Does this bother anyone?

[Dennis K.]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080916/...OGU7xScKJ34T0D

GALVESTON, Texas - The few hundred holdouts on Texas' ravaged Bolivar Peninsula will be required to leave in the next few days, and officials said Tuesday they are ready to use emergency powers to empty the barrier island scraped clean by Hurricane Ike.

Judge Jim Yarbrough, the top elected official in Galveston County, said the roughly 250 people who defied warnings they would be killed if they rode out the storm in the rural coastal community are a "hardy bunch" and there are some "old timers who aren't going to want to leave."

The Texas attorney general's office is looking into the legal options available to force the remaining residents leave, Yarbrough said. Local authorities are prepared to do whatever it takes to get residents to a safer place.

Apparently, those who are gonna tough it out on the Bolivar peninsula are to be removed - whether they ask for it or not.
I'm of the opinion that if you choose to stay and are aware of the risks, then the government has no business with you so long as you abide by the law. I could see the gov't saying "fine. you're on your own." But this move seems to indicate that the local gov't views itself as smarter than the people that elected them.
I'm fully aware that some of the people trying to stay might just be stupid. But suppose some of them were like some of our forum personalities here - they planned and prepared, and when the Ike hit the fan, they were ready.
In a disaster, I am able to tough it out for 3 days. Then, if I need more help, I'll seek FEMA or local aid or family or bug out or whatever. But this article indicates that the local gov is going a bit beyond their mandate.

[crashdive123]

If it's not safe to stay, the local authorities have a responsibility to let the residents know. If people decide to stay on their private property, it should be their choice. It should also be clear to those that stay....we're not coming in to help you. We've got other priorities right now. If you stay you're on your own.

[snakeman]

I agree with crash. I shouldn't have to pay for someone elses decision. That is where our tax money is going.

[Gray Wolf]

First, people did die. Second, even after the hurricane pasted Galveston, there were many stuck on their roofs, which put the SAR units, and the rest of the First Responders lives in jeopardy when they HAD TO rescue them because they wouldn't listen to the harshest warning ever given. Lastly, WE and I do mean WE (the US taxpayers) had to pay for it with Federal funds.

[Riverrat]

As long as they are aware that they are on their own, then they should be able to stay, but they have to be aware that no help is coming in the near future. They are on their own, for what could be an extended period of time.

[trax]

Yep, what you guys said.

[crashdive123]

Here's a thought. If you decide to stay in an area that has a mandatory evacuation (I think you should have the right to stay if you want) and subsequently need rescue......you get charged for it.

[trax]

Good thought, I also think that if you decided to stay, you might want to give some consideration to where on the evacuation list you are prioritized and the possibility that rescuers might not be able to even get to you, but it is still your choice.

[Gray Wolf]

Almost like a part of motorcycle insurance; if you want to ride without a helmet, you need to buy medical insurance as part of your policy. That pays for the EMS to scrape your head and brains off the ground and clean it up, their time, gas, etc. But if you wear a helmet when you ride (in Florida) you don't need insurance. (I pay for insurance I hate helmets.)



Thinking about it, it's not nearly the same, I'm not putting a First Responders life in jeopardy.

[LostOutrider]

It would be nice if there really was an opt-out for folks who wanted to stay - but the reality of it is that most folks are all gung-ho and burly until it really does hit the fan. Once they get sick from drinking the sewer-infected corpse-flavored water, insured or not, emergency rooms will have to admit and treat them. Tax-funded resources will have to be spent to rescue them (as said several times above). They'll scream and cry for the 101st to helicopter in as soon as a better-armed looter comes around, then sue FEMA, the local police, and the Mayor once it is all over. Or, when they finally do die from exposure/starvation/dehydration/disease/looters . . . the county has to send someone in to clean their stubborn, bloated mess up.

I don't like mandatory, police-state mothering . . . but I hate the whiny, sue-happy entitlement-junkies that make such a thing possible (and maybe even necessary).



Edited to add that I moved onto nice, solid foothills that aren't situated on a major fault line, anywhere near hurricane territory, flood zones, high instance of tornadic behavior, avalanches, or tidal waves. I haven't been made to evacuate.

[trax]

I don't like mandatory, police-state mothering . . . but I hate the whiny, sue-happy entitlement-junkies that make such a thing possible (and maybe even necessary).

well stated, sir.

[crashdive123]

Yep - what Trax said.

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

This should bother you . Instead of developing a plan with methods that work,they oust you and your elderly and your kids,and herd them like cows into inadequit "Shelters" The 30,000 katrina victims suffered for days because nobody had a plan.

[crashdive123]

erunkiswldrnssurvival - So are you saying that if an individual does not plan and prepare to take care of themselves that is then the responsibility of the government to do so?

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

erunkiswldrnssurvival - So are you saying that if an individual does not plan and prepare to take care of themselves that is then the responsibility of the government to do so?

NO, people should prepare for their needs and refuse to give the responsibility to the government.

[crashdive123]

Thank you for clarifying.

[LostOutrider]

That is all fine and good, especially if these die-hard hangers-on were planning to foot the bill for clean-up, recovery, relaying the utilities, repaving the roads, cleaning out the sewers, cutting up and hauling out the boats, trees, houses, bodies, and various debris. It isn't like a bunch of bootstrap-pullers are going to roll up their sleeves, crawl out from under the rubble, and wave the government away. "No thanks, chaps, we've got it from here."

Personally, if you are going to bring me in to do a job - then stand back and let me do it my way. I can't imagine that Uncle Sam is going to be any different. I recognize that there are some very capable people still clinging to what is left of their home - but the job ahead is bigger than their 1/10 acre lot and the sodden remains of their home. (Which was likely under mortgage, insured, and already being processed while free food, shelter, and counseling await in every church or Red Cross shelter in nearly every town within two days drive of where they were.)

I realize that sounds a little unsympathetic - and I'm really not. My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes and their city. Where I lose all sympathy is with people who are potentially causing more needless risk and expense by intentionally getting in the way.

[RangerXanatos]

I believe that those able should be allowed to stay and ride through storms if their actions will not hinder or harm those who are, but not limited to: the weak and elderly, mentally and physically handicapped, and children. Those that do decide to stay should realize that there would be no help coming as you all have mentioned, and that reimbursement will be made to S&R and the lot, etc...

My main concern would be that their actions do not harm others' well being mentioned in the first sentence.

Daniel

[Gray Wolf]

In those situations, their actions (staying when told to leave) will always put First Responders in harms way. And reality is, when people are hanging on to their roofs for dear life, and the news choppers show it, people will demand someone go and save them. Who's going to say, "no they were told to leave"....

[sh4d0wm4573ri7]

I say let them stay if they wish but for them to come after is all said and done and ask for handouts is ridiculous I believe in freedom of choice :example joe blow passes me on the interstate in a white out cuz I'm doin 40 thats fine , but when I come upon him trying to flag me down after he put his 4 wheel drive 100 feet out in the shoulder he get's the bird and thats all folks.