Katrina: Lessons Learned on the Nature of Man

For many years, novels and films have given us apocalyptic views of how easily mankind could disintegrate into ruthless barbarity once removed from the constraints of law and order, and the comfortable smooth machinery of "civilization". But all that was just fiction, right? Not really. The reality is in the news.

While the people of New York City responded predominantly with goodwill and a heroic attitude to the World Trade Center attacks, it is important to keep in mind that the basic structure of the city ? the services, facilities, and general day-to-day functions ? were still intact. The disaster that has befallen the gulf states is an entirely different kind of animal. The entire city of New Orleans has been utterly devastated. Many peripheral communities and cities have been essentially washed away. There is no source of free-flowing fresh water, food sources have been severely depleted, virtually no energy infrastructure remains, although line crews from neighboring states are working feverishly to get power restored to critical facilities like the water supply system. Tens of thousands of people have lost their possessions, their homes, their jobs, and their entire way of life. As some of the survivors have put it, they are literally "adrift".

While many people do have a positive, strong mental and psychological orientation, allowing them to forge ahead and find a way to carry on within the boundaries of law and moral principles, many others do not.

Poverty-stricken communities already have a tendency to have higher crime rates under normal conditions, due to obvious environmental factors. Many people in this environment often become dependant on the "welfare-state", deriving some of their income, access to services, and food allowances from government-sponsored systems. In a "civilization-destroyed" scenario, these systems cease to function. In times like this, people who ordinarily would not resort to outright theft or robbery do so, and the more violently criminal-minded become even more ruthless and barbaric.

A disaster on the scale as that of the gulf states, where the ability of the government (local, state, or federal) to control affairs is seriously diminished, creates a ripe opportunity for the desperate and the criminal to exploit the misfortunes of others. And they're doing it. Armed gangs roaming the demolished landscape, reports of rape inside the overwhelmed astrodome, boundless pillaging of every storefront or home left standing; these are the stark images that tell us just how fragile our domestic peace really is.

America is truly a great nation, populated by many great people. But there is bad among us, too, waiting for the opportunity to seize upon the misfortunes of others, whether for profit or just for plain pathological gratification.

For more information on what you can do to be better prepared to protect yourself and the ones you love, visit http://www.1stdefenseproducts.com .

Jonathan Merritt has over 20 years of experience in the security industry, and has written numerous articles on personal, family and home security. His company site, http://www.1stdefenseproducts.com, provides links to government and community security information, as well as access to his newsletter 1st Defense Network.

---

Google News Updated : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:51:32 GMT Television Review | 'My Own Worst Enemy' - New York Times New York Times Television Review | 'My Own Worst Enemy' New York Times - 56 minutes ago By ALESSANDRA STANLEY Most people sometimes wake up on the wrong side of bed. The hero of “My Own Worst Enemy” on NBC wakes up on the wrong side of his brain. 'Worst Enemy' Just Isn't Bourne-Again Bond Washington Post Spy-vs.-normal-guy premise of 'Worst Enemy' doesn't work USA Today San Francisco Chronicle - Los Angeles Times - Boston Herald - Fort Worth Star Telegram all 101 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:54:37 GMT UPDATE 1-Tropical Storm Nana forms in Atlantic - Reuters Javno.hr UPDATE 1-Tropical Storm Nana forms in Atlantic Reuters - 8 hours ago MIAMI, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Nana, the 14th of the Atlantic hurricane season, formed on Sunday in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Caribbean islands, the US National Hurricane Center said. Tropical Storm Nana forms in Atlantic eTaiwan News Tropical Storm Nana Forms Over Eastern Atlantic RTT News CNN - The Associated Press - eFluxMedia - Central Florida News 13| all 199 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:29:57 GMT Manatee dies before reaching Florida - South Coast Today WHDH-TV Manatee dies before reaching Florida South Coast Today - 36 minutes ago By AARON GOUVEIA and KC MYERS EAST DENNIS - After a dramatic rescue Saturday morning, a wayward manatee known affectionately as Dennis died Sunday with just one hour before he reached SeaWorld in Florida. Manatee almost gave them the slip Boston Globe Cape Cod Manatee Dies on Way Back to Florida WLNE-TV (ABC6) My Fox Boston - The Associated Press - Cape Cod Times - SouthCoastToday.com all 542 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:14:57 GMT Doubling of Vitamin D for Children Is Urged - New York Times The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com Doubling of Vitamin D for Children Is Urged New York Times - 3 hours ago By AP CHICAGO (AP) - The country’s leading group of pediatricians is recommending that children receive double the usually suggested amount of vitamin D because of evidence that it might help prevent serious diseases. Pediatricians double vitamin D recommendations The Associated Press Pediatricians double vitamin D recommendations WLOS The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com - Examiner.com all 90 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 02:45:16 GMT Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony renew vows along with Carlos Beltran ... - New York Daily News New York Daily News Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony renew vows along with Carlos Beltran ... New York Daily News - 1 hour ago BY DAVE GOLDINER Just four years after saying "I do," Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony reportedly secretly renewed their vows in Las Vegas Sunday - and they had company at the altar. Inside Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony's Renewal Ceremony People Magazine J.Lo’s vows not staying in Vegas Boston Herald Singersroom News - AceShowbiz - United Press International - Actress Archives all 37 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:39:55 GMT Alaska ethics probe says Palin abused her power - Reuters BBC News Alaska ethics probe says Palin abused her power Reuters - 40 minutes ago By Caren Bohan CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (Reuters) - An Alaska ethics inquiry found on Friday that Gov. Sarah Palin, the US Republican vice presidential candidate, abused her authority by pressuring subordinates to fire a state trooper involved in a feud with ... Palin: Bad Guys vs. Good Guys FOXNews Palin talks economic worries in Appalachian Ohio The Associated Press International Herald Tribune - CNN Political Ticker - Columbus Dispatch all 1,431 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:10:53 GMT Worth the trouble - Boston Herald Worth the trouble Boston Herald - 39 minutes ago By Dan Duggan As Red Sox [team stats] fans shook out the cobwebs yesterday morning after yet another marathon postseason game, it would have been easy to forget some of the positive developments from the Sox’ 9-8, 11-inning loss to Tampa Bay in Game 2 ... Video: Tampa Bay Wins Slugfest on Sacrifice Fly AssociatedPress Rays win respect, too Washington Times USA Today - Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Wilkes Barre Times-Leader - SouthCoastToday.com all 3,671 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:12:18 GMT RSS feeds Increase Web Traffic

