The Cruelest Irony Of All In The Tornado Wracked States

[TheMastersNemesis]

It is the most cruel irony of all for the states and communities that were completely trashed by a savage mother nature. The very part of the country that hates Obama the most, is the most racist and bigoted, is the most extremely insanely religious, is homophobic, hate the poor, the welfare clients, the food stamp recipient, immigrants, the unemployment claimant and other government leeches will need those same services themselves. The situation is truly sad and tragic and these citizens should get the help from the federal government and public employees they hate and vilify so much.

These latest events are truly tragic for that region and the nation. Nothing will ever be the same again. More frighteningly these tornadic trends now may be a permanent weather feature every year now. The patterns of recent years are unprecedented in our weather history. It is almost undeniable that something is amiss in the weather patterns. Deniability would seem inconceivable for any reasonable person.

These communities are are completely devastated and even what little that is untouched is not fully operational. Their economy will suffer for months and even years until it is leveled again by future storms. It is not a matter of if but when in the new age of climate change that they will be struck again. Yet they so enthusiastically deny global warming.

They will need food stamps, unemployment insurance, welfare, free health care, federal loans and federal dollars to rebuild their communities. They will need FEMA to help piece back their shattered landscape. The teabagger element and haters will now have to depend on that they most loath and would deny others. The question is will the largesse that they will receive from the federal government change their black hearts or will they be steadfast in their hatred. Will they still hate Obama because he is black or will they understand that his color is irrelevant to what he will do as president.

To say their plight is God's revenge would be begging the question. No one can discern God's intentions for those who believe.
All we know is that the cruelty of nature is random and unpredictable. Most of all the people who hate the most will now have to depend on the kindness of that they most vilify. What if there was NO government to step in. The states certainly do not have enough money to fix the damage.

[Loudly]

1. Climate change skeptics. The biggest irony of all.

[JDPriestly]

8. I'm not a climate change skeptic, but tornados have been common

in these areas for a long time.

The second Palm Sunday tornado outbreak occurred on April 11, 1965 and involved 47 tornadoes (15 significant, 17 violent, 21 killers) hitting the Midwest. It was the second biggest outbreak on record. In the Midwest, 271 people were killed and 1,500 injured (1,200 in Indiana). It was the deadliest tornado outbreak in Indiana history with 137 people killed.[1] The outbreak also made that week the second most active week in history with 51 significant and 21 violent tornadoes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1965_Palm_Sunday_tornado_outbreak

Just an example.

[Motown_Johnny]

11. and in early March?

Have they been common in those areas for a long time too?

[JCMach1]

12. Has more to do with the mild Winter... warm air is in place farther north

so tornado outbreaks are possible farther north in a year like this.

Every weather quirk is not necessarily climate change in action...


In the UAE, we have had 2-weeks of dust storms. That's the kind of weather we usually get in April/May. Oh, and we have had almost no rain. What that means is that we will have had almost 2 years with no rain if it waits until the next Winter 'rainy' season.

Is it global warming...???

[Motown_Johnny]

28. If it were just a quirk, wouldn't mild winters be more common?

This winter was freaky. The strangest one I can remember by far.

Maybe without climate change it would have still been strange, but not this strange.

[JCMach1]

47. How soon people forget the cold and snow of last winter...

Please note, I am not doubting climate change.

[Motown_Johnny]

49. I remember all to well

I work for a landscape company and I do snow removal in the winter. Last February was hell for me.

Last year we had record high snow falls. This year we have near record low snow falls.

More extreme weather was always the prediction. The last two winters are excellent examples of that.

[nadinbrzezinski]

36. One weather event is not

But let me tell you, if you have any doubts...like many Americans still do, learn some Spanish and talk to the residents of oh Mexico City. Long time residents will gladly regale you with the stories of the weather that used to be.

Hell, I grew up down there and I notice when I go visit.

Of course the effects were first felt further south than US borders.

As to tornadoes, this is the second year of super clusters this early in the year.

I might add more violent and extreme weather, do you agree this qualifies? Well it is predicted by the science.

