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So when are all those creative

Posted: Nov 2, 2012

step up to the plate and build those roads, bridges and infrastructure so they can get new businesses up and running in Sandy's aftermath?;

probably about the time they can use cars and trucks instead of boats...ya think? nm - JTBB

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.

DH and I bet on how long until national discussion devolved into - complaining and whining. I "win."

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We're spoiled and wimpy, and we've become a nation of complainers. Lead by the media, of course, who in this case, after 3 whole days of simply covering the storm and its destruction, worry their viewership will start changing the channel.

In an R&R world, the "We Built That!" crews - supposedly have the situation under control, and

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after FEMA is outsourced to private contractors. I think it went something like this: "Anytime you have an occasion take something from the federal government and send it back to the states that’s the right direction. And if you can go even further and send it back to the private sector, that’s even better."

Without specifics, we're left wondering who would be doing rooftop rescues, sifting through the rubble for survivors, getting the injured to the hospital and the hungry and homeless to temporary housing, restoring power, identifying and assigning priority "worst hit" areas with the most immediate needs, bringing in food and potable water, pumping water out of the streets, clearing the roadways, restoring transportation, trucking in gas, enforcing building codes based on the capacity to withstand future changing climate conditions, and the like? When priorities are determined, would it be those interests that have the most financial resources standing first in line (commercial) and those who have the least (individual residents) bringing up the rear? What part are banks going to play in loosening their grip on loan funds for folks who have lost everything, including their jobs, even the shirts off their backs? How much is the cost of all this going to rise once the "We Builts That!" profits are factored in?

Like the thoughts, but maybe the Pubs would be the "I built thats", - dems the "we built thats?"

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x

LOL. I stand corrected. - Just can't help myself

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Being from the Gulf Coast, it's impossible for me to conceive anything but a "We" mindset when thinking about disaster aftermaths, having witnessed my share both before and after FEMA was created: Carla, Danielle, Alicia, Bonnie, Allison, Dean, Rita and Ike, names not likely to be forgotten once you've made their acquaintance.

Included amongst all those "WEs" are the FEMA folks who were not only initially welcomed like returning war heroes, but were also openly cursed and despised by some they came to help, many times having to endure in-your-face direct confrontations. Throughout it all they showed up 7 days a week from dawn to dusk to do their jobs and stayed as long as it took to get the job done. The difference between their response to Ike versus Sandy is like night and day.

Wow for your experiences, Just. As storms get worse, we clearly - will have to keep learning. Glad you

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see some good progress. Competent leadership helps too, of course.

Those people who cursed FEMA, though--was it general unhappiness, that FEMA couldn't restore their losses, or was some of it because of those stories of the FEMA camps where all the Republicans and other conservatives were going to be imprisoned? Or? I remember those mobile homes some private contractors knocked out after Katrina that were actually unhealthy to live in.

It's hard to explain - but I'll take a stab at it

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The first thing that happens the morning after storms like Ike and Katrina hit is that you find yourself in a world where time stands still. Devastation on those levels leaves you both mentally stunned and physically paralyzed at first. The only thing I can compare it to is like what happens when you hear about the death of a close relative or friend. All the tools you typically use to cope with lesser crises disappear, like structure, routines, channeling positive energies, the ability to prioritize or plan, reliance on hope and faith, etc. The optics of such immense loss threw me into an onslaught of memories rushing to the forefront of who and what is gone and how things will never be the same from that moment forward. It's felt like a desperate attempt to take photos over and over again in your mind's eye so they cannot be so arbitrarily taken from you, a tiny spot you can go where you have CONTROL over something, like the preservation of cherished memories.

I am still reinforcing that 4 years after Ike. For example, many times when I drive by places where a landmark I associate with earlier memories is missing, it triggers both joy and sadness, something similar to the gaping hole of the Twin Towers in NYC, and now the boardwalk in Atlantic City. It's very difficult to put those things behind you. There's an element of PTSD in all of this, since subsequent large-scale disasters dredge up the panic you felt when you went through it yourself.

Though they sound trite and cliche, you embark on a journey through different stages of grief: Shock, denial, pain, guilt, LOTS of second guessing, anger, bargaining with fate, introspection, depression, isolation, etc. The "We" part kicks in early for many, like myself, who recognize that they personally are not equipped to handle the scope of such loss alone. For others, it never does.

Of course, individuals do this in their own way, in their own time and they tend to select what works best for them when trying to cope. Anger works best for some, I think especially for those who are fiercely independent and resent being in such a needy situation. I cannot speak for those who did that with the FEMA folks, since for me it was a purely HUMAN, not at all political, chapter in life, despite how much of a role politics normally plays in my life. I see that happening with Governor Christie, despite his position as an elected official. There is no question in my mind that his reaction is genuinely human, and not politically motivated.

