That big east coast storm is surely wrecking havoc there. It
actually was a minimal hurricane due to the fact that tropical systems
lose strength as they hot colder air and water. The upper Atlantic is
much colder than the tropical conditions in Louisiana and the Gulf of
Mexico. I think Louisiana receives storms that size almost yearly. They
do much less damage because the Gulf Coast infrastructure and the people
there are built to withstand those storms and are used to storms.
The East Coast infrastructure is not built for such storms. Levees are lower, the electrical grids are not prepared for water or wind, buildings are not built to a "hurricane code" standard of strength, etc. No wonder that storm has devastated the east coast. I feel for the people there. But if the same one would have hit Louisiana, the damage would have been much much smaller. I think the recovery will be much slower there too. That area has had little experience in hurricane recovery and will need support (as in electrical crews and equipment from other states) from areas that are experienced in it, particularly in fixing the electrical grids. I think those areas will face recovery tasks they have never had to before.
To be cynical, I am waiting for the Obama and Romney campaigns to politicize the recovery. No doubt they will make the grand tours of the devastation and make piteous speeches about the victims, but they also will probably cast aspersions against each other and "dance on the graves" of the victims in the process. I suspect it won't matter. Obama has a clear lead in the electoral college and should be re elected.
I find that a sad commentary on our voters, who are choosing demagoguery, incompetence and entitlements over the welfare of the nation. Another four years of Obama may be as destructive as was Hurricane Sandy.
The East Coast infrastructure is not built for such storms. Levees are lower, the electrical grids are not prepared for water or wind, buildings are not built to a "hurricane code" standard of strength, etc. No wonder that storm has devastated the east coast. I feel for the people there. But if the same one would have hit Louisiana, the damage would have been much much smaller. I think the recovery will be much slower there too. That area has had little experience in hurricane recovery and will need support (as in electrical crews and equipment from other states) from areas that are experienced in it, particularly in fixing the electrical grids. I think those areas will face recovery tasks they have never had to before.
To be cynical, I am waiting for the Obama and Romney campaigns to politicize the recovery. No doubt they will make the grand tours of the devastation and make piteous speeches about the victims, but they also will probably cast aspersions against each other and "dance on the graves" of the victims in the process. I suspect it won't matter. Obama has a clear lead in the electoral college and should be re elected.
I find that a sad commentary on our voters, who are choosing demagoguery, incompetence and entitlements over the welfare of the nation. Another four years of Obama may be as destructive as was Hurricane Sandy.
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