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Geek Culture / Devastating Weather on Southeast

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Travis Gatlin
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Location: Oxford, Alabama
Posted: 29th Apr 2011 01:30
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Did ya'll hear about what's going on in the Southeastern USA? I believe around over 200 deaths occured, several towns completely wiped off of the face of the earth, 6 or 7 tornadoes hitting all at once, There was one town that got hit by 3 different Tornadoes in one night! it was pretty bad. I was in the middle of the whole thing too, i was in a Steel Reinforced Concrete parking deck the whole time, so everyone in my family was OK.

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Design Runner
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Posted: 29th Apr 2011 01:44
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Its very crazy down there. Thats why I'm glad I'm up in New England. Glad your okay, I wish these storms would just end.

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Travis Gatlin
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Location: Oxford, Alabama
Posted: 29th Apr 2011 02:01
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Thanks, me too, this crazy weather is really gettin us! The whole world is going crazy really.

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crispex
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Posted: 1st May 2011 04:49 Edited at: 1st May 2011 18:44
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-Snip-

I just now realized I've had a typo in my signature for the past 3 years.
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Slow Programmer
19
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Location: USA, Tennessee
Posted: 1st May 2011 05:31
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I could think of things besides insensitive to call you. You can't be serious. To make so light of the deaths of so many no matter where they are from is beyond insensitive.

There are two kinds of computer users. Those that use Macs and those that wish they did.
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Kravenwolf
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Location: Silent Hill
Posted: 1st May 2011 05:37 Edited at: 1st May 2011 05:38
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Quote: "I don't get it."


More than likely for the same reason the Japan incident, and other disaster headlines are talked about on the news channels for only or a few seconds (excluding the first few days the initial incident occurs, or course), and then there's a fourty-five minute segment talking about who won the super bowl, or "will Lebron James move out of Ohio?" News channels only care about ratings. Whatever keeps their audience watching, is what they're going to leave on the air the longest.

I'm in Ohio myself, and I've seen a few twenty-second or so video caps of the tornadoes and etc over the last few days. Then in the blink of an eye, I'm watching sports and celebrity gossip for the next hour.

Kravenwolf

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crispex
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Posted: 1st May 2011 06:01 Edited at: 1st May 2011 18:45
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Quote: "I could think of things besides insensitive to call you. You can't be serious. To make so light of the deaths of so many no matter where they are from is beyond insensitive."


-Snip-

I just now realized I've had a typo in my signature for the past 3 years.
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OutdoorGamer
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Posted: 1st May 2011 06:10
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I think we are all just getting a little worked up over this. Let's calm down a bit. First, Travis I'm glad your ok. Second, all disasters are terrible. Kravenwolf is right, the news doesn't care about feelings etc. They care about ratings and whatever they think will get them the ratings that is what they will show. Crispex I am sorry about your friend and etc. but the fact is I didn't know about any of that. When things go like this we tend to blame everyone so let's just calm down. Disasters will happen but we just have to stick together through them. Not get upset over nothing.

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Kravenwolf
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Posted: 1st May 2011 06:34
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Quote: "But the minute America is attacked or something happens, everyone is expected to mourn over it."


Quote: "we're expected to weep."


Wait, I'm a little confused. Who expects you to weep? Who expects you to mourn over it? Because there is a difference from someone trying to force empathy down your throat, as opposed to just opening the door for someone to stop by and leave their regards. And televised tragedies aren't there to force remorse down the throats of those who don't care. Aside from ratings for the news channels, they're there for those involved, or those who do feel close to the situation to stay updated on a matter that in some way affects their lives.

Saying "America doesn't give a crap about this or that" simply because it's not broadcasted on our news channels 24-7 isn't a logical assumption, IMO. You have to remember, not all of America moves as one single body, nor is every citizens' interests determined by what is *or isn't in our media. I'm sure there were several Americans that expressed their concerns for whatever tragedy you want to name in other countries. Just as I'm sure there were people in other contries that sent their regards during 9-11. It's really down to the person and who they are, not the country they reside in.


Quote: "Each year we are expected to shed tears for those who lose lives, for people who live in areas prone to natural disaster"


Where? Who? I would really like to know who's expecting these tears from *us (are you using "we" in pace of "I" or...?)

Kravenwolf

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xplosys
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Playing: FPSC Multiplayer Games
Posted: 1st May 2011 06:35
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We were very luck here in Atlanta. The worst of the storms were in Alabama and Tennessee and I understand they were the worst seen in over 40 years. I'm happy you and your family are OK.

As for a couple of the posts in this thread, sometimes it's better to keep quiet and let people wonder if you're stupid than to speak up and remove all doubt.

Brian.

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heyufool1
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Posted: 1st May 2011 07:23
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Shocking indeed. However, I think the reason the storms have been getting a lot of publicity, in the States at least, is because of the death toll and the tremendous amount of damage. Apparently this series of storms has been the worst and most devastating in a long time (I would research this more, but I'm too tired).

"So hold your head up high and know, it's not the end of the road"
Switch Game Engine
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crispex
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Posted: 1st May 2011 07:29 Edited at: 1st May 2011 18:44
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-Snip-

I apologize to anyone I may have offended with my remarks last night. I don't honestly know what I was thinking when I posted them. I guess my bitterness took over and I post insensitive things.

I just now realized I've had a typo in my signature for the past 3 years.
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Happy Cheesecake
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Posted: 1st May 2011 11:25
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You know, I had some big long response typed up, but deleted it because it just wasn't worth it.

Crispex, just stop already. You seem intelligent enough to understand what you're doing, so just try and control your behavior. You're attitude is worsening, and you're doing nothing but stepping on people's toes by typing the things you do. Nothing else needs to be said on the matter.

