Maybe what happened here in Ohio yesterday was necessary.

[EnviroBat]

I don't know if much has been made of the small hurricane we had in Ohio yesterday, suffice it to say the weather was a freak show the likes of which I have never witnessed in my 41 short years. There was damage, there was fear. There were neighbors getting together in the street, concerned for each other. But amidst the neighborly concern there was a palpable feeling of abandonment, and loneliness which I haven't experienced since 9/11. People are acting really strange today. There is a real sense of "me first" going on here, and I think it's the remains of 9/11 shell-shock. Face it, we were abandoned by our government back then, let down, disappointed, turned against in the worst way. To add insult to injury, Katrina later showed us all how little our government gives a flying fuck about any of us who don't carry the title, CEO. Well I saw that first hand yesterday. It was an ugly feeling, and a dark cloud hanging over everything. We've become a nation of "fuck you, I've got mine", and I place the blame squarely upon this corrupt administration and republican party.

For the first time since 9/11, I experienced people scared for their homes, and families. I saw them armed with the knowledge that we are all so close to losing everything, a missed paycheck, an illness, a layoff, and now the weather was throwing shit at us many have never experienced before. For that blustery day, each of us stood alone, wondering if we were going to have to call the insurance company tomorrow, (those of us that can afford such a luxury). No one can help us, no one will. My next-door neighbors drifted off to sleep as their power generator hummed annoyingly through the gusty night. They had lent me a small battery powered lantern. It occurred to me as I sat close to the artificial glow trying to read with the wind outside threatening to tear my roof off, that was the best they could do.

I for one, want to live in a country where we can all do better. I hope yesterday was a wake up call for this "swing" state that disasters aren't necessarily reserved for Gulf States, and earthquake regions. Devastation is an equal opportunity solicitor, and what government do you want in power when it comes knocking on your door?

EBat Out