After (and during) the disaster

The latest Front Porch podcast features my friend the Rev. Jeff Allen, executive director of the WV Council of Churches, on the role of the religious community in disaster response. Let's just say they've had plenty of practice.

Stating the obvious

One thing that disasters like WV's recent floods remind us of, if we need it, is that there's a role for government in our everyday life. Such as responding to disasters, promoting public safety, promoting public health, maintaining our infrastructure. All that kind of stuff. As amazing as volunteers can be, they can't do it all.

Here's a great op-ed on that theme by a friend of mine whose home was damaged when the Elk River rose. I hope that decision makers--and voters--think about things like that.