"A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for Galveston (Oh, Galvesto-o-on..') and other coastal Texas areas." That's the news today on every cable news channel from CNNNNN to Fox News. The legal definition of "mandatory evacuation" in this case is actually, "We strongly suggest you get out of town, but we can't (and won't) force you to leave."
Once again our world has deflated the value of words. Is mandatory homework in Galveston (and previously in N'Awlins, LA) actually "optional homework." My father's old, leather-bound Webster's Collegiate Dictionary informs me that mandatory is "a mandate or command; hence obligatory."
I have been highlighting words in this dictionary in bright yellow for years to see how many words I look up and if I reference a word more than once. "Mandatory" was not highlighted as I thought I understood the word. And, when I read Mr. Webster's definition, I was not surprised.
So, if mandatory evacuation is not actually not mandatory, should we rescue those who stay behind? Mayors and governors in Texas the past two days were on radio and TV with endless, clearly and simply worded instructions for how to get out of town: friends, neighbors, "dial 311", and where to go to get public buses out. And "you may bring your pets." (No excuses for sittin' on you roof this weekend.)
Should tax dollars be spent rebuilding uninsured structures? If so, shouldn't all those who've been paying for insurance get their money back to even the score for the uninsured being rebuilt by the government.
I think we should not rescue healthy, driver's licensed, vehicle owning, citizens. Allow them their freedom of choice--and its consequences. That's what i think.
What I feel is rescue them. Pick them up in an SUV, a boat, a helicopter, or a kayak paddled by Sean Penn. And if their alert and in good shape, take them to the Salvation Army center and put them to work serving other rescuees. When rowdy old Rita has passed and the clouds have cleared, make them a part of the clean up crew--as a volunteer. (A mandatory volunteer--Mr. Webster's mandatory.)
Neither self-destructive behavior, or life threaten behavior is mandatory. It is voluntary and it is foolish--at least. Fortunately, rescuing, bringing in food, medicine and other necessities afterwards is voluntary too.
Four years and ten days ago, as the Towers burned, fire fighters rushed in to the fire and smoke. It was their Job. It is always their job to move toward the danger zone. They even make loud noises in big trucks so they can get to the danger faster.
The world has always had those who do not heed warnings and those who will help with the healing afterwords. The 9/11 victims didn't get a not-really-mandatory evacuation notice. None the less, there were those who were ready to help.
I saw a man, on TV, coming out of the fog after the Towers had collapsed. He was covered in a fine, gray dust. Walking right up to the TV camera said, exhausted, "There's a reason my life was spared and I'm going to spend the rest of my life trying to find that reason."
My belief it is the same reason he was born.
What's your reason?
P.S.
They just announced that Rita is now a category 5 hurricane. If we rated individual lives, what would you rate yourself on a 1 to 5 scale - - 1 = passing mildly and unobtrusively through life with no effect on others, and 5 = made a difference in the life of others (maybe even quietly and behind the scenes.)
