[update] Super-storm Sandy devastates US East Coast

[Osem]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-...lock-persists/

Looks like the storm has helped Obama and brought climate change back to the fore of an election where it hasn't figured at all: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-1...ted-boost.html

Bloomberg, who had previously said he hadn’t decided whether he would publicly endorse his candidate of choice, said it was the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy that brought him off the sidelines to declare his support for Obama. In an opinion piece published on Bloomberg View, the Democrat-turned- Republican-turned-independent mayor said Obama has “taken major steps” to combat climate change, won “some important victories” on education and health care, and shares his values on abortion and gay rights.

I suspect climate change won't be treated as dismissively in future Republican campaigns whatever happens Tuesday.

A bit of levity....

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Hugh

A bit of levity....

It'd be funnier if it didn't ring so true...


Meantime back in the US where Arfur reckons all is almost back to normal:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20189083

---------- Post added at 22:20 ---------- Previous post was at 22:17 ----------

I reckon the storm was engineered by Obama's aides - so close to an election it's bound to serve his cause.

Originally Posted by Osem

[/COLOR]I reckon the storm was engineered by Obama's aides - so close to an election it's bound to serve his cause.

Yup. Things are looking better for him at the moment (although they were never that dire really), his advantage is that he really does look and act like a President when he needs too.

[Osem]

Just for Arfur, this is how close to 'back to normal' they are:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20199672

Tens of thousands of people whose homes were damaged by storm Sandy could soon need housing as cold weather closes in, New York's political leaders have warned.

Homes without heat would become uninhabitable as temperatures fell, state Governor Andrew Cuomo said.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg put the figure at 30,000-40,000 people.

[alferret]

My in-laws just got back from NY today (Queen Mary 2) it was the last boat out last Sunday. They said that at the hotel they stayed in gave them a hurricane list of items they should buy, food, water, torch, batteries & the like, this was Friday. The ship was told to depart at 4.30pm (scheduled for 6pm) if not it was staying. Winds of 80mph+ & seas to match.

My bro-in-law is in mid-state NJ, and they only got petrol delivered yesterday (and that ran out after four hours - he queued for over an hour to fill his tank).

A lot of the shops are still shut (no power and/or stocks).