OK, Bloomberg is officially an idiot. He turned FEMA away ahead of Sandy?!?!

[magical thyme]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/27/1151343/-Bloomberg-Turns-Down-Offer-of-FEMA-Assistance-for-NYC

Seriously. He really did this with a hurricane barreling towards the Northeast that forecasts now indicate will produce 10-20 ft. waves in New York City on top of the higher water we can already expect. President Obama directed FEMA Director Craig Fugate to call Mayor Bloomberg earlier in the day to offer assistance. Governor Cuomo had asked for FEMA aid. Bloomberg said thanks, but no thanks. He said we had what we needed.


Stunning. Simply stunning. One reason FEMA has been so effective is because they now have funding in advance of storms and are able to have logistics and supplies in place. When they're allowed to!

[TwilightGardener]

1. Wonder how the people of NYC feel about this?

If I was in a federally declared disaster zone, I'd be livid if public officials turned down ANY aid.

[OneGrassRoot]

2. Wow, remember how we followed this closely before Katrina hit?

Edit to add that I realize Bloomberg is a mayor, not a governor.


The requests for assistance and documents disappearing from Gov. Kathleen Blanco's website?

I don't recall seeing anyone following the requests (or denials, after President Obama offered) before Sandy hit.

If this is true, this is indeed stunning. Stunningly stupid. As is the intention to have the marathon on schedule.

Geeeeeesh...........

[marezdotes]

3. Bloomberg will now try to figure out a way to blame Obama.

[SaveAmerica]

19. I think his endorsement today based on Obama's response to Sandy

tells me he's not going to blame Obama. I think it helped him realized just what a huge mistake he made.

And Republicans who try to blame all the cries for help from the NY coast on Obama need to be told this information (Bloomberg refused FEMA help). We just need to remind them.

[Cali_Democrat]

4. Bloomberg is a jackass

[freemay20]

5. WOW

Some people do not engage their brain before making decisions. Reminds of so many people on FB, typing and sharing away without engaging their brain, then fighting to try to change the subject as to try to justify their idiocy and lies.

[defacto7]

8. right...

see my signature...

[defacto7]

6. Completely irresponsible

That's one disgusting self serving rich guy... Foolish pride at the cost of human lives... at the least, taking risks of others on a political whim!

[cthulu2016]

7. FEMA workers drink large sodas. He was saving lives.

[lindysalsagal]

9. If this is true, new yorkers will be pounding down his door.

He'll be drummed out of town. The police and firemen who are now trying to help people will send him packing.

Amazing.

[sylvi]

10. I would think that the Governor would have the final say in a statewide emergency.

I didn't know that individual Mayors could nix it.

[dixiegrrrrl]

18. With Katrina it was the reverse.

Mayor of New Orleans begging for help, appaently Gov. of Louisiana dropped the ball.
At least, that is how the ex mayor spun it.

[nc4bo]

11. Oh this is bad and worse.

and I believe people have the right to be outraged.

Just wow.

[NotThisTime]

12. No surprise, 12 hours before he said the storm required mand. evac's he said the storm did not

required mandatory evac's and the storm was not going to hit NY in a significant way, I believe that was Saturday night when he made the statement, he's a damn idiot.

[OneGrassRoot]

13. This link has info, w/links to NYC Mayoral Executive Orders

http://www.nyc.gov/html/index.html

http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/pdf/eo/eo_163.pdf

[LynneSin]

14. I know that Bloomberg rejected a visit from Obama but that made alot of sense

NYC is so fricking compact that a presidential visit would have required alot of security and would probably tie up major roads and intersections in the city that need to stay clear for emergency vehicles.

It was easier to visit a place like NJ where the helicopter can land where needed and Obama can do what he needs without impacting the work of emergency personal

[Jennicut]

15. He doesn't think the National Guard should be used after the Brooklyn Bourough President

asks for help. Bloomberg is an idiot. Chris Christie is acting more like a responsible adult then Bloomberg is, which is shocking for me to admit. Bloomberg also thinks the NYC Marathon should go on as planned on Sunday. The man is totally clueless.

[OldDem2012]

16. This story coming out now may be a bit of a pay-back for....

...Bloomberg not wanting the President to visit NYC.

If true, turning down a FEMA offer to set up assistance in advance of Sandy was pretty darn stupid.

Good thing this is Bloomberg's last tour as mayor.

[trueblue2007]

17. Bloomberg IS A MONSTER

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

20. Although this proves it's not President Obama's fault, somehow I suspect FoxNoise won't get the memo

Or should I say, they'll shred the memo rather than sharing it.

[JI7]

21. aren't they still trying to push bengazhi ?

[randome]

22. There is no attribution to this. Not saying it's false.

[magical thyme]

23. You're right. And I'll add it looks like it is false.

I've just done a more extensive search. Somebody in an interview said he was under the impression that Bloomberg initially refused help from FEMA.... the interview made it to msm outlets, but they added they couldn't find anything to substantiate it. Apparently it lives on in twitter.

[Ship of Fools]

24. I saw it. He definitely said *thanks but no thanks to FEMA*

but I can't find it now.

[Dudette]

25. NY Daily News has an article with transcript of Bloomberg's statement on Oct 27

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2012/10/mayor-bloomberg-update-on-hurricane-sandy-storm-prep-dont-be-complacent-nyc

See the 2nd paragraph under the map.

The Daily Kos article referenced at the top of this thread is unavailable as DK's servers are maintained in NYC - no power.

[magical thyme]

26. aha! Thank you....thought I was losing it there