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The Forces of Nature and Why People must Respect It:

Today, I'm taking a break from posting about Boston's politics to blog in something different. Here goes:

Much has been noted, and said about the force(s) of nature kicking back when people have shown little to no respect for it.

Nature, I believe, is a very strange, if not intense and exciting phenomenom that frequently works in various, if quirky ways. Nature can be beautiful, yet ugly. It can be gentle and yet harsh. Nature can also be calm, and yet it can also be tempestous, wreaking much havoc and destruction towards anything and/or everything in its path.

Unfortunately, many people are neither diplomatic enough or educated enough to show a certain amount of healthy respect for nature, which has frequently led to disastrous results.

The devastation of Hurricane Katrina back in late August 2005 not withstanding, many, many people reside along the coastal areas here in the United States, or near large lakes, ponds, streams and rivers. Having a magnificent view of the water is an especially beautiful, pleasant, and yet exciting/calming element. This is especially true in the case of residing right by the ocean, which is particularly fascinating to watch as it changes from high tide to low tide, or vise versa in a matter of hours, or to see a calm, beautiful blue ocean in fair weather turn to dark or steely gray during a storm or when a storm is approaching. The waves forming a huge wall of water, gradually increasing to peak into what looks like a mountain or hill of water, and then forming crests during high tide, only to break on the beach and then forming a somewhat scary-looking undertow in calm weather during high tide, can be fascinating to behold, and the roar of the ocean can have a mesmerizing, if not calming effect. Even the ocean's wrath during a storm can be a thing of beauty and exciting to watch. In short, the ocean is big, powerful and beautiful; yet it can also be extremely destructive.

The ocean can also be exciting to swim in as well, especially during high tide, when it's fun to swim out aways from shore, and then to allow oneself to be carried back into shore by the tide. The ocean can also be quite invigorating, especially on a hot, sultry summer's day, but there's also the danger of occurrence of a rip tide, which can be quite nasty. Yet, a large lake, pond, stream or river can also be beautiful too, although none of them have the beauty, power, or spectacularness of the ocean. The waters seem to lie placidly and calmly, reflecting the golden sunshine/sunset off of its small crests, and yet, the calm appearance of a river or lake can also be deceiving, as it can also mask dangerous cross-currents, eddies and whirlpools. The sound of a stream coursing along down a mountain, or along a flat forest can be stimulating and calming at the same time, and the stream tends to sparkle in the sunshine as it moves along, and can even be wonderful for wading or fishing in. However, one also must take into account the age-old, but oh-so-true saying "Water is a good friend but a lethal enemy." Therefore, while water can be a pleasure to view, swim in and otherwise generally enjoy, a certain amount of healthy respect for the water is an absolute necessity.

While residing near the water can and does have a great deal of advantages to it, providing much beauty and pleasure, there's also an extreme downside to it as well. Bad storms at any time of year, especially along low-lying and/or coastal areas, have frequently resulted in people's homes that are right smack near the water being compromised, if not partially or totally devastated by water damage, if not washed away altogether. The erection of sea walls and/or levees in many low-lying and/or coastal towns, ostensibly to protect beachside homes and businesses from being destroyed or washed away by water during a storm when flooding and/or flash-flooding can and do frequently occur, have done little to nothing to help matters any, and, if anything, have made them worse.

During the Blizzard of '78, which unexpectedly hit the Bay State with a demonic ferocity, many people residing in coastal cities and towns, whose homes were right by the water, had their houses just totally washed away. Many people were also left stranded at their workplaces, in their cars on their way home, as well as being without power and/or heat, and many people residing in low-lying coastal areas had their homes severely damaged or washed away altogether. The same things also happened during the Blizzards of '93 and '96, only to somewhat lesser degrees, since the Bay State was better prepared and equipped to deal with the aftermath of the situations, unlike the Blizzard of '78.

During heavy storms, people residing by rivers, lakes, streams and ponds have also experienced problems when such bodies of water have become extremely swollen by excessive rainfall, often resulting in flooding or flash-flooding, which has, in turn, resulted in partial or total destruction of their homes. Street flooding, which has also resulted in the submergence of whole streets beneath the water, forcing people to go everywhere by rowboat, has also had disastrous results, such as expensive repairs, displacement and much heartache for people. Yet, the above-mentioned situations also present additional dangers as well. Not withstanding the partial or total destruction and/or submergence beneath the water of homes that have been left standing, including mold, mildew and the leaching out of toxic chemicals into the water, which has been known to cause 2nd and even 3rd degree burns to rescuers, flood waters frequently harbor all kinds of dirt, garbage and deadly bacteria, increasing the dangers of and resulting in deadly diseases and infections. The displacement of poisonous snakes and/or other dangerous swamp, pond, ocean, or even forest denizens has also resulted from extreme flooding in the wake of storms, sickening and/or killing many people.

