Griffin Speaks
A GREAT BIG MESS IN "NAWLINS"
Today,
September 5, 2005 we are celebrating my father, Dr. Melvin J. Griffin
Sr.’s seventy-fifth birthday. We are cooking ribs and chicken. We are
planning on having as great a time as possible considering the
circumstances.
The
catastrophe in New Orleans so long feared and now a reality has dampened my
spirits. I am however thankful that my dear friend Greg Winborn and his
lovely wife, Sharon, escaped the devastation. I was able to reach Greg’s
mother’s sister, Mrs. Hattie Minor. She told me that Greg and Sharon were
doing well. Greg recently
accepted a great position in Houston, Texas so they moved before the
hurricane hit. In fact Sharon got out one day before Katrina made its debut.
I was later able to speak to Greg’s mother, Mrs. Doris Sanders Winborn
Reynolds. She was upbeat! She is selling her beautiful home and relocating
to Houston, Texas to help Greg raise his future children.
Unfortunately
the emergency response was totally inadequate. This slow response has caused
many people to become suspicious. It is obvious from watching the news that
most of the people left behind in New Orleans, Louisiana are poor and black.
If someone could have just put out a rumor that Natalie Holloway was seen in
New Orleans would it have made a difference? Because most of the
victims are black it has exposed the social
divisions of a world super power. The perception is that the Federal
Government is not as concerned because of the race of the victims.
Dr.
Condoleeza Rice, the 66th Secretary of State had this to say: “
I want every American to know that their government is doing everything it
can to get relief to those in need as quickly as possible.” Dr. Rice’s
father was born and raised in Louisiana. I believe Dr. Rice is correct in
her assessment. I believe that mistakes have been made but not because of
race.
President
Bush and I share mutual friends. I have some friends that have flown with
him on Air Force One one day and talked with me the following day. They all
tell me that the president is a wonderful man. Debra and I had the pleasure
of meeting the President’s only sister, Dorothy Bush several years ago
when she attended the wedding of one of her best friends, who just happened
to marry one of my friends, here in Montgomery, Alabama. Dorothy’s dad was
President at the time so several secret service men accompanied her. I
greeted her and told her that she looked just like her father. She said
thanks! We were all at the Wynlakes Country Club and we had a ball!
Dorothy spent three days in Montgomery. The couple is still married
with two wonderful children. Many of our mutual friends tell me that
President Bush is doing everything possible to help the Katrina victims. I
believe them.
There
are a lot of heads that will probably roll when the dust settles. This
hurricane was predicted as far back as 1995. There was no mass evacuation
plan in place. What the heck happened to the federal response? New Orleans
Mayor Ray Nagin says, “it is a National Disaster of historic
proportions.” “There are probably thousands dead.” I believe that
there are going to be a lot of people looking for a job when this is over
including Governor Blanco. It is a great big mess!
Well
the ribs and chicken are about done. I’m ready to gnaw on some ribs and
suck on some chicken bones. You have a great week and please send
contributions to the Katrina victims. Alexis and I ran into Federal
Magistrate Judge Vanzetta Penn McPherson at the Family Dollar store. She was
purchasing items to send to the victims.
Greg
Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by
visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com
