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12.02.2008 11:26 am

Disaster preparedness should trumps the digital transition

By Letters
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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I get it. The digital transition will leave some without TV reception if they don’t install a converter box. It’s about preparation. So let’s spend millions of airtime dollars to both inform and then remind the public to take action.

Yet when was the last time there has been a public service message about something far more important: disaster preparedness?Make no mistake. We will have aother terror attack, an earthquake or other weather related event that will shut down some combination of stores, the electric grid, the water supply and possibly financial institutions. People will once again be without food, batteries, gasoline and emergency cash. They will have no candles or radios. They will be without bottled water. They will have no first aid supplies. Infants will be without diapers.

This is not about pessimism; it’s about realism. Where is the leadership of our state and local officials? Where are the articles in local newspapers? Where are the voices of TV and radio personalities? Lets get our priorities straight. Survival trumps the digital transition.

Dick Schenk
Ballwin

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5 comments

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Blog Comments: Rules of the Road

Nah! TV is more important.

— Amazedbythelunacy
11:35 am December 2nd, 2008

You’re right, kind of…The only time we get disaster preparedness information is during times of possible or likely disaster. And then where do we get it? TELEVISION! Of course if they don’t have their digtal conversion in order they won’t get the message anyway.

— lunar
2:17 pm December 2nd, 2008

Dick wrote - “People will once again be without food, batteries, gasoline and emergency cash. They will have no candles or radios. They will be without bottled water. They will have no first aid supplies. Infants will be without diapers.”

You must be joking, right? Here’s a novel idea…get prepared on your own NOW and you’ll be ready for a disaster! Why is it the government’s responsibility to cater to you and every other American? If you think there might be a shortage of water during one of these events, go buy some water now or purchase water purifying tablets from a sporting goods store.

If there ever is some sort of natural disaster or terrorist attack that causes widespread power outages, disruption of food supplies/water, I’m ready to survive and protect my family by being prepared now. It’s not up to the government to hold your hand and provide for you. Grow a set of balls and take care of your own family. Go purchase an emergency radio, get water purifying tablets, bleach, batteries, canned goods, blankets, firewood, guns, etc. Why would anyone wait for FEMA or some other bloated govt agency to come to the rescue after the fact?

I’m starting to believe that common sense is dead in the USA. Is everyone stupid or just lazy?

— Gaucho
2:31 pm December 2nd, 2008

The way I read this, Mr. Schenk is arguing that PS announcements and media pieces should be made, that make it clear that individuals and companies should be doing their all-hazards emergency preparation. I concur, and add that there are many sources of help for planning available, for someone just starting on this. Check out fema.gov, it’s an excellent place to start to build your own plan and decide what materials and supplies you will need.

— Hyacinth
3:58 pm December 2nd, 2008

I believe Dick Schenk has a bomb shelter filled with Y2K emergency rations he is looking to sell.

Do you really think Dick Schenk is this guys real name?

— malz1265
12:25 pm December 4th, 2008