Hobbesian Hurricane: Katrina and Man’s Nature

“It is a war zone” (AP)

“This is our tsunami” (Mississippi citizen)

“It looks like a third world country” (Reuters)

“Total devastation” (Democracy Now)

"It's devastating. It's got to be doubly devastating on the ground” (CNN - Bush)

Katrina has brought the Gulf Coast back to a pure state of nature. No power, no ice, no clean water, no food, no shelter, no security and no law. Looting began before the winds subsided. Law enforcement officers were also seen stealing property and contributing to the mayhem. Thus, Thomas Hobbes was correct in his vision of a lawless world, where every man is out for himself and life becomes, “nasty, brutish and short.”

I have family and friends in the region. My grandfather’s home is gone. My cousin’s home is gone. My aunt’s home is gone. I am joyful that they are not among the dead or injured. Yet, this catastrophe brings out the best and the worse in people. Many have flocked to the Gulf Coast to help. However, many have moved in for a quick dollar; don’t think that all help in this situation is altruist. In the next few days you will hear of scams and frauds from all walks of life coming to the “aid” of people in need, only to bamboozle them into revealing social security numbers, bank accounts, and personal finance records. The lawlessness of the region breeds this type of “hurricane scam”.

In the months to come it will be evident that survival of the fittest will reign. Lines will be long, hospitals will be turning away the needed, food will be in short supply, petrochemical laced water will find its way into every corner and the helpless will need more than prayers. Moreover, this quite possibly may be the closet Americans get to understanding the plight of billions around the world. (1 in 5 Americans own a passport – See Reid The United States of Europe) Disease, destruction, and malnutrition are the cornerstones of many societies around the world and Katrina has brought this reality to America. The US and more specifically the Gulf Coast will overcome this cataclysmic event, however I wonder if the memory of Katrina will open our eyes to the disasters around the world as well.