Is the politics of fear spreading?

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Ernesto wasn't even that big yesterday, but this morning it only has max sustained winds of 45mph, and with the current track taking it directly over Cuba, it will most likely weaken more, and then have 90 or so miles from Cuba to southern FL, during which much strengthening isn't likely.

Ernesto has time - and enough open sea - to return to hurricane strength before hitting the Keys and Southern Florida. Or at least that is what was reported 20 minutes ago.

In this case, I dont think it is fear but reality. We all know the damage a bad hurricane at the "right" spot can do and we also know just how useless our government is in helping mop up. One can't help think "what if". But, Hurricane season is just getting started - we're only on the letter "E".

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Ernesto has time - and enough open sea - to return to hurricane strength before hitting the Keys and Southern Florida. Or at least that is what was reported 20 minutes ago.

In this case, I dont think it is fear but reality. We all know the damage a bad hurricane at the "right" spot can do and we also know just how useless our government is in helping mop up. One can't help think "what if". But, Hurricane season is just getting started - we're only on the letter "E".

Technically we are almost half way through hurricane season ( 48% as of today) and only up to 'E'. Last year, as we all know, we were up to 'K' as of this date.


Ernesto does not appear to be a "bad" hurricane and may not be a hurricane at all by the time it makes land in the US.

I did however note the excitement in all the news reports last week when the storm track pointed out into the gulf and possibly at New Orleans followed by the subdued coverage when it was determined to only be going for Florida.

[Alex]

But the current track has it (at whatever level of strength) going over DISNEY WORLD!!!!!

Quick! Panic! Cancel your vacation plans!!!

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

But the current track has it (at whatever level of strength) going over DISNEY WORLD!!!!!

Quick! Panic! Cancel your vacation plans!!!

Would it be bad to once again hope that it knocks down that stupid arm over spaceship earth?

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

Would it be bad to once again hope that it knocks down that stupid arm over spaceship earth?

God, I hope so!

[Alex]

I like the arm. And so would you if it had been there from the beginning (I say with impossible certainty).

And I see that the new track has it riding up the east coast of Florida. At the current rate of change in the track the hurricane will never be farther west than Portugal so WDW is probably safe.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

I like the arm. And so would you if it had been there from the beginning (I say with impossible certainty).

And if I'd been fed Poi from an early age I'd like that also. What's your point?


And yes, it looks like the cursed arm is safe for at least one more letter.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Ernesto has time - and enough open sea - to return to hurricane strength before hitting the Keys and Southern Florida. Or at least that is what was reported 20 minutes ago.

In this case, I dont think it is fear but reality.

Thankfully for the people in Florida it was simply a rather weak tropical storm as it hit. The mountains in Cuba pretty much killed any chance it had of gaining stregth, as they significantly broke it up.

I think all of the panic and discussion by local and government officials is simply a CYA. With Katrina mismanagement well in memory (both on a local and national level), that's going to continue for a long time. In fact, scare tactics in general - if you want to call them that - are simply a CYA. They can all say, should things turn bad, that they warned the populace and did all they could in preparation.

This is the case with terrorism too. I don't think Bush and his admin are trying to scare the populace, I think they are pulling a CYA. Knowing that just one even insignificant attack that is successful will call into question every single policy and every moment of preparation or lack thereof and every avenue of intelligence gathering, they want to remind the population frequently that they are doing all they can in the face of a determined enemy so that they can be on record when (sadly, I wish I could say if, but I can't) it happens.

And with every disaster situation, no matter what is done, there seems to be a need for a fall guy. Sometimes bad things happen and no one is to blame. It just....is.