This is “Progress”
Europe, long lauded as more progressive than the US, struts its compassion with laws like this “sunshine directive.”
Of course it would be more funny if the US were not headed down the same path.
In other news, I get to register for classes at the UW today. I have yet to report on the business trip – expect that in the near future – and there is much interesting news on Katrina, including the forced evacuation of people for their own good. It just keeps getting better down there.
September 7th, 2005 at 11:01:37 am
the forced evacuation should have happened before the storm, not after. Idiot of a mayor and a lousy governor. Hey, how come we don’t here about Mississippi? Afterall they actually got hit by the worst part of the storm! Oh yeah, that’s right! They actually followed the emergency plan they prepared and the governor called Martial Law right after. They actually did things right. Instead of pointing fingers, breaking down, and sending their police chiefs to Las Vegas for “rest and recuperation”.
September 8th, 2005 at 01:22:03 am
I disagree on the forced evacuation. People staying in the city should be allowed to stay, as long as they aren’t causing havoc by doing so. Many people have chosen to stay to protect their property, and I think this is commendable. As long as these people understand that help will not be coming to them, let them make the choice.
On the other hand, I couldn’t agree more with the rest. Many other cities and other states were devastated by Katrina, but only New Orleans descended into anarchy. Blaming the federal officials – insufficient as you think their response may have been – does not account for this vast discrepancy.
September 8th, 2005 at 01:48:49 am
I would have to side with Ryan on this one. I, personally, would have stayed in New Orleans to protect my property, if I were living there at the time. In hindsight, that might not have been a good choice, but I would have made it. Of course, I would also have a well stocked supply of survival equiptment…
September 8th, 2005 at 08:14:54 am
Okay. I would agree, but I am arguing that the forced evacuation should have occurred *before* not after the storm. If you’re going to force everyone to evacuate, do it *before* the damage, not after. The other thing to note is that with our modern wether systems it couldn’t have been that hard to see that the storm was going to hit and it would be a *very good* idea to prepare. Granted not everything can be prepared for, but even a 72 hour kit would have done a lot for people. The incompetence of people can be astounding…but hindsight is hindsight.
September 8th, 2005 at 01:26:44 pm
You are spot on about the before vs after issue. I remember listening to a news commentator wondering out loud why no one was fleeing the city with the hurricane 3 or 4 days out and likely to destroy the city. 24 hours later, the roads were clogged. If the government had taken an active interest in evacuating those people who wanted to be evacuated, things like making a bus only lane on various highways would have gone a long way in conjunction with government provided busses out of the city (or even private busses). I understand that it would have to be VIGEROUSLY enforced, but the first 100-200 people forced to drive into a ditch because they violated the rules would have sent a strong signal.