Two words for those who're flinging shade at Houston municipal officials: Hurricane Rita

[TygrBright]

15. It is heartbreaking.

We have known for years that the number and frequency of catastrophic weather events (CWEs) is increasing.

As the awareness of this fast-developing hurricane shows, we've developed better and better modeling and tracking tools to help us see them coming, even with short notice.

We have the creativity, the expertise, and the resources to make fast-preparation-and-response plans, stockpile resources, dedicate personnel, educate the public, get people prepared the way we were for the Atomic War in the 1950s and 1960s. I can still remember the location of my CD shelter when I was in grade school.

We have had people in the relevant agencies BEGGING for the funding to create those plans and prepare those resources. Adding them to the budget requests, year after year. Testifying to committees about the need for them, the lives and economic resources they would save.

And year after year, those budgets get cut in Congress by climate-denying assholes.

I have confidence in, and respect for, the people of Houston. I remember how they opened their city to Katrina survivors, sent resources again and again to other Big Bend and Gulf communities when the disasters hit. I'm praying for them.

sadly,
Bright