The Spark

the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist

“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx

Taking Action Could Save Lives

Nov 12, 2012

When Hurricane Sandy was bearing down on the east coast, meteorologists at The Weather Channel waited for the federal government’s National Hurricane Center to issue a warning for the population, giving people time to prepare. It never came.

As one meteorologist said to the New York Times (11/5/12): “We all looked at ourselves and said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding.’”

Meteorologists then publicized the danger–themselves.

That night, one made dire warnings on his website. The news media reported his alarm, and word spread. He explained: “Regardless of what the official designation is ... people in the path of this storm need to heed the threat it poses with utmost urgency.”

While federal agencies dithered, these brave scientists issued dire warnings, and lives were saved.