Living Outside the Stacks

I’m sitting here watching the news coverage of Hurricane Irene and the one thing that strikes me is the stupidity of people.  Governors in 10 states have already declared states of emergency and/or ordered mandatory evacuations, yet, there are people who are adamant about remaining in their homes.  What?  One guy actually said he wanted to “experience a hurricane”.  ”Experience a hurricane”?

Why in the world would people want to stick around to “experience a hurricane”?  Have these people not watched the news and seen the death and the destruction that can result from these storms?  Do they not remember Hurricanes Andrew or Katrina?

Let me tell you, those people had better be happy that I’m not a governor.  I’d bill anyone who chose to stay and then required rescuing.  And if someone died trying to rescue them ~ murder charges.  Yes!  Why should people have to endanger themselves to rescue people who choose to stay in the way of danger?  Yes, there’s the chance that this may be a case of “the sky is falling” but what if it’s not?  What if this is another Katrina?  Why risk it for an “experience”?  Get the heck out of dodge, put a bumper sticker on your car and call it a day.

What do you think?  Should there be penalties for people who willingly put themselves and others in harm’s way?

I have the research skills of a librarian, the preservation skills of an archivist, the organizational skills of a mother and the domestic skills of a Stepford wife. I have the research skills of a librarian, the preservation skills of an archivist, the organizational skills of a mother and the domestic skills of a Stepford wife. Read more from this author