Governor DeSantis of Florida was grateful today that at least Hurricane Milton didn’t hit as strongly as expected. It could have been worse. True, but faint comfort for those who were caught in it through no choice of their own, either because they lacked the means to leave or the understanding of the risk involved. Even some people outside of evacuation areas, supposedly safe, were flooded out by several feet of water. Unfortunately, there are many deniers who will now promote their own theories that this proves we should mistrust the experts, those egg-heads, and decide to just ride out whatever the next disaster is. There were a number of weather unknowns here, including the fact that forecasters have little experience with these new extreme storms. Predictions were therefore for a range of scenarios, luckily this storm both weakened before landfall and veered farther south. There was half the storm surge of Helene, but still high winds, torrential rain, and even more tornadoes. It was still a disaster for many across the state, and news outlets certainly did a good job of combining cutting-edge technology and live reports.
As for any major event, there was no shortage of fake news and hoaxes over the last few days. Unfortunately, this can mislead some to the extent that they ignore official warnings, and don’t trust any assurances of assistance. This choice is with consequences for them, but also for those that have to then have try to provide help after the fact. One especially weird theory was that a research project, HAARP, used high frequency radiation to boost Helene over Florida, thus preventing Republican voters from getting out to the advance polls. When Governor DeSantis was asked about these stories, he just said that if it sounds outrageous to not believe it. Given some of his ideas, that’s not a reliable guideline. And he didn’t suggest that people check the FEMA site designed to refute those rumours with facts. He’s not a big fan of the Federal government - unless he’s complaining they haven’t sent him enough money. His base, and many others, aren’t big on facts, or critical thinking in general. It’s not something emphasized in schools, but then it’s not really needed by most people to live in today’s world. It doesn’t help that we see theories such as the latest from Marjorie Taylor Greene about Federal control of the weather. She said, "Yes they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done."
We see more extremes in hurricanes, heat waves, wildfires, tornadoes, and floods. Has this finally boosted climate change to the top of the agenda? This CNN article suggests not. In a recent Gallup poll, only 5% of Republicans and slightly more than a third of Democrats said it was ‘extremely important’. Top of the list for Republicans is Economy and Immigration, for Democrats it’s Democracy and Supreme Court justices. And Harris, while promoting ‘clean energy’ jobs, is also promoting domestic oil drilling. She recognizes that it is not as bad as relying on foreign oil, but I think also realises that not promoting it would mean fewer votes for her. And possibly higher prices for consumers. The inconvenient truth is that climate change is real, and it’s our fault. Yes, less oil dependence will reduce climate change long term, but it will create some hardships short term. Again, the struggle for science, critical thinking and logic.
Resistance to public health is less of a fringe issue now, according to the NYT, with supporters pushing the slogan Make America Healthy Again. This includes withdrawal of FDA approval for certain vaccines such as Hepatitis-B and polio, and more support for alternative medical treatments (meaning not based on proven medical research) and natural foods, such as unpasteurized milk.
Sigh. I see a similar polarization here in Canada, with left and right farther and farther apart, amidst rumours and mistrust, with to remember bumper sticker politics. All three party leaders are the lowest ever in the polls. We have a minority Parliament, with an Opposition who are continually attacking all government policies. Yes, opposition is their role, but they also say we should vote for them because they could do better. When asked for details, whether what they would do on the economy or climate change or even dealing with the Israel/Hamas conflict, they say we have to wait until we’re in an election. That isn’t scheduled until the fall of 2025, but the Cons are pushing for one now, though a non-confidence vote. They are way up in the polls and would win easily, perhaps even a majority. I don’t support them, and would normally vote strategically, but none of the parties have policies I like, even to the extent of voting for whomever I dislike the most! We can’t show up and decline the ballot, as a way to register ‘none of the above’, so, for the first time in sixty years, I may just not vote.
well said. I am shaking my head at the inanity of politics/policies these days.
Another intelligent analysis of how frustrating politics is right now. But I think that spoiling a ballot is better than not voting. I am not able to vote here in BC in the upcoming election because I haven't lived here quite long enough. Not being able to vote bothers me much more than I thought it would.