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That Guy John
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Posted: 1st May 2011 20:00
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Quote: ""But the minute America is attacked or something happens, everyone is expected to mourn over it.""

Seriously? Are you implying that other countries don't get media attention nor help from the US? Just because humanitarian missions don't get the media attention all the time doesn't mean it isn't happeneing.

Quote: "Saying "America doesn't give a crap about this or that" simply because it's not broadcasted on our news channels 24-7 isn't a logical assumption
"

Thank you Kravenwolf.

In order to avoid a bann I won't touch on that subject anymore this.


Travis,
Glad you and your family are okay.

FPSC OneSource [DeskTop App] - Bringing everything together into one.
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Travis Gatlin
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Location: Oxford, Alabama
Posted: 2nd May 2011 05:43
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Thank you all for your good wishes, it's all a terrible disaster for everyone, they're saying now that in one county there is over 250 people missing and only 36 people confirmed dead.

still, can't help but wonder what Crispex said that got everyone upset

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crispex
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Posted: 2nd May 2011 05:45
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Quote: "still, can't help but wonder what Crispex said that got everyone upset"


Ehh, things I regret. I basically said it was no big deal, bit did so over my rage toward the response we got when the blizzard hit last year. Just bitterness.

I just now realized I've had a typo in my signature for the past 3 years.
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Travis Gatlin
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Posted: 2nd May 2011 05:49
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Oh well, you are forgiven!

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crispex
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Posted: 2nd May 2011 05:59
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Eh, thanks.

I just now realized I've had a typo in my signature for the past 3 years.
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Travis Gatlin
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Posted: 2nd May 2011 06:21
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No prob, anything to keep some peace in these forums, that's the last thing we need then to have another ongoing fight like the one between you and Thraxas.

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Fallout
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Location: Basingstoke, England
Posted: 4th May 2011 22:27
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I've never quite understood why, in our country where we don't have much extreme weather, we build with brick and concrete, whereas in the states, where you have twisters, you often build with wood. I guess it all comes down to cost. As I understand it, though wood is a good building material, it's main benefit is it's much cheaper, but brick built buildings are far more likely to survive twisters.

I guess it's cost to risk ratio, as it is with all things.

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That Guy John
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Posted: 4th May 2011 22:35
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Quote: "I guess it's cost to risk ratio, as it is with all things."

You are right. Having done construction work myself, I see it all the time. What gets me is companies building homes with two exterior brick walls and the rest out of wood, because for some home insurance companies this is the minimal requirement in order to insure a home or in some cases give home owners a discount.

"Well sir, you have two walls left standing, we should be able to cover this"

And Here Is A Penguin:
FPSC OneSource [DeskTop App] - Bringing everything together into one.
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crispex
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Posted: 4th May 2011 23:03
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Because wood and drywall is generally cheaper than brick or concrete. Regardless, a Lowes was destroyed and it was made out of concrete and steel. It all depends on the intensity of the tornado.

I just now realized I've had a typo in my signature for the past 3 years.
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CoffeeGrunt
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Posted: 5th May 2011 01:15
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I am so very, very happy to be British.

Your tornadoes devastate towns and kill hundreds, ours knock down chimney pots. I love my country and it's amazingly safe placidness.

I'm sure you'll recover, this stuff happens every few years or so from what I understand.

@Fallout

While brick is stronger than wood, it probably still gets irreparably battered about. Hence building a new house every few years out of brick isn't really cost effective, so super-reinforced bunker under a matchstick house is much better.

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Travis Gatlin
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Posted: 5th May 2011 02:19
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Yeah, i agree with fallout, around here, it's really rare that you see a house built with bricks or concrete, it's usually wood or drywall, which neither stand up well to tornadoes.

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Kravenwolf
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Posted: 5th May 2011 02:50
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Quote: "brick built buildings are far more likely to survive twisters."


Not nessasarily. Brick may provide a bit of better resistance against the general winds, but it's not going to make too much of a difference in situations when the structure falls directly in the path of a tornado. An F3 or higher twister wouldn't have too much of a problem picking apart a brick house piece by piece just as it would a wooden home if it falls within range.

And you also have to consider the roof as well. Once the tornado rips that apart, whether it's on a wooden home or a brick house, the walls are going to lose a lot of their strength. It's also not unheard of for a 2x4 or two to crush right through a brick wall during a tornado.


Here's one video I found through a quick google search. Tornado completely flattened a home made of brick, and ripped apart it's concrete foundation, throwing it all over the neighborhood.

http://www.wfaa.com/sports/Fire-breaks-out-in-Tuscaloosa-Ala-de-121009349.html

Kravenwolf

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Yodaman Jer
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Posted: 5th May 2011 05:30
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Man, I've only seen a few clips on the news, but it sounds awful. Glad you and your family are safe Travis, and I'm sorry you had to go through all of that.

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Accoun
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Posted: 5th May 2011 21:15 Edited at: 5th May 2011 21:28
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Yeah, good to hear everybody's safe in your family.
By the way, no idea about the rest of Europe, but few days ago in Poland it actually started snowing (not in my part of country though)!
While it's not really a disaster, it certainly isn't normal in May...
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Quik
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Posted: 5th May 2011 22:07
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its normal in may, in sweden, atleast like 3 years back lol ^^

been snowing 3 days in a row now, even though its like 12celsious outside


[Q]uik, Quiker than most
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Travis Gatlin
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Posted: 6th May 2011 01:38
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Gah, ya'll should've seen my brother! he's older than me (by 5 years) and he was panicking more than any of us! he about had a stroke everytime a little wind came through!

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