# Aarrggh. Hurricane headed our way **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 24, 2017, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517 "2017-08-24T03:20:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2017, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/161 "2017-08-27T19:42:41Z")
Will this be enough to teach shitbag Republican senators to not play politics with disaster relief? No, of course not. They’re probably convinced that Chris Christie hugging Obama cost Romney the 2012 election. I know it is tilting at windmills, but I’ll be urging all my elected representatives to send no federal money to Texas. They want to be their own country? Go for it. Rick Perry, Greg Abbott, and Dan Patrick have a personal hotline to Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/162 "2017-08-27T19:50:22Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Will this be enough to teach shitbag Republican senators to not play politics with disaster relief? No, of course not. They’re probably convinced that Chris Christie hugging Obama cost Romney the 2012 election. > > I know it is tilting at windmills, but I’ll be urging all my elected representatives to send no federal money to Texas. They want to be their own country? Go for it. Rick Perry, Greg Abbott, and Dan Patrick have a personal hotline to Jesus. It’s hard to be a person who cares about people. I agree with the sentiment, they say that other states shouldn’t get disaster relief, so they shouldn’t get it either. But I don’t agree with the outcome, of there being thousands (or more) of people suffering because of the lack of federal aide. Many of whom did not vote for these people in the first place. It would be interesting to tie the relief bill to some sort of other provision that helps to mitigate global warming or its effects, but that would be far too much to ask. All we can ask is that these people with their hand out now will be there to lend a helping hand when it is their neighbor that needs it. (Fat chance of that) ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/163 "2017-08-27T20:23:52Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Will this be enough to teach shitbag Republican senators to not play politics with disaster relief? No, of course not. They’re probably convinced that Chris Christie hugging Obama cost Romney the 2012 election. > > I know it is tilting at windmills, but I’ll be urging all my elected representatives to send no federal money to Texas. They want to be their own country? Go for it. Rick Perry, Greg Abbott, and Dan Patrick have a personal hotline to Jesus. Well, you’re advocating playing politics with people’s lives just like the Republicans that you say you hate do. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2017, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/164 "2017-08-27T20:28:40Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Harvey has parked his fat ass in just about the worst possible location for Houston. > > For those interested, look at [this image.](http://i.imgur.com/oNwapnb.jpg) > > See the I-10 marker in the center with the word TOLL above it? That is the intersection of I-10 and Beltway 8 west, and it’s about 4 miles from our house and the Taekwondo school. > > So far, no damage to the house. The streets are flooded and we have some water in our yard, but we still have power. We will continue to binge-watch The West Wing and keep you posted. > [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > Why are you not evacuated? There’s macho, and then there’s _painfully_ macho, **Cloth**. Keep us posted when you’re high and dry. . ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2017, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/165 "2017-08-27T21:00:22Z")
> [@digs](#): > > There’s macho, and then there’s _painfully_ macho, **Cloth**. > > Keep us posted when you’re high and dry. > > . When Search & Rescue teams are coming from other states to help those unable to evacuate, I don’t understand what good reason anyone would have to risk their life or the lives of first responders. Get out of the way, FFS! ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2017, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/166 "2017-08-27T21:04:38Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > Why are you not evacuated? There are areas that were requested to evacuate. Others were told to sit in place. You don’t want 8 million people on the roads. That’s a recipe for disaster much bigger than the flooding. ---
**Author:** ![lesh17](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@lesh17](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lesh17)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2017, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/167 "2017-08-27T21:39:35Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > There are areas that were requested to evacuate. Others were told to sit in place. You don’t want 8 million people on the roads. That’s a recipe for disaster much bigger than the flooding. Having sat for 11 hours in Hurricane Rita traffic in 2005, I can personally vouch for this. I get why they made the call that they did (I stayed in place and am currently surrounded by water in the street and adjacent lakes). Unlike then, San Antonio/Austin/points west wouldn’t necessarily have been considered “safe” spots to evacuate to this time around (as they were in the stormward direction on Thursday/Friday). I think that, even had they had perfect information about the amount of flooding, they would have possibly ordered a more limited evacuation of the region, but I think they still would have had a lot of people shelter in place. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2017, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/168 "2017-08-27T22:07:49Z")
[Trump Rolls Back Obama-Era Flood Standards For Infrastructure Projects](http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/16/543712263/trump-rolls-back-obama-era-flood-standards-for-infrastructure-projects) The rules, signed by Barack HUSSEIN Obama in 2015, had not yet gone into effect. > [@](#): > > Among other things, he is rolling back an Obama-era order that infrastructure projects, like roads and bridges, be designed to survive rising sea levels and other consequences of climate change… > Now, the order has been revoked as part of an effort to “slash the time it takes” to approve new infrastructure projects, as Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao put it in a statement. > > Speaking at Trump Tower in New York City, Trump said, “We’re going to get infrastructure built quickly, inexpensively, relatively speaking, and the permitting process will go very, very quickly.” ---
