Iowa Floods

The following is an e-mail I received, and I thought relevant given the recent events with Hurricane Gustaf, and the 3rd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Let me also state that this in no way is meant to undermine the terrible suffering that occurred as a result of the storm, including all the precious lives lost. It is simply meant to provoke thought, and hopefully discussion.

Where are all of the Hollywood celebrities holding telethons asking for helping restoring Iowa and helping the folks affected by the floods?

Where is all the media asking the tough questions about why the federal government hasn't solved the problem? Asking where the FEMA trucks (and trailers) are?

Why isn't the Federal Government relocating Iowa people to free hotels in Chicago?

When will Spike Lee say that the Federal Government blew up the levees that failed in Des Moines?

Where are Sean Penn and the Dixie Chicks?

Where are all the looters stealing high-end tennis shoes and big screen television sets?

When will we hear Governor Chet Culver say that he wants to rebuild a "vanilla" Iowa, because that's the way God wants it?

Where is the hysterical 24/7 media coverage complete with reports of cannibalism?

Where are the people declaring that George Bush hates white, rural people?

Why, in 2 weeks, you will never hear about the Iowa flooding ever again?

The rising Mississippi River has broken high-water records up and down the Iowa and Illinois shore, cresting as high as 12 feet above flood stage in some places. Estimates place the cost of the damage at over $1 billion dollars, and concerns are rising over crop damage, toxic remnants that were washed into neighborhoods, future mosquito invasions, and maintaining supplies of clean drinking water. Communities further downstream are bracing for possible flooding as well.

A huge tornado funnel cloud touches down in Orchard, Iowa, Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. The Globe Gazette and Mitchell County Press News reported that Lori Mehmen of Orchard, took the photo from outside her front door. Mehmen said the funnel cloud came near the ground and then went back up into the clouds. Besides tree and crop damage, no human injuries were reported.


Waterloo, Iowa residents Daniel Tournier, right, and Otha Moore, left, watch the swollen Cedar River flow only a couple of feet below the 4th Street bridge in Waterloo, Iowa on Wednesday, June 11, 2008





Water from the swollen Cedar River rushes past downtown buildings Thursday, June 12, 2008, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Officials estimated that 100 blocks in Cedar Rapids were under water forcing the evacuation of nearly 4,000 homes and leaving cars underwater on downtown streets.



A Union Pacific bridge is partially swept away by high flood waters on the Cedar River in downtown Waterloo, Iowa on Tuesday June 10, 2008. With rivers continuing to rise and more heavy rain on the way, state officials said Tuesday they are trying to help towns already battered by flood waters while working to protect others.



Flood water from the Iowa River rages through farmland June 15, 2008 near Oakville, Iowa. The Iowa River broke through a levee yesterday completely flooding the town of Oakville and the surrounding farmland.




A flooded street Thursday, June 12, 2008, in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Officials estimated that 100 blocks in Cedar Rapids were under water forcing the evacuation of nearly 4,000 homes and leaving cars underwater on downtown streets.




An aerial image of downtown shows flood-affected areas June 13, 2008 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Flooding along the Cedar River was expected to crest today.





Flooded home are seen Saturday, June 14, 2008, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Days after it rose out of its banks on its way to record flooding in Cedar Rapids, the Cedar River has forced at least 24,000 people from their homes, emergency officials said Saturday.



A corn field is submerged in flood water June 16, 2008 near Oakville, Iowa. Farmers along the Mississippi River in Iowa have been emptying their grain bins and evacuating their livestock as they prepare for record flooding.





Buildings and debris are seen floating in the Cedar River against a railroad bridge Saturday, June 14, 2008, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Days after it rose out of its banks on its way to record flooding in Cedar Rapids, the Cedar River has forced at least 24,000 people from their homes, emergency officials said Saturday.




Kitty Lake, owner of The Vine Restaurant, rides on the front of a boat while surveying the flood waters on Highway 6, Friday, June 13, 2008 in Coralville, Iowa.





William Kimpton, left, and Ben Walker, both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, wade through flood waters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday afternoon, June 12,2008. 3,900 homes were evacuated from Cedar Rapids, where rescuers removed people with boats, officials estimated 100 blocks were underwater, and a railroad bridge over the flooded Cedar River collapsed.


Cattle were herded onto a porch and left to avoid drowning by the rising water from the Cedar River Wednesday June 11, 2008 along the river north of Vinton, Iowa. Flood waters have inundated the electric plant in Vinton and the entire city is now without power. Officials are preparing for the Cedar River to crest at record levels all across the state.


A sign is completely submerged along a road north of Vinton, Iowa, as water from the Cedar River continues to rise Wednesday June 11, 2008 in Vinton, Iowa. Flood waters have inundated the electric plant in Vinton and the entire city is now without power. Officials are preparing for the Cedar River to crest at record levels all across the state.


An angry resident that tried to drive around a security checkpoint is stopped by one police officer, right, while another tries to break his window to extract him in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Monday, June 16, 2008.




Brandon Smith carries his two cats, Fry and Bender, to dry land from their flooded and evacuated home on June 12, 2008 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Much of the city has been evacuated as the Cedar River continues to rise to record levels. More rains are predicted over the next few days.