A Floridian Asking For A Moratorium on Politicizing Hurricanes

[greekspeak]

Hurricane Francis did not come for Jeb Bush. Hurricane Charley was not payback for the 2000 election debacle. Ivan is not a punishment for RWers who live in Panama City. These storms are violent acts of nature in which the livlihoods of millions, republicans and democrats alike, are destroyed in hours. There is nothing funny or vengeful about a hurricane. It is not cute or smart to reduce these storms, which cause so much suffering, to political fodder. In fact, with a storm breathing down people's necks, it is morbid and cruel to act this way. Nobody, left or right of center, deserves to be wiped out in a storm. At least have some compassion for your fellow DUers from the Sunshine State, and save the snarky comments for more appropriate topics.

[ixion]

1. another floridian seconds that motion

it's just the weather, afterall. ;-)

[Bluzmann57]

2. Not a Floridian here

but I feel sorry for the people down there. Having never experienced a hurricane, it looks like an unpleasant situation, to say the least. We have sent some supplies through our local Red Cross and we did not specify "For Dems only" or "For Repubs only". We just want to see Floridians get back on their feet. So good luck to all of you unfortunate victims down there and our thoughts and prayers are with you.

[madfloridian]

3. Thank you.

I agree.

[Liberal Veteran]

4. I don't think anyone is making fun of the storms per se...just

the kooky religious types like Falwell and Robertson who everytime any natural (or unnatural) disaster occurs, it's get blamed on the so-called godless masses of liberals, gays, pro-choices....etc.

And I doubt anyone is serious (except the nutjob Christians on the right).

[mhr]

5. I Have Lived Through Hurricanes In Texas - The Hurricane Jokes Are Gallows

Humor - nothing more, nothing less.

DU's favorite target for such humor is none other than the BFEE.

It is an coincidence that Florida is in the cross hairs of the BFEE and hurricanes.

Lighten Up!

[greekspeak]

6. There are others besides BFEE in the crosshairs of the hurricane

There are millions of people who stand to be impacted by this coming storm. I see little humor in it. It would be equally tasteless to say, "look at that tornado hitting Oklahoma City. That will teach those RW bastards," or "I hope that earthquake hit Sacramento to punish the Gropinator for molesting women." Would it have been appropriate for Freepers to make "NYC is being punished for being liberal" jokes on 9/11?

I would think that, having been through such storms yourself, you would have the decency to find more appropriate outlets for your humorous banter. And no I will not lighten up as you trivialize and rationalize.

[greatauntoftriplets]

10. I know a dedicated leftist who has lived in OKC all his life.

Sadly, he realizes he is the odd man out down there.

[mhr]

12. Testy Today Are We Not?

No one has ever diminished the actual hardship of those impacted by natural disasters.

The only thing criticized is the BFEE.

One guesses you are a little to close to the problem now.

That's understandable.

[Misunderestimator]

14. Yes, people here HAVE diminished it...

With their accusations that Floridians are causing others' insurance rates to go up (false), that Floridians not having a state income tax causes the Federal government to have to give more in relief (false), that anyone living in Florida should have to pay more in federal taxes to make up the difference... etc.

It's not just the lame joke, it's everything that goes with it. And ... the JOKE is a dead horse now... how come someone ALWAYS ends up posting this same lame joke on EVERY thread about a hurricane? It's tiresome.

[madfloridian]

21. Yes, "we" are testy.

"One" is correct we are too close to the problem...

No, the jokes here have been about Florida getting payback. People who do that show a lack of human caring. Sorry, but that is the way it is.

[northzax]

18. er, you're comparing a hurricane to an act of terrorism?

last time I checked Hurricanes are natural phenomena that hit Florida several times a decade. This is nothing new. You don't like Hurricanes? move to Arizona. Frankly, I'm offended that my Tax Dollars are being spent to guarantee low interest loans to people who build weak structures in the paths of hurricanes. Frankly, and I don't mean to seem callous, but people who build in Hurricane Zones should be on their own, just like those in flood plains, earthquake zones and volcano zones. I don't think I should pay for your lifestyle choices. A class four hurricane hits florida once a decade. Build your house to withstand the force of the expected hurricane, or stop bitching about it.

