baton Rouge across the state of Mississippi.
Baton Rouge seemed so overcrowded and desperate before we left. It seems like the city has doubled or tripled in size with some desperate New Orleans rumored to be roaming in downtown Baton Rouge in armed gangs, the S.W.A.T. is out and many displaced New Orleans are fruitlessly attempting to find a home in Baton Rouge. I'm concerned that the violence wrought by desperation will turn the refuge camp and rescue and recovery staging ground that is now Baton Rouge into a chaotic and violent mess. I'm also fear that the natives of Baton Rouge might react with violence in order to protect their city (I know of many friends buying shotguns). CNN reports late last night seem to confirm my fears.
September 1st
Little babushka Fiona at Kim's Birthday Dinner
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Thu, 09/01/2005 - 19:04
Katrina and my friend
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Thu, 09/01/2005 - 07:24A friend of mine lives in New Orleans and has started sending me these emails. I am posting it as is, with personal information editted out.
It's Thursday morning and I finally figured out how to email my entire address book. So, I wanted to let you know that I'm fine and my family (including our two cats and our fish) is fine. We evacuated early (4 am) Sunday morning and have been in Baton Rouge since, staying with friends. We know our house was fine yesterday (two broken windows, no water) but we're not sure what happened once the levees breached (we know the street now is flooded and don't think the water is that deep).
