Polianiac

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:

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