LA Gov Bobby Jindal vs. Volcano Monitoring

[lpetrich]

I almost couldn't believe it when I learned of it: Gov. Jindal Follow-up: What Is 'Volcano Monitoring'? (http://www.livescience.com/environment/090225-jindal-volcano-monitoring.html)

He slammed Obama's stimulus bill as full of wasteful spending, which was perhaps natural for a Republican to do, but his listing of wasteful spending included "$140 million for something called 'volcano monitoring.'"

After considering what his state went through a few years back, I couldn't believe it at first. Surely someone in his position ought to appreciate the value of monitoring potential sources of natural disasters.

I can understand a states-rights sort of argument, that US volcano monitoring ought to be financed by states with a lot of volcanoes in them, like Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. But would Gov. Jindal be happy about extending that principle to other sorts of natural disasters, like hurricanes? I doubt it.

[Mediancat]

I found that to be tremendously amusing and bewildering, myself. One of my favorite responses was from an expert who said, "It's not like we're going to take the money and throw it into the volcano."

Rob

[Goodchild]

I can understand a states-rights sort of argument, that US volcano monitoring ought to be financed by states with a lot of volcanoes in them, like Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. But would Gov. Jindal be happy about extending that principle to other sorts of natural disasters, like hurricanes? I doubt it.

A states-rights argument falls apart as soon as you consider supervolcanoes like Yellowstone. If that thing blows over half of the US will be terribly affected.

Even smaller volcanoes have an environmental impact that stretches far beyond the state they reside in.

Jindal is a dumbass. But what kind of science knowledge can you really expect from a self-proclaimed exorcist?

[RBH]

When I saw the thread title from the top Board index it was truncated to read "LA Gov Bobby Jindal vs. ...", and I was sure the last word was going to be "reality"!

[Garnet]

A states-rights argument falls apart as soon as you consider supervolcanoes like Yellowstone. If that thing blows over half of the US will be terribly affected.

Even smaller volcanoes have an environmental impact that stretches far beyond the state they reside in.

Jindal is a dumbass. But what kind of science knowledge can you really expect from a self-proclaimed exorcist?

Jindal's an exorcist?

*smacks forehead on desk, repeatedly*

[Mediancat]

Yes, I'd like to know more about thst.

Rob

[Goodchild]

Yes, I'd like to know more about thst.

Rob

Here you are then :)

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/bobby_jindals_dance_with_the_d.php

[lpetrich]

I've found Jindal's Exorcism (http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2008/06/11/jindals_exorcism/); he once watched someone get an exorcism.

[Garnet]

Oh... my....

[Octavia]

I take it tsunami, tornado and hurricane monitoring, plus earthquake preparedness, are the next to go.

What an idiot.

[Mung Dynasty]

I found that to be tremendously amusing and bewildering, myself. One of my favorite responses was from an expert who said, "It's not like we're going to take the money and throw it into the volcano."

Rob:D Rep that expert.

[Mung Dynasty]

I've found Jindal's Exorcism (http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2008/06/11/jindals_exorcism/); he once watched someone get an exorcism.
Is he against funding for exorcisms?

This sort of thing always amazes me about the States. I know there are smart people there but there do seem to be an awful lot of retards in positions of power. If a pollie over here got up and said he thought volcano monitoring was stupid but exorcisms made sense he'd get ripped big time.

(Bearing in mind that the exact question wouldn't arise here due to a lack of active volcanoes, but...........)

[Spherical Time]

Here you are then :)

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/bobby_jindals_dance_with_the_d.phpSounds like he's Sarah Palin's Ideal running mate.

[MNPhysicist]

I disagree with the man for the most part, but he does have a point. Its an investment in the future, and its ability to scale in the short term is limited. Ie, it keeps folks employed at the USGS, and may add a few more... but not major scaling, where a dollar spent now turns into a return of 2-3-4 times in a short period of time. The funding for it belongs in appropriations, not in the stimulus.

That being said, I understand why it was in the stimulus, as appropriations bills will get bogged down, and who knows, some idiot might end up delaying it so much we'd have brain drain from the USGS while govt twiddles its thumbs. Then imagine if something happened... not good at all.