Sandy aftermath
Obama had a nice lovefest with Christie, but now it’s hard to turn on the news without seeing continuing scenes of devastation in New York and New Jersey, Obama country. It underscores the very considerable difference between reality and photo-ops. It also reminds people—if they’re thinking it through—that disasters happen, and the resultant destruction is not so easy to fix even with the best of will.
George Bush was excoriated for Katrina because he was—well, George Bush. Obama has been praised re Sandy because he is—well, Barack Obama. ‘Twas ever thus. But neither can wave a magic wand and make the ravages of nature on modern life all better.
People who lost relatives, homes, possessions, and power (in descending order of importance) need a lot of help. But most of the assistance will come from relief agencies, local responders, and the good citizens around them.
[ADDENDUM: Ace has more.]
This may be a bit of a reach, but I see some similarities between the behavior of the people hit by Katrina in New Orleans and the people hit by Sandy that I see on TV. I hear the same expectations that “the government” will (read should) take care of them. I think it is part of the big city, Democrat world view.
In Mississippi where there was more loss of life and destruction, local people, churches, and local government opened the roads with chain saws, provided shelter, and fed people. Because it did not fit the liberal template, the media barely covered it.
People also prepared in advance by filling gas tanks, getting cash and storing food and water. People in New Jersey in long gas lines must not have prepared. People on Staten Island who are demanding food on day three must not have gotten the word.
I am not going to comment other than to reference my earlier posts. My position has not changed.
Mr. Frank: actually, Staten Island is one of the few parts of NYC that is Republican:
Neo,
Is it possible that Staten Island is getting the fuzzy end of the lolly pop because it is Republican?
More likely it is just the nature of an island. It’s hard to get in and out.
Mr. Frank: it’s possible it’s because of Staten Island’s politics, but I doubt it. Staten Island has always been the forgotten borough. It’s partly simple demographics: the population is far smaller than any other part of NYC. It is indeed at least somewhat more isolated, too, although NYC is composed of many islands. But Staten Island is a bit further away then the others. It is also geographically (if you look at a map) more a part of NJ.
Sandy: The storm that doomed a nation.
Harry the Extremist: I see you’re an Ackler-truther.
Mr. Frank: more on Staten Island and its difference here.
An “Ackler-truther”? I love it!
NRO was pointing out that the city gov. was well aware that the lower half of Manhattan was vulnerable to this sort of thing, even to the extent of drawing up plans for better dikes and seawalls some years ago. Just like New Orleans, local pols did nothing. I guess NYC is not much different than Louisiana!
Well, at least no one is screaming that Obama hates white people because of Sandy’s mess. That was quite shocking when such crap was said about Bush.
Yes, some of those people did not prepare. However, the storm surge, which is what did most of the damage, was much, much, greater than a cat 1 hurricane. I heard a report today that it was closer to what would be expected for a cat 3 or 4 hurricane. (and, I’m sure, such reports will change as scientists get a closer look at all the data)
Many of those most severely affected had stayed where they had stayed during hurricane Irene with little problems. Why should they expect another hurricane, of a lesser strength, to do more damage?
I know that I certainly didn’t expect all that happened to my town to have happened. (areas flooded that have NEVER flooded before) And, I considered myself prepared except I didn’t have anyway of dealing with the night time temps which made it 55 degrees inside. This is the first time in my memory/experience that a hurricane was NOT followed by warm tropical air afterwards.
So, what is that saying?
Even the best laid plans . . .
Charles: I went through a 5-day power outage here when the temp fell to close to zero (that’s Fahrenheit). It was quite something. I wore many layers of clothing, and slept under many many blankets. I also had the flu and a fever at the time. I don’t know if that helped or hurt.
Maybe watching “The Walking Dead” should be mandatory before an event like this. Get people thinking and coming up with contingency plans. Where there’s a will there’s often a way. But the way is probably not through bureaucracy and paperwork.
The globama generated by the Obama photo op with Cristi may soon fade. There is some real devastation and misery affecting large numbers of people who are effectively homeless in winter weather. The population density of such a large urban area makes assistance extremely problematic. That is why hurricane prone areas push evacuation.
It will be interesting to see how the MSM handles this. My guess is the real critical stuff will come out after Tuesday. A notable exception is the NBC/Ann Curry piece on Staten Island.
neo: “Harry the Extremist: I see you’re an Ackler-truther.”
Its an opinion, one I hadnt thought instantly deserved having a label pasted on. I guess you hadnt lost your liberal roots entirely.
RCP poll put Obama up .3.
I’ve been through dozens of these “storms” living on the gulf coast in my lifetime. Several much more severe … Cat 3,4,5.
Here’s the real deal. If you stay in your home and survive that is the easy part. After that you BETTER be prepared to be self sufficent for at least 5 days.
Food, water, fuel, medecine etc. The GOV will not be their to help except in life threatening emergencies and WHY should they ? YOU put their lives in danger by staying! Now I do realize some could not or did not have the means to leave. I feel for those.
What’s happening now in Staten Island and other places is predictable. It’s not pretty and it’s gona get worse before it gets better simply because of the # of people that need help.
Harry the Extremist: that was a joke. Did I need to put a smiley-face after?
Sorry Neo. Considering all the flack Ackler got how was I to assume I wasnt catching some back splatter?
Staten Island is so bad that the President should’ve long ago sent in the USN and USMC and its hovercraft to bypass devastated arterial roads.
Staten Island was at the absolute center of destruction — with more lives lost than any other area.
The count is still rising — as bodies are still being found.
Entire areas have been flattened — Biblically.
My full Sandy report is here.
I forgot to mention that by the time the power came back on Thursday night, I was nestled into my reclining chair with a headlamp, a beer, a book, and a blanket. I was settling into another night without electricity, and I was starting to get the hang of it. 🙂
Extremists do NOT get jokes! sheesh 🙂
The electric utility company I work for has sent 800+ to several different states to work the storm.
Spoke with a group working “mays landing nj” this morning. They report this is a total clusterfck. Damage assesment which is key to restoration is poor at best. Crews allocations are poor at best.
This is a “16 man crew” that have been given 2 assignments over 2 days. One was to remove small tree, pick up 2 spans of wire and energize circuit. Other was to remove limb and energize circuit.
From my conversation with man in charge he’s telling me these people have little to no idea how to do this restoration. They have also been harrassed by the public for sitting in parking lot waiting for local utitlity instructions. Local utitlity will not turn over areas to our people to work and demand to have full control. This is NOT how it’s done if you want the lights back on in timely manner.
Others are reporting similar scenarios in other locations.