Without any lessening of our empathy for the victims of this tragedy it’s worth noting that some extent of the damage might have been avoided if Texans had long ago put aside their superiority complex and better planned for something that in the end they could not handle.
Harvey Wasn’t Just Bad Weather.
It Was Bad City Planning
Houston exulted in sprawling, hands-off growth. That’s no way to prepare for natural catastrophes.
Bloomberg Businessweek: No city could have withstood Harvey without serious harm, but Houston made itself more vulnerable than necessary. Paving over the saw-grass prairie reduced the ground’s capacity to absorb rainfall. Flood-control reservoirs were too small. Building codes were inadequate. … Sprawling Houston is a can-do city whose attitude is grow first, ask questions later. It’s the only major U.S. city without a zoning code saying what types of buildings can go where, so skyscrapers sometimes sprout next to split-levels. Voters have repeatedly opposed enacting a zoning law. … Texas is one of only four states along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts with no mandatory statewide building codes, and it has no statewide program to license building inspectors.
New York Times: A Storm Forces Houston, the Limitless City, to Consider Its Limits — “Harvey’s staggering flooding is raising very un-Houstonian questions about whether there are, in fact, limits to the Houston model of perpetual growth, and whether humans can push nature only so far before nature pushes back with catastrophic force.”
“It’s been known for years how to do it. It just costs the developers more money to do it that way.” — Rice University civil engineering professor Phil Bedient (NYT)
Time for TrumpCo to circle the wagons. Mueller now in cahoots with famed IRS Criminal Investigations Unit
Daily Beast: “This unit—known as CI—is one of the federal government’s most tight-knit, specialized, and secretive investigative entities. Its 2,500 agents focus exclusively on financial crime, including tax evasion and money laundering.”
That’s how they got Al Capone.
Great to be nostalgic about past writers in this blog, but what about cultivating new diverse voices? Who, where are these voices & why do they not add their thoughts? Never liked the word lurker – sounds odd & sinister: dark shadows. Perhaps not tagging with any moniker is best. Just Welcome, your opinion matters. Please comment freely & progress this great experiment. I don’t live in a gated community & don’t want my viewpoint to either. Reading is swell but no one gets to hear your thoughts. This is your soapbox. Use it.
If people knowingly choose not to buy flood insurance, should they be bailed out? (No pun intended.) Is it shirking common sense? This applies to any region.
sjwny, yep, lurker does have a sinister sound kinda in the category of stalker. we could refer to them as “extreme listeners” and the “too polite to interrupters”
craig, those Texans who proudly hold themselves out to be the absolute independent cowboy type (don’t tell me what to do and I won’t tell you how to live or don’t fence me in sort) aren’t all that different from the purists of the political indies and the libertarians.
patd,
NPR had a story last month about the trend of Conservative Republicans moving from California to Texas, where presumably they feel a better fit. Even have realty agencies specializing in such relocations.
Texas is a mess even without help from Mother Nature.
having lived 3 formative childhood yrs in the area between Houston and galveston and having some distant family there, I have memories of the old texan-type and the old texas such as playing with crawdads in the ditches and culverts…. now probably all concrete covered, paved over suburbs….gentrified and fenced (fancy shrubs mostly) in
Ted Cruz getting a lot of flak from C. Christie about Cruz’s Hurricane Sandy response.
Karma Cruzeeleon….
jswny, yep californies can do that to a place… ask the folks in Oregon and Idaho. here’s one messing up a favoriteTexan anthem
there ain’t enough money to get me to Texas….. I know there are parts which are somewhat nice, or at least less odious, but they’re just not nice enough to overcome the foul stench of Texas bullshit.
sorry they had a hurricane, though.
“I know there are parts which are somewhat nice”
sturge, where? only nice I ever saw was when crossing its border on the way to other states. 🙂
drip drip drip
from wall st journal via msn:
A Russian businessman who explored building a tower in Moscow with Donald Trump’s company during the presidential campaign is a little-known developer of working-class apartments on the city’s outskirts.
Andrei Rozov’s development background might seem an unlikely match for the opulent Trump Organization. But the businessman, whose name hasn’t previously been reported in regard to this project, had a connection to the president’s firm: He and Trump associate Felix Sater both worked for Russian property tycoon named Sergei Polonsky.
In 2015, Mr. Sater brought to the president’s company a proposal to license the Trump brand for a residential project in the Russian capital, according to people familiar with the proposal. The main listed partner on the early-stage proposal, according to these people, was Mr. Rozov. At the time, Mr. Rozov’s firm IC Expert was constructing high-rise apartment buildings in a suburb on Moscow’s eastern edge.
According to the people familiar with the proposal, Mr. Rozov signed a nonbinding letter of intent with the Trump Organization in October 2015 on behalf of his firm to explore the possibility of a Trump-branded tower in Moscow. The proposal never went ahead.
[…..story continues….]
I’ve heard parts of Austin are ok, and the hill country or whatever it is they call it. More than likely I’ll not ever find out for sure.
Austin’s great and the Hill Country is full of great food. San Antonio is kind of fun too but wouldn’t want to live there.
