New Orleans

Wow. Friends, bad things are happening down south. Louisiana and Mississippi are flooded. People are looting. People are dying. People are losing everything they have. And Martial Law has been declared. Here are my sources so you know the Writer in the Basement isn't just exaggerating (as is my wont to do, I know ~ but not with something like this)

"10:30 a.m.: Martial Law Declared: New Orleans is under martial law, according to state officials. The declaration is imposed to restore order in times of war and emergency. It could be weeks before displaced residents are allowed to return. -- WDSU chief meteorologist Dan Milham"

"11:04 a.m.: Looting Out Of Control: New Orleans police say looting is out of control in many parts of the city. Officials are focusing on the rescue effort, but a crackdown on looting is expected after the martial law declaration. -- WDSU anchor Kriss Fairbairn"

Now, in case you don't know what Martial Law is, here we go: "Martial law is the system of rules that takes effect (usually after a formal declaration) when a military authority takes control of the normal administration of justice ... Martial law is instituted most often when it becomes necessary to favour the activity of military authorities and organizations, usually for urgent unforeseen needs, and when the normal institutions of justice either cannot function or could be deemed too slow or too weak for the new situation, ... The need to preserve the public order during an emergency is the essential goal of martial law. ... Usually martial law reduces some of the personal rights ordinarily granted to the citizen..."
~ Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Which, translated loosely, means all kinds of shit is happening in New Orleans.

So I am now going to do something I don't often do. I am going to get off my Constitutional high horse ~ because now is not the time to debate Martial Law and the rights of citizens ~ and I am going to publicly ask for prayers. We can discuss Martial Law and the implications therein later. For now, please, however you pray, whatever name you call The Higher Power, whatever your personal feelings may be regarding sin or justice, whatever your personal soapbox is ~ please, today, just pray...
...for the people of the affected areas;
...for the animals who had even less understanding of what was happening than the humans did;
...for the rescue workers, the national guard, the medical personnel;
...for the Earth herself, who is in turmoil;
and because specifics are often important:
...for Brandon's grandparents;
...for Mark's parents;
...for dondon009's crew;
...for Robert and Sharon.
If you have someone you know personally in the area ~ New Orleans, elsewhere in Louisiana, Mississippi, anywhere affected by this devastation, please leave their name in the comments section of this post.

Blessed Be, everyone.