I've just heard, for the one millionth time (seems like that anyway), the radio commercial for NJ tourism with the song "Stronger Than The Storm." If you live in the area, you've certainly heard this, or seen the TV spots, or the print ads all with the same stronger than the storm message. All to get the message out that New Jersey is back open for business after the wreck that Sandy made of the area. Back open almost a year later in some parts.
Surprise, surprise...I'm sick of it. These kinds of messages and base outpourings of "up with us" kind of bleating really gets my goat. Guess what New Jersey? You were NOT stronger than the storm. The storm soundly kicked your ass. Whole communities were washed away. Millions, if not billions, of dollars lost and now being spent on rebuilding residences, businesses and vacation homes. RE-building a year later, RE-building that will still be happening months from now because nature bent us over and had her way with us IN ONE DAY. It will be well over a year before things are truly back to normal in some places, if ever.
I understand that you want the rest of the country know that were tough and resilient, and that were not going to let Mother Nature keep up down. Whatever. I know the state needs the tourism dollars to support many shore businesses. Whatever. I get that we like to think we can overcome anything (admirable). Whatthefuckever. But the blatant fist pumping and rally around the flag pole stuff just gets really old really fast.
Is it not realized that a significant number of people's lives are irrevocably altered for the worst because of last years big storm? Do we not know that this could happen again during the upcoming storm season and there's not one damn thing we can do to prevent the damage again?
I'm not saying we shouldn't rebuild after such tragedies. I think it's great we can bounce back and rebuild the destroyed communities. But I hate the unrealistic rose-colored memories that the current propaganda would have us adopt.
"cause we're stronger than the storm...." Tell it to the average Joe Six Pack that's been living with a distant relative because he lost everything, FEMA screwed him on the recovery money, his insurance company considered it an "act of god", lost his job when the business was washed away, and has been living on the savings he was hoping to retire on. Think he believes that song?
I know I'm in the minority on this one, but just had to get that rant off my chest. Thanks for listening.
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