You Cannot Criticize The Govt's Response to Katrina And Then Complain About the Over-Hyping of Irene

[Yavin4]

Anyone who complained about the government's handling of Katrina and then complains about the hyping of Irene is being totally inconsistent.

What we saw during Irene is the government taking control of the situation, something that we complained about during Katrina.

There's no way for our government to know exact the magnitude of a hurricane. So, if you want the government to respond, then that's what we got.

[LynneSin]

1. It was better that we play this safe then to end up with another Katrina

With 55 million people in the path of this hurricane, it was important that we were prepared.

[Leopolds Ghost]

32. Except the Bloomberg Administration in NY did EXACTLY what they did in Katrina. EXACTLY.

Close down the Public Transit system 2 days early and THEN tell 300,000 people to evacuate "or die".

[OneGrassRoot]

2. Exactly. n/t

[Fumesucker]

3. Media and government are two different things..

The government response was measured and appropriate.

The M$M response was hype and FEAR!!!

No one is complaining of the government response.

[Eddie Haskell]

14. I agree.

Aparently, we are much better at forecasting the track than the strength. Despite the hype, they erred on the right side. Imagine the uproar had Irene hit as a Cat 4. In the future, I'll just go to the NHC site for my forecast and skip the wading weathermen.

[frazzled]

15. Yes, you can turn off the media

I only watched bits--checking in every four or five hours for updates. It didn't seem that hyped to me. When I watched they were giving all the proper provisos about the storm diminishing in capacity, yet warned of the potential for slow moving storm over already saturated land to create bad flooding.

As it turns out, what happened pretty well comported with what (little) I saw of the coverage.

If you think it was hyped, you were watching too much. Turn it off.

[Fumesucker]

16. Can't turn off what I don't have..

The point I was making is that the complaints are about the media, the OP is trying to make it seem that people are complaining about the government response.

Have you seen anyone specifically complain that the government was overhyping the hurricane?

[frazzled]

17. Then how do you know it was hype and fear in the media?

No complaints about the government response from me or anyone. But most people are not complaining about the media either, except those who apparently glue themselves to the TV and then like to complain. Or those who don't watch it and complain. As I said, the media seemed pretty responsible, if reliably stupid (guys and gals out in the wind getting pelted).

[Fumesucker]

20. I do go places other than my home, the video seems to be practically everywhere these days..

Should I insist the TV be turned off when I go to a restaurant or the home of a friend or family member?

[Waiting For Everyman]

23. Nailed it.

K&R to OP btw.

[Yavin4]

18. An Example of Criticism of the Government's Hyping of Irene

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-peyronnin/goodnight-irene_b_939803.html


Do you want more?

[Fumesucker]

21. I never go to Huffington post..

I find it shallow and lacking in substance and I don't wish to contribute in any way to any success they might have.

That you have to go there to find an example of stupidity doesn't surprise me in the least.

Now find an example of someone complaining of government hype here on DU.

[LanternWaste]

28. I imagine that were the link provided

I imagine that were the link provided, you'd re-qualify your original statement... again.

[Fumesucker]

30. Then provide it and find out..

The OP was complaining about what was being said on DU and saying basically to STFU if you disagreed with him/her, as ususal.

[ZombieHorde]

4. Some good points. Recommended. nt

[dmallind]

5. Perfectly true - and perfectly against human nature sadly.

Very few people seem to be ok with "what ifs", or envisioning what might have happened had X NOT happened (not relevant to hurricanes of course - we can do bugger all to affect them - but thinking here of examples like stimulus spending, TARP bsilouts etc).

[Harmony Blue]

6. Thank you

This is the difference between a Democratic President and a Republican President. Imagine if Ron Paul was President and he gutted FEMA?

[Gin]

13. I think the earthquake that affected all the same areas had some

on edge already....then...the storm...ergo the hype..

at least that is what I experienced...

I think FEMA and all local governments worked as they should...together for the common good...

FEMA under shrub was a cash cow for friends and family.
Now it does what it should.

[itsallhappening]

7. Sure you can.

Katrina and Irene were storms with different intensities, durations and impact threats.

They hit different parts of the country where the threat(s) from storms differ due to elevation and population density.

There are lots of reasons why it isn't necessary to treat every storm as if it will be a Katrina.

That said, I still like the old maxim: "It's better to the over-prepared and under-challenged because the opposite is no fun." And I'd apply that to local and state governments, second only to individuals educating themselves and preparing as best they can.

EDIT: typo

[FLPanhandle]

8. I haven't seen any complaints about the government handling of Irene.

The government has done a great job during this storm.

The media is different than the government.

[TBF]

11. You can turn the media off. I haven't watched network news in years. nt

[Broderick]

9. There were lines of military convoys heading into the Hampton Roads area

this morning. Probably unnecessary here. About a third the number of people are without power compared to Isabel in 2003. Many already back on line.

[seabeyond]

10. the potential was there. what media did is another story. nt

[cali]

12. Nonsense. I commend the government for its response and preparation

and condemn the MSM for its breathless bullshit, long passed the time when it should have been hyperventilating.

[polmaven]

19. And now, this morning,

Chris Jansing is asking if the president has missed his chance to be "sympathizer in chief"! Oh give me a break. Her guest...I forget her name...said yes, this is his chance to be "hand-holder in chief".

Good grief!!!

[Frances]

22. I heard a person say that the media was overhyping

the threat of Katrina shortly BEFORE the devastation.

Since I grew up on Gulf Coast, I said I thought it was important to be over prepared rather than under prepared.

Turns out I was right.

[BlueMTexpat]

24. IMO, the reaction of our federal govenrment and the state and local governments

here in MD were spot on and made me proud to be an American.

It was an example of what government should be and do and I am very happy that all reacted as they did. Those who want to criticize our political leaders for this are the same people who want to eviscerate our public sector - never forget that!

In no way did I feel anything but ashamed about Katrina, with a feckless and "malignantly narcissistic" (wonderful expression borrowed from Bill Moyers) President, a patently incompetent FEMA director, little to no coordination or cooperation among public agencies because of incompetence or deliberate malfeasance, enrichment of private sector profiteers, the disembowelment of one of the great and historic American cities as well as the personal tragedies that continue to be consequences of that Epic Failure.

[kestrel91316]

25. I bet if we had a way to cross check the DUers who bitched about inadequate Katrina response

(and I am among them) and now are bitching about the "overhyping" Irene, we might learn some interesting things.

[Bake]

26. It was the media that overhyped Irene

The govt. left us alone after Katrina. I was there. So yes, I can complain. If you weren't there for Katrina, shut the $$$$ up,

Bake

[bigwillq]

27. I think the Government did a great job

Federal, state and local (I live in CT). :thumbsup:

Yes, the media overhyped it a bit, but I think the media was very helpful and informative in getting information out there.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

29. 100% correct. nt

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

31. The media and the government are two seperate entities with two different agendas (N/M)