'Irene' Not Best Name for Destructive Force of Nature?

New Haven Register › September 03, 2011

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Summary

As I survey the damage in the aftermath of the storm in the neighborhoods in New Haven and watch the death and destruction nationwide on my computer -- my television access knocked out by the storm -- I begin to ponder how this destructive force acquired the name Irene. In Greek, it means goddess of peace. Many of my Greek- American friends take issue with this affront to Greek culture. How can anyone randomly designate a name that has no correlation to this force of nature that imparts misery and untold suffering?

Given our dire economic and political situation, wouldn't it be more appropriate to name these storms, which destroy humans physically, spiritually and economically, after odious political figures: Tornado Paul Ryan, Hurricane Michele Bachmann, Tsunami Sarah Palin, Earthquake Rick Perry, Volcanic Eruption Eric Cantor, etc. The list could be quite extensive.