A Rough Winter?

I noticed that the squirrels have been extra busy this year. My driveway is, as usual this time of year, littered with pecans. The big difference I have noticed this time is that all of them have been chewed by those cute little rats with fluffy tails. The squirrels are packing it in.

My mother reports similar observations with her Norman-based squirrels.

Do they know something we don't?

Do We Claim These Guys?

The Los Angeles Times is among many news organizations talking about the unqualified resumes of the leaders of FEMA, and unfortunately, about their Oklahoma ties:

"Both Allbaugh and Brown were Oklahoma natives involved in that state's Republican politics. FEMA's acting deputy chief of staff, Brooks Altshuler, also hails from Oklahoma."

Did any of these guys have anything to do with the response to the Murrah bombing? To the May 3rd tornadoes?

And now Time Magazine reports that Michael Brown appears to have padded his resume.

We are a state that has done disaster management, and, despite some problems, has done it pretty well. I hate any implication that incompetence in FEMA may be linked to being from Oklahoma.

I lived in California for a while and was shocked to hear it then. I can certainly hear Californians (and, I fear, others) now..."Dumb Okies!"

I know, this is a cras and paranoid concern at a time of national disaster. But I much prefer Frank Keating as the face of Oklahoma disaster response to Brown and Allbaugh. Any way we can disown them?

Anyone else feel like a vulture?

I am alone in this or were other people disgusted by the report in today's Oklahoman that the Ford Center may become temporary home to the New Orleans Hornets? The article says,

If the Hornets were to relocate to the Ford Center (capacity 18,567), even on a temporary basis, it would give Oklahoma City a unique opportunity to evaluate the feasibility of a major-pro franchise existing locally - and at no financial risk.

"We would get a chance to look at something we've always wanted to get a look at," said Tim Brasfield, president of the All Sports Association.

Nine potential conflicts exist because the Oklahoma City Blazers 2005-2006 hockey schedule already has been set. The Blazers are the Ford Center's primary tenant, but would agree to play in the myriad when there is a conflict.

It was quite a stunner to read such a mercenary-sounding article after just reading that the Astrodome is full, and more housing is needed for Hurricane Katrina's refugees. I had had hopes that our city would once again demonstrate the "Oklahoma Standard" and offer the Ford Center.

Don't you think the Blazers might be willing to move to the Myriad for devastated storm refugees, too?

The Oklahoman Disappoints

Today's editorials in The Oklahoman demonstrate an inexcusable attitude toward disaster relief efforts. To say that the response is just right, that some people may die, but in time the rest will be fine, we don't need to see any errors, improve any process, is infuriating.

I have been a disaster responder in several situations, including to the World Trade Center. One of the most important aspects of any disaster response is to notice and learn from mistakes so that the next response will be better. And there are always mistakes. When babies and old people are dying in New Orleans of dehydration and starvation and lack of basic care, that isn't good enough of a response. When people in Mississippi go for days and days without seeing a single soul there to help, that is not good enough.

One of the biggest hindrances to improving disaster response here in Oklahoma is the belief that we did just fine, just great with the response to the federal building bombing. That, too, was a bungled job in many respects, but it was a relatively small disaster, at least compared to 9/11 and Katrina. To have seen the errors and yet feel resistance to improvement because of the mistaken belief by policymakers and the public that there is no need to do better is infuriating and frustrating and maddening. Sure, hindsight is 20/20, but only if you look.

The Oklahoman's comments seem a veiled apology for the government's inadequate action. What are a few lives here and there? In time, people will move on, they say. Well, you can say the same about the plague.

Anybody think we are ready for the plague here? A dirty bomb? A big anthrax or smallpox attack? If you do, just keep burying your head in the sand. We aren't ready for any of it.

"So far, so good"? So far, not nearly good enough.