tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post7755677478274594131..comments2023-10-03T07:01:41.144-05:00Comments on Always On Watch: Semper Vigilans: Hunkering Down HereAlways On Watchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-55098240345993882112011-08-30T12:41:18.245-05:002011-08-30T12:41:18.245-05:00AOW, I agree with your comment and sentiment, just...AOW, I agree with your comment and sentiment, just pointing out that governments, administrations and authorities will always work with rules and regulations and when not done so, it simply (to use an American saying) bites them in the arse.<br /><br />It is certainly one of those issues that is very hard to solve and very interesting to discuss.D Charles QChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17805304737361014277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-54502298216809150832011-08-30T05:18:45.276-05:002011-08-30T05:18:45.276-05:00D Charles,
In my view, the danger is that people a...D Charles,<br />In my view, the danger is that people are looking to the government to make decisions for them instead of people taking their own personal responsibility.<br /><br />Now, the matter of the cost of rescue is a valid concern. But the idea that the government can order this or that so as to prevent future expenditure is a dangerous idea because it could be applied in so many different ways -- ways unrelated to natural disasters.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-66382609552834167372011-08-29T20:41:46.610-05:002011-08-29T20:41:46.610-05:00Mark, interesting points there. I am not arguing ...Mark, interesting points there. I am not arguing with you but would like to tell an example of why governments will be in support for manditory evacuations though.<br /><br />I read a legal case about a type 2 storme hitting the Canary Islands a few years ago. It was passing close to one of the southern Islands and the Spanish and Island authorities ordered manditory evacuations. Some decided to stay and argued it was their right and their problem if something happens. It did and it cost almost a million Euros to organise a rescue team, helicopters and medi-vac the 12 hard-liners who chose to stay, whom also complained the help came slowly etc. I guess the point of the manditory is that it not only puts people out of the way but also would stop the expensive rescue operations that the authorities are obliged to do and whom would be condemned for not doing.<br /><br />Personally I agree with Mark but at the same time being a person who works in the court and legal system - the administration and legal world cannot accept that unless you force them to sign legal indemnities.<br /><br />CheersD Charles QChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17805304737361014277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-18305982303980502442011-08-29T14:57:38.270-05:002011-08-29T14:57:38.270-05:00Nanny state is correct. I believe a couple of (Lib...Nanny state is correct. I believe a couple of (Liberal) states actually instituted mandatory evacuation. This is a violation of individual rights. Yes, it's a smart to evacuate when a hurricane is bearing down on you, but that should be a personal decision, not a Government mandate.<br /><br />As I've said many many times, we have rights to personal liberty, including the right to be stupid. If an individual wants to stay home and brave the storm, he should have the right to do so. If he suffers injury or loss directly because of a stupid decision, that's the consequence.<br /><br />Government oversteps it's authority when it mandates evacuation. Just like everything else. Let each person decide what's best for the himself and let the chips fall where they may. Just as God intended.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15633208787250567256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-38421215526643509322011-08-29T14:28:23.542-05:002011-08-29T14:28:23.542-05:00The politicians and media need scandals to look im...The politicians and media need scandals to look important. It is a shame because the various departments, organisations and I guess a few serious public officials need to to take the subject seriously. Imagine the outcry if they did not warn correctly and lives or industry is lost (Katrina would probably be a good example).<br /><br />Over here I know emergency services people and they were watching with fascination. The advice for being warned worked well enough but the media did not bother to point out that it was not so much wind-damage but sea levels and flooding was the issue.D Charles QChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17805304737361014277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-81764605623510336272011-08-29T12:19:55.781-05:002011-08-29T12:19:55.781-05:00Mike,
It's all about extending the Nanny State...Mike,<br />It's all about extending the Nanny State.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-49907130415513194552011-08-29T11:19:50.913-05:002011-08-29T11:19:50.913-05:00The problem with these hysterical storm warnings (...The problem with these hysterical storm warnings (storm of the century etc) is that people are less likely to take warning seriously.<br /><br />Three times we have had mandatory evactuations from Hilton Head Island and the SC coast and two of those three I didn't evacuate and it was bright and sunny with not a cloud in the sky. The third time I was away for Hurricane Floyd and we had a tree come down.<br /><br />Unless I see that it's a Cat 3 storm or higher headed right for me in the next 24 hours I won't get out.Mike's Americahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01262938295909490454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-75995086011534197652011-08-28T14:56:58.238-05:002011-08-28T14:56:58.238-05:00Mark,
You had more trouble with power outages than...Mark,<br />You had more trouble with power outages than we closer into Washington did.<br /><br />Did you get any sleep at all?Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-57155292194149344142011-08-28T14:55:53.413-05:002011-08-28T14:55:53.413-05:00Wildstar,
A few branches down, but not big ones.
