Something struck me while watching Fox 5 News last night. For as tough as New Yorkers claim to be, we really ought to shut our traps and thank our lucky stars that this recent nor'easter didn't leave us swimming in a pile of wreckage like New Orleans was two years ago. While I agree that this past weekend's spring storm was a tad rough for some of the coastal areas of NJ and NY, I'd like to think the rest of us simply got a mighty refreshing reminder that "April showers brings May flowers". Personally, I am awaiting a spring bloom of tulips like I've never seen before.
Seriously though, almost 7 inches of rain fell between a 24-hr period. That's a lot of rain! There's going to be material damage. People who were in the mainly affected area of Mamaronec lost home goods, bedding, some houses, and even a few businesses. Most were in good spirit. However, there were a number of people interviewed whose responses pissed me off in such a way, I wish I was there to slap them back into reality. Showing such impatience with their states and demanding help in getting their homes/businesses/power back: IMMEDIATELY! As of last night's broadcast at 10pm, there were still a large amount of customers without electricity. Even if they get it up and running in the next week, that'll be a far cry from New Orleans. I read that there was 1 confirmed death in NJ due to the flooding. This is, of course, awful, and my condolences go out to the family of the deceased. But, again, let us be reminded, how many died from Katrina? At least 1,836.
One 29 year-old described losing his vinyl album collection. He took it particularly hard, as quoted on myfoxny.com, "I've been collecting this stuff since I was 14," he said. "It was like killing my best friend." His best friend? Wow. He must've been living a very lonely life up until Sunday. I hope he's had a rebirth.
I have to wonder if the difference in attitude lie within economic class? Mamaronec is in Westchester County. I would consider Westchester a more affluent greater New York area. Perhaps people paying taxes there demand quicker service? More attention? And then you have New Orleans. I don't think I need to go over the difference in economic structure down there; the press has done a good job of that.
And yet, maybe I'm looking at it all wrong. Maybe the uproar from the lack of help and expedience in getting "the shit back together" down south has had more of an impact on us Yankees than I'm giving us credit for. And maybe that's exactly why we're reacting the way we are. We're standing up for ourselves. We're getting in our floaty boats and saying, "Hey! I'm not staying in a warm shelter with a bed and blankets for more than one night! Yeah, I got food, but that's not the point! I want my electricity back in my home tonight! I want my house back stat!"
...Oh and while you're at it? Can you reimburse people for their delayed flights? Apparently, one woman stuck at LaGuardia Airport felt strongly about this idea, but didn't really connect the dots very well. "It's the weather, what can we do?" asked Maureen Harte, whose Florida flight had been delayed for 15 hours. "We should be compensated in some way for this." Does Mother Nature have a checkbook?
