Katrina. A name that will undoubtedly plummet in popularity for a few generations. Storm, and flood, and disaster, all wrapped up in such a delicately named package of pure natural force.

One the one hand, I say anyone who stayed in New Orleans, knowing the hurricane was coming - and they had plenty of warning - deserves a kick in the head for sheer stupidity. That said, however, those who simply couldn't make it out in time, despite their efforts, I can only pray for. Even those who - having gotten their boot to the brain - stayed and are now in desperate straits, I can only hope, along with everyone else, get the help they need so badly.

Nothing seems to bring out the best and the worst of us like a disaster. Like I saw when the tsunami hit, people keep turning up the shining face of humanity's coin, as well as its ugly side. Riots, looting, rape, shooting and fighting with those who have come to help... it's enough to make me snarl and think those folks should have been the ones to drown. And really, I shouldn't. I'm not in their shoes right now, I don't know them at all. They might be otherwise good people. Or at least, had been. I'm not sure you can go back, once you've taken a step like that.

Looting for food, for water, for the basic necessities when you've lost everything, okay. I can understand. Beating people, rape, murder, avaricious greed for things or worse, gouging for money... that disgusts me. So does incompetence and lack of compassion in rescue workers, and in politicians, trying to spin into good PR the fact that aid efforts in our own borders leave much to be desired in terms of speed, efficacy, and volume.

...God, sometimes I don't want to be human so bad, it hurts. What matter the little joys I try to hang on to? What matter the small efforts, like giving away a stuffed animal to a kid who wanted one so badly, or complimenting someone to see them brighten up and smile, knowing someone took notice? The deficit built up by evil and ignorance and greed is so high, it doesn't seem as if good deeds or kind motions will ever begin to balance it out. So very many more tears than smiles. So much bullshit to outweigh the roses.

I... oh forget it. I'm going to bed. Angry or sad, the sun's still rising tomorrow, and neither school nor work will care if I couldn't sleep.