Let's Play Fair

Most of my friends know I grew up in the Florida Panhandle (Pensacola area for my International friends) and still have family and friends in the area. I experienced firsthand several hurricanes that impacted the Gulf Coast as well as numerous tornadoes living in North Alabama—including the outbreak of APR 2011.

I have gone without electricity, clean water, gasoline, etc numerous times while waiting for “help”. It is no fun. At first, you are just thankful to be alive and you still have most of your belongings and only minimal storm damage to your property. Thankfully, I have never lost a primary residence or any substantial property loss.

Years ago, I along with the world watched first in horror then in complete rage as fellow Americans were stranded on rooftops, or wading through waist-deep contaminated water to seek help. We saw thousands of people literally dying of thirst because there was no fresh water to be found. I remember watching Shepherd Smith on Fox News reporting with passion and anger saying someone needs to get these people some help. It was frustrating sitting in the comfort of my home and not being able to help those who so desperately needed help.

We remember the now infamous photo of “Bush’s Flyover” as he surveyed the destruction from Air Force One. He was portrayed by the media as disconnected and uncaring as if he was both figuratively and literally above it all. What many did not know then and refuse to acknowledge now, is Bush and his team chose not to be a hindrance to the first responders. When the POTUS visits an area, a lot of resources are used to ensure his safety. Roadways are blocked, hospitals are secured, fire/rescue units mirror the POTUS’ movements and LEOs from different agencies are pulled from normal activities to direct traffic, clear areas, and provide outer rings of security.

Several days later during a live event “A Concert for Hurricane Relief” simulcast on multiple stations, Kanye West rants about the lack of support and stated, “George Bush does not care about black people”. He had every right to say what he wanted, regardless of the level of truth it contained.

Contrast the events of Katrina (2005) to Sandy (2012); there is video after video of white people crying and begging for fuel, electricity, and water. Mayor Blumberg told the President, “Thanks, but no thanks” when POTUS suggested he wanted to make a Storm Stop in NYC. Why did the Mayor say no? Because of the same reason, President Bush did not want to land and walk through the affected areas. It disrupts the rescue and recovery efforts. You do not want your limited resources used in an ineffective and inefficient manner. Where are the Left of-Center entertainers now? Should they not be saying “Barak Obama does not care about white people”?

Victims affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Could both national emergencies have been handled differently? Yes. I thought from the mistakes learned from Katrina, the Federal government had a better idea of prepositioning supplies and duplicate distribution chains. Something has gone wrong. There are people who cannot get to work. There are people that cannot get medicines. There are people who cannot heat their homes. All of this in the city that represents USA’s successes—New York City. The Left deflects this and falls back on “Global Warming” which has now become “Man-made Climate Change”. Well, that is beyond the scope of this writing, but where is the outrage from the Left?

Let’s play fair.