Many, if not most of the above-mentioned situations cropped up during Hurricane Katrina, which hit the Gulf Coast, including New Orleans, LA and parts of Mississippi with an especially demonic ferocity and effectively drowned a once-vibrant and thriving city with many elegant old houses and other buildings that had been known for its many festivals, clubs, bars and taverns that regularly hosted renowned jazz and blues players who regularly performed concerts in them, creating a real culture and nightlife enjoyed by many of New Orleans' residents, plus the renowned annual Mardi Gras celebrations. Some low-lying Mississippi towns, including Biloxi, were totally wiped out.

Low-lying residential areas of New Orleans that had been working-class and/or African-Americans, notably the Lower 9th Ward, were now totally destroyed and underwater as a consequence of horrific flooding that resulted from the breaking of failed levees. Houses were either severely damaged by the floods or washed away, and hundreds of thousands of people, mostly poor and/or African-American, were displaced, many, if not most of the (former) residents never to return to their homes again. Whole streets, docks, etc., were totally underwater, as were many businesses and residential homes.

The horrendous, horrific situation that came about in Hurricane Katrina's wake, however, was a direct consequence of several factors combined. To begin with, New Orleans had been built roughly 20 feet below sea level. Since around 1900, Louisiana has a long history of corrupt, inept politicians and politics. Levees that were built around
low-lying levels of the city of New Orleans right by the water had never been built to withstand extremely heavy natural disasters such as Katrina. Moreover, these levees have not been updated, maintained and/or reinforced like the should've been. Hurricane Katrina, the worst natural disaster in the United States' history, compounded by the disgracefully inept, insensitive and irresponsible attitudes and responses to Katrina on the part of the G. W. Bush Administration, as well as by Federal State and local governments, was also human-made. Yet, the present flooding in Mexico, which has devastated an entire country, seems to top Katrina. There's no question but that the G. W. Bush Administration and the Federal government, however, alsoi contributed greatly to the devastation that Hurricane Katrina wrought .

Roughly 2, 000 people or more were killed or sickened by contaminated water, poisonous snake bites, and the inability of elderly and/or chronically ill residents to receive medical care, or medical care that was adequate. Many babies and small children, for instance, were without diapers, food, milk, clothes or other necessities. Diabetics and other patients with chronic health problems also ended up without insulin and/or other necessities. All this being said, had it not been for more than a hundred years of poor planning and design, as well as neglect on the part of local, state, federal and national government to fund, reinforce and regularly maintain and update the levees that broke during Katrina and devastated Mississippi's Gulf Coast as well as New Orleans and wiping some Mississippi towns totally out, and for the inept, insensitive and irresponsible behaviour on the part of the G. W. Bush Administration, especially in New Orleans, the devastation wrought by Katrina would've been at least minimized.

Our war on Iraq, too, has cost the United Sates much money, man/womanpower, not to mention the materials that are necessary for rebuilding housing, schools, etc., that are in decent enough shape to rebuild, and to replace housing, schools, hospitals, etc, that were totally destroyed or lost due to Katrina, as well as hospitals and schools, and, in general the entire infrastructure of new Orleans, thus enabling people to return to their familiar place of residence where they'd been their entire lives and loved. I'd also say that several months' to a year's worth of money presently being spent on our war in Iraq could've/would've/should've been spent on rebuilding New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, generally. Had not so much of our man/womanpower (i. e. the Coast Guard, National Guard, Army, etc.), been sent to Iraq to fight an illegal, immoral and unnecessary war, many more people could've been saved, and much property could've been rebuilt and replaced, and broken levees could've been fixed and re-inforced and rebuilt as well.

Unfortunately, what's also happened is that people who've chosen to stay or return home have ended up living in FEMA trailers permanently, or have ended up with pre-fabricated houses that contain and leach out toxic chemicals that have proven extremely detrimental to people's health. Again, the insensitivity, especially on the part of federal and national government, has played a huge, huge part in this disaster, which is wrong. Moreover, this is also an egregious example of government, on the federal, national and/or local levels having little to no respect or regard for people, the forces of nature and/or property.

