Since someone tripped on the cord a few days back...

and a sizable swath of the Northeast was without power (and some folks still are), I thought it was interesting to note the reactions of people--the media were quick to get out stories from titheads in various backwaters gloating about the disaster--you know, 'Amriki now knows our pain', 'Oh, America is not so powerful now', etc.

Whatever. I also noted that New Yorkers ran their affairs pretty darned well--you know, like regular everyday folks getting out in intersections and directing traffic. They could have raged and marched and cried and screamed and ululated and all that garbage like it was some enlightened, noble Third World bedpan, but there was work to be done and some Joe Blow (or his sister, Josephine) out on the street did it. No one had to tell them, no one had to order them at gunpoint, and they didn't have to ask what to do. They just knew what had to get done. Somehow, I just can't imagine the same thing happening in Tinpotistan.

Thus pointing out the difference between the truly civilized and the ones who just pretend.

Yes, it was bad, and unnerving, and massively expensive, and is still going on in some places. But guess what? We'll get it fixed.
posted by Terry at 8:42:00 AM