Honestly…|an honest take on the world of PR and other things by Cindy Ronzoni

What in the world is going on? Yesterday was a harrowing day for so many, especially those who are employed in some sort of rescue service.

I mean anyone with a TV set I’m sure was fixated on watching the storm coverage regarding Hurricane Ike and if in LA, they split their time between the live coverage of the horrific Metrolink head on collision with a Union Pacific freight train. You couldn’t stop watching and you couldn’t believe what you were seeing.

I had the great pleasure of attending the Angels game last night and it was amazing.  The Angels were tied going into the bottom of the 9th against the Mariners and with two out and the pitch count at 3-1, Figgones was stealing and then Mike Napoli hit a walk-off two run homer. It was an incredible finish to a action packed game and I had amazing third row seats. Plus we had a firework show afterward too. It was a home run as far as life events go.

To watch this great moment, click on the link below.

Napoli cracks a two-run walk-off homer to center

But, I couldn’t help feel a bit guilty for having a wonderful time when others in our fine country and in a town less than 70 miles away were suffering.

As soon as we got home we started watching Ike and the live coverage of the Metrolink disaster. The talk in my living room was that we were in “awe” of those people who decided to stay home during the hurricane when they were repeatedly told to “get out.”  I mean, to me, it’s a pretty sad state when your home is more important than your life.  And equally selfish is the fact that by those who stayed behind, they are now putting the fire and rescue teams in harm’s way as they go back into the dangerous area to see who may need attention. I just heard that 100,000 decided to stay behind and they have overwhelmed the 911 switchboard. Duh! They told you to get out. Now, the National Guard is in action and conducting search and research and going after these people. They are being picked up via helicopter and taken to high schools or hospitals. They are saving them from the flooding area.

The scene was crazy…did you see the fires last night in Houston. Did you see the swirling wind. The glass flying. Floods. Hats off to the reporters who all gave us amazing first hand coverage. I have to give props to Fox News. They have some new recording devices that utilize the web and I just watched a reporter whose driving around in the news truck and the picture and sound were perfect. Incredible innovations.

But it’s a mess. Now that it is daylight, you can see the damage.  Scary the force of that wind. I once was in a tornado and that was a horrifying experience. All we could do was huddle in the basement. There wasn’t nothing to do but wait it out. I can’t imagine having that feeling for 24 hours. Just waiting it out to see if you live or are faced with expensive home repairs.  But, it’s not just Texas, but Louisiana too.  Louisiana has had enough don’t you think.

And then there’s the sadness of the Metrolink train crash. The eyewitness reports were all the same. The passengers said that they were just chatting with the people in the train and enjoying the fact that they were almost home and then BAM! they went flying. For they all said who ever thought they would go head on with a freight train. That’s not supposed to happen. Yes, that’s not supposed to happen. But, sadly it did.

And from the outside you couldn’t tell how bad it was. But, soon you started to get the idea as people began reporting on what they experienced.  God bless the fire fighters. Did you see them in action. They were like ants. Yellow ones.  They were crawling all around that train, trying desperately to go deeper and deeper in the cab. For they were seeing something, thank goodness, we’ll never have to see. Bodies on top of bodies. There were layers of them. And several people were living, yet they had dead bodies on top of them. That’s how they were pinned down. And that’s why these “ants” kept at it until the crack of dawn. They are still out there recovering someone’s loved ones.

I don’t know if you watched last night when they recovered a deceased off-duty LAPD officer from the train. It was a goose-bump event to witness. When they recovered her, the fire personnel lifted her from the train and they removed their helmets and dipped their heads. It was one of the most respectful things to ever witness. And the fire fighters gracefully and slowly carried her to a large group of LAPD officers.  When they transferred her, she was already draped in an American flag (which was borrowed from a nearby home owner). The LAPD officers prayed over here and saluted her. It was such a respectful scene.  I felt honored to have been able to witness that deep appreciation. As of right now, 18 people are dead and over 135 are injured - 40 severely. A tragedy.

Both areas are in such a mess.  Devastation surrounds them. But, I have such deep admiration and greater respect for these rescue teams.  Can you imagine that they are strong enough to handle these horrific scenes. How would you handle pulling body parts out a train or picking glass out of people.  They were so calm and diligent and keep at it.

What a job hey. They are remarkable people. And our soldiers are the same too. They never know what to expect either.  Incredible.

My only pet peeve about all this is the way politicians are using this opportunity to comment. I mean President Bush should declare a ’state of emergency.’ But for the other presidential candidates, your opinion to me is just grandstanding. Let the mayors and governors speak to this. It’s fine to acknowledge the devastation and stay you are praying for them. But at this point there’s nothing you can do unless you can do something to make our lives safer. Let the rescue workers do their jobs and let the families grieve. Don’t bring your media circuses into these areas. There’s enough great coverage as it is.

If you’re able to enjoy the day…you’re blessed. So thank your lucky stars, your higher power, or if you’re like me GOD for your safety today. Say a prayer too for those less fortunate. That’s what keeps America united.