Hurricane Ike

First and foremost, my thoughts go out to the people who's lives will be immeasurably impacted, changed, and lost in the coming weekend. I hope for the best possible outcome for the families who are being displaced by this storm, many of them on a permanent basis.

This storm is shaping up to be one of historic impact. I cannot put into words my fears for the people of Texas. There is no way to say something of encouragement when there is nothing to be done. It is cheesy and almost facetious, but I do sincerely wish everyone the best of luck in the next 72 hours.

The only thing to do is run. Evacuate. Get out. Find a new location to hunker-down until the skies clear and the waters recede. That is the only option for anyone in the path of this monstrous storm.

Sadly, and stupidly, despite the warnings, there are many people who are thumbing their noses at the National Weather Service, their concerned families, and the word of every official with a microphone. They will not get out. In fact, a bar called the "Poop Deck," which is located about 50 feet from the raging waters of the Gulf of Mexico, is full of partiers getting drunk and ignoring the coming storm. I do hope they survive, but their chances are very limited. Sadly, their ignorance may not only affect themselves, but might very well cause harm or death to first responders and emergency personnel who may have to save their stupid selves.

In cases such as these, perhaps it is time to follow the teachings that so many "educational leaders" want to teach in public schools. We should follow the teachings of the "Survival of the Fittest" and "Evolution." Perhaps, these people are the weakest and are not fit for survival. Why should we risk our limited and overworked EMS workers to save them after they put themselves in such danger? If they survive, praise be to God for sparing them, in spite of their ignorance. If they do not make it, they are the ones who took the risk, and got drunk, and stayed in harms way.

I know that is morbid to think, even more morbid to say publicly. However, I think it needs said. We always hear how evolution is the way, and that species move forward in the evolutionary cycle because only the fittest survive. Its time to put the money where their mouths are at.

I do not want any harm to come to anyone in Galveston, TX, or anywhere else for that matter. However, I have no sympathy for idiots who party and ignore warnings as issues by the NWS, who warned that those ignoring the evacuation pleas would face "Certain Death."

My next problem with Hurricane Ike is the gas stations today. Today in my little neck of the woods, we saw price gouging of historic proportions. Gas was hitting $5 and $6 today in anticipation of Ike. As high as gas was already, for them to gouge it so high BEFORE the storm, it is just ridiculous. I drove 1.5 hours round trip today to save $.75 a gallon before the trend swept all the way from Beckley to Wytheville, VA.

All I can say is: "Drill, Baby, Drill!!!"