It seems that a perception that someone is "-removed-" brings out the worst in people. By that, I mean verbal attacks which are in the personal realm, that is, instead of debating the cause and effect (the science) inferred or described by the poster accused of -removed-, the attacks are directed toward the person.
The attacks or let's call them "strong exceptions" to the poster's point of view tilt towards moralizing. As in, "how could you want storm XYZ to come your way? Don't you know had bad, terrible, murderous these storms are? If you are wishing it to go to location ACB, then you are a bad person, a person of weak morality, absent character. One who wished doom upon others, etc. etc. Evil personified. A person who knows not virtue.
IF there was any evidence that "wishing" a storm caused a change in landfall or intensity, then I guess there woud be something to the charges.
The fact is, that none of us has any effect upon the storm whatsoever, therefore, -removed- (if indeed that is what the accused poster is doing) has zero effect on what actually happens. There is nothing you can do but board up, have supplies, evacuate if prudent, and inform those less informed that a dangerous storm is on the way.
I bemused by folks taking the moral "high ground" [I think I should be censured for my bad puns at the very least...now that is an issue of character...] and seemingly endlessly pointing out how wrong (stupid, selfish, ignorant, or just plain nasty) the person is for indulging in the presumed wishcast.
Does "-removed-" cause any harm to anyone? Do you think there is a possibility that some newbies might somehow be influenced by reading posts that seem to indicate that someone wants a storm to come their way, and therefore take the threat less seriously? This is the only example I can think of where the wishcast might actually have a deleterious effect. And then, I still give credit to people for having the sense to read between the lines....afterall, most of the accusations of -removed- are based on assumptions and reading between the lines (though I admit there are some posts which leave no doubt as to the "wishes" of the poster) of the original post to draw the conclusion that the post indeed represents -removed-.
IMNSHO, it is perfectly ok to wish for excitement and a dramatic display of nature's power. Understanding that the wish will not make it happen. As nature, it is completely beyond our control. So why act like the "thought police" regarding these posts?
So what if one has a bit of addiction to the excitement of an approaching storm? It is exciting.
I readily admit that I love the excitement, and at the same time, dread the reality. All of it is out of my hands, except for protecting myself and my property, which is my responsibility.
I pray I never see another Andrew (I lost EVERYTHING except my life and my dog...Andrew destroyed my home, business,a way of life, scattering my friends across 3 counties; almost all my possessions were destroyed; cost me tons of money in moving expenses, even medical costs since a big piece of glass went almost through my foot; and I still have a barrel full of emotions...anxiety and sadness mostly).
Confession time...I honestly admit that I get super excited when I'm in the cone. So if feel the need to flame me, go ahead. Maybe I'm addicted to the adrenaline. I have always felt like this about severe weather. When there is an event, I am just as scared as anyone, maybe more so. I'm very afraid...and I should be, AND I realize I was nuts for wishing for an event. I cannot help myself (without a lot of therapy, anyway)...I am totally in love with the power and the beauty AND the terror.
Isn't "stormchasing" a kind of super -removed-? I mean, if it isn't going to come to you, then go to it? I know, I know, at least when you travel to a storm, YOUR neighborhood isn't trashed for a decade...but someone else' is...
Knowledge of the power, beauty, terror of nature was called "the sublime" throughout the 19th century. Unfortunately, we seem to misuse that word a lot today. It seems that sublime means pleasure in contemporary parlance. Most people seem to thing a good soak in a hot tub is "sublime", or that chocolate mousse is "sublime".
We need that word, that paradigmn back.
Perhaps there is pleasure in the recognition of our own insignificance in the face of nature. I know that I used to enjoy feeling tiny, even weak, when I used to run out to the Gulf Stream in my small Boston whaler...it put things into perspective...and that reality felt so fine....knowing one's place in the bigger scheme...the world sure doesn't revolve around ME...etc. etc. I'm no more significant than a stray packing peanut skittering along the surface of the water.
In the 1800's, especially in America, the sublime had a different meaning. It meant an awareness of the TERRIBLE power of nature, and our insignificance in the face of it, it had to do with recognizing that fear is an appropriate response. But they also knew that there is a connection between the power and the beauty, too. So it was an aesthetic. A belief system.
We seem to have a schism...hurricanes are beautiful, and they are terrible, but we don't seem to want them to be BOTH at the same time...they are beautiful at sea (deadly too, if only we could ask the crew of the Fantome), and terrible at landfall. The concept of the sublime allows us to entertain seemingly contradictory notions at the same time.
I just want to be perfectly honest here. I may wishcast for a variety of reasons:
adrenaline rush
study of storms
the experience-how it looks, sounds, feels, smells
knowing humility, getting cut right down to size
maintaining my respect for the power of the ocean, the winds, and for
mother earth.
This does not mean that I don't "get" the terrible suffering that large populations enure during and after these events. I do not "wish" that on anybody, not in my heart of hearts, not ever.
I hope I didn't mess your thread...after this rant, I can barely remember the original topic...it just seemd right at the time to forge ahead.
Most comments welcome
Zip
, and be worried about suffering and loss (human and otherwise), all at the same time. I've never been through a "big one," and honestly the very idea scares the %#$@ outta me, but I will admit that the night we had that close call with Claudette, when the winds really started kickin' in and they were showing the waves washing over Seawall Blvd. on TV, I was completely amazed - and a bit excited. We wouldn't all watch these things so closely if we werent amazed by them....so lets all just drop the "holier than thou" bit and admit - we like a little wind and rain now and then! 
