|
Post by Allen Wiener on Nov 22, 2012 20:50:38 GMT -5
I was glad to hear that our annual summer retreat, Ocean City, N.J., was finally getting somewhat back to normal (the legendary Ward's Bakery reopened today). I didn't see any plugs for the PBS special, but came across it while surfing the DVR offerings and have set it to record a repeat of the program. As those who live in the area can tell you, this was one of the worst and most destructive storms on record.
|
|
|
Post by sloanrodgers on Nov 24, 2012 0:47:28 GMT -5
It came on again last night and I hope you caught it.
|
|
|
Post by Allen Wiener on Nov 24, 2012 11:00:13 GMT -5
I did; some unbelievable things in that film. I have been to so many of those places hundreds of times, having grown up just outside NYC and spent many summers at the Jersey Shore. It was especially depressing to see how many warnings people got to leave the area, but which were ignored by many. I recall the newspapers were actually asking if the storm wasn't being hyped out of proportion by the press in the days before it hit. That, and the relatively milder effect of Irene a year earlier, made people skeptical. Of course, Irene did devastate Vermont, but no one seemed to think about that. I don't know how much this was a harbinger of things to come due to climate change or how much it was a freak "perfect" storm in which everything that could possibly go wrong did go wrong, making the storm far worse than it might have been otherwise.
|
|
|
Post by sloanrodgers on Nov 25, 2012 17:53:59 GMT -5
Yes, parts of the documentary were amazing and others depressing, but I think everyone should see it. I believe a big problem with modern American society is that a lot of people are too comfortable with their public services, technology and weather forecasts. People used to think that you can't predict the weather, especially farmers and prepared for the worst. I was living in Austin in 1981 when we had the infamous Memorial Day Flood. All we were expecting was a nice holiday rain until all hell broke loose. When it was all over 14 people were dead. The worst storms have always been in the future. That's why I live on hills and away from creeks. There's also four ways out of my neighborhood. I'd never live on an island as there's usually no place to run when the big one hits.
|
|
|
Post by loucapitano on Nov 29, 2012 19:32:18 GMT -5
I live on an Island - called Long Island. In fact, most of New York City (except the Bronx) is on islands. But I now agree, the worst storms are yet to come. Mankind has a habit of settling and building in places where common sense should tell you not to build. But we do it anyway. Whether it's in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, behind the dikes in Holland or in a "Dust Bowl" we somehow survive and leave lessons for our posterity to ignore, just as we did. The fact is, I love Long Island, along with the high taxes and congestion, because it keeps me close to New York City. I figure I lived through being target #1 during the Cold War and 9/11 didn't chase me away. Even though Sandy wiped out the homes of dozens of close friends and family, they're all rebuilding. I guess we figure there won't be another "storm of the century" until 2100 which will challenge my great great grandchildren. Long Island had several disasters in the early 20Th century, but the population was a fraction of the millions we have today. Recently I watched a new cable show about "survivors" who are going to fantastic lengths to protect themselves and families against whatever catastrophe they perceive is likely to occur. Some fear floods, nuclear attack, space aliens, civil war or foreign invasion. Most of me says, "what a bunch of nuts," but the rest of me is glad to live in a country free to embrace all sorts. Just so they behave themselves and keep it civil, which is what I expect from all my neighbors. Best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season Lou from Long Island (PS: I also get to live near the greatest sports teams) ;D
|
|
|
Post by Allen Wiener on Dec 2, 2012 17:15:42 GMT -5
It looks like people who live in those areas will have to do more to protect themselves from such storms in the future. I have little faith that anything substantive will be done to curb global warming and rising temperatures, melting glaciers, etc. are going to continue. We'll have to adapt. And, as you say, life offers no guarantee or warranty; many things can (and do) happen, so we can only do what's possible to avoid them, but shouldn't allow them to ruin our lives. Good luck to you and your neighbors, Lou; I really feel for them and the folks along the Jersey Shore, where I plan to be once again next summer.
|
|
|
Post by sloanrodgers on Dec 12, 2012 19:37:33 GMT -5
It looks like people who live in those areas will have to do more to protect themselves from such storms in the future. I have little faith that anything substantive will be done to curb global warming and rising temperatures, melting glaciers, etc. are going to continue. We'll have to adapt. And, as you say, life offers no guarantee or warranty; many things can (and do) happen, so we can only do what's possible to avoid them, but shouldn't allow them to ruin our lives. I'm going to hide myself.
|
|