[meteorite-list] Greensburg Kansas Anniversary

[MeteorHntr at aol.com]

Dave,

Thanks for the comments.

I  think what makes this extra tough is that there is no real "right" way to  
rebuild.

Mike mentioned the money being spent in the war in Iraq, and how  it could 
rebuild Greensburg in a few minutes.  His comment is true as a  political 
statement.  

However, some might argue that building a  town back to the way it was, even 
IF our country had the money AND desire to do  so, would not be a smart thing.

Most of the challenges that Greensburg is  facing is due to people and 
businesses taking many tens of millions of dollars  worth of insurance money, FEMA 
funds and charity, and leaving Greensburg to  rebuild their lives and 
businesses elsewhere.  

Simply spending  government money to rebuild everyone's house and all the 
businesses exactly like  they were before the tornado (including all the For Sale 
signs that were in  people's yards that got blown away) probably is not the 
best solution.  If  it was the best solution, that would have been the easy 
thing to do, and it  probably would have been done.

Events happen in every city in the world,  every day, to give citizens reason 
to consider making personal choices.   Greensburg just had a particular event 
happen one year ago to everyone all at  the same time.

It is easy to want to have compassion on a city. But the  City of Greensburg 
is not a person, it is a corporation.   

Is  it really bad if someone takes their insurance money, then moves to 
Kansas City  and lives "happily ever after?"   Well, the politically correct answer 
 might be "No. It would be better for them to be required to stay in 
Greensburg  rebuild and live miserably ever after."  At least that way it would LOOK  
like Greensburg successfully rebuilt.

I have heard that a movie theater  company is going to build a 500 seat state 
of the art movie theater in  Greensburg.  Now, that is a private donation to 
the community.   Wonderful.  But had it been tax payer funds being spent, some 
might argue  that a public library or a better school, or fire trucks or a 
Museum to  House their 1,000 pound meteorite, would be a more wise place to 
spend the same  funds.

So again, there is not a simple "correct" answer that can be  provided.  With 
1,400 residents, there are probably 1,400 different  decisions, and 
undoubtedly, there will be some good ones made and some bad ones  made along the way by 
individuals.  The sum of these independent decisions  will help paint the 
picture of what Greensburg will look like in the  future.

Steve #1




In a message dated 5/3/2008 5:05:48  P.M. Central Daylight Time, 
david.carothers at verizon.net  writes:
Steve,

Thank you very much for taking the time to provide such  a deeply personal, 
heart-felt, and insightful reply.  I went through a  wide range of emotions 
while reading your post.  On one extreme,  feeling happy and proud for the 
people staying to rebuild Greensburg and on  the other end of the spectrum, 
sad at the historical and cultural losses  incurred by the populace.  Your 
post is a great testamonial to the town  and people of Greensburg.

I for one will continue to keep the town and  inhabitants of Greensburg in my 
prayers.

Regards,

Dave  
d



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