Don't hide your light under a bushel

I find it hard to truly enjoy my recent good fortune knowing that so many people are miserable right now. Two weeks ago, my air conditioning was broken. I didn't complain, exactly, but I did grumble a bit. Admittedly, I did have a bad case of poison ivy at the same time which may have been the source of my grumbling. But now, looking at the insignificance of an 85-degree apartment compared to the Waterworld-like misery of the South, I should be shamed into really appreciating the good things that are happening to me. Yet it's just the opposite -- how can that be?

Firms like me. They really like me. Applying for jobs last year, I had the very strong impression that I was shoe-gum. I did not have high hopes for my job search this year and figured I'd have to pick from the scraps left behind by the other Uber-smarties. When I received my first call-back interview, I was ecstatic. I might actually get a job! I know that the invitation is just a step, but it's a step I thought would be at the edge of my grasp. Last night, I received possibly the best invitation to a call-back interview, which was even more exciting than the first. I feel wanted by big fancy-pants, high-powered law firms.

It's really a wonderful feeling. I just wish I could share my good news without feeling so guilty.

Mayor Nagin is a Lucky Guy

I've been following the Hurricane Katrina news, with a little help from a friend, and I've decided that Mayor Nagin is very, very lucky. That hurricane swerved at nearly the last minute. Lots of people did not leave; many because they simply couldn't. The gridlock was scary for those who did not want to be stuck on a freeway when the hurricane came, and the mandatory evacuation did not come until after it was too late to avail oneself of public transportation out of the storm's path. Citizens do bear great responsibility for self-preservation, but when they receive information that is short of dire and little different than many of the previous hurricane warnings, who can blame them for waiting until the mandatory evacuation order to leave? Considering that he knew, or at least should have known, that the hurricane was barrelling towards New Orleans on Friday evening, I see no reason for waiting until Sunday to issue the order. As an elected public official, it is his duty to make sure that information is clear.

I believe that Mayor Nagin is an irresponsible public official. He gave the residents of New Orleans very short notice. He availed himself of vertical transportation which was unavailable to his constituents -- leaving those who entrusted him with their well-being in harm's way. Mayor Nagin should have remained to the end in light of his blunder, joining those who suffered from his untimely action. His blunder could have been very tragic, but for the fortuitous, and unexpected, swerve of a hurricane. Shame on you, Mayor Nagin.