Flee or die

That was the official word of the national weather service to residents along the Texas coast. I just do not understand what was ambiguous about that ... "flee or die."Or, those to remaining "face certain death." Or, in one and story houses, you will face certain death if you try to ride this hurricane out.

And yet, the Coast Guard has been busy all day snatching people off of roofs, from trucks, from churches. This, after the mandatory evacuation notice. I feel bad for the people who are about to lose their houses, their vacation homes, their trucks, cars and possessions ... but what the hell do you expect? You chose to live and build in a zone -- like New Orleans -- that is bound to get hit sooner or later. Galveston was wiped off of the face of the map in 1900. They built a sea wall to protect it ... 15-17 feet high. Trouble is, the storm surge of Ike is over 20 feet. If Ike was stronger -- Cat 3 to 5, then the surge would be higher, coupled with 40-50 foot waves. Not much can withstand that. The tide is meant to be low when the eye hits ... thank God.

Why ANYONE would try to ride out this event is beyond comprehension. Stupid, really. Beyond belief. Yet, the news shows people having a Hurricane party at the "Poop Deck" bar overlooking the Galveston sea wall. They will die.

On the news I see pictures of BMWs parked in a flooded roadway .... flashers on. Sorry, Charlie ... but why did you not evacuate? Why? Did you people learn nothing at all from Katrina, and a whole string of devastating hurricanes over the last 100 years?

And the taxpayers of the United States will pay for this. Pay for the privilege of others to taunt nature. I don't wish victims any harm ... but equally, others should not be placed in danger or financially burdened through crass stupidity.

Sorry. And God keep those affected.