Stories like this one in
today’s New York Times give me some hope that a bit of sanity
still exists among the country’s bureaucrats:
Convinced that tough tactics are needed, officials in
hurricane-prone states are trumpeting dire warnings about the storm season
that starts on Thursday, preaching self-reliance and prodding the public to
prepare early and well.[...]To persuade residents to heed evacuation orders, the Florida Division of
Emergency Management is broadcasting public service announcements with
recordings of 911 calls placed during Hurricane Ivan in 2004.“The roof has completely caved in on us,” a woman cries as chilling music
swells, only to be told that rescuers cannot come out during the
storm.[...]This save-yourselves approach comes after government agencies were
overwhelmed by pleas for help after last year’s storms and strongly
criticized as not responding swiftly or thoroughly enough to the public
need. Now, officials have said repeatedly, only the elderly, the poor, and
the disabled should count on the government to help them escape a hurricane
or endure its immediate aftermath.
Let’s hear it for personal responsibility! Or maybe not….