Houston’s not the only place where bad planning has made floods worse – where building has been allowed on vernal pools — that’s a big problem here
Craig… spot on!
I know NH’s motto is “live free or die”… but you’d never see a chemical plant built next to a residential neighborhood here. Common sense zoning laws are the rule. And do I think Texas attitudes will change because of Harvey… no.
My favorite comedic oldie from this blog is MadMustard. I lost count of how many times I almost pissed my pants reading some of his stuff.
Sturg… remember when CBob used to call his home town of Lubbock “Texas’ asshole”.
Will they perp walk PG out of the Whitehouse
Aside from immediate aid to ameliorate suffering of the affected peoples, release of monies for housing reconstruction should be contingent on adoption of planning and construction standards that our President wants to kill. On an area-by-area basis, funds may be earmarked and released for specific areas if they were built to meet or exceed generally accepted standards. Funds may also be released to repair intercity road networks.
The State of Texas is encouraged to dip into reserves to heal its own wounds.
The feds could do there what they did here – tell people there will be no federal flood insurance unless the building codes are upheld
Preet Bharara Retweeted Joyce Alene
Right. The possibility that POTUS may have obstructed justice is real and serious. Apparently, even Trump’s defense lawyers get that.https://twitter.com/joycewhitevance/status/903426949493731328 …
Preet Bharara added,
Joyce AleneVerified account @JoyceWhiteVance
In fact, most defense lawyers wouldn’t dignify a prosecutor’s allegation of a specific crime w/a written response unless charges were close https://twitter.com/PreetBharara/status/903426029527719936 …
209 replies 5,318 retweets 12,115 likes
Preet Bharara Retweeted Preet Bharara
Note: There may never be any charges, but defense lawyers don’t usu waste time on preemptive memos re: frivolous theories of criminal guilthttps://twitter.com/preetbharara/status/903360090606096384 …
Preet Bharara added,
Preet BhararaVerified account @PreetBharara
Team “outlined why Comey would make an unsuitable witness, calling him prone to exaggeration.” Maybe Trump lawyers charge by unit of irony. https://twitter.com/wsj/status/903338917403000832
above tweets very interesting when you consider preet’s former job and all that he knows…. also that he’s a well-respected prosecutor.
Looks like PG’s lawyers are using his playbook accuse people of the very things you are guilty of
and Bharara has said he alerted Justice Department that he was getting inappropriate phone calls from President Trump. He got fired the day after he finally just refused to take a call. Based on that alone he’s probably a witness for Mueller. Could show a pattern of obstruction attempts.
I bet they have to custom make PG’s pink panties when he goes to the hoosegow
There are a lot of chemical type plants in Houston over 1500 if you lump all categories No matter where you live when the wind blows you are a neighbor
pogo, I know i’m risking a slam from bink for undermining the dignity of the trail highmindedness, but i had to ask your guess on what the score will be and will my ‘noles do in your ‘bama or vice versa? shall i save myself from heartache by not watching?
some guesses from cbs sports:
Alabama vs. Florida State prediction, pick, odds, TV channel, live stream, watch online
The Crimson Tide and Seminoles square off in Atlanta in a battle for the ages
BTW, sports term “the GOAT” (greatest opener of all times) needs to be co-opted somehow into political parlance, but can’t think of ways…. any suggestions? too bad the term isn’t “the ASS” (always speaking sh*t) which would be much more useful re critters in critterville.
ny times: Mueller Has Early Draft of Trump Letter Giving Reasons for Firing Comey
WASHINGTON — The special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, has obtained a letter that President Trump and a top political aide drafted in the days before Mr. Trump fired the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, which explains the president’s rationale for why he planned to dismiss the director.
The May letter had been met with opposition from Donald F. McGahn II, the White House counsel, who believed that some of its contents were problematic, according to interviews with a dozen administration officials and others briefed on the matter.
Mr. McGahn successfully blocked the president from sending Mr. Comey the letter, which Mr. Trump had composed with Stephen Miller, one of the president’s top political advisers. A different letter, written by the deputy attorney general, Rod J. Rosenstein, and focused on Mr. Comey’s handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private email server, was ultimately sent to the F.B.I. director on the day he was fired.
The contents of the original letter appears to provide the clearest rationale that Mr. Trump had for firing Mr. Comey. It is unclear how much of Mr. Trump’s rationale focuses on the Russia investigation, although Mr. Trump told aides at the time he was angry that Mr. Comey refused to publicly say that Mr. Trump himself was not under investigation. Mr. Comey later said in testimony to Congress that the president was not under investigation.
Mr. Mueller is conducting a wide-ranging investigation into Russia and associates of Mr. Trump, including whether the president obstructed justice when he dismissed the F.B.I. director.
The Justice Department turned over a copy of the letter to Mr. Mueller in recent weeks.
Ty Cobb, a White House lawyer, declined to discuss the letter or its contents. “To the extent the special prosecutor is interested in these matters, we will be fully transparent with him,’’ he said.