Anyone in Florida who bitches about the damage from the hurricanes should hie themselves to Grenada. That place, an island I love, that my grandparents used to live on, is fucking GONE. 95%+ of the structures are destroyed. it is gone and it will take decades to rebuild. It seriously looks like it was hit by a nuclear weapon. within a week, there will be epidemics of cholera and typhoid. more people will die from that than were killed by the storm itself.

Hurricanes are natural events. 9/11 was gratuitous violence by a fellow human. One can be humorous, one cannot. And yes, I think the best possible place for Ivan to hit is florida, since the US is both the best prepared and the best able to deal with the aftermath. You can evacuate the portion of the state, think Jamaicans got to drive to safety? how about Grenadines? nope.

And by the way, my Grandmother's house was seriously damaged by Frances, her response? "WEll, dear, I guess I'm lucky I was at the US Open and not the beach." relax, smile and remember that there is not a fucking thing you can do about hurricanes except move. You chose to live where you do, so stiff upper lip, and remember that there are millions of people worse off than you.

[greekspeak]

23. Thanks for that cheerful rant

I am sorry that you think life is that simple, that everyone in Florida or wherever can just pack up and move someplace else. Every part of the country has disasters; every part of the country at one time or another experiences some event that costs insurance payees a little more. Floods in Missouri in 93. Earthquakes in CA in 89 and 94. Snowstorms and ice storms over 2/3 of the country in any given year. We HAVE to live someplace. So why don't you get off your fucking self righteous soapbox and learn some compassion. God your response is SO American. People are getting hurt and wiped out? Damn its going to ruin my insurance rate. How fucking selfish and sick. I have heard kinder things out of a lot of conservatives. Even the most self-righteous Southern Baptists have not spewed the kind of "screw you bub" hate in the face of these storms. Churches at least send care packages and money to help their fellows. I hope to GOD I never have to count on the likes of you if push ever comes to shove. :grr:

[northzax]

44. yeah, life pretty much is simple

when you get down to it. unless you are in jail, you can move. You may choose not to, for whatever reasons, you may decide that the perks of living in hurricane alley outweigh the risks, but that is your call.

And you're right, I am annoyed that the pending disaster in Florida gets more attention than the fact that an entire Island of people was flattened. Gone. Where's your compassion for them? There are no roads out of Grenada, there are no roads out of Jamaica those people were stuck there. Everyone in Florida got a week's notice, and I would appreciate hearing from someone who wanted to evacuate but was unable to for a reasonable reason (like no one would drive them, or the government made them stay or something like that) if someone decided to stay behind, for whatever reason (with the following exceptions: medics to care for the wounded, firefighters and electric workers to keep the damage down, anyone in law enforcement ordered to stay) otherwise, for the most part we're talking about Stuff. property. All of which can be replaced. The lives of people who were unable to escape the storm (and, as far as I can tell that's no one in Florida) are ten million times more important to me than people's stuff. Within two weeks, the reconstruction of Florida will begin. In a year, there will be no real damage remaining from the storm. And that will be paid for, for the most part. Do you think that Jamaica, Cuba and Grenada will rebuild so quickly and so well?

Speaking of conservatives, I consider it a conservative value to place a higher value on our stuff than other people's lives, which it sure seems like you are doing. By the way, not that I need to justify myself to you, but I am sure that the Red Cross will use my donation wisely, as they do after every disaster. All I ask is that you take this lesson and have better preparedness so the state is better able to help itself when the next hurricane comes.

Do you know why the Earthquakes of 89 and 94 did so little damamge, relatively, to CAlifornia? the building of Earthquake-proof buildings. You know whay ice storms don't really affect Minnesota the way they would Florida? Construction that deals with the realities faced by the region. Why haven't the serious damage from floods in the Mississippi flood plain returned? because people didn't rebuild in the flood plain. take the money that will soon flow to Florida, and build structures that can withstand the next hurricane. yes, it's more expensive. Yes, it raises the cost of housing, yes, it's hard, but really, combined with better evacuation plans, wouldn't that increase the chance of everyone surviving the next storm? So it's more expensive, human life is worth it, don't you think?

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

55. Picking up and moving isn't that easy,

and it is also costly. Not everyone that lives in Florida is living here because they want to, but rather because they have a job here.

