The Arrogance of the Willfully Stupid

This is a reference to the people who, faced with a 185 mph hurricane that comes barreling straight at them, refuse to leave their homes.    It's not like these people can whine afterward (if in fact they survived)  "Oh, I didn't know anything about it!"  C'mon - the media has made a real 14 course dinner out of it for three days. 

I understand loving one's home.  I certainly love this one.  But I love our cats, bird, husband and self 'way too much to risk harming any of us.  I'd rather be alive and rebuilding then dead and taking up land space.

But most of all I despise these idiots - for idiots they are - willfully stupid, in fact - because they may cause harm to a first responder.  These are the men and women who risk their own lives for trash.   Even if the governor of a state ordered them and the National Guard to stand down, a few of them would disobey orders.  They wouldn't be First Responders if they didn't. 

The saddest thing in a way is that the stay-at-home people are not defending million dollar homes if you want to put it on that basis - worth vs. danger. 

Which brings us to the despicable Richard Branson, proud owner of Necker Island, his own paradise.  He is known for ardently seeking publicity.  Much like a mole popping out of a hole, Branson pops up at the faintest sound of a Nikon's click. 

Branson, 67, estimated worth $5 billion, has decided to ride out Irma in his wine cellar.  His staff will be with him, he said,  and he jauntily posits that "there won't be any wine left when the storm is over!"  ha ha.    Isn't that precious?  Doughty Richard who remarked on last night's sleepover for staff (about six were pictured, all very attractive young people) that it was the most fun sleepover he'd had since he was a kid.  Awww...

The staff count is plus or minus 100 people, depending on the season and/or the guest.  The Obamas most recently dropped in. 

What I want to know is:  were Staff offered the chance to leave and the transportation to do it?  Branson owns Virgin Air so it's not like he doesn't have support aircraft for his high-powered guests to flit  to and from his paradise..

If not, why not?  Does Branson fancy himself as King of the Island (undoubtedly) and so the sarvints must stay because God forbid he do anything for himself. 

I would say that making people stay to face extreme danger could be classed as Murder 1 and should Branson survive, he should be prosecuted on separate charges for each staff member that was, in fact, killed.  Try a couple of hundred years in prison, Branson.  It's no Necker Island and you sure as hell won't be the boss.