Schadenfreude is a German word that means "pleasure at the misfortune of others." You know, finding enjoyment when your rival team's quarterback gets injured or your ex gets dumped -- or apparently when a monster hurricane threatens thousands of lives. It's a laugh riot -- right?Friday, I interviewed a group of women going to the GOP Convention in Minnesota. After we wrapped up, I asked them what they thought about Hurricane Gustav making landfall and postponing the convention. They said quickly that it wouldn't happen and then went on to laugh and joke about how people in Louisiana are a bunch of whiners. They kept going on and on about how Tropical Storm Fay hit Florida four times and Florida citizens didn't whine like people in New Orleans. They actually called them whiners. My photographer looked at me and shook his head. I swallowed my pride and remained professional and respectful.
They had no idea that I'm from Louisiana -- with friends who lost their homes to Katrina. But, that should make absolutely no difference. The one-two punch of Katrina and Rita is a little different than a tropical storm hitting four times. But, I chose to let that go.
Then today a video surfaces with former Democratic party chair Don Fowler and who the poster of the video identifies as Congressman John Spratt from here in South Carolina. They're sitting on a plane coming back from the DNC in Denver and Fowler starts joking about Hurricane Gustav forcing the postponement of the Republican Convention.
Schadenfreude?
A lot of people, including myself, are reliving a nightmare. I just got off the phone with a friend from home who is now living in Tennessee and, like me, he can't stand not being there. We are worried about our families and our home-state. We covered Katrina together and Gustav has filled us both with a sense of dread. He's watching The Weather Channel non-stop. I can't bring myself to watch it just yet. But, that will change the closer Gustav gets.
Mayor Ray Nagin just ordered the 100% mandatory evacuation of my old neighborhood, Algiers, in New Orleans. All I can think is "here we go again."
Here is just a taste of the messages my friends in Louisiana are leaving on their Facebook accounts.
"Joni N. has on her gameface. Ready for Gustav coverage."
"Lance W.: Gustav has got to go...somewhere else!"
"Alisa M. is hoping and praying Gustav weakens and heads another direction."
"Catherine K. is evacuating today. Please pray for New Orleans."
Those are neither funny nor whining.
