JOE CASPER - South Boston Tribune

GET OUT...NOW!

You can’t force people to do more than they are willing to do for their own well being.

That message was echoed loud and clear in Texas during hurricane Ike. The message was... ‘Leave Now...Or Die!” So what did thousands of people do? They Stayed! The didn’t heed the dire message... GET OUT... NOW!

People were actually told to “Write your Social Security number on your arm so after you die and are found, we can identify you.” All those strong warnings were ignored. “What Me Worry?”

The “Bad News” message from Texas authorities was, “If you stay, help will not be on the way. “You are on your own.” It’s About Time!

I’m reminded of the lawyer story that puts final options in perfect perspective.

The lawyer received a call from an inmate in prison. The lawyer said to the inmate on the phone, “You’re calling me from Sing Sing and you’re looking for legal advice and you don’t have any money?

“They’ve shaved your head and slit your pants and you’re calling me for legal advice and you don’t have any money?

“Well, my advice to you is... Don’t sit down and Goodbye...and I do mean...Goodbye.”

Sometimes in no uncertain terms you must tell people exactly the way it is.

If you stay...We’re Not Coming! If you climb that icy mountain in the middle of winter...We’re Not Coming! If you decide to go for a boat ride in the middle of a hurricane... We're Not Coming!
Why should the actions of the “Committed Stupid” place other people at risk? People were told that it was too dangerous to climb the mountain yet went ahead and did it anyway. You might say, “it’s their way of saying... Goodbye!”

As the Texas sheriff said, “Write your Social Security number on your arm so we can identify your body after your body is found.” Finally, someone with some common sense.

Forest Gump got it right when he said, “Stupid is as stupid does!”

I’m reminded of the very heavy man who wanted to become a mountain climber. The professional mountain climbers told the man that he had to lose quite a bit of weight. The man ignored their advice. Instead he decided to build up the strength in his upper body. That way, despite his weighty problem he would be able to pull himself up the mountain. He ignored all of the safety warnings.

He did however successfully build up the strength in his arms to he could indeed put up his massive weight with little problem. He was very proud of himself and especially proud that he was able to do it despite the dire warnings given to him.

Finally the day came that he was ready to climb the mountain. He started out and he was doing fine. He had little trouble pulling himself up the mountain.

When he was half way up the mountain, he felt a tug on the rope. He looked up and the rope he was using wasn’t strong enough to support his massive weight.

He looked up and checked again. The rope was indeed fraying. He looked down and there was nothing to break his fall. it was a clear and absolute drop.

So he got an idea. Next time... He would use a stronger rope!

Yes, indeed! There are so many dangerous decisions that people make that truly impact others. How many times have you said to someone... “That doesn’t seem like a very good idea. I don’t think it is safe?” Do you go along or simply stand back and hope for the best?

Let’s take a look at the men who decided to sail their large tanker into the hurricane. Twenty two men on board and they got caught in the middle of Ike. The message from the Coast Guard was, “Stay where you are! Help is not on the way.”

It was way too dangerous to complete a successful rescue. The Coast Guard did try but the fierce winds were too much for the rescue helicopters. The fact that the tanker was without power and could not be maneuvered made rescue even more dangerous for the rescuers.

Clearly, the new message is... Good Luck and I do mean...GOOD LUCK!

Let’s take a look at the television reporters covering hurricanes. What are they doing out there? If everyone is supposed to leave...why are they allowed to stay? Their being there in fact, minimizes the danger. How bad could it be if the television reporter is standing atop the retaining wall surrounded by surging waves? They should mount the camera on a building and get out of there. It’s beyond “Stupid” for the television networks to put their on air talent at risk.

So let us assume that a reporter standing in the middle of weather chaos gets injured. Does that mean that they too are on their own? Or does it mean that they have preferred status and public safety professionals would have to be pressed into action to attempt a rescue? That is clearly irresponsible behavior.

Anyone watching asks the same question. “What are these reporters doing there?” Everyone must leave. It is a mandatory evacuation. Then there’s the reporter standing in the wind, rain, hail and sleet in effect telling people, “I’m here and it’s not really that bad.”

So what’s with the “Mandatory Evacuation?” It’s not “Mandatory” if the television reporters and their camera crews are till there. GET OUT NOW... means reporters too!

For those people who ignore the GET OUT...NOW MESSAGE... there is a new policy in place. There is a new Sheriff in town. You’re on your own. Good Luck! His message is... GOODBYE AND I DO MEAN GOODBYE!

