If New Orleans gets hit, it's inevitable.

[skids]

Already seen comments about "gumbo", "jambalaya", and whatnot surfacing on other forums, referring to the toxic mix of sewage, marshland creatures, flammable oil processing chemicals and human remains that would be in the NO "bowl" if Hurricane Katrina hits the worst place. I'm forced to admit that I thought of that "joke" too, when reading about what a huge catastrophy this could be -- but at least I kept it to myself.

I'm posting this for two purposes:

1) To warn people off a temptingly witty comment that could get you flamed hard. If it happens, lots of people are going to die, and some of them will be DUers friends and relatives. I know humor is a coping mechanism for some, but just keep it to yourself for the sake of preserving what order we have here online.

and

2) To desensitize people ahead of time so we don't have flame wars. Realize that for some the psychological reaction to a huge tragedy is to sink into a deep dark cynicism and temporary sociopathy while the brain slowly processes the concept. Someone will piss you off in the next few days over this. Don't respond in kind, and don't channel your anger at any personal tragedy towards some dude on the other side of the country with a keyboard. There are better places for it. Like global warming deniers. Realize also that in addition to normal DUers, trolls will be out in force trying to start fights as well.


Let's try to keep it civil.

Nuff said folks?

(EDIT: spelling)

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. So how long do we have to wait to start talking about who's responsible

for putting this environmental ticking time bomb together?

[skids]

2. Good question.

I am sure camp freeper and the BFEE will portray any comments as to who is to blame for what could end up being the 9-11 of environmentalism as opportunism.

Maybe we should start now!

[SlowDownFast]

3. That's Jambalaya to you.

Get it right.

;-)

[skids]

4. Thanks, fixed n/t

[Spinzonner]

5. Here's an alternate idea

Ignore what you don't like. And if necessary, ignore the generator of it.

And the odds that such advice posted at 2:00 AM (5 AM for you Easterners) will get much attention seems quite slim.

[neweurope]

6. Very good advice. n/t

------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[aquart]

7. Later, I may feel funny.

Now, I'm just scared. I don't even have anyone there. But...

I wasn't paying attention. I didn't realize it had such terrible potential. A hurricane warning is in effect. That means landfall within 24 hours (I've been reading the DU weather links--thank you all). And people who CAN'T get out?

And I'm praying. Just praying.

[Divernan]

8. Yeah. Use of the adjective "cool" about hurricanes is offensive.

Things like, Wow, man, look at these cool pictures of the hurricane!
I picture a poster of about 12 years emotional age, who gets exicted about the violence of nature and has no apparent awareness that these photos predict deadly devastation to many people and much property. If you've ever battled ocean waves while in a small (40 ft. or so) boat, or been caught while scuba diving in a strong ocean current, you don't find anything "cool" about 35 ft. waves and 145 mph winds. We got caught in the Bahamas by an unexpected storm front and just four foot high waves cracked the engine mount on the boat after a couple of hours of pounding. When the GPS stopped working, things were pretty desperate.

[fishnfla]

9. You mean we can't cheer 'cuz its hitting a red state?

thats one that we usually see :eyes:

or "they live in a hurricane area=they deserve it" which is like saying if you volunteered for the military, you deserved an IED

[flygal]

10. We lived in Slidell three years ago

Our first home, awesome community - friends I'm worried about. They all evacuated last year and were safe - hopefully this year too. But, the thought of what could happen....:cry: