Thread: Volcano 1--Jindal and Palin 0

Daily Kos: State of the Nation

Beavis & Butt-Head vs. The Volcano
by Jed Lewison

Mon Mar 23, 2009 at 10:51:35 AM PDT

Video

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As you probably recall, funding for volcano monitoring was one of the top reasons that Bobby Jindal opposed the stimulus bill. Now, as Sarah Palin tries to one-up Bobby Jindal in the "I want the 2012 GOP nomination so I'll reject the stimulus" game, a volcano in Alaska is conspiring to mock them both:

Alaska volcano Mount Redoubt erupts 6 times

WILLOW, Alaska – Alaska's Mount Redoubt volcano erupted five times overnight, sending an ash plume more than 9 miles into the air in the volcano's first emissions in nearly 20 years.

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Ash from Alaska's volcanos is like a rock fragment with jagged edges and has been used as an industrial abrasive. It can injure skin, eyes and breathing passages. The young, the elderly and people with respiratory problems are especially susceptible to ash-related health problems. Ash can also cause damage engines in planes, cars and other vehicles.

Alaska Airlines on Monday canceled 19 flights in and out of the Anchorage international airport because of the ash.

Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage told only essential personnel to report to work. The Air Force says 60 planes, including fighter jets, cargo aircraft and a 747 commercial plane, were being sheltered.

It tells you something about Republicans that they think there's no point in protecting ourselves against natural threats like volcanoes or hurricanes, but that they think its worth going to war to prevent mushroom cloud nightmare scenario dreamed up by Dick Cheney.

Oh, and as it turns out, volcano monitoring actually works -- geophysicists correctly forecast this eruption:

Meanwhile, the volcano became restless earlier this year. The observatory had warned in late January that an eruption could occur at any time.

Increased earthquake activity over the past 48 hours prompted scientists to raise the alert level for Mount Redoubt on Sunday.

On Sunday morning, 40 to 50 earthquakes were being recorded every hour.

A steam plume rising about 1,000 feet above the mountain peak was observed Saturday.

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Well I'm not a Geologist, but if I witnessed this:

"Meanwhile, the volcano became restless earlier this year. The observatory had warned in late January that an eruption could occur at any time.

Increased earthquake activity over the past 48 hours prompted scientists to raise the alert level for Mount Redoubt on Sunday.

On Sunday morning, 40 to 50 earthquakes were being recorded every hour.

A steam plume rising about 1,000 feet above the mountain peak was observed Saturday".

I think I would come to the conclusion that, 'that babys gonna blow'.