Galveston

It was just over 104 years ago that the “single worst natural disaster in U.S. history” hit Galveston, TX. Something we should never forget.

The hurricane that slammed into the barrier island claimed at least 8,000 people – nobody knows an accurate tally. There was no Jim Cantori standing around watching people board up their houses, nobody knew it was coming. And there wasn’t a Home Depot to help you board up your house, no satellite pictures, no endless guesses of “where will it make landfall?”

The townspeople watched the waves hitting the shore, then watched as the winds picked up. When water began flooding some homes, people headed to high ground – the highest was about nine feet above sea level. A ship broke free and smashed the three bridges that linked Galveston to the rest of Texas, and safety. So the residents had no choice but ride it out.

As the wind shifted around to the east, it brought with it a storm surge that effectively swallowed the island, Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico became one. Max winds are estimated to be around 125 mph, but there is no official record (the anenometer broke at 102). The rising water consumed houses and the people in them. An orphanage lost 90 children, washed out to sea after the nuns desperately tried to save them by tying them together in groups.

Here’s all that was left:

Link to one of many web sites

Another link

CNN special from a few years ago

Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do

Pop star Jessica Simpson has been cast as Daisy Duke in the big-screen remake of ‘The Dukes of Hazzard,’ a project that essentially marks her feature film debut.

Who’s gonna play Boss Hawg? If they start shooting after November 3, maybe Cheney will have some free time.

Update: Drat, they’ve already cast the Duke cousins, and Ashton didn’t get picked.

More discussion:
Who will re-make the theme song? (hollywood can’t leave well enough alone, and Waylon isn’t here to do it his ownself)

The entire premise is that the Dukes broke the law (they were already on probation parole) so is Boss Hawg gonna call in Homeland Security and have them arrested as non-enemy combatants? Will they have cell phones and GPS to aid in their exploits?

The General Lee with it’s Confederate Flag driven by two white terrorists has all kinds of interesting implications, especially in impressionable the younger set (six to whatever). I’m sure this will be a huge hit with blacks, especially in the south.

Will Dodge (the Lee was a Charger, IIRC) have a tie-in? Will they instead be running around in a souped up PT-Cruiser? Or will we dump Dodge and go with a Chevy or Ford?

Here’s some fun links:

Dukes Drinking Game. (example: Take Two Drinks Whenever:
Anyone claims to know a shortcut.
Uncle Jesse appears without his red hat.
etc.)

When did the Dukes Jump the Shark?

Episode Guide (with a picture of the original Daisy! rawr!)