Lessons from Katrina or differences in socio-economic status?

Here's an interesting set of articles from cnn.com. They talk about the volunteerism happening in the SoCal fires, the amount of supplies available, and the general lack of anger/chaos caused by the evacuations, etc.

So how do we interpret this information? At one level we might think that FEMA learned valuable lessons from the Katrina/Rita disaster in New Orleans. The crisis, while definitely intense, is probably less intense than Katrina. Many critical services (water, electricity, etc.) are still functional in SoCal. Although I'm seeing estimates of over 1 million evacuees, the number is still smaller than New Orleans. That said, it also appears that people were more amenable to the evacuation orders in SoCal and perhaps better prepared since major fires swept the area only a few years ago.

More cynically we might think that FEMA (and the U.S. and State Governments in general) responded more quickly to a crisis in a state with a popular republican governor. Even more cynically might think they responded more quickly to caucasions in distress in a state with a popular republican governor.

I suspect the truth is probably somewhere in the middle. FEMA likely did take lessons learned from Katrina and apply them to SoCal. The Bush administration probably did respond more quickly to SoCal than Katrina (but I'll withhold judgement as to why/how). I do believe the situation in SoCal is less intense than the situation was in New Orleans, however, I also believe there is a good argument to be made that the people evacuated have taken better control of the situation they are in. I'll let you decide why.

Amazing Images

Check out NASAs Earth Observatory for some amazing photographs. I went there to look at some satellite images of the fires but was drawn in by all the photographs. It's worth a few minutes to look around. While you are there, check out this primer on Global Warming.

So, you don't believe my comments about city slickers?

Here's a snippet of text from the "safety alert" system where I work:

"Avoid taking money out of your
wallet in the street, train, or bus.

Use discretion when walking or
talking with strangers.

Do not use headphones while
walking; they make you vulnerable to criminal intent."

OK, I admit it's all solid advice but, is this anyway to live? Why should adults live in fear of talking to each other?

You might be a city-slicker

I've been thinking about life in the city for a while now. I grew up rural, moving to Chicago after college to "start my career." That was 16 years ago now. So, with apologies to Jeff Foxworthy here's my take on city life.

If you purchased a SUV with low-profile tires and spinning hub caps...you might be a city slicker.

If you purchased a SUV in a light color because it doesn't show dirt...you might be a city slicker.

If you drive across more than 2 lanes of of on-coming traffic to make a right-hand turn...you might be a city slicker.

If you believe honking your horn will clear a traffic jam...you might be a city slicker.

If you can stand at the intersection of two roads that have four different names and understand why...you might be a city slicker.

If somebody asks you how far away something is and you respond in minutes...you might be a city slicker.

If you believe a 3" pen knife poses a threat to society...you might be a city slicker.

If you eat meat but have never killed or cleaned your supper...you might be a city slicker.

If I have to explain to you that supper is the evening meal...you might be a city slicker.

If I have to explain what it means to "clean" your supper...you might be a city slicker.

If you've ever been told "if somebody walking toward you makes you uncomfortable, cross to the other side of the street"...you might be a city slicker.

If you believe gun-control laws will actually control unlawful users of guns...you might be a city slicker.

If you believe that plating and ambience can turn a $5 steak into a $50 meal...you might be a city slicker.

If you believe stopping behind a car that's stopped at a four-way gives you the right to go through the intersection...you might be a city slicker.

UCC Commercials

The "ejector" commercial was rejected by the networks again, but, here's a page with all the recent UCC commercials.

http://www.ucc.org/god-is-still-speaking/televison-ads.html