While some conservatives claim that global warming will have benefits, these benefits will be hard for the families of six flooding victims to see.
Last night, the normally peaceful and sleepy small towns and farmlands of southeastern Minnesota experienced what may be historic flooding. Raging waters washed out roads and bridges, swept away houses, and stole six lives. And the floods are just beginning. More rain is expected this week. The severity of these floods have to raise questions about whether the severity is related to global warming.
Tragic stories from the heartland will live long after the floodwaters have receded. One family escaped the floodwaters by climbing to the roof of their house only to have the house swept from its foundation by floodwaters. A man rescued his wife and another person from a flooded car but could not escape himself. The floodwaters took him in their embrace to his death.
And while many Republicans pooh, pooh global warming, the severity of hurricanes and storms have to be of concern and pooh poohing seems less and less innocent. Ironically, it may be the loss of lives in heavily Republican areas such as southeastern Minnesota that may help change hearts and minds.