Stormy news
There has been quite a bit of coverage of the weather lately in the meeja.
That's not surprising, considering it has been fairly newsworthy.
What amuses me is the blame game that's going on both here and in the UK. People are shouting for action. People want to know who's to blame. People want heads to roll, and naturally people are demanding cash.
Now the cash bit I can understand. If there is cash going a begging then why not stake a claim? People have had severe damage to their homes and businesses and not all of them are covered by insurance.
Naturally the BBC has to stick in constant references about Warble Gloaming, but mercifully they are the only ones I have seen flogging that dead horse.
So who is to blame?
For a start, why should anyone be to blame? Do people want to know who causes an earthquake? Are people furious that "something hadn't been done" if there is a volcanic eruption? Storms are part of nature. They have been happening on Earth since time began and will continue to do so. There is sweet fuck all anyone can do to control them, let alone stop them.
Granted there are contributory factors when it comes to flooding. More urbanisation leads to more hard surfaces so water flows rather than soaking into the ground. Deforestation means there are fewer trees to soak up the moisture. Crazy builders stick houses on flood-plains and other areas liable to flooding and crazier people buy those houses.
Occasionally I go browsing for properties. I have no immediate intention of moving but one never knows when circumstances may change, and it can pass an idle half hour. When I do my search, I look for certain criteria, such as does it have a roof, is it near a shop and pub, can I afford it and is it in an area liable to flooding. There are basic requirements and I find it strange that others don't consider these factors. That beautiful babbling brook at the bottom of the garden, that the brochure proudly claims is a "feature" could turn out to be a raging torrent some day?
If you really want to have someone or something to blame for the storms, then I suggest you blame the Jet Stream.
Unfortunately, I can't supply its address or phone number.
Off topic and yes it is that lady again but my god she tells it as it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpcfZzx8xY0
Can't say I can find a single thing to disagree with in that video?!
Great Minds Grandad,Great Minds if the water gets to me then i need to call Noah.
That's not a bad point. Do I need to start collecting pairs of the local wildlife? At least I have a nice collection of trees that the storms brought down, so that's the timber taken care of….
You lucky so and so. http://www.permaculture.co.uk/articles/many-benefits-hugelkultur Work involved I grant you but a neat way to 'lose' the timber, return it to your land, grow a lot of whatever fruit & veg and flowers your family needs, great fun for the younger ones building them and playing around them when built, they go on producing for years with a minimum of human effort but best if all friends and neighbours will think you have lost the plot. Finally think of the fun you would have telling tales of what's really under there, Lord Lucan, Amelia Erhart's plane, the Celtic Dragon!
Look at all those lovely neat rows….. All I have is a fucking huge mountain which keeps growing ever taller. I reckon soon I'll own Ireland's highest peak.l 😐
Dear Jet Stream. You are very naughty. The hoo haw over here about this flooding is incredible. But digging deeper, the problems in Somerset appear to start with the EU and their regulations apparently. Now that is a suprise.
I've been following that. So the EU decided to let the Somerset Levels flood to increase the area of wetlands or something? Are they going to flood Holland next? Whether the EU are behind it or not, there's no harm in blaming them anyway.
Hi Grandad,
Richard North at EU Referendum seems to have the info on the Somerset flooding (http://eureferendum.com/blogview.aspx?blogno=84689). I also saw somewhere (possibly Booker) that Norfolk, with similar low lying, drained land, hasn't had the same problem because the local drainage boards were able to fight off the UK Environment Agency taking control of drainage.
The obvious solution to impose strict government regulation on the jet stream. As this will cost money it should also be taxed. once it is under control our leaders can turn their attention to amending or repealing other laws such as law of gravity.
Now that I look at this it could be a good way to keep lawmakers busy and prevent them from bothering us.
Are you joking? Do you really fancy being lumbered with a Jet Stream Tax?
Dear Grandad,
You live on a mountain.
Recommendation: Don't move.
Ocean views are nice but…