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Alarm System: Smoke and Heat Detectors

Smoke & Heat Detectors- Smoke detectors are available that will... Read More

Life Insurance - Wise Investment to Protect Your Home or Excessive Caution?

Life insurance is typically taken out to offer valuable financial... Read More

What is Your Security Awareness IQ?

Are you aware of the need for security?Your awareness of... Read More

Security Cameras For Your Peace of Mind

The reasons for installing cctv cameras are the same whether... Read More

Handling Weather Emergencies: Part 2; Home Security, Evacuation, and Emergency Kits

IntroductionPart 1 of this article on preparing for weather emergencies... Read More

Is Big Brother Watching You? Or Are You Watching Big Brother?

Isn't technology a wonderful thing? I thought this as I... Read More

Stand Alone Keyless Access - How Does It Work?

Security and convenience are usually delicately balanced. If something is... Read More

Emergency Telephone Numbers

Emergency is a situation that poses an instant threat to... Read More

Alarm System: Sirens

Alarm Sirens- There is both inside and outside sirens. Many... Read More

Eavesdropping and Counter-Measures: Technology and Techniques

You need to know how to protect yourself, since your... Read More

Home Security ? Defend Your Home and Possessions Against Intruders!

With all of the emphasis in the past few years... Read More

Who Abducted the Missing Child?

What is going on with these people who feel they... Read More

Is America Safe?

As the devastation and death toll from deadly Hurricane Katrina... Read More

How to Keep Your Postal Mail Private and Secure

Surreptious opening of most envelopes sent through the mail takes... Read More

How To Turn Thirty Dollar Web Camera Into Home Surveillance System

Web cameras are really inexpensive these days. With no technical... Read More

Pepper Spray Considerations

Choosing the Right Pepper SprayThere are so many types of... Read More

Organizing an Arson Watch Program

A wide variety of participants are needed to launch a... Read More

Surveillance Camera Positioning

It is a known fact that advertising is made to... Read More

Alarm Controls are the Brain of your Security System, Use Yours When Choosing One

The alarm control is the brain of your security system.... Read More

Essentials For Hurricane Season

According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, the East... Read More

Kevlar Sheets for Your Home Walls

Home security is more important today than ever. You may... Read More

Alarm System Keypads

The keypad is the device you and your loved ones... Read More

Alarm System: Glass Break Detectors

Alarm System Glass-break detectors- Glass-break detectors are also known as... Read More

Alarm Systems & Automobile Tires?

What do alarm systems and automobile tires have in common?... Read More

Alarm System: Wireless Remotes

WIRELESS ALARM SYSTEM REMOTESThese remotes are also known as "key... Read More