[northzax]

59. but you still choose to live there, right?

as I said, you may have decided that the benefits of living there (good job, cheap housing, sun, whatever) outweigh the risks. That's your choice.

And it can be costly to move, it can also be cheap. Sell what you don't really need, get on a bus and go somewhere. You may choose not to do that, but you could, if you wanted to.

[Misunderestimator]

24. And thanks for adding insult to injury with that post.

Exactly what the problem is. "relax, smile and remember that there is not a fucking thing you can do about hurricanes except move. You chose to live where you do, so stiff upper lip, and remember that there are millions of people worse off than you"

{pre-edited to remove the profanity that is itching to spew out)

[northzax]

47. all you can do is take it, right?

I mean you can't stop a hurricane, you can't move your house, you are safe, right? I mean physically? so count your blessings and remember that it is just stuff. Stuff can be replaced, lives cannot. I guarante you than the residents of Darfur would trade places with you in a New York Minute. How about the residents of Baghdad? Fallujah? Kabul?

you are alive, averything else can be fixed. Thank your god than you live in a society that will rebuild, and that you are alive to do it. Thank your god that due to modern science, the death toll will be measured in the single digits, if at all, and not in the triple digits. Thank the government for underwriting insurance policies that will pay you to rebuild your stuff. Thank that same government for rebuilding the roads and sewers (to avoid outbreaks of typhoid and cholera) thank the electric company for rebuilding the grid. Thank your god that you live in a society that should be the best prepared ever to withstand the wrath of nature without the loss of life. Hug your children, spouse and parents, and try to not be so attached to your stuff you can always get more.

[Misunderestimator]

49. You write all that as if you assume I am not grateful for all those things

What does ANY of that have to do with the fact that people make insensitive remarks about Florida deserving to be struck by a hurricane?

[northzax]

51. nothing at all

and I certainly never said anyone deserves to be hit by a hurricane, just that they are unpreventable, natural things that can be expected to hit florida.

And you write that people will lose everything. no they won't, or only very few will. Hurricanes are natural events, no one is to blame, but don't expect more sympathy because you choose to expose your property to this damage. that's my point. I'll save my sympathy for the people who lose their lives and their families, first and foremost. I have not seen you post anything expressing your relief at being alive, while others are dead, I haven't seen you post anything expressing how lucky you are not to be in Jamaica or Grenada, maybe you did, but I missed it.

[Misunderestimator]

56. Read the original post, this is about people saying FL deserves it.

THIS THREAD IS ABOUT PEOPLE HERE MAKING JOKES ABOUT FLORIDA DESERVING TO BE STRUCK BY A HURRICANE BECAUSE OF JEB AND THE ELECTION. In my posts I have tried to stay on subject about that. YOU are the one turning this into portrayal of us being whiny, ungrateful Americans. Of COURSE I am tremendously sad about the loss of life and property in the islands that have been devastated. Don't you DARE to presume what kind of character I have.

And where did I write that people will lose everything (I assume you mean you think I wrote that about Floridians)? I never wrote that.

[Momma Mia]

31. northzax ...

You wrote :

You don't like Hurricanes? move to Arizona ...

You are some kind of human being. What kind I am not sure.

Don't you know that a lot of folks can't afford to move?

Where is your compassion for your fellow human beings, huh? You should be ashamed of yourself!

~ MM :evilfrown:

[northzax]

45. unless you are in jail

you can move. You may find that the benefits of living in Florida outweigh the risks of hurricanes, but that is a risk you should adopt, not me. (in case you're wondering, I once sold my possessions and took a bus cross country to move, cost me $69 for the ticket. Any DUer who lives in Florida and wants to move, I'll be happy tp paypal them the price of a bus ticket.) I live in the Murder capital of the world. If I get shot, will the government write my family a check? will they grant my family low interest loans? nope. We all assume risk, it just seems that some risks are shared, and others aren't, why is that, you figure?

[Misunderestimator]

50. Your view is far too simplistic.

It is not just incarceration that keeps people in a geographic location. You ignore the analogies others have made about living in other areas that have received federal aid. You make huge blanket generalities that don't apply to anyone here. As for sharing risks? We ALL share YOUR risk of living in a high-crime city.

