Checking on ex-Hurricane Ike
First I want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with the folks who experienced Hurricane Ike. Having lived through a couple of interesting storms, such as Ivan and Dennis, I empathize with their position. I’m not very good at writing condolence blog posts, largely because I think they are empty gestures for the most part, but sometimes we can’t help making a gesture, even if it’s pretty empty.
In the “not making it empty” category, let me provide the United Methodist Committee on Relief hurricane response page. I complain about many things in the Methodist church, but when it comes time for relief, they’re the ones I trust. There are donation buttons on the page.
What got me writing, however, was this story from MSNBC.com, really a totally unremarkable, even routine story, but one that bothers me.
Why is it that we expect politicians and national leaders to make a personal appearance in a disaster area? What good does it do? Please note that this is not a criticism of President Bush. This expectation that our leaders will show up and sympathize in person and “assess the damage fore themselves” seems to be well-nigh universal. Any mistakes in this area are politically costly.
But the people who really do assess the damage are professionals who are quite efficient, I believe, and one gets a much better picture of the damage for management purposes from their work. The people who actually help are the folks who show up to restore power, rebuild, clear roads, and so forth.
I recall our elation when the power company trucks showed up on our street–actually at a friend’s place to which we had gone ahead of the storm. They were from Quebec, a long ways from home, and we were glad to see them. I can’t imagine that I would have welcomed a tour by the president in a similar way.
I’m sure it’s an emotional relief, a sense that someone with power cares about us in our hour of need, but I confess I have never comprehended it. I’d be much happier with a president and various management level folks hanging out at headquarters and managing, while the folks who do the work travel to the area and do their jobs.
I’d be interested in other people’s thoughts. Do managers really handle such a situation better after they fly by some of the damage? Is any understanding they may gain tangible and measurable?
What if a president or national leader really wants to volunteer to help and get their hands dirty? It wouldn’t be feasible for a couple of reasons. the first is security. Another is the fact that even if the leader really wants to work, his presence would be distracting to other vounteers who stop to stare, or hope to get a picture, etc.
What is a leader to do? I think exactly what is done. Presidents and leaders go and meet with people and try to offer comfort and hope. The presence can be comforting to those that are homeless. I can give an extra boost to vounteers.
They should do what they can without getting in the way.
Hmm. I’d be satisfied with a statement on TV and them staying home. But if the general consensus is that they have to show up, then of course they can’t actually get out and volunteer for the reasons you state.
I agree with Brett, and I think it underscores the importance of symbolism for the human psyche. Symbolism plays an important role in many facets of life (religion and sports come to mind) and the leader is invested with the power to portray that. Can they actually physically improve the situation – not likely, but they can improve the attitudes and mindsets of the people who are suffering and the people who are there to help out. To met that is helpful.
By analogy, if one plays role playing games (gasp), the characters usually have a morale component – that’s what the leader can move up and down.
I guess this is where I have a hard time connecting with the rest of humanity then! 🙂 I just don’t care that much about such symbolic actions.
Hi there
When Bush and Chertoff (sp?) showed up here a couple of days ago to see how we were post-Ike, honestly it wasn’t Bush or even Chertoff doing the heavy organizing. We’re fortunate to have some high-caliber local talent.
All the same, “Does he know how we are? Does he understand how things are on the ground here? Is he aware of what it’s going to take?” The feds control the FEMA resources, and it’s good to know that they are aware of what’s going on here because the mayors and such buttonholed them and showed them. You understand the big picture in person in ways that you might not from a distance.
Take care & God bless
Anne / WF