Is the lack of response to this because we don't care - a judge's tantrum over a city's name, for example, being more important to us - or because, because it isn't immediately relevant to Northern Ireland politics and culture, or becuase in the midst of a hurricane even we would find it hard to argue and just remain silent, praying for our fellow earthlings and in awe of the destructive power of nature?

No, Gav, it's because people are tired of blaming George, and blaming the judge is a lot more exciting. (Hopefully mayor Nagin hasn't left anyone there this time. but you never know!)

Gavbelfast, I hope that it's just because people are overwhelmed by it and need a break. We in Texas certainly are. My wife is half crazy thinking about the babies on the road for 30-40 hours, no food, no water, no toilet, no where to stop. Then that bus of elderly catching fire south of Dallas, which caused their oxygen tanks to blow up like bombs. It's hard to imagine a storm the size of Ireland coming at you, with the pop. of Northern Ireland on the move. I hope that's why there're no posts. But rest assured, Ireland, that we need your thoughts and prayer to sustain us. Agnus Dei, qui tolis pecceta mundi, miserire nobis.

ch, is the traffic thinning out in Dallas yet? Hope so, Keeping my fingers crossed that this turns out for the better for all.

If what I am reading is correct, with federal help, there have been about 2 million evaced from the TX coast safely. That must leave around 3 million or so still there. It looks like the storm is fizzling just a bit thank god. Hopefully it will fizzle out much more.

Katie, Thanks for the concern. It was still pretty bad this afternoon, but the problem is gas. My station is out as are a bunch of others. They said we won't be resupplied for a week. that's with tens upon tens of people on the road. Texans usually don't like askin' for help, but damned girl! Anyway keep us all in your prayers, and we'll promise to bend but not break. See ya :)

the USA what a failure of society

R.K. I'm going to respect Mick's admonition against ad hominums.

The US doesnt believe in government, doesnt believe in collective action, the nation is a fundamentaly flawed society and the response to these disasters simply highlights this fact. So to everyone in the affected states grab a life jacket and hope for the best. Cause thats what your country has delivered

At least you have given me specifics, my marsupial friend. It is true, the power here is invested in the people, given to us by God, which we loan a bit to local, state, and federal officials to provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare. The Founding Fathers were afraid of an all powerful national government. Now, does that mean we are a fundamentally flawed society? You say that the response to a natural disaster shows it. I think it shows the opposite. Our society runs so well, that when something like this happens, people around the world figure it'll all be fine because it's the U.S.A., not Europe, where the dead during the heat wave where stacked liked cord wood in the morgues of the City of Light. Don't worry, mate. Our people didn't conquer a continent by being made of sugar candy.

no dallas u conquered a continent like everyone else did. "Murder and mayhem" - nothing really to be proud about... We did the same.. and i am not proud, but if u r good luck

R.K. I was speaking of conquering the elements, mountains. You refer to the natives. I'm reading a very good book "1491" which refers to the vibrant native population that was here that was virtually wiped out in a generation by european diseases ie smallpox. You do however seem to have a viscereal problem (my words) to mock my country and it's people even at this very moment when people are drowning. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but the problem seems to be more with you that me.

dont put the onus back on me to be worries about your nations problems when your nation had spread infested the world with the cancer of individulalism and anti collective action. I feel sorry for the poor and vunerable in your society but unfortuntly I dont have any power to help them. That power is vested with your people. and your people have showen by their innate racism and class based politics to not care, so sorry. I hope the poor escape and trample the wealthy on their way, But i doubt that will happen. but I will say a "hail mary" just in case.

I appreciate the Hail Mary. At the risk of giving myself a headache, what country or countries or societies do you consider superior to my own and why? I truly wish to see the other point of view.

dallas I don't mean to be offensive but i probably will anyway.. It's not about countries being superior ot not it's about people and the ethos that guides them. Your nation believs in the supremacy of the individual whereas i believe in the supremacy of the collective. My attack was not on the people of the US but on the nations ethos. I am just as critical of my own nations ethos so don't think I am picking on u. And I know this sounds twee but it is true, I have spent many a happy time in the USA and have many freinds there (some even agree with me)

I appreciate your concise answer, and take no offense. You're right, our world views are totally different. Lunch just came thru the door, so I think we'll leave it at that. You're welcome in Texas anytime. Good Debate! ch

"Storm surge breaches New Orleans levee "

Hi ch in dallas,

My condolences to all those US citizens who have died or suffered because of these two hurricaines.

How many US citizens think gobal warming is responsible for these two hurricaines (One shortly after another), and should US politicans take heed?

is there any articles in the US media like this?

British scientist calls US climate sceptics 'loonies
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/09/23/climate_loonies/

G2, I appreciate the condolences. It's a breath a fresh air (no pun intended) after red k. above. I'm unable to link your article. Here's the concensus here. There is global warming, no doubt about it. South pole ice shelf receding, free water in the artic during the summer, glaciers disappearing. Thursday was the 1st day of fall and we in Dallas hit 38C. They big unanswered question is it a natural cycle or man-made via CO2 accumulation due to burning fossil fuel. We don't know. Mr Blair in Washington I believe talked about not allowing Kyoto to cripple economic growth to hit the target. Our view is we need sustained economic growth to afford the new tech and infrastructure required to ween off fossil fuel, ie hydrogen, hybrid. Kyoto died, in my view, when it gave the belching smokestacks of China a pass. We need to ween off fossil because of where it is. Americans don't want to expend blood and treasure to keep open shipping lanes. So, hotter yes, not sure why, no Kyoto. By the way, everytime they try to build a wind farm in west Texas, the green sue cuz it kills birds!

