Flame — HabitableZone

Flame » in reply to re: Social Responsibility

Survival means tough decisions.
SDAI-Tech1 — (archived)

After hoofing a mile in 120 degree heat I know what it's like to push the body to it's limits. I don't say dragging kids or the elderly would be easy, but if it's that or drown - that is the tough decision one has to make.

"Stupid" is a descriptive term. In some cases it's apt. If your region has a mayor that declares evacuation with "this is the real deal" line added to somehow make it convincing, LOTS more will stay than would with another mayor coldly declaring that those who remain would drown. Credibility of local government at making pronouncements comes into play. Combine that with some folks who clearly planned civil breakdown as a time to loot and profit, and you have a "stupid" factor coming into play which will increase casualties, suffering and the official handling of the hurricane.

<blcokquote>
Well, they're unattractive and undereducated. We chosen people can do without them. If a couple thousand of them die, what difference does it make if they drown in town or die of exposure fleeing on foot?

There's a lot of stupidity in this world, Tech. Some of it is emotional stupidity, and some of it is moral stupidity. You have displayed both today.

Who's unattractive? Louisianans? Attraction isn't a factor at all.

Undereducated? Yes. Sadly, the region is a posterchild for the need of school reform. But the death of ANYONE is JUST as tragic would they all have been Harvard graduates, or drop outs from Lawless High.

This notion that walking would kill you is a nonplusser. Live in Phoenix and you'll see just what some folks deal with daily here. The poor have no AC and its 120 degrees at times and over 100 degrees for almost half the year. Some have no plumbing any day of the year. They suffer. They suffer a lot. But they manage to survive because experience has taught them how too. The homeless here often look like blistered nuclear accident victims - but they survive on the streets in worse conditions than New Orleans provides.

Again, I'm not saying EVERY one could walk. I'm saying that personal survival is ultimately one's own responsibility. This "blame Bush" or "blame FEMA" or "blame the mayor" bit, ultimately doesn't mean diddly when the chips are down and your own life is on the line. It's all swell and fine if folks CAN save you. If society manages to catch you, great.

What I see is a "superman" syndrome where victims EXPECT and DEMAND assistance and when its not fast enough, point the fingers at the selfless rescuers instead of realizing the survival buck stops with them.

I'm sorry my views create such antipathy. I guess my experience has taught me: don't rely on anyone or any government to save your bacon. Save yourself.

If that view be "stupidity" I will have to make the most of it.

;-)

Log in or register to post.

The whole thread (82 posts)