General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I'm sorry but where have the parents been? [View all]laundry_queen
(8,646 posts)that humans have a tendency to believe it can't happen to them. And I believe that the people in Moore, because they already HAD it happen to them, and were told it probably would NEVER happen again in their lifetimes, became complacent and decided to roll the dice and kick the can down the road. The mindset of "we've already seen the worst of mother nature, how bad could it be next time?" not thinking that it doesn't have to be a tornado with the highest wind speeds ever recorded to cause destruction and death.
Plus, people have a tendency to believe that larger buildings are safer. They are actually more vulnerable, especially in rooms with large roof spans like gymnasiums. Maybe parents figured the buildings were 'sturdy enough' or large enough that interior rooms would be safe. Or maybe they did voice concern, but were placated with platitudes like the '99 tornado was a 'once in a 400 year event' and that it was 'unlikely to ever reoccur in the same area' and that the school itself should withstand most tornadoes.
Oh and also 'big gubmint'. The mayor was on CNN today saying they had 'discussed' making hurricane clips required for new buildings in Moore over the last few years, but decided it was too much 'big brother and all that' but that now they would revisit it. There's your attitude that prevailed in this instance.