AMERICA'S HYPENGYOPHOBIA

The 2005 hurricane season has revealed a new challenge that the United States must address immediately.

It has become clear, at least to me, that many Americans suffer from a debilitating phobia. They appear to be incapable of taking care of themselves, even for a few days. I believe we are in the midst of a mental health crisis.

Large numbers of our citizens have Hypengyophobia, the fear of responsibility.

This condition does not bode well for our nation in the event of any emergency, whether a natural disaster or a catastrophic terrorist attack.

MIAMI (AP) -- Gov. Jeb Bush took the blame Wednesday for frustrating delays at centers distributing supplies to victims of Hurricane Wilma, saying criticism of the Federal Emergency Management Agency was misdirected.

"Don't blame FEMA. This is our responsibility," Bush said at a news conference in Tallahassee with federal Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who oversees the agency.

Many Floridians were still struggling to find food, water, ice and gas on the third day of recovery from Wilma, waiting in line for hours _ sometimes in vain. Miami-Dade's mayor called the distribution system flawed and said at least one relief site of 11 in his county ran out of supplies.

...Local governments prematurely released distribution sites and times, causing crowds to gather hours before any supplies got there. In many cases, there simply was not enough ice, water and meals ready-to-eat to go around, or it took far too long to get the supplies to the proper places, officials said.

"We did not perform to where we want to be," Bush said.

The governor added, however, that people seeking relief should have done more to prepare for the storm.

"People had ample time to prepare. It isn't that hard to get 72 hours worth of food and water," said Bush, repeating the advice that officials had given days before Wilma hit.

..."This is like the Third World," said Claudia Shaw, who spent several hours in a gas line. "We live in a state where we suffer from these storms every year. Where is the planning?"

Where is the planning???

That's what I'd like to know.

I admire Jeb for not passing the buck to FEMA and playing the blame game the way Kathleen Blanco did. What I admire even more is the way Jeb told Floridians that they needed to take responsibility. They are at fault for not properly preparing.

You would think after witnessing the insanity that followed Katrina, people deciding not to evacuate would have at least been smart enough to make sure they had all the supplies they would need.

How stupid!!!

That's harsh, but true.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security spells out what people need to have on hand in order to comfortably survive in the event of a terrorist attack or a natural disaster.

(Excerpt)

STEP 1

Get a Kit of Emergency Supplies

Be prepared to improvise and use what you have on hand to make it on your own for at least three days, maybe longer. While there are many things that might make you more comfortable, think first about fresh water, food and clean air. Consider putting together two kits. In one, put everything needed to stay where you are and make it on your own. The other should be a lightweight, smaller version you can take with you if you have to get away.

You'll need a gallon of water per person per day. Include in the kits canned and dried foods that are easy to store and prepare. If you live in a cold weather climate, include warm clothes and a sleeping bag for each member of the family.

Start now by gathering basic emergency supplies – a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, toilet articles, prescription medicines and other special things your family may need.

For over four years now, Americans have been told to be prepared. An attack could come at any time. It is our responsibility to have family communication plans and supplies to last at least 72 hours.

This means ALL Americans.

So, everyone should already be prepared. Every household should be stocked with the necessities to get by for three days. Case closed.

Obviously, people do not heed the advice of the government.

Is that the government's fault?

Are people in the path of a hurricane so dense that they don't bother to think about stockpiling food, water, and medicine?

That's inexcusable. These people aren't helpless; irresponsible, yes, but not helpless.

Remember all the Y2K disaster scenarios? Everyone was told to have at least three days worth of supplies. Thank God all the dire predictions about anarchy didn't materialize; but the warnings were clear.

BE PREPARED.

Claudia Shaw's quote from the AP article illustrates the serious deficiency that far too many Americans exhibit. Many are unwilling to take responsibility for themselves. Many are content to be victims. Many appear to have a self-sufficiency phobia.

After spending hours in a gas line, Shaw whines, "This is like the Third World. We live in a state where we suffer from these storms every year. Where is the planning?"

My question to Shaw: WHY DIDN'T YOU PLAN?

Why didn't she fill up her tank before the hurricane?

Store owners were being interviewed on TV before Wilma hit. I saw a number of reports detailing that store shelves were full. There had been no run on supplies.

There's no excuse for not being prepared. RIGHT NOW, I'm probably better prepared for a hurricane than some of the people were that are currently moaning about waiting in long supply lines down in Florida.

I know how horrible it is to be without power. I've been without it for 72 hellish hours. An early summer thunderstorm, with straight-line winds of 100 mph plus, knocked out our electricity for what seemed like an eternity.

We have no hurricanes here; but we do have tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, ice storms, and blizzards. With summer storms, there aren't days of warning to get ready. Consequently, I make sure that my family is prepared at all times. In short, I take responsibility for my loved ones' well being.

Of course, there are some victims of storms, the destitute and the ill, who are incapable of taking the proper steps to prepare for a disaster. Also, those whose homes are completely demolished lose any supplies that they may have stockpiled. Without question, they need assistance; but they are exceptions.

The majority of the whiners have only themselves to blame for their discomfort.

Bottom line: BE PREPARED.

Bottom bottom line: QUIT WHINING.