The US is one of the worst in even accepting the mere possibility of climactic change, I suspect partly it is Aerican Exceptionalism. Alas nature doesn't care.

So it is not a single super cluster...you are right...it is a trend... And a trend of more violent weather, that we are seeing, and not just due to tornadoes I might add.

[JCMach1]

48. No, there have definitely been longterm shifts... it is just difficult

to spot them on the micro-level. You have to take the long-term macro view.

That's actually the problem that most Americans have with the issue as they tend to be rather myopic.

My home in North Florida used to be wet and swampy. The small town I grew up in was an island surrounded by swamps at the beginning of the 20th century. When I was a boy, I fished on a creek that connected the prairie and marsh system right by my grandparent's house. However, there has not been water there since the mid 1970's when it completely dried-up. These places will most likely never have water again.

Weather is dynamic... it doesn't just sit there for anyone.

I fully agree though... the trend lines are ominous.

[magical thyme]

37. the warm winter "weather quirk" was a result of another el nino

which, in turn, was due to the warming ocean. El ninos happened much more frequently in the past decade than before.

[JDPriestly]

46. Sounds like LA.

Many plants bloomed early this year, and we have a serious drought.

[Jennicut]

2. But didn't Ohio and Illinois have tornadoes too? Those states voted for Obama in 2008.

The truth is, there are sucky conservative nuts in every state. They are even in my state, and I live in Connecticut.

[TheMastersNemesis]

5. Down State

Illinois for sure and most likely Ohio are very conservative in the southern parts of those states. I am from Illinois and downstate has been conservative for as long as I remember. I grew up in Illinois and Cook County and Chicago always seemed to trump the Southern part of the state that was strong GOP. In fact one rep recently wanted to make Chicago its own state because he was tired of the GOP bottom half being outvoted.

I also grew up in Sangamon County in the Springfield area. I still own property there and when I visit I am surprised how conservative and Republican it still is. As a matter of fact some idiot in my neighborhood flies a huge confederate flag in his front yard.

Even though those states voted blue their southern parts look red to me.

My main focus is that these antigovernment types are ok with getting help when they are in trouble.

[The Doctor.]

7. God's retribution, obviously. n/t

[NashvilleLefty]

3. Actually, many of the areas hit are Blue.

I should know, I live here. Be very careful when making generalities.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. This has bothered me all day

while I wait to see if Eric Cantor will once more pontificate about federal disaster aid and "pay fors" by gutting funding to his pet peeves. There's been an eerie silence on that front. States like Indiana have gritted their teeth and declared state "disaster emergencies" versus "federal disaster". Makes you shake your head.

[Fumesucker]

6. You do realize I hope that not every single person who lives in a red area is conservative?

As you can see by this map, there are blue counties in nearly every red state, and red ones in the blue states.

[RebelOne]

41. True. I am one of the few Democrats

here in a very red county in Georgia.

[Kurmudgeon]

9. Sorry, that sounds like a version of Limbaugh logic.

[Lawlbringer]

10. Believe it or not

I've seen a few people suggest that Obama used secret weapons to cause the tornadoes.

[Honeycombe8]

13. I'm waiting for Pat Robertson's statement that this is God's retribution for immorality

for immorality in the area. Like he said regarding New Orleans and/or New York's 9/11.

[Zalatix]

14. When disaster hits an area populated by dark people it's "God's" retribution.

When it hits areas full of non-darkies, it's "the Devil" at work.

I am, of course, speaking of life on planet Robertson.

[Bake]

15. I live in Kentucky.

There are a lot of good people here. We lost friends and relatives to your "irony."

Thanks for your concern.

Bake

[renate]

17. whether they're red or blue....

People are suffering terribly, horribly, indescribably. I don't think the OP meant anything about karma or justice. People who are merely misinformed don't deserve this.

In a life-or-death situation I don't think the question of just desserts is a factor. We're all brothers and sisters. I think the OP was pointing out the intellectual difference between small government and "we are all one"-- but intellectual differences fall away in a situation like this.

