Ike Raising the Dead?
The aftermath of hurricane Ike is unfolding like a typical big storm in a large metropolitan area. President Bush came to inspect the region and the mayor of Houston is mad at FEMA saying that it is not moving fast enough. Residents are having problems returning home. The east side of Galveston Bay, which is Bolivar Peninsula that has Crystal Beach and Gilchrist, has been largely wiped from the map. In fact, it is said that the water cut through the peninsula and it is now an island. Many people chose to ride out the storm and now they won’t leave. Prior to the storm, the government said that under Texas law, a mandatory evacuation order does not give the government the right to force someone from their property. Texans are big on property rights. Now, they have people who still refuse to leave and officials are concerned about disease and the difficulties associated with providing any service to those people. Now, they are scouring the law books trying to find a way to forceably remove those individuals who won’t leave. I can tell you now, that ain’t gonna work. National Geographic reports Ike will cost $22 Billion.
At the bottom of the post, you will find links to more photos. Thebostonchannel.com has an interesting set of photos, the first showing a family visiting their dead mother and father…who have resurfaced courtesy of Ike.
Meanwhile, in Louisville by Wednesday afternoon about 180,000 customers remain without power. Jefferson County (Louisville) Schools will be closed for the rest of the week. The Governor came through by getting the EPA to relax the reformulated gas restrictions for a couple of weeks. I wonder if prices will come down a few cents. The clean up continues but everything is fine and dandy for the Ryder Cup where folks from all over the world are lining up for the big golf tournament. The weather will be outstanding with loads of sunshine with cool nights and warm afternoons. While a few visitors may not have power at the home they rented or maybe a hotel or two, the course is in great shape. Also, they managed to find power for Papa John’s Stadium for the UL/ Kansas State Football game….and the ESPN crews I’m sure are in fine shape. Meanwhile, Snow White and I are heading toward our 4th night without power. I think the items in the refrigerator are quite ripe by now. I had leftovers from last nights restaurant meal…nothing like taking a doggy bag for the next day’s lunch. Meanwhile, the fat cats, Nit and Wit, enjoyed Filet of Salmon. The cats’ food is starting to look pretty good. Here is some RAW VIDEO FROM SUNDAY as the wind was beginning to relax in Louisville.
On This Date in History: When President Woodrow Wilson decided it was time that America get involved in the Great War, the military draft was brought back. Millions of men either volunteered or were drafted into the ranks, leaving a gap in many civilian services. In the early 20th Century, women who did work were usually employed as school teachers or seamstresses and perhaps in textile sweat shops. Men made up the vast majority of the labor force. So, that meant that public services such as mass transit were in jeopardy when all the men ran off to fight the Hun. In 1917, the New York and Queens Railroad began hiring women to run its trolley. By 1918, twenty-five “conductorettes” could be found on the lines in Queens. A newspaper said that the ladies were doing such a splendid job that a few had been appointed as inspectors. The railroad was so happy with their work that it supplied them with $17 winter overcoats and doubled their pay to $25 a week. They then made a commitment to keep them on the payroll after the war was over. Management said, “The women conductors have come to stay on our lines just as long as they want to continue in their present jobs. We now have about 50 and are taking more on as fast as they apply for positions.” It’s good to get promises in writing.
In May 1919, New York Governor Al Smith decided to be Mr. Helper and perhaps he was in cahoots with railroad management who wanted to back out of their commitment but needed some cover. So Big Al signed a bill to “better the conditions of women.” It was the kind of help the ladies could have done without. The bill mandated that women could only work 54 hours a week. Men of course, were able to work longer hours. So, on this date in 1919, management of the New York and Queens Railroad prepared the pink slips for all of their female employees who were to work their last day on September 20, 1919. But, they did get to keep the overcoats.
