United To Face Disaster: Americans Take On Harvey

THE ISSUE: The ongoing destruction of Hurricane Harvey in and around Houston, Texas.

It brings me great sadness to see and read of the countless people impacted by Hurricane Harvey (“Don’t mess with Texas, Aug. 30).

It hits close to home. My husband has family in Texas; we’ve been unable to get in touch with them and have been extremely worried about their safety.

I offer our heartfelt prayers that the people of Texas find safe and suitable shelter from the storm. Eva Bedell Glen Oaks Village

Maybe Harvey was God’s way of reminding all of us that true Americans are not racists or Islamophobes or Nazis.

Perhaps this disaster shows the few what most of us already know: Americans are good and kind and love their fellow citizens.

When someone is in trouble, we don’t ask who they are, and we don’t take into account what they look like before reaching out a helping hand. Gwen Sullivan Ridgewood, NJ

In New Jersey and nearby states we all saw first-hand how poorly FEMA performed after Hurricane Sandy.

Prior to that, in cases all over the country, FEMA was a joke to the people who desperately needed help.

I hope that President Trump knows that the damage done by Hurricane Harvey is huge, and FEMA needs to perform a hundred times better than under Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush.

Trump might make promises thinking FEMA is capable: It’s not, and he has to recognize this and immediately address it.

I hope after Harvey is said and done, we don’t hear Trump say that we’re going to revamp FEMA because we were not ready when Harvey hit. David Lipton Toms River, NJ

The devastation and hardship caused by Harvey doesn’t discriminate between race, religion or political affiliation.

All citizens in its path are suffering equally. Perhaps our leaders, politicians, clergymen, etc. can use this as a teaching moment. All Americans should be aware that we are all in the same boat.

Our survival depends on mutual cooperation, respect and empathy for the suffering of others.

Americans have to come together and drown out the hate that a small minority is using to poison the country. Mel Young Lawrence

Without wishing to minimize the catastrophic horrors of Harvey, it should be noted that houses in the United States are an excellent value in comparison with that of other countries.

But in order to keep prices competitive, they are generally constructed of wood and chipboard, which is no match for storms of this nature.

The damage shown is indicative of this poor building quality — you might as well build a house of paper maché.

Until Americans demand property developers use brick and mortar construction in high storm-risk areas, we will regrettably see more of this in the future. Edward Mitchell Bridgwater, England

Harvey reminds us that Mother Nature’s fury is blind and spares no one in her path.

These are times when we shed our political and ideological differences, no matter how deeply ingrained they are, and unite to tackle the disaster and speed up the relief and rescue efforts as one United States.

Hats off to the National Guard, firefighters, police officers, volunteers and Good Samaritans who are putting their safety on the line to protect lives.

Regardless of our race, religion, ethnicity or political affiliations, we all should stand behind Texas and Louisiana.

Humanity is at its best when it exemplifies compassion and selflessness. Atul Karnik Woodside

Once again, in a time of crisis, the American people are demonstrating what they’re made of.

Often in times like these, politicians dig trenches and snipe at each other.

Congress needs more true Americans and fewer career politicians. Ignatius Giorgio Brooklyn