My...before the storm hit [View all]

[nadinbrzezinski]

Several of us told New Yorkers right here on DU why they had to carry at least the minimum of preparations. We were told that no, NYC was exceptional. It will truly be before Sandy and after Sandy for NYC residents.

Authorities were begging people to get ready, to take the storm seriously and to evacuate if told to do so. So yes, some of it is the individual's responsibility, especially when evacuation meant free taxi rides, mass transit, or walking up a few blocks to a shelter. Populations were not abandoned in this case.

Media was reading NWS product, and if you really wanted "hype" go read NWS product. Not even Jim Cantore reached those levels of "hype." Really, the media was parroting NWS product, some of which was posted in GD, and some of us had our breath taken away as to how blunt they were.

Now in the critical phase some of us, who tried to tell people this is how you get 72 hours worth of food, are being observers and telling you the harsh facts. None is telling you that people should not be helped. On the contrary, but some of us have the professional experience to understand that it will take time. (Hint, there are areas in NJ and Maryland that have yet to see an assessment team, let alone a full response, oh as of this morning this includes the Rockaways). We might sound harsh to you, even brash...but blaming victims, no...

My advise to you, as far as preparedness is concerned, this is not about Staten Island, disaster already passed...it is about you. The time for excuses not to be ready is pretty much over. Sandy should be your personal wake up call. Oh and you will call me a right wing nut? I am in good company, FEMA. The American Red Cross and your local preparedness experts have been begging you to be ready to be on your own for 72 hours. And this has been for years.

That is the truth...and if that makes me the enemy, well I guess FEMA is the enemy as well...Ce la vie.

As to the people in the zone...I am almost willing to bet that while most of you are giving money right now, the ARC and other charities are counting on the first week after incident for 95% of the money they will get...not lack of compassion, reality, in two weeks the stories will mostly be gone from your papers.... reconstruction, and recovery...free hint, people are still rebuilding from Katrina, you want to do some real good...find some money to give to longer term charities and NGOs...(Hint, habitat for Humanity)

But you are right...we are all heartless... And those of us are not just heartless, but experienced as well...so what would we know about any of this?

By the way, the people in the zone do not need your compassion. Nope, that and a buck and a quarter will buy you a cup of coffee. What they need is food, shelter, warm clothes, blankets, psychological help, and a few other urgent needs. So if you have not done more than call us heartless monsters, go find a charity and give some cash. You are near the area, find a group doing relief, make sure they are not a fraudulent organization, and roll up sleeves and help. But compassion is not precisely what they need.

Yup, already gave the cash we could afford and will make a point to give in two months, when most of you will have, predictably, after all the lectures and faux outrage, moved on

(Posted in Meta as answer to two threads that seemed to be fine there...but that is ok...it's DU)