Pack em in.

There's an article in the Saint Pete Times today Bridges may fail in Category 4 Storm that talks about pinellas counties possibilities in the event of a category 4 storm. Of course it is all guesswork but the scenario is not pretty. Depending on direction, wind speed and amount of storm surge pinellas county could become two seperate islands with the lower lands submerged beneath the gulf and bay. Worst of all most if not all the bridges could be damaged and impassible leaving pinellas to depend on airlifts and boat rescue ops. Not pretty for the near million people who live in the county.

What does the county as well as the cities within the counties do? They allow construction of more condo towers and residential redevelopment which essentialy crams more people into a limited space. While I love new high-rises, seeing what happened in south florida after hurricane wilma, you tend to wonder if that is what's best for a state under constant threat from hurricanes. Seeing some of these high-rises, with a majority of their windows gone, makes one wonder if our building codes are not strict enough or just not being adhered to. No matter we continue to build. In typical florida fashion I'm sure most of these high-rise condo dwellers will stay put further straining out local resources who should be more focused on rescue and recovery and getting the county accessible for those who need help. Evacuation that's another story....

Apparently if pinellas were to issue evacuation orders they would cover somewhere near 300 - 500,000 residents who live in flood zones. Now you put those people on the road with the evacuees from other counties and you have a gridlock situation possibly far worse than what was seen in Texas for hurricane Rita. Florida needs to focus on the evacuation. There needs to be other modes of transportation built to get people out of highly populated areas in a timely manner. One way to do that would have been the high speed rail system but alas florida voters in their all knowing wisdom decided to vote for the repeal of the amendment for high speed rail. Luckily though, the legislature has taken a 'not so fast' approach to totally shutting down the possibility. Now we need a governor who will support alternative modes for florida and implement not only the high-speed rail but other rail and transit options in the major population areas of florida. Not only could they help our current traffic situation but they could also expedite a speedier evacuation of large amounts of people.

It's time florida and floridians start focusing on what matters. A new $40 million dollar sports center in hillsborough is not a necessity. Increased transportation , infrastructure, and school funding is more important. Instead of focusing on supporting or not supporting gay pride lets focus on what matters to all of hillsborough, not just a select few. Florida as a whole needs to wake up and demand their politicians focus on needs for the state, not special interests. It's time florida catch up to the 21st century and act like a state others look to and model themselves after.

Hurricane Wilma: The Aftermath

What is there to say other than, Told you so! These are the words uttered by most politicians and meteorologists these days in response to hurricane Wilma. Are they right in saying so? Yes of course. Hurricane Wilma was forecast to hit Florida for well over a week. People had time to prepare but in typical Floridian fashion they didn't. Some may ask me, "well mike, did you prepare?" To that I say "No!" I consulted the magic 8 ball many times in advance of the storm. Every time the Magic 8 ball insisted Hurricane Wilma would not strike where I live. Again, as always the Magic 8 ball was correct. Thanks again Magic 8 ball, you are all wise an knowing. Who needs Titan, Doppler 9000, Viper, Double Doppler, and Vortex when I have you Magic 8 ball to guide me when a storm threatens.

So now on the news you see people whining and complaining they have to stand in line for a mere 3 or 4 hours to get gasoline or groceries. Well I say, tough. You should've had a Magic 8 ball to guide you through your preparations. If you had a Magic 8 ball to consult, you wouldn't be in this mess now would you. Then there was an article in the paper of people who are trapped in the high-rise condos. Again, tough! You wanted to spend a small fortune to live high above the little people whom you step over every single day on your way to cappucino stand, hair salon, Rolls Royce dealer or wherever it is rich people shop these days. I say use the stairs. A little exercise never killed anyone, well except for the occasional jogger mowed down by a motor vehicle. Other than that if you can't handle the fact that your elevator in your crystal palace no longer works then I suggest you move to a home that has a single floor. It's just part of the price you pay to live in the lap of luxury overlooking the crystal blue waters of the ocean, unless you live along the Gulf of Mexico, then they're green.

It's time people realize they, not the government are responsible for what happens to them in a disaster. The government can only do so much. When the time comes we as a people should be prepared on our own, not fully reliant on a government that takes our money just so they can cash it and have it sewn together to create a money quilt to keep them warm at night. Good God, what did you think, they actually turned around and spent your tax dollars on making your life any better... I think not. My last word of advice... spend the mere $9.99 and get a magic 8 ball. It's the best money you'll ever spend.