HURRICANE IRENE

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/271448.shtml

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/26/us-storm-irene-pentagon-idUSTRE77P6J520110826

https://www.gplus.com/Hurricanes/Discussion/More-Politically-Driven-Hysteria#.TlkbKl3fWSo

http://stevengoddard.wordpress.com/2011/08/27/noaas-phony-hurricane-coming-on-shore-with-33-mph-winds/

http://news.yahoo.com/video/weather-15749664/napolitano-irene-remains-a-dangerous-storm-26439838.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/27/nyregion/new-york-city-begins-evacuations-before-hurricane.html?_r=1&hp

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/27/nyregion/new-york-city-begins-evacuations-before-hurricane.html?_r=1&hp

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/26/rick-perry-staffer-insurance-scheme_n_938413.html

I'm never going to underestimate the power of Mother Nature, BUT...

I've been going through hurricanes all my life (except for the time I lived in CA and OR), and survived them all. One of them had us sitting down by the volunteer fire station waiting for ice that never came, or came too late in the heat.

Yeah, it was hot, no power, no AC, no lights. We survived.

The winds were bad, but I always go outside and enjoy watching trees bend, particularly at night, and I love the roar of the wind and the feel of pelting rain. Well, I always love the sound of wind, love to feel it. Makes me feel like nature is alive and well.

I remember evacuating with my parents and an orphaned kitten from Long Beach Island, NJ in Dad's black Studebaker, driving across the low causeway to get off the island, with very little visibility and waves breaking over the car. It was my father's decision. We should have stayed put but we parked in the shelter of a furniture store for most of the night until the stars came out in Manahawkin. In other years, the Island was cut in half by flooding and damaged many homes. Part of island life, you know. We survived hurricanes in Staten Island where I grew up. We were in no danger of flooding, but the beaches took a hit. There was also not much fear instilled by anyone, and especially not media reportage. We were just warned that if you lived on the beach, it might be a good idea to move to higher ground. I remember walking home from high school with my friends in the rain and wind in one of them, but the school didn't close. It was fun.

I remember one in the late 80s down in Key Largo. Not much happened, but when Homestead disappeared in the wrath of Andrew, that was a killer, and of course we remember with dread, Katrina, and all that happened with FEMA and the rounding up of people to be placed in coliseum where they truly were endangered and held hostage by law enforcement and FEMA and not allowed to cross the bridge to safety.

So I'm watching and listening to the news. FEMA has evacuated what, thousands, maybe , as the panic cleaned out the grocery stores, and some in NYC resisted (the evacuation was mandatory).
Was this an excuse for FEMA and DHS to execute plans to remove people to the FEMA camps fast before they had time to think?

You would think, to watch the reporters in the rain and wind, that the end of the world was coming in with Irene. Sorry guys. It isn't, and I think it would have been more prudent to see Bloomberg not fearmongering, but suggesting those in Manhattan hunker down with battery powered lights, ice chests and just have a good time. The storm will pass. Just stay inside because of flying debris. Makes sense. But to close the subways and all transit so you can't travel if you must? With only 85 mph wind. Bloomberg's such an idiot.

I don't think people should be made to evacuate their homes for any reason. What do you think of that? We are all adults. We should be allowed to stay and protect our homes and loved ones as we see fit.

We will do what's right for ourselves and our families. If you live on a beach and you don't leave and your home is in danger of being destroyed, well, that's your misfortune. What you lost was because of your own decision. You live with the consequences. Hope you had good insurance.

Then again, is all this hysteria about this non-event a convenient distraction from Obama's royal vacation or his ineptitude?

They sure did round up a lot of UNARMED, HELPLESS people in a short time AND MOVE THEM, didn't they?

"What fools these mortals be." Puck, from Midsummer's Night Dream

THINKABBOUDIT.