It is January 8, 2006. I posted my last missive on Daily Kos days ago. The focus of that treatise was Wilma, “W”, Jeb, and the media. I discussed the mid-October storm and how it related to the powers that be. I expressed my own perception; there was a joint decision to ignore the woes that this storm created.
Most people commenting on my words were from Florida. Some stated that though they reside elsewhere, they have friends or family living in this fair weather state. While those that wrote saw much of the devastation first-hand, live-and-in-person, and others received friendly photographs, there were people that saw very little of what was, or what still is. Yes, people read the newspapers and watched the television news; however, many saw only what the press chose to show, not much.
Yet, there was a lot.
A month after the whirlwind named Wilma struck, local reporters revealed that two years worth of brush and debris had been cleared from the curbs. Nevertheless, there was more to dispose of. There was so much rubble, so much rubbish, and a need to replace what once was.
Now, eleven weeks have passed. One would think there was nothing left to see, to do, or to think about in respect to Wilma. All must be well again, tidy, calm, and back to normal. It is not. The clean up continues.
Without searching for damage, I found plenty. I offer a few photographs that I took as I walked from my car to a near by building. I hope these images will help solidify a sense of what is seen daily on the streets of South Florida. Possibly, a picture or two may be worth more than a thousand words.
* a barrier no more . . .
* a tree torn from its foundation . . .
* a fence falls . . .
* windows blown out with the wind . . .
* in a myriad of places . . .
* trees tumbled to their death, roots ripped from the ground . . .
. . . and words from the “Wizard of Wellness,” Jeb Bush.
Governor Jeb Bush’s “End of Hurricane Season 2005″ Address”, Wednesday, November 30, 2005.
Feel free to peruse an article on the storm clean up. Come to your own conclusion. In this writing, my intent is to advance awareness, nothing more.
* Four dead, clean up begins as Wilma departs, By Martin Merzer, Wanda J. DeMarzo and Tere Figureas Negrete. Miami Herald
Betsy L. Angert Be-Think
