Sarah Harward's Viewpoint letter to the editor regarding Hurricane Katrina ("Double Standards" Aug. 31) highlights a major problem with the response to this disaster. Rather than suggest ways of helping, Harward instead spends her time politicizing the crisis. Harward criticizes Green Day and Michael Moore for viewing southerners as "lower down" for being American. Even if this falsehood were true, it has nothing to with the current state of the disaster. Harward also criticizes the international community for their "apathy" and "anti-Americanism." This is simply not true.
Scott McClellan said in his daily press conference that the White House has received many offers of assistance from other countries, but has elected to wait and see how much we can accomplish before accepting aid.
This politicizing of the ongoing tragedy needs to stop. We can assess blame later when people are out of harm's way. Now is the time to help the people of Louisiana and Alabama. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-HELP-NOW to offer financial and other assistance, say a prayer, do whatever you can. Stop the divisive rhetoric and invest your energy in something more productive.
Rory Makielskisenioroff-campusSept. 1