Nice how you picked up and turned around my comment about you living in the murder capital of the world. Do you think that OTHERS do not pay higher taxes to incarcerate those criminals, or judges and public defenders to prosecute them, or to pay for law enforcement to protect you? You're benefiting from ALL that extra protection and public money, that can't even be compared to what I require where I live.

[northzax]

57. huh, yes, you are right

the fact that the District of Columbia produces more in federal taxes every year than we recieve in federal aid means that we are a drain on the rest of the nation. oh, wait, no we aren't. Despite the fact that we are a colony, DC is a net gainer for the US government. I would love if the Government spent more on DC residents than we paid in taxes, like in Florida. But that ain't the case. I would love for the city to be reimbursed for the millions spent on OT protecting the President. but we aren't. I would love to be reimbursed at a fair rate for the city services spent protecting and serving the 1/3 of the city in governemnt or tax-free hands. but we aren't.

I would really love to hear your explanation about how your net-gain relationship with the federal goverment leads to higher taxes for you. Every singe resident of Florida gets more, in terms of dollars spent in the state, than she or he pays to the government. Every single resident of DC gets less. I'd love to see your accounting of how you pay more for services in DC...

so no, unless you live in DC, you don't share the risks of living here. we pay a premium to assume that risk for you. THe same applies to Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. All those states in the North East pay more than they get.

[Misunderestimator]

58. Give me a source that proves your point. Sounds a bit histrionic to me...

[northzax]

64. here you go, enjoy:

http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxingspending.html

note the following states:

Expenditures per dollar of taxes, FY2002

Massachusetts $ 0.75
New York:$.85
New Jersey: $$.62

Florida: $1.01

I accept that I was wrong about Maryland, which is a net winner, according to this table.

DC is a strange reading, this table shows a net gain, but those numbers include a lot of spending in DC that does not directly affect the district (the salaries of congress, the President, etc)

[Misunderestimator]

65. Nice reference... DC gets five times what Florida gets...

Sure maybe it's a "strange reading" but it doesn't prove a thing.

-----------------------
Edited to add this paragraph from your site:
The District of Columbia's Special Status

Though not comparable as a state, the District of Columbia is by far the biggest beneficiary of federal spending: In 2002 it received $6.44 in federal outlays for every dollar its taxpayers sent to the U.S. Treasury. The District's share of federal largesse amounted to $58,347 for every man, woman and child. That is more than nine times the national average, and it includes over $8,000 per person in grants, over $19,000 per person in procurement, and over $24,000 per person in federal wages. These funds are rarely mentioned by District lawmakers in their assertions that being the site of the federal government is a major financial burden.
-----------------------

Whatever problem you have with how the federal government disburses its money has nothing to do with insulting Floridians for living in Florida. You are making this whole thing too personal. YOU choose to live in DC, so deal with it, or change it.

Instead of Florida, you could have pulled New Mexico out of your hat. They receive a hell of a lot more from the government according to your link:

New Mexico received $2.37 in federal outlays for every $1.00 the state's taxpayers sent to Uncle Sam. Only one other state got a 2-1 ratio -- North Dakota, where Uncle Sam spent $2.07 for each tax dollar. Other big winners were Alaska ($1.91), Mississippi ($1.89), and West Virginia ($1.82).

[northzax]

66. read the details

and we're not talking about New Mexico, are we?

this is an accounting of every federal dollar spent. Since every cabinet agency, save the pentagon, is headquarted in DC, all that salary money, billions worth, is counted in DC. But, if they live in Maryland, the money actually goes to Maryland, right? (since congress won't allow us to have a commuter tax) the salary of every congressman and all the aides, counts on the list, but are not taxed by DC, by federal law. Also, every time the government mows the lawn of the white house, that counts as Federal Money spent in DC.

ok, I guess I'll write my Senator and try to change it. Oh, that's right, I don't have one, since YOUR senators voted against it.

[Misunderestimator]

68. Move out of DC if you don't like not having a Senator... your choice...

right....? Certainly you have more choice in living in a state without representation than people in other states have over the weather, right?

...and this is my last response to you. Have a lovely, compassionate day. :hi:

[northzax]

70. actually, it's not a state

to be precise. but precision can't be expected, I suppose. nice to know that the disenfrnachisment of your fellow americans is an inevitable as the weather. now that's compassion for you.

