Pssst. A big snowstorm is on its way. Pass the word.
For God’s sake, rush to the local grocery store to buy milk, bread and toilet paper. Then dash home, pack the old 300-horsepower sled in the garage, and fret about coming days.
While you’re doing that, layer on clothing so that you might turn down the thermostat. Also along that line, douse the electric lights, then turn off televisions, stereos and anything that might put a load on our creaky electrical grid.
Make sure you have batteries, medical supplies, food, water. You know, be sure to have available the sort of stuff you should have on-hand at all times.
Above all else remember, when in doubt, panic.
Is anyone else getting tired of such recurring, over-the-top weather porn?
I recall in my youth, when we got major snow storms, the world continued to spin. People still were expected to go to work. Kids often still went to school, and even when they didn’t, they weren’t being indoctrinated non-stop with Armageddon scenarios.
I wonder why this has happened?
Once, we were self-reliant people. In 1979, seeking to make sure I had mobility in bad weather, I bought my first new vehicle, a Jeep CJ-7 with its four-wheel drive ability.
These days, most people seem to have at least one 4-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive vehicle in the fleet. Such people should be able to travel in adverse weather.
Hell, I recall making it to the Greensburg office of my former Tribune-Reviewing Publishing employer, on a day when we in Greater Johnstown had put the final touches on a 30-inch snowfall, using just my trusty front-wheel drive Ford Escort.
Fellow workers were mildly amazed. Actually, it was no big deal.
Panic started early regarding this storm. On Friday, I saw reports on social media that the local Woke Gazette would not be publishing or distributing its print edition Monday. My garbage collection company also was warning they wouldn’t be here for the scheduled Monday pickup.
By Saturday, closings were crawling across the bottom of the television screen and our beloved governor Josh Shapiro had signed a proclamation of disaster emergency (panic), which seems to indicate he will be able to spend a lot of money on state employees and so make sure they vote for his re-election.
Shapiro also has a ban on commercial vehicles using many of our state’s highways and byways beginning at midnight tonight. There have been conflicting reports of whether or not that includes private vehicles.
I’m fairly certain that if I feel the need to venture out in coming days, I will be able to make it, using my current ancient Jeep Cherokee, or even the wife’s front-wheel drive conveyance. But, thanks for the concern, Josh.
Why is the initial response of these governmental types always to make a power grab? You would no doubt recall COVID hysteria and all the ridiculous dictates such as wearing masks, six-foot distancing and the like, things proven in the sane reflection since to have been utter bullspit.
Even though COVID over-reach has been debunked, we still have weather. If you feel the need to panic over some snow, feel free. It is the norm in this self-absorbed, poor-me society. Just don’t count on me joining you.
Sam Ross Jr's site 