Oranges and Apples

"Our equivalent of the Asian tsunami, in terms of the damage and the numbers of people that can be killed."
-Ivor van Heerden, director of the Louisiana State University Public Health Research Center in Baton Rouge

By now you've probably all heard about the devastation of New Orleans. Over 80% of the city is underwater and perhaps thousands are dead. Yes, I believe this is a tragedy, but for people (journalists and politicians alike) to compare this to Hiroshima or the tsunami that hit Asia is not only inappropriate but not comparable at all. How typical of American journalism to try and build hype and hysteria to their stories to make them sell.

Just speaking death toll-wise,
Hiroshima: 80,000+
Tsunami: 110,000+
Katrina: 1000+
1 American death does not equal 100 foreigner deaths.

This is not to say that I don't feel sorry for the people that had their homes, jobs, and possessions completely destroyed, but you've got to admit that many of the deaths were from sheer arrogance and pride. The governor of Lousiana had issued evacuation orders, and yet some people thought, "Hey, I'm smarter than the man!". How ridiculous is it when you have so many preventable deaths? Hiroshima and the tsunami weren't exactly predictable. I don't think anyone could have anticipated the amount of damage and loss of life those events have caused. On the other hand, Katrina had formed weeks ago and warnings were issued. It's strange how some people would gamble with their lives without cause.

What's my problem? Journalism seems to be leading a bit to sensationalism by trying to draw parallels to history defining events without thinking through all the facts. Katrina is NOT the bombing of Hiroshima, or the Tsunami of Sri Lanka.

Don't sell fiction and pass it off for news. Don't try to create ridiculous and outrageous fanfare just so that people notice you because it ends up coming off as a cheap attempt at publicity.

On a side note: With all the devestation, you'd think the human spirit would rise to the occasion to help others. Instead, you hear of chaos, anarchy, fighting, looting, and rape in New Orleans. A reflection of the American spirit without control? I hope not...