I hate to think that I’m anything special, or that City Bible cares even the slightest about this blog. But check out this new event, and tell me they aren’t mocking me.

Event: The Catalyst Sessions

Description: God has called each one of us to be involved in areas of ministry that build His Kingdom. The Catalyst Sessions offer a variety of different training opportunities for areas of ministry.

Contact: Brad Quirie@ 503.255.2224

Location: 217 Campus

Start Time: 9:00am

End Time: 3:30pm

Click on www.citybiblechurch.org and then look at the Upcoming Events in the upper left hand corner.

I know I’m late getting to this topic, but I figure I’ll blog my thoughts now.

About a week ago, Kanye West went on an NBC Katrina Fundraiser and blasted Bush. His final remarks before the producers cut him off were, “George Bush doesn’t care about black people.”

I remember hearing Kanye’s statement and thinking, “I don’t agree with that. But I understand.” And if you were watching the pictures of throngs of black people left alone at the Convention Center and Superdome, it was hard not to wonder why the help was taking so long. And whether race played a factor.

Anyway, I appreciate that Kanye spoke up, and so last week I went out and bought his album. Fox News was reporting that his comments were going to hurt his album sales, so I figured I’d do my best to support him.

Anyway, guess who’s album is #1 this week.

If Wal Mart can get food and water into New Orleans to help the survivors? If Jesse Jackson can get buses into the city to evacuate the needy? Then where was Pat Robertson, James Dobson, Joel Osteen, and the million other evangelicals who claim to own the moral high ground? Maybe morality is more than just keeping bad language and sex off of TV screens. Maybe morality involves helping the poor and needy.

Evangelicals elected President Bush on his Compassionate Conservative platform.

I see the Conservative, now I’m just waiting for the compassion.

Its not often I cry while watching Meet the Press, but this clip really moved me. Its only a couple of minutes, but please watch the whole thing.

http://www.overspun.com/video/MTP.AaronBroussard.wmv

Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. - Matthew 24:40

Chris Snethen another local Portland blogger covering the disaster in New Orelans linked to this CNN article. In the article, the FEMA director explains why the residents in New Orleans need to share some responsibility for their horrendous conditions.

Here is what he said specifically.

Michael Brown also agreed with other public officials that the death toll in the city could reach into the thousands. “Unfortunately, that’s going to be attributable a lot to people who did not heed the advance warnings,” Brown told CNN. “I don’t make judgments about why people chose not to leave but, you know, there was a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans,” he said.

Well, I will make a judgement since I’ve just spent the last day watching video of the people left behind in New Orleans, I will judge them. Here’s why they didn’t leave. “THEY WERE TOO POOR AND TOO OLD. THEY COULDN’T LEAVE.” I feel like freaking Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting, telling Matt Damon, “It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault.”

Despite my cynicism, people are using craigslist for a positive purpose. Several individuals are offering free housing to Katrina Victims on the new orleans craigslist website. Its cliche, but disasters do bring out the best and worst in people.

That link came courtesy of the blog Oh Dog, You Sleuth! Check it out. The blog is written by a native New Orlenean who currently lives in Portland. He has family living in New Orleans. And while he usually posts interesting pictures on his blog, lately he’s been sharing his family’s evacuation story.