TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross
Gas lines New York
People line up at a gas station waiting to fill up on Friday in Newark, N.J. In parts of New York and New Jersey, drivers lined up early Friday for hours at gas stations that were struggling to stay supplied. (AP Photo)

Race among the ruins

November 2, 2012 @ 8:36 am (Updated: 2:38 pm - 11/2/12 )

Editor's note: After this story was published, the New York City Marathon was canceled.

A lot of New Yorkers can't believe the mayor would let the New York City marathon go on.

He wants to show the world how resilient the city is, plus it brings in money, and supports a lot of charities - all good things. But thousands of recreational runners smartly jogging past neighborhoods that have been torn apart? This Staten Island politician doesn't get it:

"The fact that the mayor wants to have a marathon this weekend when we have people who lost their lives or lost their entire house is unbelievable to me."

You know what they should do? Give all the runners jugs of gasoline that they can drop off as they run. And I'm not sure I'm even kidding about that. This happens in every major storm, the gas lines:

"I'm coming from Queens to get this. Gotta have it."
"There's no gas in the Bronx, uptown Manhattan, nothing. Only this station."

The weak point of American civilization is the gas station and the kicker is it's not for lack of gas. There's plenty of gas, just no way to pump it.

The richest nation in history; is one superstorm away from the third world.

Except the third world has a backup plan. Years ago, I was in the old Soviet Union and we hired a guy to drive us from Leningrad to Moscow through a countryside in perpetual depression with no gas stations. But our driver would keep an eye out for a tanker truck and he would follow it. Eventually it would pull to the side of the road and the truck driver would sell some gas.

It worked. We got there. Saved by the black market.

Yet here in America? No power, no gas. You would think with all that anti-terrorism money, someone by now would have figured out a way to drop off generators at the gas stations.

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Comments (38)


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  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    No...the richest nation in history; is one more Obama term away from the third world.
    November 2, 2012 8:20 am
    Storms cannot defeat us, but tearing us apart by the most divisive administration in history surely can.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    It's not Obama Paul
    November 2, 2012 8:36 am
    http://www.businessinsider.com/study-tax-cuts-dont-lead-to-growth-2012-9

    It's Grover Norquist, Mitch McConnell, John Boehner, and Romney if elected.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    So you believe Forrest
    November 2, 2012 9:07 am
    if your 16 trillion in debt

    You spend a trillion more a year than you take in to get out of debt. Okay Then.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    No Rick, it's both sides.
    November 2, 2012 9:15 am
    We need to let the Bush Tax cuts expire and reduce spending across the board including the military.

    "Arguing with a conservative Christian Republican is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter how good you are at chess, the pigeon's still going to knock over all the pieces, crap on the board, and strut around like he's awesome."

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    I was ok up to the insults
    November 2, 2012 9:32 am
    why the insults all the time, it deters from your post.

    I agree 100% with the 1st sentence.

    I also think that starting to replace every representative in the Senate and the Congress via voting for no incumbent (R D or I) would send a big message, but we (the collective American people) keep sending them back even though their ratings are single digit.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    That's the problem Rick
    November 2, 2012 1:17 pm
    Grover Norquist made all those fore mentioned Republicans sign a pledge not to raise taxes from where we are (ie. let the Bush tax cuts expire). Therefore they (the Republicans) won't compromise. Grover Norquist is essentially running the Republican party and he isn't elected.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Realitycheck wrote...
    That is right
    November 2, 2012 10:26 am
    Tax people that are struggling as is, great idea, I'll bet that will really boost the economy. O _m _g, the ignorance or idiocy is amazing
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    If we are divided, it's by our own choice
    November 2, 2012 9:18 am
    No government can "divide" the people. The people divide themselves when they are so uncertain, confused, and cowardly that they cannot tolerate the existence of a contrary opinion.

    Freedom is surely wasted on one huge batch of folks who insist that unless a person thinks *exactly* one particular way on a who host of issues, that person isn't a "real American" and there is no point in trying to communicate or work with such "libtards" (or conservatards, etc).

