Quotes & Comments

It has been our own slow Katrina that has rolled through Michigan. It’s been death by 500,000 jobs.
— Gov. Jennifer Granholm speaking on NPR March 31 about Michigan’s economy.

We’re all aware of the dire state Michigan’s economy is in with an 11.8 percent unemployment rating, but comparing it to Hurricane Katrina is a far stretch.
With at least 1,800 deaths and over $80 billion in damage, Katrina was the sixth strongest hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean ever.
While this economic crisis is one of the strongest in Michigan’s history, it’s consequences and realities are far less severe than that of the Katrina victims.
Deaths always arise during times of economic depression, such as deaths caused by hypothermia, but 1,800 plus peopled have not died in Michigan as a direct result of the economic crisis.
With all the coverage this state is getting, you’d think 180,000 people died.

There have never been more politicians, economists, entrepreneurs and speech writers focusing on Michigan, yet where were they when Katrina hit?
You’d think a catastrophic event like that would garner immense outpourings of aid, but instead we’re seeing an influx in attention now, when the situation’s about your money rather than a
stranger’s life.

By comparing Hurricane Katrina to Michigan’s economy, not only disrespects those affected by the tragedy, but it aids to the surmounting fear brewing in Michigan.
People are already scared of losing their jobs, their homes and their basic way of life.
They don’t need their situations to be compared with intense physical and emotional suffering as well.
Positive voices of reason are what we need now.

—Kimberly Schoetzow
Copy Editor

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=5330

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Mar 31 2009. Filed under Opinion, Quotes & Comments. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com