Real world problems: floods and droughts, hurricanes and blizzards, tornadoes and hail #3 Floods and hurricanes

Politics and political troubles, like other forms of war, distract us from real-world problems that can and do harm and even kill us. While many are man-made entirely, others are natural events. Natural? Yes, but influenced and modified (made worse) by humans.

But not necessarily all of them. Despite the screams from various groups, not every weather-related problem or disaster is the fault of humans. Or even of governments.

The recent massive number and size of tornadoes and thunderstorms in many of the States are an example of that. So are the recent massive amounts of precip in Texas and New Mexico. (And the droughts in many areas, we remind everyone.)

So, no, we are not arguing that “manmade climate change” is making tornadoes more common or more powerful. Or floods. Or massive thunderstorms. (A look at history demonstrates the fallacy of all those claims. Never mind that there is always a “scientist” (or a dozen or hundred) that are talking heads to tell us otherwise. Science is NOT a democratic, majority-rules or even consensus sort of thing.)

But the increasing density of development, expansion of utilities and other infrastructure, and many other things caused by expanding population and expanding governmental power provide more and more targets. Things that 150+ mph winds can destroy and use to destroy.

An example of that is Wichita, Kansas. For years people believed that there was something about Wichita (terrain, magic, providence) that kept Wichita from being hit by tornadoes. Despite its central location in Tornado Alley. But that immunity has been discredited. Because some parts of Wichita have been hit by tornadoes. Not the original townsite, but modern Wichita is far different in size and density than it was in the 1800s or most of the 1900s.

We point out that perhaps the greatest problem is that people think that governments are able to do anything and therefore must do anything and everything necessary to prevent weather disasters – and to instantly mitigate, recover, and restore everyone and everything to pre-disaster conditions. Which has led both to complacency on the part of people and business (and local governments) and massive government programs (examples, flood prevention (drainage control, levees, etc.), flood insurance and massive government disaster aid programs). This means that people have less and less responsibility for properly preparing for (and responding to) natural weather events. “Let George do it!”

This is particularly the case with two problems closely related to water. Floods and Hurricanes.

These are big, big killers of humans and highly destructive of human creations and economies. They are also very big excuses for government to take power and control and money from peaceful and honest people to “protect the public.” Governments establish and enforce standards to reduce the impacts and deal with the aftermath. Often at the point of a gun. Of course, as always, government enforcement varies significantly and is subject to political and financial influences.

So we are seeing that going on in Kerr County, Texas, and Ruidoso, New Mexico right now. While the never-Trumpers and worshippers of government claim that the floods are all the fault of The Donald. (Of course, some try to blame the victims and their political and religious beliefs. But that is a different problem.)

It is, we restate for countless times, the personal responsibility of people (or at least, the parents of very young people) to take action to protect themselves and their property from natural disasters. And to take the actions – individually and cooperatively (in a voluntary way) – necessary to recover from and restore conditions after a natural disaster. Just as much one that involves lots and lots of water and lots and lots of wind. And even hail, lightning, storm-caused fires, and much else.

Will they need help? Of course. But the best way – most efficient and least likely to result in corruption, theft, and other bad things – is for people to volunteer to help other people. VOLUNTEER, folks. Not TAX and SPEND! To volunteer not just money, but time and materials and words of encouragement. And, to pray, but remembering the words of James the brother of Jesus: “If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?”

Think on these things.

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