SYSTEMS THAT THREATEN SECURITY

I was relieved when the tornadoes that marched through Missouri and Illinois took few lives last week. My relief was short lived as I watched in horror as an unbelievable number of tornadoes swallowed everything in their paths. This time hundreds of people were killed in the South.

This morning came the news of rivers rising beyond flood levels in Illinois and Missouri, not to mention the flooding last week in the Midwest.

I would have liked to close out April with a lovely story, or relate an interesting encounter or even write about a humorous situation. Instead the weather has me, along with many others fixed on it.

We have always challenged or treated the weather with benevolent tolerance even though it is a power which we need to better understand and treat as seriously as other systems that threaten our security.

PASSOVER, EASTER AND TORNADOES

Nature demonstrated her might as we ushered in Springtime. She stirred up the seas and oceans to create record breaking storms and dismissed our best efforts to control her.

Families gathered together around the world to retell centuries-old religious stories. Here in St. Louis, the rains brought hail of grotesque sizes that bounced off pavements and porches, much to the delight of children.

Our first night Passover Seder was attended by 27 family, friends and seven University students some of whom will graduate in May. We recited the night-long ancient story as we lent our voices in song and discussed each other's views.

Tornado sirens half-way through the Second night Seder forced participants to continue in cellars even though the tornado was a no show in St. Louis. For me, the cellar served as a reminder of other times when people gathered there for safety not from nature but because of a difference in beliefs.

Three days later as the calendar marched toward Easter, thunder storms, furious winds, and incredibly beautiful lighting against the night sky announced the approach of tornadoes.

Terminals in the St. Louis Airport were destroyed. Homes in a cul-de-sac in one neighborhood were flattened as if in one sweeping gesture. Other homes, barns, businesses, schools, houses of worship, and trees in the tornado's path were demolished in a matter of minutes through the night. In areas not hit directly, the roar of the tornado was heard from miles away as it advanced toward Illinois.

When all was still, at day break people emerged from sheltered areas to view piles of lumber, emptiness where once stood a structure, cars flung about and great trucks turned upside down amid vast destruction.

On Easter Sunday, people darted under umbrellas as they entered the Great Cathedral of St. Louis for Easter Sunday Services. Some people were grateful their areas were not hit. Still others wondered how to regain a sense of stability now that all was gone. And in spite of everything, children ran to splash in puddles.

Which ever holiday we celebrated, and for those who celebrated none, we are all grateful that no life was lost, for the willingness of friends and neighbors to help those who did lose much, and for the human ability to acknowledge and respect the mighty force of nature.

EARTH DAY TWENTY-ELEVEN

As we recognize Earth Day, I am preoccupied with the natural and man-made events that have happened to this Planet and its inhabitants in little more than a year's time. Human beings are only one among an untold number of species here on Earth.

We consider ourselves more advanced beyond the hierarchy of all others. We attribute our human advancement to our ability to learn, plan and innovate. Yet, when we study nature we find that we and all other species are of the same or similar order.

Each has the ability to reproduce. Some care for their young, some do not. Some live in isolation while others live in groups. Some are mobile and migrate while others stay put. Some are endowed with the ability to ward off predators while others have little or no defenses. Just as birds show off their plumage, so too do humans demonstrate their need to be recognized through their accumulation of things and power.

However, unlike other species, we can question each other as we proceed through life. Whether its drilling or mining or using technology for less than worthy endeavors, perhaps we need to ask what price do others and the environment pay for our own accumulation of things and power. Earth Day provides the opportunity to ask these questions as we seek answers.

YO PHILADELPHIA! WHAT HAPPENED?

Recently, a friend told me he was going to attend a conference in Philadelphia. I began to wax nostalgic describing the National Constitution Center, the wonderful view of Boat House Row from the Water Works, and a small Greek restaurant hidden away in an alley off Locust Street.

He told me his Alma Mater is Villanova University and he loved to explore Center City "Philly." Yet, he said he "dreaded" using Philadelphia International Airport. He told me getting from one gate to another was a "nightmare" and getting information from PIA people was less than helpful, sometimes "even rude."

As I recall, about ten years ago, PIA was funded for an Employee Training Program to motivate people to better represent the City of "Brotherly Love" to visitors. What happened that a traveler using it had such a poor impression?

WHAT PRICE HUMAN ENDEAVOR?

Much of the world witnessed the destruction that nature let loose on Japan last week. Television captured the Tsunami as it moved at unimagined speed. I thought of the people and the terror they must have experienced.

It reminded me of the fear I had as a child, and still have
when the Atlantic Ocean pulls away from its accustomed place at the surf and the narrow beach widens. The water suddenly, rapidly rushes out to meet swells forming in the distance and then brings huge waves crashing back to shore.

As this tragedy unfurls the Japanese people remind us of the human capacity to go on in the face of great loss while reminding us of the cost we pay in our effort to control Nature.

THE FUTURE AT MY COFFEE SHOP?

Weather permitting, I enjoy my morning coffee and newspaper in a small coffee shop. Usually, "regulars" of all ages and interests are there. Some with books, or electronic gear or, like me with a newspaper. But over the weekend, a whole new cast of people show up.

This morning in particular there was a table filled with students, still wearing their beads from the Mardi Gras working together over an assignment. Across the way, a group of bicycle riders were beginning to peel off jackets as the sun came out. In one out-of-the-way corner of the room, sat an old woman with her winter coat on. What appeared to be all her possessions were placed in a shopping bag next to her as she slept.

A young couple had come in carrying a baby, bundled in a warm blanket and still stirring from sleep. As the child came awake he was intrigued with all he saw in his new environment. His mother stood patiently waiting for him to come fully awake. When he was ready, he kicked off his blanket, smiled and reached for his mother. I was struck by the mother's patience and the baby's inquisitiveness with all he saw.

It may seem strange, but for me this milieu of people and activities at a nondescript coffee shop suggested a tableau that gave me heart about our future.

THE LION CLOSES OUT FEBRUARY

Tornadoes targeted Missouri and Illinois last night. They came through St. Louis just before midnight and headed East. Winds, much less tornadoes are not my favorite weather things, but in the blackness of the night they are particularly worrisome. Some buildings and homes were affected and there were power outages. Was I scarred? Well, when the winds began to buckle the windows i n my 15th floor apartment I hid out in my small kitchen and hoped it would blow over. It did and I did not have to add surviving a tornado to my life experiences.