As Alberto teeters on the edge between tropical storm and category 1 hurricane, Florida Governor Jeb Bush has already declared a state of emergency. I have to ask the question, why?
I lived in Florida through the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, and suffered two direct hits in that time, so I think I know what I'm talking about.
When I heard what Jeb had done, I got to thinking, and pondered the answer to the question.
With the government trying desperately to salvage the reputation of FEMA after the organization was savaged in the press, what better way to show the people of America how amazingly the outfit has been turned around since the Katrina debacle, than to have them save the day in Florida at the first opportunity they get.
Alberto is still considered a tropical storm, yet the President's brother has already beefed it up to make it sound like the end of the world is fast approaching for Florida's west coast. He has ordered mandatory evacuations for low lying areas and called up the National Guard.
Once again the government is using events like this as a public relations exercise. How much does George think his poll numbers will go up when FEMA responds in all its glory? And look on the bright side of things, even if FEMA shows itself to be no better than it was last year in New Orleans, its a welcome diversion to what's going on in Iraq.
Who needs gay marriage and flag burning when you have tropical storms in Florida?