I think that what the OP was saying, and what I suspect is true, is that only a few of the "keep the government out of my Medicare/food stamps/rebuilding loans" and "climate change is for hippies" people will refuse aid from the government in a situation like this. And rightly so. We are each others' keeper. Maybe we don't have to be, but the world would be a much better place if everybody felt that way.

I hope you and yours are okay, and my heart goes out to those who are not.

[leftofcool]

20. Kentuckian here too.

We are still numb and we didn't lose anything. Trying to help others who did and it does not matter whether they are Dems or Republicans. Our home is open to all.

[Bake]

52. God bless you!

My home, too.

Bake

[pecwae]

21. IN was hard hit as well.

These 'blame the victim' threads, especially if it has anything to do with the South or a red state, is so fucking tiresome. I always expect more compassion from fellow progressives and I'm disappointed more often than not.

[leftofcool]

24. Kentuckian here hoping you are all well in Indiana

Stay safe, the season has only begun.

[pecwae]

55. ((Hugs))

[Bake]

53. A child was ripped by the storm and thrown into a field in Indiana

That child is now dead. Red or blue doesn't matter. We're hurting here. Tornados don't care about red or blue. They just kill.

Bake

[redgreenandblue]

16. I have family in the south and no they are not all right-wing.

[Tennessee Gal]

18. This op makes me very sad.

Just a few miles north of my community about 70 homes were totally destroyed on Friday. Thankfully, no one was killed. To think that all of those folks were racists, bigots, homophobics, or insanely religious and possibly deserved what they got is just flat out wrong.

[pecwae]

22. Well, bless your heart. nt

[leftofcool]

23. No mother, Democrat or Republican deserves to have her baby ripped from her arms

while she is trying to get to safety. No one deserves to lose everything they have ever worked for no matter what they believe.

[sufrommich]

30. Enjoy your stay. nt

[NNN0LHI]

25. Just for the record here

My wife and all her family are originally from Steele, Mo. right on the border of Arkansas.

Every member of her family I have met, and I have met most of them, are some of the most liberal people I have known in my entire life.

Broad brushes don't work on these things.

Don

[sufrommich]

29. I don't see how a post like this is any different than

a Pat Robertson "they deserved it" opinion. Sad to see the new DU allowing this crap.

[cordelia]

32. There is no difference. None.

It is despicable and unwarranted. People lost their lives, their loved ones. All that matter to some who post here are whether or not they reside in a "blue" or "red" state.

Disgusting.

[Aerows]

35. It's not

and it's shameful to see it aired. I went through Katrina and heard all of this and more. Here you have people that have lost family members, their homes and their livelihoods. A disaster can happen anywhere, and this type of "well it's your fault" rhetoric is extremely painful.

What on earth is wrong with people that lack the compassion for their fellow human beings? I'd expect it from many on the right, but I just didn't expect it here.

[Creideiki]

31. I don't want to blame the victim here

and I know there are plenty of reasonable people in unreasonable areas.

Having put that up, teachable moments are rare: If you're a reasonable person around unreasonable people, start educating them.

There's value in a federal government that can step in and help the parts that needed help (one would have thought that the TVA and CCC that brought large portions of the country into the 20th Century would have been enough). Apparently it's not, though.

You don't need to bludgeon people. Just while helping mention that it's a good thing that the federal government is here to help all of its citizens.

If they're not ready to understand that global warming (I refuse the "Climate Change" meme foisted on us by right-wingers because climate change sounds less threatening--there's more heat in the Earth as a whole and it's mucking things up), then stay with the value of government and that the taxes paid by people like me are being redirected to them.

This is another great Outreach Moment. Don't let it pass.

[Aerows]

33. I went through Katrina

And I endured all of the painful rhetoric of "it's your fault for living there" as though disasters can't happen anywhere. This really skates the line of schadenfreude that conservatives are suffering, and fails to take into account that liberals and independents in these areas are suffering, too.

