Postmortem...

From the earliest stories of natural disasters, there have been naysayers. There are always people who criticize the tough calls made by those in charge. And after the storm/earthquake/fire/flood is over, there are always people who declare the tough calls were unnecessary/too sweeping/just plain wrong.

Personally, I believe we coddle people too much. Instead of begging people to leave, I think the powers-that-be should state the facts, make transportation available, and when the cut-off time is reached, close down and find someplace safe until after the storm is over.

As one official said, "If you're going to stay in your home, make sure you have some identification so we know who to notify when we locate your body."

In most natural disasters, under the best of circumstances people die. Trees fall on them. A flash flood washes away the building they're sheltering in. A tornado destroys their home. It is sad enough that people die when they're making an effort.

What angers me are the naysayers...the people who refuse to use common sense and then expect someone to show up to rescue them. Rescuers die. They risk their lives--and possibly the future lives of their families--to save people who wouldn't be in danger if they followed the advice of their governing officials.

Every time you read about a forecast disaster, you also read about stubborn goats who refuse to leave their homes. Hello! Things are replaceable. Once a human is dead--they don't pop back up as though on a video game. They're gone.

In the most recent event--Hurricane Irene--there are already people commenting about how they believe the officials over-reacted. Tell that to the families who lost their homes. Tell that to the families who lost loved ones. Tell that to the families sitting in homes without power, water, or cut off from the areas around them. Tell it to the flood victims in New York, Vermont, and New Jersey.

There will always be ignorant people who won't believe until they're in danger. There will always be idiots who place themselves at risk because of their own behavior. I say let 'em reap the consequences of their own actions. We have enough risks just saving those who are willing to cooperate.

anny