Regarding less devastating water-related disasters in other parts of the country, I believe that there could've/should've been more done to reduce the risks to people who've taken up residence right by the water, and to reduce the losses, financial expenses, displacement and heartaches that can and do occur when heavy storms hit.

First of all, I believe that many mistakes were made when residences and/or businesses were built right close to the water in the first place. Therefore, one can hardly blame the people residing in such housing today, since not enough was known in times past to forsee the possible consequences of the destructive qualities of water under adverse weather conditions. That being said, I believe that more effort should be made to give Mother Nature her space. Not builiding right smack near bodies of water, but at least at a somewhat higher level above the water, if people still wish toi have their view of the water, would be a viable alternative. This would take into account the desire for people to have a view of the water, as well as the need to provide a safe distance between residents and the waters, offering a certain amount of protection from the destructive effects of water gone awry in adverse weather.

In addition to that, stronger more durable levees could/should be built in low-lying areas that are near lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. Regular monitoring, maintenance, updating and reinforcing these levees as needed is also an absolute necessity. Very strong, heavy durable levees might also have to be built along low-lying coastal areas as well, if there is to be any kind of protection against the forces of nature.

As many more people decide to go camping and/or hiking out into unspoiled wilderness areas, or even take up residence in such areas, human vs. wild animal-incidents, as well as wild animal sightings on people's properties, in exurbs, suburbs, and even in cities alike, have also been on the increase. Not long ago, coyotes were even sighted in the Jamaica Plain section of Boston, and even in suburban Watertown!

Other, more grisly events have abounded. In many national parks around the country, including Montana's renowned Yellowstone National Park, for example, Grizzlies and other bears were kept on exhibit in pens near picnic areas, while rangers lectured on their habits from behind the fences. This, along with some people either feeding or petting the bears, in many instances, led to disastrous results. "Not surprisingly, the bears soon lost their fear of humans and began to display dangerous, aggressive behaviour." As more and more people choose to go on camping/hiking trips well up into the mountains and therefore into wilderness areas that are frequently inhabited by bears, bear-human incidents have increased, resulting in maulings, maimings or deaths. Grizzly bears (especially grizzlies) and Black bears have been implicated in many, if not most of these horrific incidents.

At least three horrendous examples occurred back in the 1960's/early 1970's, two in Yellowstone National Park, one other incident occurred elsewhere. On one of these occasions, a young man and a young woman who both worked at the park, decided to camp out under the stars one night. Laughing and joking under the stars, they fell asleep at around half-past nine. Three hours later, they were woken up by a Grizzly t hat had wandered into their camp. The woman warned her companion to lie still and not move. The Grizzly sank its teeth into the young man's shoulder, then flipped him about 10 feet into the with its paw. Then, the bear turned on the woman, biting her shoulder. She screamed, and the Grizzly dragged her off down the hill. While the young man survived, the young woman died of multiple wounds shortly thereafter.

Another horrific incident occurred in another campsite in Yellowstone National park that was roughly 10 miles away, on that very same night. Several young park workers also decided to set up camp that night. Their experience, which had begun during the late afternoon/evening hours of the day, in some ways, was even more horrific. During the late afternoon-early evening hours, an extremely scrawny female Grizzly
bear had chased the campers into the water, eaten all their food and ransacked their gear. Thoroughly scared, the young campers did not want to pack up and leave in the growing darkness.

Unfortunately, that was just the beginning of a horrific night. The Grizzly bear was close by and could be heard going on a rampage through the woods in the vicinity of the campsite. Hoping to deter the Grizzly bear, the campers built a huge, roaring fire and kept it going through the night, but to no avail. At around 4:30 in the morning, the Grizzly bear charged into the camp. All of the campers scattered and/or climbed trees in order to escape, with the exception of one unfortunate camper who, struggling with a stuck zipper in her sleeping bag, was unable to escape attack by the Grizzly. In a moment, the unfortunate camper was heard to scream "He's got my arm off!!" Then, her last words were "Oh, god, I'm dead!"

In yet another incident, in a different place, in the early 1970's, a young couple who was out hiking in the mountains (I admittedly forget where this particular incident took place), in which they, too were set upon by a rampaging Grizzly bear. Although both of them survived the mauling by the Grizzly bear, they were seriously injured, and the young man was permanently disfigured.

