Help Us Mr. or Ms. Reporter

Ive been reading the Slate series by Blake Bailey on his experiences post-Katrina and was happy to hear that he had found a place to live and a generous benefactor to help him recover financially from Katrina. Surely the benefactor at least is due to his column and the Bailey family looks like they will be able to continue their careers and their lives with reasonable stability. However, the story of Todd Larche in the Washington Post series is more grim, his family more unsettled and career up in the air after an altercation with a student at his new job in D.C. I hope we hear soon some better news from the Larches. It seems like so many people only get help when their story is publicized. I saw a woman on CNN the other day who had been unable to find out what happened to her mother after getting separated from her at the Superdome when her mother was evacuated by medical personnel. Due to the CNN story she was finally getting assistance. In St. Bernard the 6000 trailers highlighted on CNN are finally to be used, due to publicizing the plight of the unused trailers, while FEMA considers whether or not the proper procurement procedures were followed. I suppose these are just a few cases among thousands, that many are helped that we don’t hear about. But I just am amazed that reporters are now all “Help Me Howard”, a popular segment in NY where a reporter exposes petty criminals such as fraudulent contractors or auto repair shops that owe someone money or repairs. It seems like if you have a “Howard” or an “Anderson Cooper” you get to be helped, otherwise, tough luck. But now its not sleazy repair shops, it’s the US Government that needs to be bullied and exposed on television in order for them to do their jobs and honor their committments.