The politicizing of a hurricane.

[Houstonia]

Jamaica radio, instead of having information about shelters, Ivan's current position, evacuation recommendations, how to prepare, is having statements about the state of emergency, looting, and seemingly lots of political talk going on.

Right now, I am waiting to hear from the opposition.

I wonder if all of these political leaders are up and far away from the storm where they can trivialize the danger of Ivan, and instead throw politcal stones at each other.

This just makes me so angry. If I were watching Ivan roll in on top of my neighborhood, the last thing I would want there are these fruit loop politicians trying to get my vote.

rant off now.. I think I'll go play with my cat and be grateful that I am in Houston today.

[nomolos]

wow...this is some crazy stuff! the "opposition" are complete morons! they have no idea!

[Agua]

I know, it's ludicrous. "We do not take lightly the use of the powers of emergency". Geeeesus.

[air360]

i can not believe they are argueing the SOE that has been declared...come on!!! its a freaking CAT4/5 ....on a island like jamacia...a "state of obliteration" sounds more accurate

[Hurrilurker]

I'm listening to it too right now! This is nuts, it's almost like they're doing a postmortem about some hurricane that went through last month, not a Cat 4 right on their doorstep! What's wrong with these people! Um...priorities?

[Innotech]

they just mentioned Ivan and will discuss that after commercial break.

[btsgmdad]

I can't believe I'm saying this but at least our "opposition" party has some common sense when it comes to disasters!

[janieb]

Just wait until tomorrow, the opposition will have a different view then.

Or better yet, they should ask Grenada and the problems they are facing with looters.

[greeng13]

i can now see why that member's cousin's father in law was not worried and decided to stay in the hotel room if that is what they are reporting---i haven't been able to link to the radio myself...it said server full everytime i tried but gathering from what you people said...he might have made a good choice in his mind...man that is sad....i seriously hope that they make it out of this alright as well as the rest of jamaica

[Possum Trot]

Well, to give them credit, I've been listening for a while and they were giving out storm related info earlier today. There came a point when they said evacuation buses were no longer running and if citizens had not yet heeded the warnings they were on their own. Since then there has been little additional survival info. I agree that this political fight at this time seems out of place. The opposition (I didn't catch the name) is intimating that there is some nefarious intent in issuing the state of emergency and suspension of freedoms. I also don't know enough about Jamaican politics to say he is wrong, but again it seems odd to bicker now. Prior to the news, the station was taking calls from islanders and reading email messages from people all over the Americas who were wishing them well.

[JQ Public]

Good Point P. Trot, because no one is supposed to leave their homes now plus the storm is really getting close.

[Houstonia]

Well, to give them credit, I've been listening for a while and they were giving out storm related info earlier today. There came a point when they said evacuation buses were no longer running and if citizens had not yet heeded the warnings they were on their own. ll.

Yes, you do have a good point. Someone was saying on a similar topic that these ARE the islands where tropical storms are a way of life.

Unfortunately, living somewhere where T.S. are a way of life still doesn't prepare you for a major hurricane. In fact, it can actually cause people to think they will be okay when they won't be.

Anyway, it was really only the politicians that were really angering me. The station itself seems to be doing fine. Now they are starting to talk about preparedness operations.