We made it through Gustav with nary a scratch, thank goodness. We were without power for two days, but that is a minor inconvenience compared with some of the things that happened in this area - lots of people have trees slicing through their roofs, and a few parishes still have no water or power. Hopefully, help will be forthcoming a little more quickly this time.
In the meantime, I've been perusing the internets buzz lately about the GOP Veep nominee, Sarah Palin. Turns out she's as bad as I figured James Dobson's choice would be, with the added insult that the Republican party thought it would be clever to nominate a woman because Hillary's supporters just wanted a female, right? The politics don't matter much. Yeah, ok. Idiots. Gloria Steinem says it very well in a LA Times opinion piece here.
Anyway, you know I love Jon Stewart, so to rev up your outrage while laughing your ass off check out his little segment on Republican hypocrisy.
*Cross-Posted at The Wild Wild Left*
So far so good here in Lafayette, LA. We are watching the eye of the storm on television move over Morgan City, up the Hwy. 90 corridor on its way here. Still safe, still have electricity. Winds are gusting to around 40mph now, so things are deteriorating outside, and I expect them to continue to do so as the eye gets closer. The various news outlets are reporting that the Industrial Canal in New Orleans (that was breached in Katrina and devestated the Ninth Ward) has overtopped its levees and is causing some flooding. No word on the severity.
I will try to keep posting as long as possible, but for now we are fine. Keep us in your thoughts.
Obviously worried tonight, as Gustav appears to be making a beeline for Louisiana. Everyone is gearing up here, buying supplies, gassing up vehicles, and making evacuation plans (rooms are booked to Dallas and Memphis I hear). Sad, but we know the routine.
Despite Jindal's attempt at a comforting press conference this afternoon I'm not entirely convinced that things are under control at the state and federal level. We'll see of course. Unfortunately, for people who have no other means for escape, "we'll see" takes on a whole new meaning. From what I hear evacuations will start on Saturday. Supposed to be 700 buses and umpteen trains waiting to get everyone out.
As for myself, I plan to ride out the storm. We are on high ground this time (unlike my situation during Katrina), and there are no trees in the immediate vicinity to land on my house. The worst part is always the uncertainty, and of course...the waiting.
