aristobrat said:
I'm with you there. A big liquid explosive plot is found right before an election. I don't think that even a blind pig would have much problem seeing the potential motivation behind that. 😱
I'm glad we see eye-to-eye on that one...wouldn't want this thread sent to the Political Forum, would we?
😉
aristobrat said:
Where I get lost with your point is that I don't see anything nefarious behind Max Mayfield mentioning "mega-disaster" in an interview.
What was his motivation?
Is his performance review tied to hurricane deaths?
Is he running for office?
Is he getting a cheap thrill out of insiting fear in masses?
Or is he just a guy who's passionate enough about hurricanes to have worked there for 34 years and cares enough to be amazed and upset that even after Katrina, more people than not DON'T HAVE A HURRICANE PLAN?
I don't think I ever said that Mayfield was up to anything "nefarious". I did point out that this article will increase his fame, but it's hard to say whether or not that was his ultimate intention.
My main problem with this is not that the Hurricane Chief is doing his job and trying to spread awareness of hurricane dangers, but rather how the media is pumping it and pretending it's some sort of revelation that will change the world. They pump it like this because it boosts ratings and instils fear in the viewers/readers.
As a personal anecdote, the last time I was in the US, I awoke bright and early on the morning after my arrival and turned on the news to see what was happening in America. I think it was either ABC or NBC...maybe FOX...not quite sure. Anyway, there was no news. Instead there was a breaking report on snoring, urging all "sufferers" to see their doctor immediately, since snoring "is a sign of imminent collapse of your throat". I turned on the news (various stations) intermittently for the rest of the trip, and it was the same "terror is upon us" and "listen closely, this could save your life" programming. This article is just another example.
It really doesn't surprise me one bit that only 40% of hurricane-prone coastal regions have hurricane plans. Actually, wait, it does. It surprises me how high that number is! Fact of the matter is that most people don't plan ahead for disasters of any sort. How many people have planned and practised emergency exit routes in case of fire? Who reads the emergency pamphlets on aeroplanes (save out of boredom)? Who buys a generator and extra fuel in case of a power outage in the middle of winter? Who walks the streets wearing padded clothing in case they get hit by a car? Not that many, really. For some inexplicable reason, most people can't be bothered. 40% of anything is doing pretty good, in my books.
aristobrat said:
You say the media should use more tact on this matter. I'm thinking that for the last few decades, that's exactly what they've done, and the results speak for themselves.
Not quite sure what you're getting at here. Could you please elaborate a bit?
aristobrat said:
I also don't think that the article incited fear in any masses, but that's just me. If this story does whip up enough fear and discontent to make the cover of Time and Oprah does a show on it, I'll PayPal you enough money for some beer. 🙂
You're right. I don't think this article in and of itself will create mass hysteria and riots. It does, however, add to the growing list of "fears" that people are acquiring in the modern world. In fact, one could make a case for labelling articles like this as "terrorist propaganda"
😉
If what this article reports on ever does make it to the cover of Time and Oprah milks it too, I'll take you up on that beer. And I won't forget either
😉 🙂
