The Gulf Coast

I don't really know what I want to say. In a rare moment of channel surfing I happened upon the Discovery Channel's "Surviving Katrina." I don't care for their re-enactments and what I find too great an element of sensationalism, but, having been in New Orleans this past spring, when you could once again drive down Canal Street, the live footage of Katrina captured my attention.

Last year, during the first week of September I changed the course I was scheduled to teach in January from "Applied Sociology in an Urban Environment" to "Applied Sociology: The Social Dimensions of Disaster." My goal was to examine [what was then] the Katrina disaster through the lenses of, at a minimum, race, class, and gender. I also hoped to find the means to have the class do relief work in the Gulf. In January we traveled to the Gulf and spent a week working in Mississippi. We also spent a day in New Orleans learning firsthand about the disaster. I returned in April. A lot had changed. But not a lot had changed.

As I've suggested in other postings, I'm just not a strong enough writer to begin to characterize what it was like, on both trips... Watching this program I am, again, shocked, appalled, disgusted. I just can't fathom what the "leadership" in this country allowed to happen.

When we returned to Minnesota last January people here were surprised that there was still so much work to be done. After four and a half months people couldn't believe that there might not have been significant improvements. I can only imagine that, a year later, many people around the country imagine that things are pretty much back to normal. That is so very wrong. So very wrong. I don't have a particular relief program or volunteer opportunity to pitch. There are tons of opportunities for those who can help. I just had to write something. It's just beyond my comprehension what this country allowed to happen.

Motown, Slowtown

What is going on in Detroit? That seems to be the big question for those of us who have had files transferred from Buffalo to Detroit. At least several folks who had AORs of March 2005 received requests for passports in July - 16 months. Buffalo seems to be transferring files almost exactly one year from the date of AOR. Ours was exactly one year. 13 June. Under the recent trend, we should be getting a request for medicals any day now. But, then I see people who had their files transferred in February and they've heard nothing yet! No IA, no request for meds, nothing. As I've said before, it's good we've got a long timeline in front of us, but it's still frustrating...

P.S.

I gave up trying to post more about the Outgames and the international human rights conference that preceded the games. But, check out their site! It was an amazing thing in which to participate!

Time Warp

I can't believe it's been over two weeks since I posted anything and longer than that since I posted anything of substance. Time is flying by... We were in Tucson from 8-15 August and now we're getting ready for our son to start kindergarten. Oh, yeah, and then there's that law school thing - my partner starts on Monday. Then there's that book I'm [supposed to be] writing... You get the picture.

I have, however, tried to make time to check the other "Canadian blogs" - meaning those of us who have either moved North or are in the process of doing so. I was thrilled to see that Mason and Nick got their visas. That was really cool. Seattle is obviously moving more quickly than Detroit! We've not heard a thing since our file was transferred in June. We just passed the two month point from that date. "Data suggest" that we should hear something in the way of request for meds and/or more materials within the next month. I sure hope so.

I've decided that this process is like what I imagine drug addiction to be. Get a little something and be happy for a while and then start craving something more. The good news, as I've said before, is that while we will "land" we won't make the whole hog move until the summer of '09. So, while we want to get visas in hand, the delay actually helps in terms of our calendar. If all goes according to plan (i.e., we get visas in early 2007 and we have a year from the date of our meds to land), I think we'll try to land on Canada Day. That would be cool.

Well, I just wanted to post *something* and let folks know we're still here, just swamped! As always, you'll be the first to hear something when we do!

Things that make you go, "Hmmm..."

Okay, everybody should be entitled to vacation, but, c'mon - Castro is failing, Israel is still bombing civilians, Congress is listening to testimony about Iraq and Afghanistan, people are dying from the heat wave, but what's Bush doing? Yup, big surprise, going on vacation in Texas. Now I realize that the president is never really on vacation, but talk about thumbing one's nose...

Me? I've been too busy playing catch-up to update my blog with more on my fabulous trip to Montreal. But, I'll get there. In the meantime, for a great 6 minute montage - including some Cirque de Soleil footage - go here and click on "Extracts from the Opening Ceremony."

Meanwhile, it's back to work - just had to vent.