[Misunderestimator]

71. Pardon my use of the word "other" which allows you to accuse me of

being an idiot, without the knowledge that every child should have. You obviously enjoy one-sided combat, I don't. Please stop insulting everyone. I am fully aware and confident in my own compassion for my fellow humans, your insults don't damage that at all.

And now I will stick to my word and not be prodded on by any more of your personal attacks.

[northzax]

72. gee, I never started insulting people

nor have I engaged in personal attacks. Everything I have said (with the notable exception of that Maryland thing which I retracted) is totally word for word true. you are the one who labels people without compassion if they care more for humans than for property. I weep for dead people, you wring your hands over the destruction of property. hmm. that sure is compassion.

oh, wait, was that one of those personal attacks? I guess your first wasn't so gratuitous after all.

[Misunderestimator]

75. I NEVER SAID WHAT YOU ARE SAYING I SAID

You are officially my first "ignore" since I can't seem to read your lies without responding in defense.

How dare you say that I label people who care about others' lives more than property as without compassion? I guess then I am without compassion since I care far more about lives than property, but people who joke about others' misfortunes are somehow compassionate (and before you go barking about how you didn't say that, please take my suggestion, and read the original post, re. the subject of this thread, which has NOTHING to do with comparing human suffering, ONLY that people should not joke about it, whether it's loss of life, loss of property, hardship or anything else.) I've asked you before to quote one of your LIES about what I have said, and you have not.

You, my friend, are lying.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

62. It costs a lot more

to move an entire family, especially if you have kids.

[northzax]

67. more than rebuilding your house

after a hurricane?

[Dob Bole]

52. self-delete

l

[Lefty48197]

7. Yeah, don't be like Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson

They're always claiming that Acts of God are actually vengeance for Liberalism. I do know that most of the posters you refer to are actually making fun of the Fundamentalists.

[greekspeak]

8. I am aware of what the posters are making fun of

But making light of natural disasters as one is heading for landfall, is still tasteless. Whether it comes out of Fallwell's mouth or a DUer's, it is still inappropriate. With so many idiotic things coming out of those Fundevangelical money vacuums, surely we can all find another diversion toward which to direct our collective spite?

[sr_pacifica]

77. Political commentary via parody

Absolutely.

Okay, so literalists are up in arms.

Let's take the heat off Floridians. How about this take on Hurricane Ivan:

It "wobbled" west, avoiding a direct hit to Jamaica, home of reggae and ganja.

DIrectly hit Grand Cayman Island, home of offshore bank accounts, sheltering rich American citizens' millions and billions from taxation.

Appears to be wobbling west to strike only the furthest west of Cuba, avoiding the capital of this socialistic and atheistic (officially) nation.

Put that in your pipe, Falwell and your ilk, and smoke it.

[sr_pacifica]

78. Oh Yes,

and now stirring clear of Key West, the home of gay resorts.

[greatauntoftriplets]

9. I am not a Floridian but I agree with you wholeheartedly.

I do have relatives and friends in Florida.

Events of this morning put the recent situation in Florida in true perspective. It was about 7:20 on a beautifully bright and (then) cool Chicago Sunday morning. Suddenly, the lights blinked and then went off completely as the computer screen in front of me went black.

Cursing and swearing, I took my glass of orange juice (from Florida) and the Sunday newspaper onto the front porch to read. Shortly after 9, the power went back on.

Compare the inconvenience of that to the people in Florida who have been without electricity for more than a week -- and in 90-degree temperatures plus high humidity. My friend in Largo lost her electricity after Frances for 36 hours and had to throw out of refrigerator full of food. Fortunately, her condo was not damaged.

[kayell]

11. As the mother and grandmother of new FL residents, I thank you

And for all the people who think that people who live in FL deserve what they get for living in a storm prone area, I hope you live in an area of the country that has no earthquakes, tornados, flood, or severe winter weather and that you also responsibly avoid driving cars and all other hazardous situations. Major cities are a big no-no due to danger of terrorist attack. Just look at those fools who chose to live in NYC and brought such trouble on themselves. /nasty sarcasm

My daughter moved down to take a job, a very good job in fact. At a time when jobs of any sort are very hard to find.