Anyone that has survived a disaster of the magnitude of Katrina would never make such callous points. Just because you disagree with someone's political views doesn't mean that when something horrible happens you aren't all in it together. I couldn't imagine myself doing the equivalent of Nelson's "Ha-Ha" at people who lost their homes, their livelihoods and family members, particularly when I know people who lost all of those things.

[sufrommich]

34. +1. nt

[Jester Messiah]

38. Do we have to drag god into every discussion?

Seriously, this is what fundies do. It is possible for there to be a storm or an earthquake or a nuclear meltdown without some crazy vindictive sky-being pulling a lever or waving a wand to make it happen.

[whistler162]

39. I strongly suggest taking your psychologists advice...

[uppityperson]

40. I am unclear as to what you are saying. If you mean people who hate Obama and gvt are now going to

need the help they can get, and this is ironic, I agree.

If you mean that the areas that got hit by tornadoes are "the most racist and bigoted, is the most extremely insanely religious, is homophobic, hate the poor, the welfare clients, the food stamp recipient, immigrants, the unemployment claimant and other government leeches will", then I totally disagree.

I would like clarification since this could be a communication issue, the wording such that it could be taken in a good or offensive manner.

Thank you.

[Dreamer Tatum]

58. The OP really means the following:

"I assume that only racist crackers live in the affected area, so HA HA and FUCK THEM."

So don't look for clarity.

[uppityperson]

59. No. We've pm'd and that is not what he meant. I am glad I asked for clarification

rather than assuming the worst as that is not what was meant. I hope he/she comes back to clarify further.

[Comatose Sphagetti]

42. Though rare, we elusive southern Indiana small-town liberals do exist.

[Union Scribe]

43. Take THAT tornado victims!

Way to score political points on the suffering.

[gulliver]

44. Politically, this is just another example of the inherent stupidity of Republicanism

Assume the tornadoes are random for the sake of argument. The question becomes "Which political philosophy better prepares the American people to sustain them?" The answer is obvious.

How are the Republicans in Indiana and Ohio going to justify giving the victims any help whatsoever considering the Republican philosophy? Why should Republican taxpayers spend their hard-earned money to rebuild towns that might just get hit by another tornado?

A major cyclone, Hurricane Bush, hit the economy and reputation of the United States under Republicans. And Republicans, even then, wanted to do nothing to help the victims. If Republicans fight against helping victims of their own political incompetence, of course they are going to do less to help victims of natural disasters.

[Myrina]

45. ... and that they, and their governors, will take no pause before ...

... going to the evil Federal Gov't that they all loathe so much for a disaster declaration and any assistance money they can get.

[BlueToTheBone]

50. That was very heartfelt

but I also know that these same paths are the predictable and occur almost yearly. What has happened, in my opinion, is that developers have paid off so many officials, and land that was at one time not built on for these very reasons, have been developed and people now live in the path. The old dominion over the Earth is a joke and we have to learn to live on the Earth, in accordance with what the Earth does, not what we want to do.

[ananda]

51. I noticed early on how my own fundie rw family...

... took the New Deal stuff just fine, yet begrudge anything
given to minorities and other oppressed groups.

[Bake]

54. We're picking up the pieces here in KY

Why don't you come here and HELP instead of posting this kind of crap?

Oh, that would be too easy, wouldn't it.

Bake

[pecwae]

56. ((Hugs))

from a KY native.

[TheMastersNemesis]

60. Addendum Clarification.

Not everyone in the effected distaster area is a teabagger or a Republican. I was not saying that those areas were particularly biased. And I am qualifying what my post was about a bit differently. I see a lot of biases where I am in Colorado. Many of these biased individuals are uninformed and misunderstand the reasons for their plight and are blaming the wrong people. They are scattered among the populace.

What antigovernment individuals fail to understand is that to have a viable society we must have a viable tax base in infrastructure in order to handle an emergency situation. We have to have intergovernmental cooperation in the face of natural disasters that could effect the whole country. In the case of areas hit in this last go around of tornadic activity the federal government might be the only entity that can respond in a way that protects the general populace regardless of their political affiliation or beliefs. Right now there is a massive need for supplies to help people with their daily requirements. The local governmental structures are simply too overwhelmed to provide adequate care.

