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.
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).
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.
Little babushka Fiona at Kim's Birthday Dinner
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Thu, 09/01/2005 - 19:04
Hurricane Katrina
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Wed, 08/31/2005 - 10:32(Originally posted at the DeStefano for CT blog).
One of the quotes from Mayor DeStefano’s campaign that I have always appreciated is ‘We are at our best when we are working together’. Mayor DeStefano has done a great job in getting people to recognize their common interest and work together.
Yet it isn’t only common self interest that inspires us to work together. We should all also be driven by a desire to work for the common good and help people in their times of great need.
It is in this spirit that I encourage all of you to consider what you can do help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Bristol Press reports that 23 volunteers and workers from Connecticut, including seven from Farmington have already been deployed to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The Day provides this information about getting trained to help:
“The southeastern Connecticut chapter of the Red Cross will conduct training sessions for new volunteers all day Friday and Saturday at its offices at 150 Eugene O'Neill Drive, New London. Teams will leave for Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama on Monday and Tuesday. To register, call 447-3248.”
Whether you can help as a volunteer or a donor, please contact The Red Cross to do what you can to help.
