[w1andsodidwe]

In the US, we used to have the occasional tornado outbreak, now we have disaster declarations when a tornado hits.

We used to have the occasional flood, now we have disaster declarations when it floods.

We used to have the occasional hurricane, now we have disaster declarations before the hurricane even hits.

We used to have the occasional wildfire, now we have disaster declarations when a wildfire occurs.

We used to have the occasional drought, now we get disaster declarations when one occurs.

We classify everything as a disaster nowadays. Mabe that is why there are more of them.

[stylin19a]

I believe you are the winner.

[torchthemummy]

The world suffered about 120 natural disasters per year in the early 1980s, which compared with the current figure of about 500 per year, according to the report.

The most obivous question is what is the definition of a "natural disaster"? I am quite comfortable in stating that the definition has become more "liberal" in the vein of the changing definition of obesity. Change the definition and, wala, more "victims"

The number of people affected by extreme natural disasters, meanwhile, has surged by almost 70 percent, from 174 million a year between 1985 to 1994, to 254 million people a year between 1995 to 2004, Oxfam said.

As dominant as Pres. Bush's popular vote was over Kerry, I felt it was insignifigant to state the fact that Pres. Bush won more votes than any presidential candidate in history. Ditto for Kerry. The point is a consideration of proportionality. That is how many eligible voters vs. actual voters.

[GregoryFul]

A foot of snow in the Philadelphia, PA area is now a disaster, requiring federal funds to recover from same. Used to be a great holiday fun event, now a disaster!