Thank you for your article about hurricanes Katrina and Rita. I was more than disappointed to see how unorganized and unprepared we were to handle these disasters. In a disaster like that, everyone in the affected area is a victim, disabled or not.

I am in favor of sending aid to those areas to help the victims of Katrina and Rita, however, I had mixed emotions when I saw how quickly and efficiently Minnesota organized to help 5,000 victims. Minnesota was willing to provide food, water, clothing, shelter, education, jobs, and spiritual needs to 5,000 victims.

Minnesota has victims of its own who are disabled, disadvantaged, and victims of unwanted pregnancies. In downtown Minneapolis, the Red Cross was accepting donations in the IDS Building. They had tables set up for food donations. Not more that 50 feet away I saw a woman looking through a trash can. She might have been looking for food or aluminum cans to exchange for cash. If Minnesota can organize so quickly to help 5,000 victims from another state, why can’t Minnesota organize that quickly for the disabled, disadvantaged, and troubled citizens of our own state?

Sincerely,

Mark Olson