A standard liberal irrational response, that, unfortunately, was embraced by many conservatives at the time.
He's wrong on the gun issue (and even contradicts himself later on the issue), but other than that, he has a fair grasp on our culture. Much more so than most Australian journalists.
"He's wrong on the gun issue"
Check out the use of the word "hoarded," too. There was no shortage of fuel prior to the storm, nor was there anything other than the normal run on staples that anyone who has ever been through a hurricane, ice storm or blizzard has experienced.
It's hardly "hoarding" to stock up for the known, coming problem in advance. It's called preparation, and is a good thing.