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Jewish World Review Sept. 7, 2011 / 8 Elul, 5771 Hurricanes, Earthquakes and Home Depot By Alan Douglas
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
If you live in an area designated as being in a "flood plain" you should expect to be flooded. That sounds harsh. What about all the victims who were devastated by recent floods when the government could have protected them? One of the reasons governments exist is to launch public works projects to build bridges and dams. But just how much money do we all want to spend to protect all the people all the time? We don't. We want to spend some money on cancer research, some on the army, a lot for the euphemistic "safety net" and some for researching odors and sexual preferences. If you live in an area designated as being in a "flood plain" you are forewarned. If you buy a house near an airport you should expect noise, and "yes" there is an increased chance of an airplane crashing near you or an auto accident in your proximity. None of this excuses negligence but it does point out that Mayors, Governors and Presidents should not start writing checks for projects that will not ensure safety. Natural disasters create victims, profiteers and guardian angels.
Responsible religious leaders do not see geological or weather disasters (or tragedies) as punishment or proof of a vengeful divine being. One of my favorite quotes comes from the Reverend Billy Sunday, who said, "I could not abide by a G-d who does not smite." I like to think that the Lord occasional throws down a few lightning bolts to smite the wicked. But I do not look at lightning as the instrument of divine intervention; I think that is our job as human beings. Great religious leaders see the immense power that comfort and faith brings to those who suffer. All of the many volunteers from churches, synagogues, and Rotary Clubs who help do not make headlines; but they prove the grace, beauty and wonder of true religion.
My home is about a half hour from the recent earthquake. I was all the way at the rear of the Home Depot watching the pallet racks filled sway like ballerinas as the sound of the earth rumbled at my feet. It was beautiful and as various products fell down it gave me a feeling of satisfaction that I was so heavily insured. My wife would be rich, and there would finally be a pay out after all those years of paying premiums. A Home Depot employee rushed up to me and as I started to explain how my wife was going to be rich she interrupted to tell me, "Sir, you must evacuate the store. All customers must immediately go out to the parking lot in front of the store." I started to object, with a leg brace and a cane, that was a long way to go for me to go and… "Sir, you must evacuate the store. All customers must immediately go out to the parking lot in front of the store" she repeated, having been thoroughly trained by Home Depot's Safety and Risk Management training program. Seeing resistance was futile, I walked with her as she conducted the mandatory evacuation of the store to the front parking lot. When we reached the parking I asked her, "Have you ever flown on an airplane?" "No" she replied, but she told me she drove with her high school cheerleading squad to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. "Well," I said, "Before you take off, the flight attendants tell you that in case of an emergency the nearest exit may be behind you, rather than in front on you." She did not reply. "When you found me for the mandatory evacuation I was standing next to the Emergency Exit at the rear of the store" I explained. "But we had to assemble all the customers in the parking lot in front parking lot for their safety" she explained.
With the support of our friends, family and religious leaders (I do not include government intentionally) we human beings can survive and rebuild. Without it, or with finger pointing to find blame, we suffer. Coastal Virginia did not suffer as much damage from the recent hurricane as central Virginia. The same area hit by the recent earthquake? Is this a sign? No. It is an alert that people there suffered two stressful situations in rapid succession. The loss in natural disasters is not only physical. It is also a time of upheaval and stress. My neighbors lost some trees but what they will remember about the hurricane is how the sound of the fierce winds and rain upset their old dog, Nestle so much that she went down to the basement, curled up to sleep and never woke up. It may be silly and sentimental, but I sent my neighbors a sympathy card. It is what neighbors do.
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JWR contributor Alan Douglas, an author, media executive, speaker, and attorney, lives con brio- except when he is grumpy.
Glenn Beck, Norway, Hitler and Me
© 2010 Alan Douglas
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