The Daily News

1  Okay, so I brought up Hurricane Katrina to the ATFNL club on campus, and we have set up the beginnings of a Tree of Hope in my classroom, P-61. If you want to help out, donate, and get your name on a leaf. Also a relief effort is currently being made by the CGC, a subsidiary of ATFNL. They work out of the same room, and are making flyers, posters, and will work as an on-campus information center.

2  If anyone out there knows of any companies that can match funds, please contact me at gfharringon@aol.com. or call at (408) 347-4824.

3  To the students: know your own history. Any time it's NOT business as usual, step in and see if you can offer help, whether contacting the Red Cross on your own, or going to any available relief agency.

4  Our money will go to the American Red Cross, Santa Clara Chapter. If you would like a list of places to donate, go to
http://www.networkforgood.org , or to the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website at http://www.nvoad.org. If you subscribe to the Merc News, there is a list of voluntary organizations on page 6A in this morning's edition.

5  I like having the Tree of Hope in my room because it puts it right out in front of the students. Unfortunately, the old one just came down last week to make room for new posters, but the CGC should have a new tree really soon.

6  The stories are many; the drama quite real. Some people criticize the victims who are looting, or shooting at rescue workers, etc. That issue will become REALLY huge, and I fear some of the racist undertones already coming off this story.The vast majority of people just need and desire safety, security, and hope for themselves and for their families.

7 The bottom line is that thousands of poor people have been thrown into the madness of sheer desperation. It is evident to me that the people down there are angry because of how the government has handled it, and now they are dealing with something beyond anybody's comprehension. It has been called a national disgrace.

8 They may be right. There should have been better means of evacuation BEFORE it hit. That clearly didn't happen. I'm amazed at how terribly the government has bungled this entire catastrophe. It's going to get ugly, man, I'll tell you that much.

9 Bottom line: They need help, and they need it immediately. Help people out. Donate. Help make it happen.

10  Let's throw a shout out to people already on this. Jerry Lewis' annual telethon for Muscular Dystrophy will feature stars appealing to disaster relief. The are also donating $1 million to help the people of New Orleans.

11  Tonight "A Concert for Hurricane Relief" airs on NBC, MSNBC, and CNBC, with viewers encouraged to donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Times TBA.

12  MTV Networks announced a music special on Sept. 10, which airs on MTV, VH1, and CMT, and also intends to donate to the American Red Cross, as well as other organizations.

13  Today's DN is short and sweet.

14  Donate. There are people who deserately need help. Donate.

15  Have a great weekend, everybody.

16  Peace.

The Daily News

1  Hurricane Katrina.

2  You know, it's really amazing how something that catastrophic can put everything in perspective. I've been going through tremendous amounts of emotions lately, but keeping a fairly postive head. Just the usual, you know, like we all go through. A little harder because my '05'ers are starting to leave, and I know...they don't, but I do. Cam and Lynne asked me yesterday if I hurt inside.

3  You can't hurt steel.

4  Well, let's just say that they sensed what was happening inside me, and I almost broke down. So yeah, I have to admit, it's a bit of a rough time watching them go. At the same time, I'm WAY proud of them, and WAY excited for them !

5  So mixed emotions? Yeah, but even their toughest ones are going through the exact same stuff. Mixed emotions. One minute totally euphoric, and the next, huge, heavy sighs, and a good deal of feeling alone. And when no one's around, maybe even a few tears shed.

6  All the same, it didn't take long for me to put it in perspective yesterday when I got home and witnessed the devastation in New Orleans, and the Gulf States. Hurricane Katrina is taking lives at an alarming rate, and tearing up lives beyond what any of us can possibly comprehend.

7  Already I'm setting up a relief system in my classroom, much like we did for the Tsunami. The ATFNL kids are making a Tree of Hope for the families and loved ones of the people affected by that national tragedy.

8                                    "We've lost our city."
                              Mark Morial, former mayor New Orleans.

9  What a concept. New Orleans. The Big Easy. Bourbon Street. The French Quarter. It is now literally a bowl, filling slowly with water. It's going to take years to get itself  back, to say nothing of the individual stories already coming out.

10  I shall be setting up the tree tomorrow or the next day, and immediately selling stuff in class as a fundraiser. You may stop by my room with a donation, or send a check directly to the Red Cross, which is where we will be sending your contributions.

11  It put all the mixed emotions on the back burner. Time to move forward. It's okay to glance back now and again, but the only direction to head at this point is forward. Let's help any way we can. This is not business as usual; it is one of the worst natural disasters ever to hit our United States. One of the world's most fascinating and exotic cities is under water. Many families are suffering tragedies beyond our comprehension. People need medical care, water, etc.

12  Here is a brief clip from the Merc News. This excerpt was written by David Ovalle, Erika Bolstad, and Martin Merzer.

New, terrifying floods swept through the heart of New        Orleans on Tuesday. Up to 15 feet of water swamped at least   80 percent of the city. Fires raged, fed by leaking gas.

Medics transformed part of the Superdome into a triage center, but water lapped at the edges of the arena. Looters roamed. The governor worked on plans to shut New Orleans--a place very close to ruin--and remove everyone still there.

13  Sometimes we need just to go out, put our own concerns and worries aside, and realize there is a big world out there, one that sometimes asks us to put it all aside and help.

14  I think the tragedy in New Orleans and the Gulf States ask that of us today.

15  You might also say a prayer or two.

16  Thanks a bunch.

17  Peace.