I couldnt watch this whole video having had my own experience and photos from it. However if folks are interested in seeing what really happened after Atlas here it is. Im still collecting my thoughts on it but there are a few powerful themes I would like to share. One is that ANYONE who wants to jump on this storm and start talking about how sad it is that climate change will be causing more events like this needs to take a deep %^@(#)%^ breath and realize the devastation to ranch families and the entire economy of west river So Dak. This will have a deep impact on how multi-generation ranches survive into the future. Its just belittling the issue to point at the bigger picture right now, in my opinion. The other is that despite all of it, I had a neighbor who drove me out of the ranch in a tractor so I could get to the highway and get a ride into town. He talked about a fall storm his grandmother experienced (not nearly so devastating as this one) that left them stuck for 6 weeks. It was bad, a LOT of livestock died, people were without power. But it is terrifying to imagine what would have happened to people without tractors and generators. Finally, being that a lot of the community that was devastated by this isnt super in love with the government I think it is wholly appropriate to donate to an organization of your choice to reach producers directly, and not pay the salaries of a couple bureaucrats along the way. The media is still talking about Sandy and Katrina and yes those storms impacted a larger geographic area with a lot more people. JUST BECAUSE SOUTH DAKOTA HAS A LOW POPULATION DOESNT MEAN THESE VOICES SHOULDNT BE HEARD. I didnt hear a single rancher asking where FEMA was. We cleaned up the mess. So, lets be FEMA.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 17:59:28 +0000
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