G2, I appreciate the condolences. It's a breath a fresh air (no pun intended) after red k. above. I'm unable to link your article. Here's the concensus here. There is global warming, no doubt about it. South pole ice shelf receding, free water in the artic during the summer, glaciers disappearing. Thursday was the 1st day of fall and we in Dallas hit 38C. They big unanswered question is it a natural cycle or man-made via CO2 accumulation due to burning fossil fuel. We don't know. Mr Blair in Washington I believe talked about not allowing Kyoto to cripple economic growth to hit the target. Our view is we need sustained economic growth to afford the new tech and infrastructure required to ween off fossil fuel, ie hydrogen, hybrid. Kyoto died, in my view, when it gave the belching smokestacks of China a pass. We need to ween off fossil because of where it is. Americans don't want to expend blood and treasure to keep open shipping lanes. So, hotter yes, not sure why, no Kyoto. By the way, everytime they try to build a wind farm in west Texas, the green sue cuz it kills birds!

we've just started to get the tail end of it above memphis no worse than a rainy monday in castle st

"Kyoto died, in my view, when it gave the belching smokestacks of China a pass."

hi ch in dallas

Do you not think that by Blaming China's belching smokestacks this is only a smokescreen to cover up that "The USA is the world's biggest polluter" "The US contains 4% of the world's population but produces about 25% of all carbon dioxide emissions. By comparison, Britain emits 3% - about the same as India which has 15 times as many people"
http://www.vexen.co.uk/USA/pollution.html#Pollution

Do you not think western countries in Europe and North America should take a lead and show by example so other nations like China could follow. I think these two destructive hurricianes will make US citizens think more about their own pollution problem. Even "Bush admits to being hotter and gassier, blames humans"
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/09/g8_global_snoring/

G2

You have you statistics backwards. I think it is amazing that 4% of the worlds population create 25% of the worlds total economic activity and as a by product 20%+ of the worlds CO2 emissions.

JMC,

Its not my statistics, its this website's statistics who claims: "The US contains 4% of the world's population but produces about 25% of all carbon dioxide emissions. By comparison, Britain emits 3% - about the same as India which has 15 times as many people"
http://www.vexen.co.uk/USA/pollution.html#Pollution

JMC, Thank you, you took took the words right out of my mouth. I figured that G2's question was a trojan horse, but tried to give an honest answer none the less. Europe wonders why Americans tend to be insular, but when we're drowning, SOME of them throw us an anvil instead of a life preserver.

G2, Hi, there you are! You left out the next line of my statement. "We need to ween off fossil because of where it is" Europe and U>S> aren't that far apart. We WANT to WEEN of fossil using high tech. The Greens are blocking it. They don't want nuclear, or wind. Solar is still too expensive to be econmically viable. Hybrids are making an inroad. U.S. has and is becoming very effecient in use of 1 BTU per unit of output. Comparing us to India, who produces very little, and cooks burning cow sh*t, is specious. And like I said mate, cut us some slack until the water starts to recede. Gotta go to work now, 6 hour shift at the pharmacy, I'm a chemist. (Only have to work 6 on a Sunday, those 12 during the week tho can hurt the legs!) :)

ch...
I am not super clued in to the greens barring windfarms, I do know that there were some issues at the beginning regarding migrating birds and bats, but with proper placement and shutting them off during peak migration times, those reasons are not contraindications to using wind. What is this green blockage that you speak of? Are environmentalists in the west truly the main factor in not utilising wind? From what I have read, the main reason that wind power has not caught on is financial. The power companies do not buy back wind power at high enough prices to make it profitable to own and maintain windmills on private land. It ends up a very nuetral income source for those who provide it. Yet energy companies make a comparable or even larger profit than on fossil fuels.

As to nuclear power, what do we do with the spent fuel?
I think when we think of Clean energy, we really need to think clean. not just dirty in a different way.

but again, I have not read extensively on this subject, so there ya go.

Hi katie, Actually you have a good handle on the wind sitch. And I agree on the nukes, but to hit Kyoto targets that our european friends want would demand them. Many farmers in west Texas are buying their own wind mills and selling back excess energy to the grid. The mill pays for itself in 6 years. Wind power Kwts are dropping closer to fossil, but a way to go. But when you make a large investment, the thought of enviros having a veto over when you can run the thing scares off the capital needed. West Tx wants it, cuz renting out the barren wind-swept land makes more sense than having a few cattle. Another problem with wind is it is intermitant. But I guess you're right, it still all boils down to economics.

R.K.: "The US doesnt believe in government, doesnt believe in collective action, the nation is a fundamentaly flawed society and the response to these disasters simply highlights this fact. So to everyone in the affected states grab a life jacket and hope for the best. Cause thats what your country has delivered"

Sure... and tell what other country could have weathered the sheer scope of Katrina better than the US? The disaster area was teh size of the UK, chummer. The EU can't even handle an unseasonable warm summer without greater casualties.