In times of stress, blaming becomes, in part, a venting and coping mechanism, and is understandable. However, I suggest "responsibility" is a better way to look at it. Asking "where is the responsibility" is more productive than asking "where is the blame". It focuses attention on improving responsibility now, to reduce such problems in the future. This is in contrast to, and instead of, sometimes vindictivly, blaming many in the present which often leads to defensive mechanisms that hinder all involved parties to identify responsibility roles and using the current situation to motivate improved responsibility roles now and in th future.
There are many levels of responsibilities. On a basic level, people choose to live in higher risk areas because they are drawn to other redeeming features of the area which overshadow the danger. Everyone in the SF Bay Area knows tht the BIG One will hit someday. And when it does it will be a disaster that no one can adequately prepare for. But for decades, people still flock to live there, despite the dangers. It may be quite a rational choice. But for a good part, it does involve choice. Same with people building on mudslide prone steep hills in southern california, or coast hugging houses in hrricane country -- the whole south and southeastern seaboard. In the same vein, everyone in NO was aware of the someday possible danger of a big one hittng, and massive flooding. They chose the NO environment and its many attractions over the seemingly, but well acknowledged danger. (And not everyone has a choice. Poverty, familily responsibilites etc can lock someone into an area. But over a decade or so, most people who are intent on leaving an area, can.) People have a choice, and an opportunity, if not a responsibility, to have an emergency supply of food and water, fuel, batteries, axes, flares, etc to live out a disaster for several weeks. Many chose not to do so, rather spending the funds on other things, or just out of lack of attention. In regards to political responsibilities, in a democracy, people have a responsibility to go beyond sound bites and 30 second slur ads to understand the issues. And to understand that their choices have deep consequences in terms of planning and prevention. Many people pro and anti Bush, I think acknowledge his intellectual and management deficits. In the last election, the issue was that "some felt safer fighting the evil-doers across the sea instead of on our doorstep." That may have been a deeply researched and well thought out position for some. For many though, I beleive it was a gut reaction to what amounts to media vomit. They made voting decisions based not on a deep analysis of the issues, but more based on bravado and jingoistic calls for glory, retribution and a false sense of security. For that they bear a responsibility. But Bush is just an easy example. The main point is that ANY elelcted official, on any point of the political spectrum, can be a deep thinking, far forward looking, compassionate being that really looks out for the long term welfare of the citizens in his area. And some politicians, on any point of the political spectrum, can be superficial, manipulative, short-term self-interest focussed weasles. Its the responsibility of voters to figure out who is who and vote appropriately. Some believe in karma, others don't. I respect both postions. However, for those that do believe in karma, its hard to see how they can disconnect personal responsibility for what occurs to each and everyone of us. And that such returning karma is an oppportunity for learning -- whether it is winning the lottery so to speak, or getting slammed in a hurricane. I am listening to Some Tolle tapes currently. Unlike TMO dogma, its his view that intense suffering can be the catalyst that leads to an awakening. Not a necessary thing, but a sufficient thing. Who is to say that the suffering in NO won't lead to a wave of awakenings? That is not a of course a rationalization, "justifying" policies that lead to suffering. Just the opposite really. But when suffering does happen, and it will, it appears that just looking to the surface of it, is an incomplete view. Silver linings in clouds and all. Mnay other levels of responsibiliy exist and could be examined. But shifting gears, back to the blame vs responsibility question, it appears that blame promotes the opposite of cooperativeness and compassion. "Positively" looking for "responsibility lessons", that is, "regardless of how well or badly I have done here, I see how I can do better next time." It promotes a certain compassion and humility for oneself and for others. Focusing on solutions and improvement, not retribution. And compassion is a key. One teacher I like, when visiting a center for deeply challenged children, was asked, on the side, if it was not the karma of these children that left them in this state. He said, "It is, but it also provides us the opportunity, it is also our karma, to simply provide much compassion." Its hard to believe sometimes, but most everyone is doing the best they can with the tools they have. Due to past circumstances, they may have warped values, or poor training or mis-guided motivations. But given their current state, everyone is trying to optimize it. So compassion for care-givers, and compassion for those in distress, seems to be much more productive than blame. From a deep level, the disaster is a responsibility of those involved: victims and care-givers both. All will learn in someway something about responsibility from the disaster. Let God caste blame if required. We should focus on compassion. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/JjtolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