BTW, there is no right or wrong way to go through it. It is what it is.

Wow again. Thanks. Your answer makes that one of the better - questions I've asked for some while. nm

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x

Maybe churches and the Salvation Army will clean up the mess. - (sm)

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(sarcasm alert)

:) For sure they will do their earnest best anyway. - nm

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As to your last paragraph, think about it again. - backwards typist

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1. Rooftop rescues would probably be done by the National Guard just like now.
2. Sifting through the rubble. You do know that it's at the state government discretion to send those troops in to help. Just like now.
3. Getting the injured to the hospital would still be done by ambulance services. Just like now.
4. Hungry and homeless to temporary housing would still be the Red Cross and other volunteer agencies. Just like now. They're not government agencies.
5. Identifying and assigning priority "worst hit" areas with the most immediate needs would be your town, county, and state government Emergency Management Agency. Just like now.
6. Bringing in food and potable water, pumping water out of the streets, clearing the roadways, would all be done by city and state maintenance workers. Just like now.
7. Restoring transportation - city and state government road crews. Just like now.
8. Trucking in gas - gas companies because they want to get gas to the gas stations.
9. Enforcing building codes would be done by your friendly building code managers of your city just like now.

Are banks going to change their loan policies just because of disaster? They are not regulated by disasters, but by bylaws and government regulations. What makes you think things will change in that area?

I think you need to step back and re-read your own post and realize the government agencies will still function like it does now, with or without FEMA. FEMA is a temporary agency. They're not there to hold everyone's hands through a disaster. They're there to start the process but don't finish it. It's up to the government of the city, county, and state to finish disaster relief.

I really think you are too argumentative and hate change. Step back and breathe deeply like you tell everyone else and get that chip off your shoulder. The weight of it must be killing you.

Have a nice day and don't forget to give me my dislike badge. :-)

Great post BT - annieb- sm

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Every one of your points were 100% spot on. I've enjoyed all of your posts. You are eloquent and intelligent in your words. You don't mince things up. Just the facts. I like facts. Keeps things real.

Too many posters here are trying to claim that if Romney/Ryan get in the whole country is going to fall apart, etc, etc. I've never seen so much fear and hate directed at republicans/conservatives. I can tell you this much that I know for a fact. If Romney/Ryan wins the sky will not fall in. Old people will not be evicted from their homes, health care and SS benefits taken away and shipped to some alley in the middle of a cold winter night to live in a box (that's what my mother actually has come out and said to me).

I especially liked your post about the voting machines, and the links you provided. That is one thing that does scare me though. I've read many stories that people who are using the machines and voting for Romney, the hackers have gotten in and it then goes over to Obama. I know the liberals don't care, get Obama in there at all cost. Who cares if three quarters or 80 or 90% of the country wants Romney, just make sure Obama gets in. Still trying to figure out where such hate comes from. Boggles the mind I tell ya.

My feeling is while Romney may be Rich, Obama is also rich. Worse though is Obama has the uber rich supporting him (i.e. buying his seat).

The good news is more and more Hollywood people are coming out against Obama and in support of Romney. Which I find a refreshing change. It's nice to know they are not all communists.

And yeah, yeah, yeah I know, people don't like hearing Obama is a communist/socialist, but as the saying goes, if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck...

Have to tell you though your last sentence cracked me up - The dislike badge ROFLMAO. I was the first to give you a "like".

Keep posting. Love all your posts. Try and not let the libs beat you up too much, but reading your posts you handle them well. Still is a downer though that so many posters have such hate for conservatives and anyone that has a difference of opinion.

FEMA works WITH organizations - so they aren't doing it alone

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Particularly, the Red Cross. Don't you realize services on their own won't be enough when an entire city is shut down???

FEMA provides three different types of assistance:
Housing
Either money to rent temporary housing, or a place to live in a government housing unit if there's nowhere to rent
Money for home repairs to cover damages that aren't paid for by insurance
Grant money to replace uninsured homes that are completely destroyed

Medical
Assistance with medical treatment and prescriptions for disaster victims who suffer from medical conditions (whether they're related to the disaster or not)
Dental bills
Funeral expenses

Property
Storage, transport, and in some cases, replacement of personal property
Assistance with moving expenses
Rebuilding and repair of public infrastructure, including roads and bridges, sewer lines and public buildings
Debris removal

Can't believe you've gotten 5 dislikes (so far). - sm

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You give them a dream Romney scenario, yet they apparently don't like that idea.

And now they're going to go ahead and vote for Romney.

Blind, vitriolic hatred is a terrible thing to carry with you. I'm glad I don't have that affliction.

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