Government’s Disaster Response Wins Praise

[FrenchieCat]

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It has been the deadliest natural disaster on American soil since Hurricane Katrina. But the government response to the tornadoes that devastated the South last week has, at least in the first few days, drawn little of the searing criticism aimed at federal agencies back in 2005.
In numerous interviews in the low-income Alberta neighborhood here on Friday, shortly before President Obama and other officials toured what is now an unimaginable wasteland, residents said they had few complaints about the handling of the aftermath by state, local and federal agencies.
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“It ain’t like Katrina,” said Darius Rutley, 21, whose house in Alberta was obliterated. “We’re getting help.”

Axavier Wilson, 20, who survived the storm in a closet as the rest of his house blew away, said he had been impressed that both Gov. Robert Bentley and Mr. Obama had visited rapidly. “I don’t think there’s much to mumble and grumble about,” he said. “Everybody feels secure about getting help.”
more
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/01/us/01fema.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

[Cali_Democrat]

1. Obama has really done an excellent job of handling the disaster in Alabama

Because he actually cares.

Bush, on the other hand, was a complete and utter failure when it came to Katrina.

You see, government can actually function correctly when the people in charge actually want to make it work. When Republicans are in charge, they rail against the government and openly express their desire to destroy it.

[Kalun D]

2. Yeah, Another Bigtime Photo Op.

Obama has escalated military spending and the wars

poverty has increased

the erosion of rights has increased

economic disparity has increased

because Obama actually cares, yeah right.

""You see, government can actually function correctly when the people in charge actually want to make it work.""

yeah, like when the bankers carry out the biggest crime in the history of mankind and then you appoint all those criminal bankers to position of banking and regulatory oversight within your admin. Like when your "justice" department conducts exactly ZERO prosecutions of banking executives.

yeah, like when the largest environmental disaster ever occurs on your watch and you help BP cover up the evidence, spread BP's talking points, and help BP keep the media from reporting the story. And then your "justice" department conducts ZERO prosecutions of BP executives for the largest environmental crime in the history of the world.

Yeah, because Obama actually cares.

""When Republicans are in charge, they rail against the government and openly express their desire to destroy it.""

When corporate Democrats are in charge, they verbally rail against the corporations in support of the working class, but secretly they work to destroy that middle class.

[Drunken Irishman]

3. I bet Obama even created the tornado just for that photo op!

You're on to something!

[vaberella]

4. Your comment has been alerted. Back on topic...

I thought his response was quick and precise. I think that everyone has learned a lot from 2005, so that's one thing to consider. However, the response was great.


As to the poster's commentary. We're talking about an issue today where nearly 400 people died. If you can't put your issues to the side to address this certain aspect then don't bother posting here.

[Kdillard]

5. Please all they care about is attacking Obama. In any case I am glad that the response was great.

[Kalun D]

10. BP Was a Disaster

Man made as opposed to natural like this one,

how was the response on that one?

[vaberella]

13. Funny you should mention that...his response was actually great there.

And most of the public agreed.

[Kalun D]

16. Yeah

He helped BP cover up the crime, he allowed them to intentionally dump more 1000's of gallons of highly toxic dispersants. He repeated their talking points and helped them block the press from reporting the event. Then he went down for a family photo op when it was "over" (it's far from over) and swam in a bay, not the actual gulf because that was far too oily and toxic. Then after the fact there's been ZERO criminal prosecutions by the Obama "justice" department of any of the BP execs who committed the largest environmental crime in human history.

[FrenchieCat]

17. You're on the wrong forum.......

[Kalun D]

18. I Thought This Was Democratic UNDERGROUND?

I didn't think it was Corporate Democrats sold out to Goldman Sachs, BP, Monsanto, and GE?

[FrenchieCat]

19. Yep....you are in the wrong forum....

As the Democrats-can't-do-nothing-right-and-I'm-gonna-be-telling-you-24/4 forum is called Free Republic, and it is where you will fit in nicely.

[Kalun D]

20. Name Caller

that can't argue points.

Supporting the biggest warmonger in two generations.

[intaglio]

9. So go open a message board called Moaners Underground

Because you don't like someone doesn't mean to say you cannot congratulate them on a good job.

Now go away and vent your childish petulance on the Republicans.

[alcibiades_mystery]

14. Clownish response

Honestly. You really show your colors when, upon seeing an article that describes real improvements in the federal government that actually help people, you post your usual list on nonsenses.

You don't care about people. That's clear enough.

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Diamonique]

7. This isn't about PR or photo ops.

The article and the OP are about the federal government's actions in the "immediate" aftermath of the tornadoes.

Yes there's lot of other stuff to be done in the coming months and years. But they've made a good start by responding immediately with assistance to those who need it.

Our government does a lot of things wrong, I'll admit. But when they get something right, we should be able to recognize that too.

Sheesh!

[Bodhi BloodWave]

8. Where is the fun in actually COMPLIMENTING Obama and the government

that actually HELPS him and we wouldn't want that to happen ya know, much better to complain and try tearing down *eye roll*

Its good to see that the government actually acts in the immediate aftermath if you ask me

[Mimosa]

11. Most people *fortunately* don't understand what you mean, Donnachaidh

I went through the hell of the Katrina aftermath and know exactly what you mean. The people who imagine you're just a party pooper haven't a clue.

These tornadoes were horribly destructive. President Obama said all the right things. The Governor of Alabama seemed very satisfied. But these kind of situations are where the proof of effective response doesn't even begin to manifest until 4 to 6 months later.

[Bluenorthwest]

12. And praise is well deserved. The President's personal attention

was proper and rapid, but it took lots of work to get the Federal mechanisms up and running after the Bush destruction of FEMA and related agencies. The things that happened after Katrina were not just the result of disengaged leadership, they were the result of years of gross mismanagement, neglect, and intentional mucking up of the vital organizations that had been healthy and highly functional when W took over. Back then, I knew some FEMA employees, and just from what I had seen and gleaned from them, which was not all that much, I knew that if NOLA took a hit, there would be a nightmare scenario. I called people and talked about it while Katrina was still offshore. What we saw, that was what even I knew would happen. And it was not the result of Bush doing nothing, it was the result of many things he did do for the years before.
So when we see a quick response and an engaged President, we are seeing the result of much hard work that started on Day One. Response reflects preparedness, and that is by nature advance work that might, in fact is hoped, to never be noticed or needed. Lots of work, of all kinds, by Federal employees of every pay grade, and by elected officials in the Executive branch such as President Obama, who clearly gave the orders to clean house as soon as he woke up after the Inaugural Ball. Those agencies were a mess, they were doing a heck of a job. Bill Clinton left office with those agencies, FEMA and others, in good running order, with good leadership that really did not need replacing, much less with Brownie.
Tornado Alley should be very happy that Obama and Democrats have been in charge of these things for a period of time prior to their need. Preparations had been made. The readiness is all.

[FrenchieCat]

15. Kick!