**Author:** ![Trafalgar\_Laura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trafalgar_laura/32/2907_2.png) [@Trafalgar\_Laura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trafalgar_Laura)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2017, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/169 "2017-08-27T22:08:14Z")
I find most of the arguments that Democrats are in trouble because they’re too insulting to certain groups rather stupid… But declaring “They should all die!1!” because the state historically has voted Republican seems like a pure example of certain liberals responding irrationally and cruelly because of knee-jerk feelings… also making it a lot harder for other people who otherwise agree with them. I hate a lot of our elected officials… but I also voted against them. And I’ll keep doing so. Still, some people who are less decided can read things like this and take it as proof that we liberals are soulless bastards. And for **Clothahump** … given the things he’s said about his fellow Texans who also happen to disagree with him, not to mention various other groups… I hope none of his relatives are harmed, and I hope his “students” don’t get hurt. That’s about the whole amount of well-wishing I can summon up. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2017, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/170 "2017-08-27T22:22:22Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > TX Senators who voted against aid for Hurricane Sandy ask for fed assistance ahead of Harvey What, they’re OK with OMGSOCIALISM!!!111ONE now? Shouldn’t they trust in and use the Almighty Free Market™? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2017, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/171 "2017-08-27T22:31:22Z")
This thread has really brought out the best of everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2017, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/172 "2017-08-27T23:13:02Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > This thread has really brought out the best of everyone. I do wish that, whoever is in need/danger, could be listened to for that issue. This thread has devolved into major sniping. And yes, I _ **know** _ it’s in the Pit, you don’t have to remind me. Is it so wrong to hope a fellow Doper will be okay, no matter what we as individuals may think of them? And it’s particularly ugly to want to deny aid to Texas, because of what their senators voted on before. That’s being as bad as the people they don’t like. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2017, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/173 "2017-08-27T23:15:50Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > And it’s particularly ugly to want to deny aid to Texas, because of what their senators voted on before. That’s being as bad as the people they don’t like. The senators were elected by the majority of Texans. Is it so wrong to wish people get what they wish for? (In any case, I’m perfectly fine with my tax dollars going to aid hurricane victims. I’m a Liberal, and that’s what we do.) ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/174 "2017-08-28T00:36:51Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > Why are you not evacuated? Because we are on, what is for Houston, high ground. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/175 "2017-08-28T00:40:40Z")
Hope you’re staying dry, **Clothahump**. Have you been able to get any word on the state of your business? And how are your neighbors faring? ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/176 "2017-08-28T00:48:58Z")
And it looks as though [whether to evacuate will be a longer, more contentious discussion in pubic venues](http://www.chron.com/news/article/Harvey-is-causing-epic-catastrophic-flooding-in-12003565.php?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link&ICID=ref_fark). Governor advised evacuation but local officials said to shelter in place, depending on where they were. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/177 "2017-08-28T01:00:43Z")
From that article: "In the hours before Rita struck the Houston area in September 2005, government officials issued an evacuation order, and some 2.5 million people hit the road at the same time, according to the Houston Chronicle. \*\*More than 100 people died in the mass exit from the city \*\*- almost as many as were killed by the hurricane itself. Dozens were injured or died of heat stroke waiting in traffic for nearly a full day. Fights broke out on clogged highways. A charter bus carrying people from a nursing home exploded on the side of Interstate 45, killing 24 people inside." For comparison - so far the fatalities from the floods in Houston, AFAIK, are five people. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/178 "2017-08-28T01:29:25Z")
Again, the senators voted against Sandy relief because it was laden with unrelated pork. If Cruz and Cornyn begin lobbying to include pork in Harvey relief, _then_, _yes_, they’d be 100% hypocrites. And if a Democratic Senator tries to vote against Harvey relief now, that would go against them politically. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/179 "2017-08-28T01:39:56Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Again, the senators voted against Sandy relief because it was laden with unrelated pork. If Cruz and Cornyn begin lobbying to include pork in Harvey relief, _then_, _yes_, they’d be 100% hypocrites. > > And if a Democratic Senator tries to vote against Harvey relief now, that would go against them politically. Lindsey Graham, after voting down Sandy relief for the same reasons, [demanded a blank check](http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/05/politics/lindsey-graham-flooding-federal-aid/index.html) when SC was hit. > [@](#): > > “Let’s just get through this thing, and whatever it costs, it costs,” Graham told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on “The Situation Room” on Monday of the devastating floods in his home state. > > Graham was among the Republican senators who opposed a federal aid package in January 2013 to assist states hit by Hurricane Sandy, but now he doesn’t remember why. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/180 "2017-08-28T01:47:04Z")
Much of the Sandy pork went to [Republican states.](http://www.politicususa.com/2015/05/27/ted-cruz-demands-federal-money-texas-floods-blocking-hurricane-sandy-relief.html) > [@](#): > > The great irony of the whole Sandy bill fiasco was that the pork came from Republicans like Cruz, who demanded to be paid off to support disaster relief. [According to Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2013/01/03/pork-holding-up-senate-sandy-relief-bill-funneled-into-the-troughs-of-gop-deficit-hawks-you-betcha/#4222ff78366e), “However, as it turns out, the pork portions of the Senate bill were not earmarked to benefit Democratic members of the upper chamber of Congress… **The answer can be found in a quick review of the states that are set to benefit from the Senate’s extra-special benevolence** —states including Alabama, Mississippi, **Texas** and Louisiana.” Quote from the Forbes article. > [@](#): > > A review of the mark-up of the Senate bill reveals that all that extra, non-Sandy related cash is actually set to provide billions for “storm events that occurred in 2012 along the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast within the boundaries of the North Atlantic and Mississippi Valley divisions of the Corps that were affected by Hurricanes Sandy and Isaac." > > The answer can be found in a quick review of the states that are set to benefit from the Senate’s extra-special benevolence—states including Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana. > > What, you may ask, do these states far from New York and New Jersey have in common? > > Each is not only a red state, but each of these states are represented by two Republican senators—with the exception of Louisiana with its one GOP senator. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517.md?page=10)