[thechat] Tsunami toll: 52000
Luther, Ron
ron.luther at hp.com
Tue Jan 4 16:54:34 CST 2005
William Anderson noted:
>>You (the proverbial "you", of course) didn't install a tsunami detection
>>system as was done by countries with coasts on the Pacific
Dude ... that's cold.
'Detection' is generally an after the fact kind of thing which relies upon
having communications infrastructure and civil defense evacuation planning
(and personnel ... and well-maintained equipment) in place to be effective.
'Prediction' and fair warning being, as yet, imperfect sciences detection
measures may have provided some hours of warning to some of the victims and
saved some lives ... my guess would be a pretty small fraction.
Detection or butter? ... Locally, and perhaps to some extent globally,
we are a short-sighted species ... Could any of us have 'sold' these
governments to have invested money on planning and prevention activities
for a 'once in 500 years' natural disaster? ... When they have pressing
concerns that would show more immediate benefits from that funding?
Could you, today, sell California, Mexico City, or the Pacific Rim (of
fire) on better planning for the big quake yet to come?
Moving on more to the 'social contract' side of the equation ... 'advanced'
nations may have internal detection/warning agencies, disaster relief
organizations and/or privately funded insurance agencies. Are these working?
Increasingly, (over here anyway), there seem to be more and more heated
arguments over the use of public tax monies to rebuild the same wealthy
bugger's ocean front mansion after every hurricane ... and over the increase
in insurance premiums for all to pay off these same claims every year.
Perhaps this system is due for change as well.
RonL.
(My condolences to my buddies in the East ... nobody 'deserved' to suffer
from this disaster.)
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