The Smarmy Carny

I was watching a game show in the cafeteria at work, and someone noted that there was not hurricane-related news on the television. I might as well offer a few thoughts on the events surrounding the hurricane.

• Evacuation — They should do a whole lot more to help get the sick and elderly out of the hurricane regions when an evacuation is in effect. Perhaps an evacuation hotline might make sense, but it might also be too impractical. In the area where I grew up, there were road signs near major strips for evacuation routes in case of problems with the nearby nuclear plant.
• Rooftop rescues — Assuming a better, improved evacuation procedure, they should fine every single person who has to be rescued by helicopter. I see many seemingly healthy people on the news coverage being lifted out via helicopter. Likely, these people were simply of the "We're not going to leave home. Forget the evacuation, because we're sticking it out!" mindset. This stupidity wastes the time of the rescue choppers that could be doing something worthwhile, like aiding ground rescue teams or pulling out any floating corpses that may be contaminating the water.
• Looting — What's the deal with looting? I can somewhat understand the food situation, since the grocery stores aren't open and there aren't many/any other methods for obtaining food. This leads me to a suggestion: If you're dumb enough not to evacuate, then stock up on food! Tulane University's hospital is trying to evacuate because they are experiencing problems with looting. Someone stole the hospital's generator off of one of their command stations. If that weren't enough, one of their ambulances was overturned as well. Smart.

That having been said, I have decided to make a decision and take a stand against hurricanes.

Ever feel like being charitable, but didn't feel like actually giving anything to anyone? Well now's your chance!

Dannon is now sponsoring a program called "Click to End Hunger," and it is of no cost to you!

Simply head to the Click to End Hunger page and click on the "15 meals" circle. You can then opt to send an e-card to someone and double the donation. It really is that simple! You don't even have to sign up!

Here's a little more information on the details, for those who care.

For each click, Dannon will contribute $1 to America's Second Harvest (up to a total of $75,000). And every $1 donated helps America's Second Harvest provide 15 meals to children in need.*
*Meals are used for illustrative purposes only. For every dollar donated, America's Second Harvest secures
and distributes 20 pounds of food and grocery products such as cereal, soap, fruit, bath soap and diapers.
According to the USDA Thrifty Food Plan, an average meal is 1.28 pounds of food.