Better use of American tax dollars

[Kapitan_Phillips]

My girlfriend sent me an SMS an hour ago, saying that her school in Georgia was under a tornado threat alert. This has happened before, with drills and whatnot, and needless to say, I was concerned.

It ended up that all 2000+ students were placed in the assembly hall, as the tornado was in close proximity. Hannah could actually hear it outside as could everyone else, and as I type this, they are still huddled in the hall.

So answer me this, my American colleagues and friends - why havent measures been taken to provide a refuge for students in areas that are prone to tornado warnings and actual tornados? An assembly hall isnt exactly a fortress against 100+ mph winds, and I'm sick of sitting here every time worrying myself to tears wondering if she's alright inbetween her text messages.

Stop spending the <expletive> money on <expletive> missiles and spend it on something people can use!

[Letum]

Go and do something about it if you think its unfair!

[bradclark1]

Most modern schools are normally that area's emergency shelter, so you probably need not be excited.

[Schatten]

Schools over here are built pretty tough, the local Junior High where I grew up actually had a hardened fallout shelter in one of the sublevels. When they tore it down I always wondered what we were supposed to do if we needed a hardened fallout shelter...

As for why money isn't spent on tornado shelters in Georgia, well to be honest Georgia isn't as prone to have tornados as often as places like Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, etc. are so it probably wasn't a priority there like it is in the Midwest.

[sonar732]

The most common emergency congregation of mass students in secondary and elementary schools is either in the hallways, gymnasium, or assembly halls to keep away from windows. When schools are built, they usually add reinforced concrete to those areas for extra protection. You have to keep in mind the number of students also. I grew up in small schools all of my life, so we would go into the hallway, sit on our knees, and cover our heads. In a large school like the one she's in, there isn't enough room for that many people.

What do you propose our tax money to be used when a new school is built? It's not cheap for a school to be built in the first place, but you add some kind of shelter and the citizens of the town who live there wouldn't accept the tax hike referendum. In the late 80's and early 90's, the state of Illinois was in trouble as over 50% of the schools were trying to pass a tax hike to fund the local schools. The only problem is that the citizens were broke as it is and couldn't afford another tax and most of the referendums failed.

Where do you go during a tornado drill? Since you live outside the US...are you familiar with tornado's enough to warrant a complaint? Here's a few pictures of a tornado that hit a manufacturing plant a few years ago. It was listed as a F4.

Roanoke tornado starting

Tornado hitting plant after hitting silo

Tornado view 3 miles away

What was left of the plant that got hit.

Summary of the tornado event with more pictures

[AVGWarhawk]

I can understand you concern but like the others stated, the schools are brick reinforced. They are built for this. Even basements in house are somewhat safe. But 100+ winds in no matter what your in is nothing but trouble. Georgia is not prone to tornados. Try tornado alley in the US. Now that is a problem. Anyway, building shelters in Georgia does not make sense since tornado do not occur here with any regularity nor are very strong when they do.

[TteFAboB]

If she has a Feminist teacher then you have alot more dangerous stuff to worry about. One day she'll call to break up with you because she has become a Lesbian who's going to marry a Female Dolphin just to get rid of your masculine oppression.

[Kapitan_Phillips]

Originally Posted by TteFAboB

If she has a Feminist teacher then you have alot more dangerous stuff to worry about. One day she'll call to break up with you because she has become a Lesbian who's going to marry a Female Dolphin just to get rid of your masculine oppression.

:rotfl: She wouldnt. We share disdain for feminists

[dean_acheson]

Um....

Federal Tax money pays for missiles.

Local Taxes pay for schools.


and.... some of us like missles.

[U-533]

Originally Posted by Kapitan_Phillips

My girlfriend sent me an SMS an hour ago, saying that her school in Georgia was under a tornado threat alert. This has happened before, with drills and whatnot, and needless to say, I was concerned.

It ended up that all 2000+ students were placed in the assembly hall, as the tornado was in close proximity. Hannah could actually hear it outside as could everyone else, and as I type this, they are still huddled in the hall.

So answer me this, my American colleagues and friends - why havent measures been taken to provide a refuge for students in areas that are prone to tornado warnings and actual tornados? An assembly hall isnt exactly a fortress against 100+ mph winds, and I'm sick of sitting here every time worrying myself to tears wondering if she's alright inbetween her text messages.

Stop spending the <expletive> money on <expletive> missiles and spend it on something people can use!

No worries, Kapitan_Phillips.

Here on the east coast we don't have the Tornadoes like the F3-5's in "Tornado Ally".

Most times when the tornadoes here get up on the front porch we sho'em of with a broom. Although we have had a few "Mobile Homes" get tore up.

OOPs sorry I didnt ansewer your questions but Im at a complete loss as to why.

[MadMike]

"Those who won't work become teachers, those who can't teach become artists..."

or words to that effect...

Yours, Mike

[joea]

Originally Posted by Letum

Go and do something about it if you think its unfair!

What exactly is he supposed to do about something in the US if he is in the UK? :hmm:

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by bradclark1

Most modern schools are normally that area's emergency shelter, so you probably need not be excited.

This is due to the fact that the buildings have large gymnasiums and/or multi-purpose rooms that are able to accomodate large numbers of the displaced. The relative strength of the building is not to be implied by this decision. In fact, many schools tend to cheat on building material in an effort to save money in today's environment of high enrollment and tight budgets.

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by MadMike

"Those who won't work become teachers, those who can't teach become artists..."

or words to that effect...

Yours, Mike

Your USAF career came at the efforts of those teachers whom you berate.

[Letum]

Originally Posted by joea

What exactly is he supposed to do about something in the US if he is in the UK? :hmm:

That makes it more difficult, but if you want change you have to work for it.
Write letters, organise protests, petition politicians, seek support from the influential, create awareness campaigns, there are thousands of ways that you can work to bring about changes, most of which can be done from any country via global communication, especially with the use of the Internet.

"It's bad, but what can I do about it" is the cop-out that causes millions to sit and watch, or even take part in, the most evil acts the world can produce.