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Editorial: Anti-Environmental Bill: Save Florida From Harm
May 16th, 2013

Editorial: Problem Ordinances
May 8th, 2012

Editorial: Cedar Key Arts Show
April 28th, 2012

Editorial: Cedar Key Arts Show
April 20th, 2012

Editorial: Status of Nuclear Power as Savior
March 15th, 2012

Editorial: Advice to Letter Writers
February 13th, 2012

Editorial: 2011 is History
January 7th, 2012

Editorial: The History of Island Nations
December 24th, 2011

Editorial: Why You DON’T Pay for the Cedar Key News Online
November 11th, 2011

Editorial: Hoppin’ John ***
November 3rd, 2011

Editorial: What Decline?
October 10th, 2011

Editorial: Notes from a Slightly Bigger Island
October 8th, 2011

Editorial: Barking Mad
October 5th, 2011

Editorial: Fix the Bridges!
September 11th, 2011

Editorial: Catching the Right Wave
July 27th, 2011

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Editorial: Oil Spills vs. Hurricanes

Editorial: Oil Spills vs. Hurricanes

Editor

When our unfortunate friends who cannot live in Cedar Key think of us they worry about the threats of hurricanes and oil spills. Although those threats are very different, we can prepare for their actuality in the same way. First, we recognize the danger. Second, we make plans in advance to deal the potential destruction. Third, we recall the rewards of living in an otherwise serene and beautiful place.


The contrast between hurricanes and oil spills is remarkable. (Oil spill is an insipid misnomer. Oil deluge is more accurate.) Hurricanes are unavoidable forces of nature, sometimes referred to as "Acts of God." Oil deluges are man-made disasters that result from faulty or criminal cost: benefit analyses by corporate executives and government regulators. Regardless of how one assigns blame for the damages of these disasters, the effects are long lasting. Five years after Hurricane Katherine much of New Orleans is still in shambles. The effects of the BP oil well blowout may harm sea life and seafood production for years to come.


What hurricanes and oil deluges have in common is that we can prepare for them. And we can prepare better than we have in the past. Cedar Key appears to have been spared the BP oil deluge. Furthermore, weather forecasting and government agencies such as the Levy County Department of Emergency Management help prepare for hurricane attacks and recovery. However, as we enjoy the serenity, natural beauty and wildlife of Cedar Key we must not be complacent. Plan ahead and be ready to evacuate if the warning sirens blow a three minute blast.

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