[northzax]

20. huh, sorry, but the things don't match up

you know that a hurricane will hit florida at least once a decade. It has happened as long as recorded history has taken note of Florida. So I feel for anyone who is killed or injured in the storm, but it is the one natural event we get plenty of warning about. This has been going on for a week already, if your daughter didn't take the hint and get to higher ground, then, well, hmm.

Earthquakes happen instantly, there is no warning. Tornadoes give only minutes of warning, terrorists rarely give any. THe only equivalent is major winter storms. And people who live in areas that are subject to such storms on a regular basis build structures that can, for the most part, survive.

now, I live in DC. we get the odd storm, so I go out, shovel the walk, brush snow off the trees, etc. I also stock up on basic supplies at the beginning of winter just in case. If, like in a hurricane, the news said "next monday, at about 10:00 pm, terrorists will detonate a bomb in Washington" I'd get the fuck out of town. just like I'd evacuate in front of a hurricane (been through one in the tropics, not pleasant) or another similar disaster.

[kayell]

27. You seem to lack reading comprehension

I never said my daughter wasn't evacuating. In fact she is packing her car up and will leave as soon as the school she works for closes.

A lot of people due to poverty, age or what ever aren't able to evacuate other than to the most basic shelter. Some older people can't bear to leave their animals. It sounds like some may not make it out because of gas shortages. And even people who can evacuate may lose everything they own. A Cat5 is not something that most people can build for. I'm reasonably certain that her buildings walls will survive, but roofs, windows are another matter.

My point is that people live in places all over this country that are subject to severe weather. People in California know the area is full of faults and subject to earthquakes, in the midwest and south tornados are a predictable hazard in that they are known to be common. I don't know of any area of this country or world that is hazard free, so why are people slamming those who live in Florida for whatever reason, for living in hurricane country?

Try trading in the blame the victim psychology for some sympathy for people in the face of this storm.

[northzax]

43. I'm not slamming anyone

but facing hurricanes is the price of living in Florida, and people should be prepared for them. Facing earthquakes is the price of living in Central and Southern California. Facing severe winter storms is the price of living in the upper Mid-west and New England. Facing floods is the price of living in the Mississippi Flood Plain. Facing total and complete idiots is the price of living in Texas (sorry, couldn't resist) All I ask is that people be prepared for the inevitable. I have no problem with subsidies for a cat5, it's a once in a century storm, but for the 'lesser' ones, I expect people to take a certain amount of preparation for themselves, and I expect the local authorities to be prepared to help evacuate the aged or infirm. That should be a local responsibility, not a national one.

Now completely unexpected natural phenomena are a different story, no one builds earthquake proof buildings in Georgia, there's no need. no one builds hurricane proof buildings in Maine, no one builds winter-storm proof buildings in Louisiana, or flood protection in Denver, all these are unexpected events that the Federal Government should help with the reconstruction. I resent that my tax dollars will go to help rebuild on flood plains, in hurricane zones and earthquake zones, expecially when that money is used to build structures that will not survive the next, easily predicted natural event.

[Misunderestimator]

53. One more time... SW FL and W FL have not been struck in over 75 YRS!

And NEVER two (now three) in a row. Please READ everything that people write here before you continue making false assumptions about what is to be expected in a certain region.

And now you slam Texans.... unbelievable. You "resent" YOUR tax dollars from aiding people in crisis.

I'm grateful that you are not a legislator.

:eyes:

[Misunderestimator]

35. YOU live in the city with one of the highest MURDER RATES in the country

....and you tell us we are putting OURSELVES at risk? Oh the IRONY! :eyes:

NO... No hurricane has directly hit Southwest or West Florida in 75 years.

[cheezus]

13. god I hate threads where people bemoan how others post

just post a reply, don't start a whole new thread.

[Misunderestimator]

15. god I hate posts where people bemoan how others post threads

just don't post a reply.... just sayin.

And I would guess that the reason this thread was posted is because EVERY OTHER FREAKING THREAD ABOUT HURRICANE CHARLEY, then FRANCES, now IVAN, has one or more posts making a stupid joke about how Florida deserves it. I almost posted a similar thread myself.

