Letters: Headline showed lack of caring

Misery loves company. A harsh concept, but perhaps on some primal, instinctive level people do find some level of security knowing that others have endured the same suffering as they have been through. Yet, we do not strive to live in a primal, instinctive society. We strive to live as a compassionate, civil society. This compassion is historically greatest in the Deep South, where hospitality is the norm during most days, and sacrifice for our neighbors is the norm during days of tragedy. It is for this reason that I was very disappointed the The Advocate’s headline of Nov. 1, which read, “New Yorkers get taste of post-disaster living.”

How how does The Advocate callously forget the post-disaster living which occurred after 9-11? I know the point which is trying to be made in this headline. Certainly, New Yorkers are experiencing hardships which they are unprepared for, but this headline smacks of a smug lack of caring that is not indicative of who we are as Louisianans. This isn’t a “tit-for-tat” contest. It is human suffering. We are Louisiana. We do not measure our ability to aid others by what they first do for us.

As the predominant newspaper in Louisiana, The Advocate bears the obligation to not only report the news, but to represent the voice of a great people. This obligation is present whether you like it or not. Sensationalism of human suffering does nothing but posture Louisiana in a very poor light nationally.

We live in a global community, and the world is continually getting smaller. In the future please think before writing. Oh, and one other thing ... I think The Advocate owes the people of Louisiana an apology for representing us in this way, as well as owes an apology to the people of New York.

Russell W. Beall

lawyer

Baton Rouge

Comments

1) Comment by Chucky - 06/11/2012

apology for what ? that the North had a storm and did not know what to do ? /

2) Comment by old yat - 06/11/2012

I have to agree with Mr.Bealle, those folks are suffering like we did after Katrina,however they are still Americans,just like us.They are moms and dads,people with families that get up everyday go to work and try to provide for their kids just like us.Yeah maybe the shoe is on the other foot now, but we should show them how the folks down here care about their fellow Americans,despite the cheapshots we endured after Katrina.I hope and pray that those folks up north will heal in time.Only time will tell...God Bless,Go Tigers&Go Vote

3) Comment by DMJ - 06/11/2012

I don't quite share the writer's outrage but I do see his point. Sensationalism is slowly taking over real journalism, and that's a bad thing.

4) Comment by misterfalcon - 06/11/2012

After Katrina there was practically a referendum drummed up by Northern-based media about whether or not it was worthwhile to even consider rebuilding the gulf coast. It was paternalistic and condescending. Turnabout is fair play. In another 50 years, due to rising sea levels, New York is going to to be at risk of looking like Venice without significant work. Why rebuild? Another hurricane is just going to hit it anyway.

5) Comment by 8point6 - 06/11/2012

"In the future please think before writing." No comment.

6) Comment by InPVille - 06/11/2012

Perhaps Mr. Bealle has forgotten 1.) the difference between a natural disaster and acts of terrorism(or war), 2.) the fact that a number of Louisianians traveled to New York after 9/11 to work in the aftermath and we also funded one or two firetrucks produced by a local company and sent to New York. 3.) I read an article yesterday about some people from our state being dispatched to the area Sandy hit to help with the recovery effort. Undoubtedly other examples could be cited. - - - New Yorkers currently have too much to do to give much thought to what a Louisiana paper wrote. In turn I haven't lost much sleep or cry babied over slights New York papers have given to our state in the past.

7) Comment by Bouncer - 06/11/2012

Having lived there for a while, I can attest to the fact that New Yorkers are tough. The headline of a newspaper in Baton Rouge won't even register a blip on their radar. Your point is well-taken, but the average New Yorker, if he or she read the headline, would shrug shoulders and say, "Meh."