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Great point Chuck!
    November 2, 2012 9:29 am
    The division has got to stop. Somewhere down the line our leaders and We The People have got to find some common ground and make some serious compromises or we will continue to self distruct.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Seattle Dad wrote...
    Propoganda divides
    November 2, 2012 10:11 am
    Politicians and media outlets put out sound bites that folks latch onto. if the population does not question the data presented, they are easily misled. Teaching children talking points does not teach them to think. The lack of the ability to think critically leads to a society of lemmings.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    No government can "divide" people?
    November 2, 2012 10:25 am
    Tell that whopper to the survivors of the Khmer Rouge. I'm sure they will say that they divided themselves because they were "so uncertain, confused, and cowardly".
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    What portion of the Khmer Rouge lived in a Constitutional Republic?
    November 2, 2012 2:07 pm
    Thanks in advance for your answer.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    so you're saying that the Khmer Rouge was not a government
    November 2, 2012 4:13 pm
    because it was not a constitutional republic?...you're welcome
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Realitycheck wrote...
    Chuck, you are welcome to think and vote any way you want
    November 2, 2012 10:28 am
    As long as it doesn't decrease my freedom or my ability to feed my family. We have way too many people who think just because they didn't lose a job or they didn't lose a house (because they didn't by at the wrong time, which nobody knew at the time) everything is just fine and we can be taxed more. Open your eyes and pay attention what is going on past your own little world.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Reality Check....and it a clear majority make a decision
    November 2, 2012 2:13 pm
    that in your opinion impacts your "freedom" or your "ability to feed your family" ((sorry, didn't realize things were that tough for you)), what then?

    We are all so damnn spoiled that we all refuse to ever accept that our "own little worlds" will from time to time necessarily be affected by a larger social or political landscape.

    Nobody will compromise, because doing so means 1) I don't get everything I want! and 2) You might get something you want, and some of that might be at my expense!

    It works best when *nobody* gets everything they want, but nobody goes home empty handed, either.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    See, it's not just Dems that bring up Bush's failed administration...
    November 2, 2012 10:10 am
    Since the most Divisive administration in history was the Bush administration.. they were the ones that championed 50%+1 ... forget about half the nation you only got to convince half of them to follow you and F the rest... Oh that and how he had a 30% approval rating...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sambra27 wrote...
    NOT Obama
    November 2, 2012 9:18 am
    Nor Romney, Nor Bush, Nor Clinton, Nor Bush Sr, Nor precious Reagan, nor ANYONE! For goodness sake this has nothing to do with any President, EVER! And it never will. The only thing a future president has the luxury of doing is loading up on gasoline resources before the storm hits, but you still have a limited capacity on how much a station can hold and you will still have people lining up to get it at the pump. Why don't we just have disaster relief at the state level like Romney wants? Cause that will work really well when the infrastructure that is running the disaster relief is crippled by the storm...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Very insightful remark from sambra27
    November 2, 2012 9:24 am
    One of the disadvantages of localizing disaster response, or even privatizing it, would indeed be the fact that sometimes resources need to be brought in from outside the jurisdiction. If all emergency response is coordinated from the state capital, and the capital itself is disabled by the disaster, what then? Just say, "too bad"?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Realitycheck wrote...
    Wow Chuck, really?
    November 2, 2012 10:35 am
    You set up a plan to deal with stuff, if a whole state is affected of course you have other states help out, use some common sense here. Romney is still right that the first responsibility goes to the state, only if the whole state is unable to help themselves should federal or other states get involved. Just think about the fact that if New York would have build a proper sea wall, like many low lying European cities have, this storm would've done hardly any damage. But states rather spend this money on stupid unnecessary programs especially if it is a liberal run state.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    More on topic: The race should have been...
    November 2, 2012 9:20 am
    postponed or relocated. At least in my opinion.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Good Thing
    November 2, 2012 9:30 am
    They decided to go ahead with the NY Politics! IDIOTS!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sambra27 wrote...
    NYC marathon
    November 2, 2012 9:31 am
    Hard to relocate it, but postpone it I certainly agree with. I would be interested to know all the logistics that go into running that marathon. I have been involved in the operation of marathons in the Seattle area (volunteering, I should say) and even that is an undertaking. NYC Marathon is a huge event...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • montanarose wrote...
    No Gas??
    November 2, 2012 9:23 am
    I imagine if dug into, there are some crazy over the top enviromental laws that contributed to this problem.

    If a gas tanker pulled over anywhere in the great yoUr getting Sued A even in an emergancy, he would be arrested, the company fined, and a lawsuit would soon follow. I am not saying we should trash the environment, but I wonder about some of these laws. Looks to me to be more about power and control than protecting the earth!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Just need to figure out how to get that 6-inch diameter tanker hose
    November 2, 2012 9:28 am
    into my 1.5" diameter gas fill pipe. And then how to shut it off within a second after flow begins to avoid a huge spillover.