GET OUT...NOW! You can’t force people to do more than they are willing to do for their own well being. That message was echoed loud and clear in Texas during hurricane Ike. The message was... ‘Leave Now...Or Die!” So what did thousands of people do? They Stayed! The didn’t heed the dire message... GET OUT... NOW! People were actually told to “Write your Social Security number on your arm so after you die and are found, we can identify you.” All those strong warnings were ignored. “What Me Worry?” The “Bad News” message from Texas authorities was, “If you stay, help will not be on the way. “You are on your own.” It’s About Time! I’m reminded of the lawyer story that puts final options in perfect perspective. The lawyer received a call from an inmate in prison. The lawyer said to the inmate on the phone, “You’re calling me from Sing Sing and you’re looking for legal advice and you don’t have any money? “They’ve shaved your head and slit your pants and you’re calling me for legal advice and you don’t have any money? “Well, my advice to you is... Don’t sit down and Goodbye...and I do mean...Goodbye.” Sometimes in no uncertain terms you must tell people exactly the way it is. If you stay...We’re Not Coming! If you climb that icy mountain in the middle of winter...We’re Not Coming! If you decide to go for a boat ride in the middle of a hurricane... We're Not Coming! Why should the actions of the “Committed Stupid” place other people at risk? People were told that it was too dangerous to climb the mountain yet went ahead and did it anyway. You might say, “it’s their way of saying... Goodbye!” As the Texas sheriff said, “Write your Social Security number on your arm so we can identify your body after your body is found.” Finally, someone with some common sense. Forest Gump got it right when he said, “Stupid is as stupid does!” I’m reminded of the very heavy man who wanted to become a mountain climber. The professional mountain climbers told the man that he had to lose quite a bit of weight. The man ignored their advice. Instead he decided to build up the strength in his upper body. That way, despite his weighty problem he would be able to pull himself up the mountain. He ignored all of the safety warnings. He did however successfully build up the strength in his arms to he could indeed put up his massive weight with little problem. He was very proud of himself and especially proud that he was able to do it despite the dire warnings given to him. Finally the day came that he was ready to climb the mountain. He started out and he was doing fine. He had little trouble pulling himself up the mountain. When he was half way up the mountain, he felt a tug on the rope. He looked up and the rope he was using wasn’t strong enough to support his massive weight. He looked up and checked again. The rope was indeed fraying. He looked down and there was nothing to break his fall. it was a clear and absolute drop. So he got an idea. Next time... He would use a stronger rope! Yes, indeed! There are so many dangerous decisions that people make that truly impact others. How many times have you said to someone... “That doesn’t seem like a very good idea. I don’t think it is safe?” Do you go along or simply stand back and hope for the best? Let’s take a look at the men who decided to sail their large tanker into the hurricane. Twenty two men on board and they got caught in the middle of Ike. The message from the Coast Guard was, “Stay where you are! Help is not on the way.” It was way too dangerous to complete a successful rescue. The Coast Guard did try but the fierce winds were too much for the rescue helicopters. The fact that the tanker was without power and could not be maneuvered made rescue even more dangerous for the rescuers. Clearly, the new message is... Good Luck and I do mean...GOOD LUCK! Let’s take a look at the television reporters covering hurricanes. What are they doing out there? If everyone is supposed to leave...why are they allowed to stay? Their being there in fact, minimizes the danger. How bad could it be if the television reporter is standing atop the retaining wall surrounded by surging waves? They should mount the camera on a building and get out of there. It’s beyond “Stupid” for the television networks to put their on air talent at risk. So let us assume that a reporter standing in the middle of weather chaos gets injured. Does that mean that they too are on their own? Or does it mean that they have preferred status and public safety professionals would have to be pressed into action to attempt a rescue? That is clearly irresponsible behavior. Anyone watching asks the same question. “What are these reporters doing there?” Everyone must leave. It is a mandatory evacuation. Then there’s the reporter standing in the wind, rain, hail and sleet in effect telling people, “I’m here and it’s not really that bad.” So what’s with the “Mandatory Evacuation?” It’s not “Mandatory” if the television reporters and their camera crews are till there. GET OUT NOW... means reporters too! For those people who ignore the GET OUT...NOW MESSAGE... there is a new policy in place. There is a new Sheriff in town. You’re on your own. Good Luck! His message is... GOODBYE AND I DO MEAN GOODBYE!	Past Columns Past Columns will be available soon!