Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Hurricanes, Politicians and Elections..by Jamil Shawwa


With the lack of preparations and unpredictability of the 2005 Hurricane Katrina still in mind, Hurricane Sandy could not have chosen a “better” time than now to land; at the height  and final days of the presidential elections.
The country for days has been talking and getting ready and preparing for the huge landfall, that it put the best “reception” possible to face an adversary that the US cannot defend or marginalize or prevent. But it could minimize its damage, both human and physical.
hurricane sandy elections
Picture Credits: Reuters
President Obama and his challenger former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney put on their best behavior, Romney disappeared, cancelled all campaigning and the president did the same but also made a statement and a TV briefing and asked the country to obey evacuation orders where warranted and needed. He stressed the coordination with states governors and local authorities and appeared comforting and presidential to a population that is in panic- Indirectly Obama showed America the much needed federal government in times of distress, a federal government that Romney wants to minimize and cut.
They both stopped being the attack dogs, for now, for couple of days until Sandy moves on and takes off again or just heads to ocean and disappear. So the worst hurricane in over 80 years is bringing the best of America and the country is facing it with humility that it did not face Katrina and with a bow to nature that the superpower is not used to have when dealing with an adversary.

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