People aren’t always the brightest. It is only magnified when they start depending on the government to do everything for them. It reaches its ultimate height when they elect people like Nagin who hasn’t ensured quality workers and planners which result in no protection of the people in an emergency. But besides “No Bus Used” Nagin the real problem are the people themselves and it has a name: Complacency.
Convinced that tough tactics are needed, officials in hurricane-prone states are trumpeting dire warnings about the storm season that starts on Thursday, preaching self-reliance and prodding the public to prepare early and well.
Cities are circulating storm-preparation checklists, counties are holding hurricane expositions at shopping malls and states are dangling carrots like free home inspections and tax-free storm supplies in hopes of conquering complacency.
But the main strategy, it seems, is to scare the multitudes of people who emergency officials say remain blas√? even after last year’s record-breaking storm season.
To persuade residents to heed evacuation orders, the Florida Division of Emergency Management is broadcasting public service announcements with recordings of 911 calls placed during Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
“The roof has completely caved in on us,” a woman cries as chilling music swells, only to be told that rescuers cannot come out during the storm.
Speaking of the tactics, Craig Fugate, Florida’s emergency management director, said last week at a news conference in Tallahassee, “We’re going to use a sledgehammer.”
This save-yourselves approach comes after government agencies were overwhelmed by pleas for help after last year’s storms and strongly criticized as not responding swiftly or thoroughly enough to the public need. Now, officials have said repeatedly, only the elderly, the poor and the disabled should count on the government to help them escape a hurricane or endure its immediate aftermath.
So listen good. You hear the warnings… or everyone but your local officials tell you to get out 3 days early… better go. If you stay then know you only can blame yourself.
2 Responses
Yeah, when those sick old ladies were drowning they should have pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and become rugged individualists.
The Bush administration invented the save yourself methodology, Nagin et al are just copying it. They know they cannot depend on the Bush administration.
Posted on June 1st, 2006 at 12:42 pm
Ahhh… Rusty Belt. Always good to see the lib take on things. Self reliance for 3-4 days has always been the expectation. Neighbors helping neighbors for those unable to help themselves. Besides.. what you speak of didn’t happen… and if you refer to the nursing homes.. criminal prosecution of individuals ensued.
I expect that Bush and crew should have been driving those empty busses for Nagin prior to the storm? Or how about a young man with sense enough to hijack a bus and take as many as possible. Perhaps they should have elected that man. At least he had his head on straight.
I don’t believe it is the government’s responsibility to do for society what they ought to be able to do for themselves. Self reliance has long been the staple of American culture.
Posted on June 1st, 2006 at 1:07 pm
Add A Comment