Mr. Miller drafted the letter at the urging of Mr. Trump during a weekend in May, when Mr. Trump and his team were at the president’s private golf club in Bedminster, N.J. During that same weekend, as Mr. Trump and a small group of aides were in Bedminster devising a rationale for Mr. Comey’s dismissal, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Mr. Rosenstein were working on a parallel effort to fire Mr. Comey.
[…story continues…]
excerpt from john McCain’s op ed in wapo:
Our entire system of government — with its checks and balances, its bicameral Congress, its protections of the rights of the minority — was designed for compromise. It seldom works smoothly or speedily. It was never expected to.
It requires pragmatic problem-solving from even the most passionate partisans. It relies on compromise between opposing sides to protect the interests we share. We can fight like hell for our ideas to prevail. But we have to respect each other or at least respect the fact that we need each other.
That has never been truer than today, when Congress must govern with a president who has no experience of public office, is often poorly informed and can be impulsive in his speech and conduct.
We must respect his authority and constitutional responsibilities. We must, where we can, cooperate with him. But we are not his subordinates. We don’t answer to him. We answer to the American people. We must be diligent in discharging our responsibility to serve as a check on his power. And we should value our identity as members of Congress more than our partisan affiliation.
patd, there’s a reason I don’t bet on football, but if I were a betting man, I’d bet Bama 31, Fla state 28 – Bama to win but not beat the line. (And I know I’d be wrong.) I expect a very close, hard fought game and nothing will surprise me. I’m guessing Hurts has spent a lot of time throwing over the last 8 months and he should be stronger in that part of the game.
I don’t think there’s any certainty in predicting the top 5 or so teams. Indiana looked like they might upset Ohio State last night – at least through the middle of the 3rd quarter.
pogo, other than money, why in the world would they start off the season with a game between almost equals with high risk of injury? usually the 1st game is a throw away isn’t it… an easy win for the big guy and a chance to be seen for the little one?
patd, I can’t imagine – other than money as you say. But yes, typically for the top teams that big guy/little guy thing is typical. there are only 2 other top 25 matchups this weekend – Michigan (11) v Florida (17) and WVU (22) v Virginia Tech (21).
But I gotta say I have been waiting 8 months for the return of college football, so I’m a pig in mud. Good luck to the ‘noles tomorrow – but I ain’t pulling for them as you know.
Poobah, I think the more apt title for the previous thread starter would be Trickle Down Blows Back. Jerry Jeff Walker recorded a song about it.
I would much rather play in South Carolina v NC State, than Clemson v Kent State.
The first would let us strut our stuff–show the results of our months of work together. The latter, well, I don’t want to get hurt playing an unimportant game. That’s why I’m a Clemson Tiger, meow.
What a difference a State makes:
About five days ago I cut my thumb. Being on Warfarin, it bled like a SOB. Five days later it was still inflamed, painful, throbbing and just plain miserable making. Couldn’t get an instant appt at regular doctor but told to report to emergency just in case I wanted to continue having a left thumb.
As anyone who has ever had to deal with the triage system of emergency knows, anyone in danger of dying goes ahead of you, but they still managed to get all the intro work done for admittance and the pleasure of sitting for two hours.
Lovely doc numbs thumb (other than the needles to do so, this was a vast improvement). Slicing dicing and draining wasn’t pleasant to look at but not painful. Antibiotics prescribed and they shooed me out after four hours.
Cost: $75
Patd
From my checkered past two things. Working as a social secretary for a lady whose (well known political) husband had passed away. Gentleman on the other end, said “This is Bob, Delores and I are out of town, but please give Mrs …… our sincere condolences.” To which I asked “Bob who?” Of course there was Hope. lol
And only Cole Porter could have written those triplets for Don’t Fence Me In.
See you at the World Series ….
Re Lurkers by whatever nomenclature, we could use the example of Lord of the Rings Doors of Durin
“Say, friend, and enter.” Of course the password is “friend”.
Jamie
Brooklyn v Cleveland, sounds good to me
Pls be careful where you stick your thumb–glad it’s on the way to healing.
Flatus, I hear ya. But Kent State really needs the money. It should be a one way track meet. Not my cup…
After tomorrow, Bama doesn’t face a ranked team until 10/21 then 11/4, then 11/25. Their out out of conference schedule has them facing such powerhouses as Fresno State, Colorado State and Mercer. I’m not a fan of this year’s schedule – way too weak.
As to Donny being removed from office, a paraphrase of Jerry Jeff: Up against the wall you orange-haired mother.
jamie – Hope your thumb continues to feel better.
Looks like Judge Roy Moore has what it takes to be a Senator from Alabama.
Total ignorance
Should be a shoe in.
Then again maybe Trump will make him attorney general
Jack
Jack, Roy Moore is an absolute moron…ignored federal courts while serving as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court…perfect Bama senator. (Aka asshole)
blue, Jerry Jeff was my crossover between rock and c/w artist. Really love his writing and band. My absolute favorite is Cowboy’s Lament. It got bastardized by a couple of pretty talented guys at Hurricane Island Outward Bound as Watch Officers’ Lament, tailored to boats and the coast of Maine.
I suspect there are some lurkers out there in the rafters muttering this stuff to themselves.
Ray Wylie … love his humor.