From Scott Lynch’s LiveJournal:

“It might cross your mind, at some point in the next few days, to write something about how “stupid” the people trapped in the disaster zones have been, or how “lazy” they must be to not have escaped sooner, or how they “deserved what they got” for choosing to live somewhere on the Gulf Coast, within direct reach of hurricanes.

“My suggestion is this—sit on your fucking hands. Sit on them until those sentiments no longer make your typing fingers itch.

“Natural disasters are ubiquitous. Somewhere in the world, something is always happening… a tornado is touching down, a dam is breaking, a river is surging, an earthquake is trembling, a forest is burning. Some of these events become so routine, that local residents come to view them as quirky inconveniences rather than hellish disasters. Weathering them with a smile becomes a source of pride, an essential element of local character. Inclement weather becomes a feature, not a bug. The national media does goofy human interest stories about it. Locals hook their thumbs in their belts and say, “No sir, them there sulfuric acid geysers ain’t never bothered us none. You just keep the kids indoors and wash the dogs with baking soda after you let ‘em out.” ”

Read the rest . . .

Here’s a list of links to help out those in need.