priorities...

I can't stop looking at the coverage about Katrina and the damage left in her wake. I am simultaneously hopeful and fearful and horrified and just plain mad.

Hopeful and touched as I hear about the good things people are doing and everyone donating money to the redcross and opening their homes to people (in addition to the link I sent earlier, a friend told me they had signed up through the Red Cross saying they had availible rooms). The generousity that pours out when disasters hit is amazing.

But I can't help but get angry over how some of this is being handled. Some of it is just the nature of the beast: devastating storm + highly populated coastal region/low-lying city = tragedy. But the response isn't what it could/should be. I'll go into the why-this-never-should-have-turned-out-this-way stuff later, but this little snippet kind of makes me want to pull my hair out.

I am sending you a posting from a NYC gossip blog, Gawker. Basically, they write about things that are happening in the city with an eye towards media and celebrity and also anyone can write in with behind the scenes gossip or sightings around town. So you get lots of silly "I saw Kevin Bacon at the Lincoln Center walking with a group of guys; he is taller than you would think," stuff, but also updates on business/subway/neighborhood changes and whatnot. So anyway, it turns out our secretary of state is vacationing in NYC while the Gulf Coast is reeling from the hurricanes damage and people are dying and rescue efforts are confused, and so not too suprisingly she isn't getting the warmest reception.



(this article can be seen in its original form at: http://www.gawker.com/news/condoleezza-rice/breaking-condi-rice-spends-salary-on-shoes-123467.php )
Breaking: Condi Rice Spends Salary on Shoes
READ MORE: breaking, condoleezza rice, fashion, ferragamo, metro, weather

According to Drudge, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has recently enjoyed a little Broadway entertainment. And Page Six reports that she’s also working on her backhand with Monica Seles. So the Gulf Coast has gone all Mad Max, women are being raped in the Superdome, and Rice is enjoying a brief vacation in New York. We wish we were surprised.

What does surprise us: Just moments ago at the Ferragamo on 5th Avenue, Condoleeza Rice was seen spending several thousands of dollars on some nice, new shoes (we’ve confirmed this, so her new heels will surely get coverage from the WaPo’s Robin Givhan). A fellow shopper, unable to fathom the absurdity of Rice’s timing, went up to the Secretary and reportedly shouted, “How dare you shop for shoes while thousands are dying and homeless!” Never one to have her fashion choices questioned, Rice had security PHYSICALLY REMOVE the woman.

Angry Lady, whoever you are, we love you. You are a true American, and we’ll go shoe shopping with you anytime.