    It's likely the tanker in Russia was equipped for dispensing gas in small quantities. That's not the case here.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Bucket Dad wrote...
    Seriously people?
    November 2, 2012 9:28 am
    Why is everyone turning everything into a political, and partisan food fight?

    This event does nothing but point out a overwhelmingly simplistic point. Third world countries are third world, not because the rest of the planet cannot or will not help with food and other necessities. It has always been about infrastructure. Technology always needed a critical supply chain to keep things up and running. Break that supply chain (no power, no fuel delivery, etc.) and any technological advanced society breaks down.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Fuego wrote...
    I find it amazing...
    November 2, 2012 9:47 am
    that someone that has a working generator hasn't hot wired it to the circuit panel on the pumps at the gas station. How about getting a hand pump and a how and pump the gas out of the tanks. Where's the American can do attitude? We look like a bunch of baby birds waiting for momma to feed us.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Storm.
    November 2, 2012 9:51 am
    In 2008, I remember Owebama "promising" that he would "stop the rising of the seas" (pretty arrogant, but what else can you expect? Next to himself, only liberals think he's like god). It appears he broke yet another "promise". And one more term of Barry will put us into 3rd world status across the entire nation and more quickly than any "super storm" ever would.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • circuitfr wrote...
    forget abou it
    November 2, 2012 10:13 am
    America is screwed. Anyone can wipe us out with one EMP type scenario which is not even close to science fiction anymore. It's real. Most Americans don't even know what a frieking 'phillips' screwdriver is. They are all super dependant morons converging into high rises eating out every day while having a 1 day food supply in there 500,000 dollars 700 sqft loft. We are a bunch of whiny losers who can hardly tie their shoes anymore and these are the same elitists who tell me I'm clinging to my 'guns and religion' Well, good for me then...at least I have half a brain to raise my kids with a mom and a dad. (what a concept) and actually do things on my own with hard work (what a concept) Just amazes me how helpless people are. Vultures.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Realitycheck wrote...
    Circuitfr
    November 2, 2012 10:39 am
    You used WAY TOO MUCH common sense there....lol...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Pete in Seattle wrote...
    I wonder if...
    November 2, 2012 10:06 am
    ..part of the problem is inspection of facilities at service stations. Sure, they could run generators to pump gas, but maybe that is not the problem. Maybe, with all the water, there is an ecology issue with stuff getting into storm drains that shouldn't.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Seattle Dad wrote...
    Don't rely on government
    November 2, 2012 10:32 am
    As much as people want to believe that government can help,they often can't. The saddest thing I saw was Statten Island residents waiting for someone to come and save them. There aren't enough government workers or resources to help. it doesn't matter who is President, there is only so much that can be done the first week after a crisis. You need to have your own backup plan if the power goes out or if there is flooding. Find some relatives or friends and get out of the hazard zone so that the limited resources can be used to help those who can't help themselves. When you rely on the promiises of government rather than your neighbor or community, you're in trouble.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Realitycheck wrote...
    Once again
    November 2, 2012 10:41 am
    WAY TOO MUCH common sense Seattle Dad. In fact if most people had this much common sense, Obama would be nowhere close to having a chance to win this election. Everybody wants to believe in dreams instead of facing reality.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • circuitfr wrote...
    The government can't help everyone
    November 2, 2012 11:38 am
    Right on Seattle Dad, I'm glad our federal government can provide big picture resources...I'm not an anarchist conservative, but the reality is, you are on your own in a major disaster for your basic needs. It's common sense to have some sort of short term plan in case of emergency. I read the story of the Statten Island mother whos kids were swept out of her arms. When she realized her truck had stalled she took her kids out and desperately asked people for help. People didn't care and one person turned her away to fend for herself, and then when the waters kept rising and she was trying to find anyone to help, her 2 and 4 year boys got swept away and died. Ticks me off so bad that so many people care more about themselves that they can't help. That is why I have a dim outlook on our future. I believe rural areas still exhibit this quality to come together, but the big cities, forget it. You are on your own.
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  • Lonestar wrote...
    You're doing a heckuva job, Bloomie
    November 2, 2012 2:07 pm
    Why give your bottled water to poor folks when the rich white folks are more deserving
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