RSS FeedNew Orleans Never Got This E-mail
I’ve copied an email I received from one of my clients today that went out to all their employees. New Orleans could’ve benefited from this type of memo, but I still don’t think it would’ve helped. The people there still wouldn’t care because actual preparing for a disaster might get in the way of collecting their welfare checks which are spent promptly on necessary items like booze and weed. Plus, if anything bad does happen, they can just complain loud enough and receive another handout. But I digress. Here’s the email:
The Disaster Recovery Team would like to remind everyone that Hurricane Season is here.
This year, we are promoting “self sufficiency” as the best tool to survive a crisis. We recommend that each employee develop a plan that includes sustaining their personal needs for the first 72 hours following impact.
Government forecasters expect between six and nine hurricanes to form in the Atlantic this year. Two of the five could be major hurricanes. For those living in hurricane prone areas, it isn’t a matter of “if” we’ll have another event, it’s more a matter of “when.”
Once you ensure the well-being of your family, check on your neighbors. Let’s promote a sense of community and show that we’ll be there for each other!
With
growth across the U.S., we must also remember to consider impact from earthquakes, wildfires, floods and tornadoes. It’s all in the planning, and the time to plan is NOW !
Wow. What a concept. Taking personal responsibility and PLANNING for a disaster. Wouldn’t it be prudent to plan for flooding if you live in an area that is flood prone and is below sea level? And that same area you live was protected only by a man made levy? Maybe, when a hurricane is forecasted for your area, you might also want to consider evacuating.
While Katrina was a devastating hurricane, the “victims” of Katrina were mostly victims due to their lack of common sense or stubbornness to not seek other shelter. Katrina victims became victims because they were naive enough to depend on the government for protection and safety. News flash people, your government can’t protect you from everything. Plus, it’s not their responsibility.
We’re starting to see more CERT teams being established in our local communities. There are message boards dedicated to the discussion of preparedness and survivalism. It’s no longer a topic for just the paranoid or tin foil hat people. People are finally starting to see that survival and preparedness are personal choices and that their well being is not anyone else’s responsibility or duty.
Sure, we should all volunteer and help our fellow man, but unlike the people of New Orleans, we must realize nobody owes us their assistance. America has been dependent for too long on other entities, mainly the federal government, that the people have become like little sheep. It’s time we become self sufficient and self sustaining.
For more information about Disaster Preparedness and Survivalism check out the following links:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/disaster_prevention.shtml
http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/
http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/ready/prepared.shtml
http://www.survivalblog.com/
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June 5th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
You are either very ignorant or very young. I lived through Katrina. I am a doctor. I don’t use government for anything but an address to send beaucoup money to in taxes. The #1 thing I learned from Katrina was that there is no such thing as the USA. It is a joke. New Orleans is rebuilding throught the COURAGE of its citizens and the help of TRUE Americans that realize Americans need help. Stay in your safe bubble. I once lived there too. It is very comfortable there. Too bad it is imaginary.
June 5th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
@Doctorj – I appreciate the fact that you lived through Katrina. Like I said above, it was indeed a grave tragedy and a horrible thing for many residents of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida. I also am glad to hear of the rebuilding efforts that are going on down there in New Orleans.
I’m sure you won’t believe it, but I am one of those “true” American’s that helped by supporting many of the Katrina relief efforts financially. Due to my work schedule, I was unable to actually go and participate, but felt my money could still be used.
I don’t understand a couple of your statements and hope you will clarify them. What did you mean by “there is no such thing as the USA?” Before assuming what you meant, I’ll wait for an answer.
Also, what did you mean by telling me to stay in my “safe bubble?” I apologize if I gave the impression that I believe we as American’s are living in safe times. We are not. We are confronted with wars, violence, natural disasters, a failing economy, and a number of other problems. My point was simply that it’s good to see corporations and government entities push the “preparedness” mentality and offer instruction on how to be self sufficient. I know disaster of some nature will come my way, but I’m doing my best to be prepared for anything. Kind of like the Boy Scouts.
While I probably don’t make as much money as you, I too send quite a bit of money to the government in the form of taxes. It’s a shame the government doesn’t know how to handle it and is overrun with corruption. Did you know that over $1 billion of Katrina relief money was stolen from FEMA through fraud and poor management? FEMA lost $1B to fraud, errors Since you send so much money to the government and don’t see the results you want, you should also be a fan of a much smaller, limited government. You would have more money to offer to real charities and causes of your choice.
I have no doubt there are great people in New Orleans and that they are a people of courage and tenacity. But ask yourself this, where were all the riots, gun fire, looting, etc during Katrina? It wasn’t Mississippi or Alabama. I think it’s those same people that caused those problems in NOLA who failed to evacuate when given the chance and therefore gave up their right to any government assistance in my opinion.
I am not some cold, heartless man. I just think there was plenty of warning for people to evacuate and the problems in NOLA could’ve been drastically reduced.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:04 am
An interesting exchange with the doctor.
I remember Brian Williams making a revealing admission on the NBC Nightly News shortly after Katrina. One of his associates had asked him something, and he said they would deal with it when the got back to “the States.” Williams acknowledged he caught himself short and remembered they were in the United States, not somewhere overseas, where such sights aren’t unexpected.
Survival means being ready to think the unthinkable and adapt. This isn’t the America many of us grew up believing it was. Perhaps the doctor is right in saying there is no more USA. Are we ready for such a thing?
John