As I view pictures of the devastation wrought by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it is almost beyond my comprehension how those who have had their lives so violently torn apart will have the courage to pull themselves out of the debris and begin to rebuild.

The dark deeds of rapists and looters are overshadowed by the day-to-day heroism of those who put their lives on the line to rescue, sustain and console the victims. Many opened their homes and hearts to those who fled the wrath of Katrina, only to become evacuees themselves in the wake of Rita’s onslaught.

The self-righteous say that this is a punishment sent by God. That is outrageous, but, perhaps, there are lessons to be learned.

With Sept. 11 and those two monstrous storms, it is almost as though war has been brought to our doorstep. Images of the storm-destroyed cities are, in many ways, reminiscent of the war-torn cities of Iraq and the many innocents caught up in the storms of war and nature.

Those in Iraq and those in the Houston Civic Center have been reminded that “they never had it so good,” and that Halliburton would be there to help them rebuilt their cities.

With the best of intentions, there are those who have sought to bring the blessings of Islam and democracy to others, but nature has reminded us that many lives can be destroyed when power gets out of hand.

Helene Mekis, Lewiston