Now Governor Kasich in Ohio has said that he will not seek any federal aid at this time. On DU today there was a post where a local individual indicated that OHIO did not need federal help. Whether it be a local politician, a governor's aide or local person it is presumptuous to speak for others who disagree or really need the help. To politicize such a huge disaster for political gain or ideology or political gain is unpatriotic, un American and viciously cruel. Kasich is an evil, ideological and hateful person. His decision is malfeasance and dereliction of duty. He should resign and step down if he does not want to govern. Better yet he should be run out of office on the spot. As governor Kasich is governor of ALL the people of Ohio.

This divisiveness in the country is counter productive. What will we do if we have a really wide ranging disaster? It seems like the country is going insane or something. Our democracy will disintegrate if we continue on this path.

[Aerows]

65. I went through Katrina

I imagine that you had good intentions, but when you start trying to make a political conversation off of people that are most likely going through enormous tragedy, like those of us in the wake of Katrina's wrath, it looks like opportunism.

I'm going to assume that you did it with the best of intentions. Thank you for trying, but it seems like rubbing salt in wounds when you frame it as though those who don't get assistance "deserved it" because they happened to live in a state where their elected officials have their heads up their asses.

I didn't deserve Katrina, nor the muted response from the Bush administration, and neither did my neighbors. I didn't vote for him, and even if some of my neighbors did, I'm not going to harass people that are going through a hard time for a political agenda (and I didn't).

[Jokerman]

61. I am offended by this post.

I debated about whether my desire to reply to you outweighed my desire to leave your thread languishing in the bowels of the GD forum but in the end I can’t let your statements remain unchallenged.

“The very part of the country that hates Obama the most, is the most racist and bigoted, is the most extremely insanely religious, is homophobic, hate the poor, the welfare clients, the food stamp recipient, immigrants, the unemployment claimant and other government leeches”

That statement alone casts a dark shadow across anything else you may post even if it is followed by the half-hearted contradiction

“I was not saying that those areas were particularly biased”

when that is exactly what your first statement said.

First of all, using a natural disaster as an excuse to attack the victims for their political views is the kind of despicable act DUers should condemn, not recommend.

Second, a generalized, broad-brush attack on people because of the state or region they live in isn’t exactly a good way to foster cooperation and unity on a message board or in a political party.

Please reconsider this attack on a group of people that neither want your pity nor deserve your scorn.

[uppityperson]

62. Did you read the clarification one post up?

I see you posted an OP with the quote and got it locked, was hoping you saw this OP's clarification.

[Aerows]

64. I read it, personally

But after surviving Katrina, I'm no longer happy with these types of posts.

I went through too much, and saw too many people who lost everything and everyone to look at posts like these as anything but opportunism on the backs of those who suffered. Do you know how many people had to get counseling to deal with PTSD after Katrina? I'd imagine this community is going to go through the same things we did. I honestly believe that you can't grasp the enormity of the damage it does unless it happens to your community.

There are places you don't go, and trying to make political hay off of people who suffered a tragedy is one of them.

[uppityperson]

66. I agree.

Was just trying to clarify what the OP meant by pm, then asked OP to post a clarification. I wish he/she'd done it in the OP rather than down here as it is easily missed.

I agree. No need to make political hay out of catastrophes. Life is difficult enough without that.

I finally recently came to terms with the F5 tornado I was in as a toddler. It helped me figure out why I had such a panicked experience trying to help after Katrina, reminded me of my town. I am fascinate by tornadoes and it makes me feel sick, looking at the pictures of those windblown trees and homes and vehicles and people.

It can take many many many yrs to deal with this sort of stuff and it really isn't helpful to make it political.

[MadHound]

63. Well that's disgusting, gravedancing on the backs of the dead and destitute

All for political purposes. You even manage to bring God into the mess.

You also fail to forget that many of the backs you are dancing on are those of people who are good liberals and Democrats. But hey, they also get thrown in the mix, all to be sacrificed on the altar of politics.

Have you no shame?