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Editorial: Editorial: Freedom to Blow the Whistle
June 23rd, 2011

Editorial: Guest Editorial: Never Forget
May 5th, 2011

Editorial: Editorial: "The Most Unforgiving Technology in Human History"
April 23rd, 2011

Editorial: Editorial: Rumors
March 20th, 2011

Editorial: Editorial: Henry Ford, American Genius
January 21st, 2011

Editorial: Editorial: Remember the Needy in Our Community
December 26th, 2010

Editorial: Guest Editorial: Prunes
November 16th, 2010

Editorial: Editorial: How Many Signs Can One Building Support?
November 15th, 2010

Editorial: Accidents Happen? The Dance Begins
September 16th, 2010

Editorial: Editorial: Oil Spills vs. Hurricanes
September 2nd, 2010

Editorial: Editorial: Fishing Village Atmosphere?
August 22nd, 2010

Editorial: A New Standard of Arrogance
July 29th, 2010

Editorial: Alzheimer`s Sentence
July 24th, 2010

Editorial: Editorial: When the Elephants Stampede, the Pygmies Get Trampled
June 10th, 2010

Editorial: Oil Spills and Independence
May 26th, 2010

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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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