We've had two hurricanes recently here in the US. I'm always fascinated how the media portrays people living on the Gulf of Mexico as being unprepared even though they live in "hurricane alley". Buildings obviously not designed to withstand hurricane force winds are paraded across the TV screen as examples of the power of the storm. I have an uncle that lived on the gulf for 50 years, survived nearly that many storms, yet never had his home flooded or destroyed.
In addition to the sensationalism are the people shown that are quite clueless about tropical storms. It's one thing if you don't have the means to prepare yourself but these people displayed on the screen are just being ignorant.
If you live in a hurricane prone area why would you choose a wooden stick frame, ground level, California ranch style house to live in? If you rely on public power why would you be surprised when the power goes out? Why wouldn't you have water stored?
A similar event occurs here in the northwest corner of the US. People live in flimsy houses in flood zones, often within sight of a river, then when the heavy rains come seem surprised their home becomes flooded.
The unprepared in the US also seem to cry out for the government (FEMA) to rescue them from their stupidity. I guess that's what happens after so many years in a "nanny state".
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The price of freedom of religion, or of speech, or of the press, is that we must put up with a good deal of rubbish.
- Robert Jackson |