I think it's sad ...

that we live in a society where someone can say something like, "The president does not care about black people," and we all have to stop and contemplate the statement. We can't just vehemently deny the allegation.

I think it's sad that when I asked the Bear what he thought about Bush's political motivation -- or lack thereof, as it may be -- in regard to the Hurricane Katrina disaster, his explanation for why Bush did not come out immediately to provide moral support made sense. While I hesitate to think that anyone, let alone our president, can be apathetic toward the raw pain I see on the news every night, it seems that it may be the case that the president really doesn't care.

I think it's sad that people are arguing about whom to blame, rather than putting all their effort into simply helping those in need. I hate that politicians are bickering and pointing fingers and am disappointed in the media for the things that Kanye West pointed out.

And I think it's infinitely depressing how in the wake of such a tragedy, some see fit to try to take advantage of those who are generous enough to try to help in some way.

However, my faith in the (hopefully) inherent goodness of the human race is buoyed by the outpouring of compassion and generosity that I see, as well. I checked the link on the Google homepage for donations, and almost $12 million has been raised. And as always, there are those who step up in the face of adversity and show us how to be heroic and human in the simplest of ways.

I guess there always has to be a balance, right? Maybe we need the bad in order to recognize the good.

It kind of sucks that there is so much bad, though.