Hurricane Ike Motor Madness

Even after mayor Bill White asked Houstonians not to do so many went out in droves after the storm to drive around and assess the damage personally. These people just clogged up the works and got in the way of first responders and others who had a legitimate reason to be on the roads.

You know, I could not figure out why there were all those gas lines on Sunday. Now I know. Everybody was out joy riding and were afraid they were going to run out of gas. The motorists in this city behaved liked typical Russians who get into any line they see just in case something they might need is running out.

Ike hit on a Friday night. Nobody was going to work on Monday and many not until much later in the week. Teachers got the whole week off. Yet people were out driving around, burning up precious gas and then wasting even more waiting in line with their engines running, their AC on full blast (even though temps were in the 70's) and getting into fist fights over people cutting in line.

The Gulf Coast had nearly a week's warning about the impending landfall of Ike. People were admonished to stock up on water, other essentials and non-perishable food (although on the Thursday prior I saw shopping baskets filled with dozens of eggs and gallons of milk at the supermarket). People were also advised to fill up their car and be prepared to spend a few days without electricity.

But what happens on the day after Ike makes landfall? Droves of people are out in their cars driving around trying to get supplies of water, food, ice and yes, gasoline... the very things they were supposed to have in good supply already. So much for self reliance. Although the local television coverage of Ike and its aftermath was riveting and very well done, I had to turn it all off because I just could not stand hearing another person whine about where the "gummint" was to help them out.

What a bunch of morons. Hope they forget to vote in November. On the other hand, if you are a Republican I guess you do want all these people to vote :-).