The tragedy in Kansas was unavoidable. There is nothing that anyone could have done to prevent it. This was an act of God, or for atheists, nature. The issue now is how we as a society help the people of Kansas overcome this tragedy. More importantly, will we help at all?
The spotlight should be squarely on Hollywood right now. As tempted as I am to verbally berate them again to their Tinseltown tin ears, I want to give them a chance to prove me wrong in advance. I want them to help Kansas.
Despite the statement by a recently defeated presidential candidate (who still acts like he won and is therefore relevant) that Hollywood is the heart and soul of America, this is not the case. America can live without movie stars. We cannot live without farmers. Despite being seen as “flyover country,” there is a quiet dignity to people who contribute goodness to America without demanding public credit. The people of Kansas are hurting now. A tornado has shredded their homes, and inflicted death and destruction. Will Hollywood lift their 24 karat fingers to help?
Kansas is a red state, which means they voted for President Bush. The people are largely caucasian. They are also Christian. Why would Hollywood liberals want to help white conservatives? Because it is the right thing to do. The funny thing about red and blue states is that outside of Massachusetts and Washington, DC, being red or blue means one side has a 60-40 advantage, not 90-10. There are plenty of democrats in Kansas, and they are hurting as well.
Hollywood celebrities wear red ribbons for Aids, pink ribbons for breast cancer, multi-colored ribbons for the Rainbow Coalition, and other color codes I am unaware of because I am not “sensitive” in terms of useless symbolism. Hollywood celebrities go to Africa to adopt children, they wail about Darfur, and they were vocal in criticizing the government’s perceived slow response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The irony is that while Louisiana got a lot of attention, Mississippi, which also got belted hard, was not given nearly as much sympathy. Again, white Christian republicans are simply less sympathetic in terms of Hollywood dollars than poor, liberal black communities.
I am not in any way saying we should ignore minority communities. Far from it. However, we should help everybody. Right now there are people bleeding in Kansas. They need hope. They need love. Most importantly, they need money to rebuild.
If I can put aside my animosity towards Hollywood and give its inhabitants the benefit of the doubt (not an easy thing to do), then Hollywood can put aside its animosity towards George W. Bush, and help these innocent citizens. Also, society can do without the leftwingnuts that blamed George W. Bush and his opposition to unproven theories about global warming and other environmental issues for creating this tragedy. God (or nature) was responsible for this. To suggest otherwise is disgusting. Thankfully, so far, these leftwingnuts have been few, with regards to this latest conspiracy theory.
America’s heart and soul needs replenishment. John Cougar Mellencamp, no fan of republican politics, put his money where his mouth was in the past, through concerts such as Farm Aid. I do not have to admire his politics to admire his actions. I pray that other Hollywood celebrities follow his example.
I pray Hollywood has the decency to care about their fellow Americans in their darkest hour. Most importantly, I pray for the people of Kansas. May God Bless you and grant you Peace, and a speedy recovery.
For those who lost loved ones, their is nothing to bring them back. I hope God takes good care of them. For those who survived, let the rebuilding begin. As Ronald Reagan once said, we will meet the challenges ahead…”We are Americans.”
Whether it be through shame, or just a sense of moral decency, the motives are irrelevant. The deeds are necessary. May those who have so much share a small piece of it with those who deserve it most right now.
Kansas has fed America. It is time for us to help pay for those harvested meals. Please, America. Help Kansas.
May God Bless the people of Kansas. Amen.
eric