[fishnfla]

17. How'd you make out,friend?

and your dragonflies?

[Misunderestimator]

19. Had some roof damage... nothing major, but a rather major leak.

Fortunately, we were able to get it repaired yesterday. Was just some missing shingles, but it apparently exposed the shoddy workmanship of the installation of kitchen vent. They had slapped it on there without putting ANY TAR around the seams, so once water got in, it was rushing through the kitchen ceiling. We're going to let the insulation and sheetrock dry out, hope for the best, and then repaint the ceiling.

How was it for you? (Oh, and by the way, I have not seen a similar swarm of dragonflies since that day. :shrug:)

[fishnfla]

22. 'bout same, minor roof damage at the house

I've become an amatuer roofer now. Lots of tree damage, we live in a wooded area, I have just formed my third brush pile in a month, 75 feet long, 8 feet wide, 6 feet tall. I've still another that much out back. My career as an amatuer lumberjack was felled today, large limb came crashing and split my skull. Need to add "hard hat" to the hurricane supply list...nice blood stain on the garage floor though

One of our offices was destroyed in Ormond Beach, our Deland place without power 'til Wednesday, co-workers scrambling for clock time and payroll was hard to make...

But compared to the suffering and damage I've heard and seen, we are lucky.

Those that were in the direct path of the storms are much worse off, and those of Ivan are gonna be in bigger danger.

I cant understand how people on DU can make light of what has and will happened with these storms. Very disheartening to me.

[Misunderestimator]

25. Well, DANG! Yes, get a hardhat!

That must have hurt like hell!

[fishnfla]

16. I could tell a thousand tales of devastation and grief

But I came into DU without power for a week and found people mocking hurricane victims, "oh yeah, just joking". take it from me folks, it aint funny.

The irony is that before, during, and after, all politics is put aside, and people, other than assholes at DU, come together as community.For every tale of loss, there are those of sacrifice, hard work and service to the victims.

The Kerry campaign could have saved alot of money by shit-canning their ads here for a week, nobody paid any attention...

[baldguy]

26. Impossible

You have a Bush for your governor. You have a Bush as a president. THEY will politicize ANYTHING in their favor that they can.

[MirrorAshes]

28. Thank you! It seriously gets under my skin too.

We've had one of the most stressful months of our lives down here in FL and hearing people in damn near every thread making comments about how its "punishment" or how we "deserved" it really makes me wanna punch somebody in the face. If you havn't been going through it down here, DON'T MAKE LIGHT OF IT. This is serious, serious stuff and many, many GOOD DEMOCRATS have been hurt tremendously by it.

[SW FL Dem]

29. Thank you from another Floridian!!

As much as I dislike the Bushes, I can't blame them for the hurricanes. The whole state is being impacted. It looks like we may have dodged our third bullet, but the past month has been hell. We are mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted.

[ocean girl]

30. You know what's insulting? Your lack of compassion.

My 81-year-old father is a WWII veteran, wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. He has had no electricity at his house in Palm Beach County for over a week and as a result, his emphysema has gotten so bad that he may have to be hospitalized. Does he deserve this because he has chosen to live in Florida since he came home from the war?

We're all just humans on this planet - most of us doing the best we know how. The hardness of some people's heart astonishes me.

Peace to you all.

[drdigi420]

32. Wow, I bet there are people in florida right now that still have

a sense of humor.

It's an excellent coping mechanism and it helps highlight what is really important.

Lighten up already.

[Misunderestimator]

34. Wow... ya think so? Not if they're reading this kind of post.

Lighten up indeed. Damn... the condescension is stifling in here.

[drdigi420]

46. Wow, yeah, I do. It must be all those psychology classes

that taught me about coping mechanisms and 'gallows humor'

[Misunderestimator]

33. And Another POINT ... Since the US (and NOT just FL) elected BUSH pres

(and since the majority of FL voters voted for Gore)... then I think this damn hurricane should just skip right the hell over us and land on every state that went for Bush.... :eyes:

[Momma Mia]

37. It needs to be said again ...

As in my post #31:

northzax ... You wrote:

"You don't like Hurricanes? Move to Arizona ...

You are some kind of human being. What kind I am not sure.

Don't you know that a lot of folks can't afford to move?

