Mavericks

According to Wikipedia, A maverick is a person who shows independence of thought or action; a non-conformist or rebel.

I feel sorry and pray for all the folks effected by the devastation and destruction caused by Ike in Galvaston, Houston, southern Texas and Louisiana. I understand why some people take a stand and defy authorities when told they are under a mandetory evacuation. They have ridden out hurricanes before. They don't want to leave their possessions behind for looters to grab up. They want to be a part of history. However...weren't they all following the satelite and storm track data on the weather channel as I was? I was scared way up here in Wisconsin and it wasn't even heading for us. I also understand that it may be hard for everyone to just drop everything and leave town...not knowing if Ike would really hit them directly or if it would turn in another direction and miss them. But, given the warnings of possibly facing certain death if it hit them... I would rather get the hell out of town and return saying "well...that wasn't as bad as they said it might be" than to stay and see firsthand what did happen. People were warned that they might not be able to get help if they were stranded, yet 911 calls were coming in for help after Ike hit anyway. Nobody knows just how many people are still stranded in the rubble yet, but my guess is that when the next hurricain is heading their way, maybe a few more will heed the warnings when given and get out of town.