Polianiac

Timing is everything; and today’s timing of response to and commentary about The Republican National Convention, Hurricane Gustav, and what lies ahead is simply behind the curve of what is factually known. This is one of those moments where relating news, translating news, commentary on news is simply inadequate to the immediate needs of anyone personally affected by this storm. Let me say it another way: Hurricanes are not Political; although they are indeed politically significant.

Since making landfall in Cuba, Gustav seems to not be cooperative as an agent for the Republican Political Machine. To New Orleans Mayor, Ray Nagin: No Mayor, this is not the “mother of all storms”. That was Katrina, the one you hid from on the “24^th Floor of the Hyatt” (The Great Deluge, p. 571).Anyone who knows anything about hurricanes knows they act as if they have a mind of their own. Gustav may not be cooperating as a Political Agent for Change and/or Redemption. So what of the politicization of matters that should never have been made Political? Obviously some lessons are hard to learn.

For up-to-date information about this storm, the National Hurricane Center is the obvious best bet.

The Republican Convention will go on; but without several high profile members. The Republican governors of the Gulf States possibly impacted by Hurricane Gustav have rightfully opted to play it by ear. Today Senator McCain is in Mississippi at the invitation of Gov. Haley Barbour to observe the preparations for Hurricane Gustav. Senator Obama has decided to wait before visiting the region, citing his presence on the Gulf “can be a distraction in these kinds of situtations.”

The Huffington Post is reporting this morning that President Bush and V.P. Cheney have announced they will not attend “because of the storm”; along with Florida Governor Crist whose state is still recovering from Tropical Storm Fay. California Governor Schwarzenegger will also miss the convention due to a state budget dispute.

The Republican Convention is obviously changing course in response to Hurricane Gustav. Rudi Giuliani, the keynote speaker for the convention stated Sunday, “We have to make sure the focus is on the South, on Gustav, make sure that all of the resources are there, and that anything that is done with regard to the convention doesn’t take anything away from that and is done in a serious way.”  Done in a serious way…how else would you “do” a major hurricane?

Hurricane Gustav has experienced what the Atmospheric Science gurus call “rapid intensification”. Only 24 hours ago, this storm was categorized as a Tropical Storm; but by today’s 1:20 EDT National Hurricane Center Advisory, Gustav has increased to a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale.  The 2:00 pm release of NOAA Special Discussion #24 indicates consensus that Gustav could continue strengthening and reach Category Five status before crossing western Cuba later today. 

I find it too weird for words that Gustav is actually a point of discussion at this moment; although I realize we are approaching the height of hurricane season. Truly, it is not uncommon for a major hurricane to bear down on the U.S. around Labor Day weekend. Gustav does bring us back to major concerns within this nation; the obvious being national security. With all the threats we face politically, it is interesting that nature remains the most looming threat to all people of the world.

I wanted to do a post on the Third Anniversary of Katrina, but current events intervened. What I did learn in researching that post was that Katrina can and does serve as a “flash-point” representative of the past seven and a half years. It stands as an icon to all U.S. citizens for something—it is up to you what that something is. That something does seem reflective of one’s views of government, the rights of citizenship, and views of “the-other”.

I would like to say, if you have not read Douglas Brinkley’s book The Great Deluge (2006) you should. It is written by one of the most respected historians of our time, the same man contracted by the Reagan Library to compile President Reagan’s memoirs. It is a long read, but it also is a worthwhile read. It tells a story that no sound-bite can possibly approach. There is a story in Katrina; it is a nation’s story, just like 9/11 was. One can only hope and pray it is not followed by a second chapter called Gustav.

Keeping my promise to a young artist:

Personal Journal: Room With a View: August 29, 2008

There is poetic justice in nature. Last night was rain-free both in the District and in Denver. D.C. dawned under clouds today; but in the last hour, fog has rolled over the Potomac, obscuring any view of the Lincoln, the Washington, and the Capitol Dome. So goes life from my room with a view.

None of us here got sleep last night. For most, it was a nap right before dawn. Events are being canceled right and left for this evening, mainly because everyone is downright exhausted. We need time to regroup, to refocus, and mainly to collect our thoughts into some form of symmetry. Everyone knows there is much work to do.This morning’s announcement of Sarah Palin as McCain’s choice for vice-president is numbing. It is underscored, for me personally, in the fact that around that very time, I lost sight of the District.

I know much will be written about this choice. I know the days ahead are going to be long. The most glaring aspect of 2008 has become manifest: This is a country divided. We do not view this election through even a remotely similar lens. It is evident that for some, this is truly a game-show; then there are those that still believe it matters. There are those, like my political philosophy friends in Texas who believe presidents and vice-presidents have come to no longer matter. They merely serve as figure heads. Well, that might explain the choice of Sarah Palin.

Then there are those who believe we remain a country of the people, by the people, and for the people… Time will tell.