Where is your compassion for your fellow human beings, huh? You should be ashamed of yourself!

~ MM"

[Misunderestimator]

38. And I hope that wasn't directed at me, as you should know I was

making a point about how uncompassionate it would be to wish disaster on anyone. (the :eyes: usually means sarcasm, at least for me)

:hi:

[AntiFascist]

36. Let me repeat something...

I posted in a another thread. Increased hurricane activity may be the direct result of global warming which, as many feel, may be increasing at an accelerated rate due to human activity. If Florida screws up the election again and Bush is elected then Florida may continue to suffer the wrath of nature! If Kerry is elected then he has promised to put into place tax credits and other incentives for hybrid cars, as well as other environmental friendly policies, that may help in solving the problem.

[Momma Mia]

39. Oh Glory!

Misunderestimator ...

I was not referring to you. Just in case you thought that I was!

The order in which messages are posted in here can be very confusing at times!

Yow!!!

:pals: ~ MM

[AntiFascist]

41. I'm not wishing devastation on anyone....

I just want to point out that swing states like Florida and North Carolina, since they are often in the path of hurricanes, need to be particularly mindful of the global effects of our oil production and consuming policies.

[Misunderestimator]

42. I thought that might be the case.... and yes, you have to be careful

where you post the response, it can be confusing... I think I've mastered it, and voila... there I go posting to something I didn't mean to anyway. All good!

:pals:

[gpandas]

48. IDIOCRACY- i love the word

it's the most descriptive of reality in the U.S.A.

[AmericanErrorist]

40. For a minute there

I thought that you thought the hurricanes themselves were politicizing, and you wanted them stopped.

[Dob Bole]

54. IVAN is going to kick my ass...

I was supposed to be going to Panama City this weekend. It looks like:

a) I'm not going, and

b) I'm screwed no matter where it goes. My immediate family lives in Southwest Georgia, right on top of the Panhandle. My extended family (grandmothers, etc.) live near Mobile, and a tree landed on one of their houses last time there was a hurricane there.

So I agree with the poster. Some people just don't live in reality, and to them hurricanes are just a means to an end of better poll numbers.

[Misunderestimator]

60. I lived in Texas for 18 years, Pennsylvania for 4, and NY for 17 before...

moving to FL three years ago. Not ONCE did I resent Floridians or any other state's residents for obtaining federal assistance for catastrophes, whether or not those states were prone to such disasters. It's appalling to me that anyone would.

[DebinTx]

61. After TS Allison devastated Houston

please be forwarned that the jokes (coming mainly from the right) about all the slackers taking money and provisions from FEMA are bound to crop up. To this day, we're still picked on because of that.

[catzies]

63. I said the same thing between Frances and Ivan in a Lounge thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=1649228

[Wilber_Stool]

69. Sorry

The devil made me do it.

[RedCloud]

73. Wrath of God not to be questioned!

How dare someone question the democratic tendencies of God!
Clearly HE is unleashing the hurricanes to vent HIS anger upon the pseudo God fearing people packed in conservative leaning states and those who falsely supported the blaspheming "thou shalt kill any and everyone to get elected" Bush.

Why were these hurricanes bottled up by Jehovah and saved for this year? Didn't they start occurring about the same time as the Bush farces were unleashing their campaign of lies and deceit? Watch as Ivan rages upon redneck lovingville USA. Ivan will give new meaning to the term "mobile" homes!

Print these words into the websites of God fearing repugs and watch as their vengeful God scares them into switching parties!

Do not mock the Creator. Recently George "Why didn't I get off my arse to go to NYC until Sept. 14th, 2001?" Bush tried to get his next false election started in NYC. And to remind him Jehovah had the Yankees pummeled beyond recognition with the worst loss in baseball history by a shutout.

And it is but the beginning for ye of little faith.

[sr_pacifica]

79. Spread the word

Amen, brother/sister!

[Bridget Burke]

74. You're absolutely correct.

Disasters can strike anywhere--even in groovy California.

[RedCloud]

76. Have any struck since Reagan passed?

You see, I am trying to use religion to change the White House affiliation!

It's easy to be a religious zealot. Just say God acts in mysterious ways if you get stuck coming up with a zinger!