global warming is often to blame for this crap, but look at the 'recent' record of storms like this, they go in cycles, last one ended in the 60s, this one began in the late 90s. Coincidentally? this huge global warming bad weather el dingo (nino) crap sprang to the surface. So I'm not trying to cause a fight here, just asking you to consider your sources, and global patterns before assigining 'blame'.
Indeed, you are perfectly correct, and I tried to choose my words carefully (clearly not carefully enough). In terms of El Nino, it acctually tends to suppress hurricane activity, though during el nno years those that aren't suppressed can get very big. I have no idea whether we are in such a period, but there ya go. Congress, on scientific advice, have passed a bill that was thrown out in disgust 10 years ago to reduce, and reverse greenhouse gas emmisions. Pres. Bush has been making concessions from his original stance, now admitting that global warming is at least an issue that needs to be dealt with, though last I heared he believes that to be a matter for the future. Scientists in the meantime are very careful not to blame any particular event on global warming, but there is consensus (still growing) that global warming is
most likely to blame for the current changing patterns and increasing severity of weather around the world (not just localised to the US).
Also, gas prices (excuse me 'petrol') prices in europe, I don't know why you guys pay more than we do in the US, thats not something to ask the United States about, thats something to ask your country and the other oil producing countries about. I don't think you can blame any of your prices on us.
Again, absolutely correct. Our prices are so high because of the amount of tax we have to pay on it. That's nothing to ask the US about. It's gauling only for a uk persons point of view. Not that US prices are so cheap, but that US peeps moan about rising prices when they pay rediculously little for it compared to us (and much of the rest of europe) and in fact we acctually sell the stuff to the US and still get charged the earth for it. That's not the US's problem, it's ours, but none the less, it certainly shows that the price of gas in the us is not exactly the end of the world. It coud be worse. A LOT worse.
back to your original question, on the knowing about its potential for disaster and nothing being done about it, well I can't rationalize it, but it happens all the time. thats part of the reason I'm so irritated about the whole thing, and the looters on top of it. Despite world opinion the US tries/wants to make a good image, then a 'disaster' that gets world attention happens and we have some asshats doing crap like that really really pisses me off.
I quite agree. I do sometimes think that certain leaders (I name no names) are a little misguided on what exactle making a good image involves, but I happily accept that that's what the US wants. It's what every country wants - UK, France, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Russia, Iran, Israel, Palestine... The only real exception being north Korea who take the "think what you like. We're building a nuke" approach to international diplomacy.
The thing with knowing the potential for disaster and doing nothing - it happens far too often At the end of the day, it all boils down to money, as sad as that is. There might be a potential for disaster, but as long as it hasn't happened yet it doesn't exist, so you can call the 'doomsday' people crackpots and get away without spending a penny. When will we learn and acctually place more respect in human life than in the almighty dollar (or pound, or euro?). As for the looting thing, I completely and totally agree.
In terms of the opil thing, please understand that I wasn't trying to have a pop at americans on the whole. The people I was talking about, I said they were a few, in truthe they could be many, or could be just one as far as I know. All I know is that they've been gicven a voice they shouldn't have - there are more important things to worry about really. I meantioned petrol prices and global warming and stuff purely for perspective. I still feel that these people need to get a grip and realise that even if gas does start costing a few cents more, and more again after that, they still have it pretty good. Also, given that they have it pretty good, at a time like this, there are far more important things they could be vocal about that their own pockets and self interests.
Anyways, in summary - nothing against Americans in general, but one hell of a lot against the attitudes of a particular group (however small or large) that are getting far more airtime than they deserve, given the circumstances (ie, death, destruction, suffering, homelessness for perhaps hundereds of thousands)
Hundreds of people are feared dead and the area is obviously in ruins. Some reports have stated that some towns may be without power for months. There is also quite a bit of looting that is occuring in New Orleans.
