Unlike the proselytizers and translators of G-ds intent, I do not subscribe to the wildly accepted interpretation of G-d's will. The Mullahs who have said KKKarina is G-d punishing the West for its decadent ways, or the Rabbi who called New Orleans Sodom and Gomorrah, or those Gentiles or Jews that believe the earthquake in Pakistan is retribution against Radical Islam.
Uh uh. I am not sure there is a divine intervention in what is essentially earth's growing pains.
But if I was forced to consider such an idea, this would not be the case at all.
G-d is not a thug. In the case of KKKatrina, G-d is not a racist or Grand Poobah of the Klu Klux Klan. I would think that the Big Man upstairs would be more subtle and intelligent in his approach to such things.
The fact is that most of those in Pakistan hurt by the earthquake lived in a mountainous region
and had never seen an American or a helicopter before in their lives. What an introduction.
If an American objective is to make inroads in the Muslim world, well then. Thank G-d (!) we had our guys in Afghanistan and Iraq to "pop in" and rescue. An act of kindness goes a hell of alot further than limitless propaganda. Maybe that's why the Pakistani government refused much needed aid from Israel. G-d forbid the Jews be seen in a positive light. The same could be applied to the Muslim countries hit hard by the tsunami.
Insofar as KKKatrina. Once again, the end result of that nightmare is just as telling as it is interesting. The naked truth that Katrina reveals is the failure of the welfare state, the pathetic ineptitude of corrupt elected officials, and the decay of political patronage on democratically elected state and local governments.
The best evidence is the stark contract of two states experiencing like disasters. The efficiency of Texas and the incapacitation of Louisiana during Rita and Katrina respectively is empirical evidence of the well run versus the well worn. Should Louisianians continue to elect and support this kind of government than clearly they have no one to fault but themselves. As Louis Brandeis, the eminent Supreme Court Justice said, "Sunlight is the best disinfectant." Indeed.
Far be it from me to even think of knowing or interpreting G-d's intent. If Einstein took an enormous beating from the quantum physics community when he opined "G-d does not play dice with the Universe", as in "ahhhhhhhhh, now Einstein claims to know what G-d is thinking," far be it from me...............
But if it is true there are no accidents, than perhaps deeper reflection and introspection is required on this Erev Yom Kippur.
For all those fasting, wishing you an easy and painless fast.
Photo 1: NASA, Color Composite of Solar Features
Photo 2: Pakistani Earthquake Relief, Capt. James H. Cunningham, USAF