Something more recent: In the well-done documentary film Grizzly Man, which is about a man who had spent the past 1 3 summers living up in the high parts of Alaska among Grizzly bears, this same lack of diplomacy and respect for the force(s) of nature also backfired, and the man and his girlfriend met a rather tragic, horrible end....being eaten alive by a Grizzly bear.

Unfortunately, this man not only got very close to the grizzly bears, always feeding, petting and caressing them,
but he also grew closer to the Grizzly bears than he did to people. Toward the end of the film, many people who'd been interviewed expressed varying opinions, ranging from such comments as "The guy deserved to be eaten", t o opinions, especially from a number of the Aleutians who'd lived in Grizzly country among Grizzly bears for many years and succinctly pointed out that "While it's unfortunate that the man and his girlfriend were eaten, it was also true that the man had crossed certain boundaries that never, ever should've been crossed."....getting
too close to t he Grizzly bears, even though the Grizzly who'd eaten the man and his girlfriend alive
wasn't one of the Grizzlies that the man had befriended.

Again, all of t he above having been said, there are things that people can do to prevent, or at least minimize the chances of incidents such as these arising. For starters, paying attention to one's surroundings while hiking and/or setting up camp and camping is a good rule of thumb. While camping and/or hiking, people should make sure that whatever food is b rought along is not left out in plain sight, or is accessible to a hungry bear. People should also avoid feeding the bears, as well. If a bear is hanging around a chosen campsite, the bear is probably human-conditioned. In this instance, it's wisest to pack up and vacate the campsite immediately, even though camp is all set up, and to do so before dark and as fast as possible.

As was mentioned earlier in this diary, there've been many instances of people feeding wild animals who've come around, and of wild animal sightings on people's properties, in their yards, as well. (I once saw a red fox run across the road as I was bicycling out in the quiet little rural town of Carllsle, MA. When I told my family about it, they were skeptical, although they conceded that it was possible.)

Many people have also insisted on having wild animals as pets, which, in many instances, has had disastrous results. Many a captured wild animal has gone out of control, on a rampage, wreaking much havoc, including damage to property, serious injuries, and even deaths to owners of such animals. Many people have sensibly gotten rid of their untamed pets, turning them over to humane societies in their areas, which is the wisest thing to do. People desiring pets are best off obtaining pets from a reputable pet store or breeder, who can dispense much useful info and advice regarding overall care, health, housing and other necessary info regarding pets. Doing some research before buying a pet is also helpful.

While it's true that humans and animals do share the earth, and can and do co-exist at peace with each other, it's also true that a certain amount of distance between human beings and animals must be maintained in order for that to continue. There are things that people can do to give Mother Nature her space and to show a healthy respect.

In order to survive the elements, humankind must show some respect for the force(s) of nature by not building right smack near bodies of water, including the ocean, in low-lying and coastal areas that're particularly prone to flooding and/or flash flooding in adverse weather and/or heavy storms. Granted, disaster can and will strike anywhere, but readiness is the best way to go, though it's not always that simple or even possible, especially in the wake of cyclones, earthquakes, or any other intense natural disasters that strike quickly and suddenly.

If one must drive in adverse weather, being more careful and taking it slowly is the safest way t o go. Avoiding driving in extremely adverse weather, if at all possible, is the best recourse of all, however.

All of the above having been written, I believe that humankind and nature can co-exist as long as a safe distance, accurate planning and a healthy respect for nature is maintained. It 's also true, however, that average, run of the mill citizens alone are not to blame for the show of disrespect and lack of diplomacy regarding the force(s) of nature. Poor planning, design and construction on the part of engineers and builders, as well as negligence by the government at the federal, state and national levels, is also indicative of the lack of respect for the forces of nature. Again, better planning, designing, construction, as well as the maintenance of a safe distance between human beings and the forces of nature is the only way to ensure peaceful co-existence.


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Comments

I suggest you read two things:

"Design for Rising Sea Levels" by Kristina Hill and Jonathan Barrett in the latest issue of Harvard Design Magazine

"The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White

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did anyone actually click on the "read more" button?

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otherwise how could you have posted this comment?

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incorrect, as usual ron. i clicked on the "comments" button to post.

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You had to click on "read more" in order to get to the funny parts.

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My curiousity got the better of me. I shed a tear reading about the man who petted the grizzly bears, only to be eaten by one.

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In fact, he befriended the grizzly bears to the point where he became even closer to the grizzlies than he was to people, which, unfortunately and ultimately led to his demise.

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He went from being unbearable to being in-bearable.

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hehehehehehe

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