...Wildstar,<br />A few branches down, but not big ones.<br /><br />The roof looks fine, and the basement is dry.<br /><br />All in all, nothing worse than a huge, long thunderstorm as far as damage goes.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-28443001882007936962011-08-28T12:05:23.351-05:002011-08-28T12:05:23.351-05:00AOW- ya, from about 1-3 am here the winds howled, ...AOW- ya, from about 1-3 am here the winds howled, though the damage done was near zero. How did you fair?<br /><br />-WildstarAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-56071674221030512182011-08-28T08:27:28.724-05:002011-08-28T08:27:28.724-05:00And, I was right. It wasn't anywhere near as b...And, I was right. It wasn't anywhere near as bad as the media told us it would be.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15633208787250567256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-85407067821209535772011-08-28T08:26:52.962-05:002011-08-28T08:26:52.962-05:00So. We has this portable, battery operated TV/radi...So. We has this portable, battery operated TV/radio with a spotlight, a florescent lantern, a siren, a compass, and a thermometer in it, but we had to get 9 "c" batteries to run it. As I mentioned earlier we had some trouble finding the batteries but eventually we did, and we were all ready to go. When the power went out, I hit the button to turn everything on and it didn't work. (sigh)<br /><br />I did manage to find one of our lost battery operated fans, though, so that's a good thing.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15633208787250567256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-22060027300418888922011-08-28T08:22:54.989-05:002011-08-28T08:22:54.989-05:00Well, power went out again around 1:00 AM, and sta...Well, power went out again around 1:00 AM, and stayed off until 9:05. It's a beautiful sunny day here in Fredericksburg.<br /><br />Goodnight, Irene, and good riddance!Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15633208787250567256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-4698857257615031682011-08-28T07:12:17.311-05:002011-08-28T07:12:17.311-05:00Glad to see you're doing fine. With a little w...Glad to see you're doing fine. With a little water in the basement we've gotten off easy. Watching the newscasters--they're still reporting impending doom. But they're showing people are out, eating at dinars, and going about their business -- i.e. ignoring the newscasters, to their displeasure. Traffic is about half the usual rate in from of my house. Take care!Jason Pappashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18233796281520274898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-43218697089022325032011-08-28T05:20:05.728-05:002011-08-28T05:20:05.728-05:00Wow! The news coverage (local) is nattering on an...Wow! The news coverage (local) is nattering on and on about how we're still in danger. Sheesh.<br /><br />These newscasters are on some kind of adrenaline high.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-31867188783586087172011-08-28T03:22:53.682-05:002011-08-28T03:22:53.682-05:00Wildstar,
The winds cranked up during the night. ...Wildstar,<br />The winds cranked up during the night. Waiting for sunrise here to see the damage in our neighborhood.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-89481140061010478242011-08-28T03:21:33.972-05:002011-08-28T03:21:33.972-05:00Alex,
Do you have UPS ? ( DC 2 AC Converter)
Yes....Alex,<br /><i>Do you have UPS ? ( DC 2 AC Converter)</i><br /><br />Yes. The priority will be to keep the sump pump running.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-54402062361598049602011-08-28T03:20:25.119-05:002011-08-28T03:20:25.119-05:00Showboater-In-Chief<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/obama-takes-charge-hurricane-command-center-172139005.html" rel="nofollow">Showboater-In-Chief</a>Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-72358105472705619712011-08-28T03:15:28.467-05:002011-08-28T03:15:28.467-05:00Mark,
Posting updates to my Facebook status on an ...Mark,<br /><i>Posting updates to my Facebook status on an old flip phone is extremely time consuming. Took me three hours to say the power is out. If I'd simply waited a couple of more hours, I could have just used my computer. </i><br /><br />I'm sorry, but I had to laugh at that one!Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-78366523474220292332011-08-28T03:13:49.739-05:002011-08-28T03:13:49.739-05:00The power flickered here around 2:00 A.M., but so ...The power flickered here around 2:00 A.M., but so far we haven't lost power.<br /><br />After I down a cup of coffee, I'll make my way down into the cellar to check on the sump pump.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-12171939287070913522011-08-27T22:51:06.331-05:002011-08-27T22:51:06.331-05:00The power just came on about 15 minutes ago here a...The power just came on about 15 minutes ago here after being out since 0about 4:30. Here in Fredericksburg, we are pretty much near the edge of the storm rather than right in the middle. That's a blessing I guess. Anyway, the wind is still gusting at times but overall, things have calmed down somewhat.<br /><br />I've learned one thing:<br /><br />I've got to get a qwerty Keyboard cell phone. Posting updates to my Facebook status on an old flip phone is extremely time consuming. Took me three hours to say the power is out. If I'd simply waited a couple of more hours, I could have just used my computer.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15633208787250567256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-46555051286937302792011-08-27T21:57:10.834-05:002011-08-27T21:57:10.834-05:00Stay safe AOW. Looks like my location is only goi...Stay safe AOW. Looks like my location is only going to get grazed, but I'm still set up for the worst.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18327435952188104946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-66748540655526202262011-08-27T21:32:19.241-05:002011-08-27T21:32:19.241-05:00"Drivers here just cannot navigate snow."..."Drivers here just cannot navigate snow."<br />Or slush, or rain, and if we ever got it, heavy wind. Sheesh. <br />Ya, the stores be crazy, though the media craze is worse. Already 10:30 and not much wind here by DC- though its been raining all day. <br /><br />Anyways, stay safe AOW and I hope your power stays on!<br /><br />-WildstarAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-81069589102995914732011-08-27T20:03:17.595-05:002011-08-27T20:03:17.595-05:00Ah, yes, I remember Cameo's problem and glad t...Ah, yes, I remember Cameo's problem and glad to hear that's over. <br /><br />By now the worse part of the storm should be in your area. Hopefully, there's no problem. We worry about the tall trees in our neighbor's yard--especially the one the leans our way. We'll see by morning ... or before!Jason Pappashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18233796281520274898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-64599023076326917462011-08-27T19:42:57.396-05:002011-08-27T19:42:57.396-05:00I was thinking of you yesterday, stay safeI was thinking of you yesterday, stay safeChuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02467510776931664234noreply@blogger.com