Madsplaining: The Storm Breaks

Don't wait for the government; you're here to help!

The horror that was Hurricane Helene has brought out the worst and the best in Americans. It is hard to know exactly what’s true, but I’ve collected together some of the data I’ve found and you may sift it as you see fit.

Citizens say they have been stopped from helping or even had their donations confiscated:

Mayor Pete Buttigieg (A.K.A our Secretary of Transportation) has told citizens to stop flying planes and drones into flood-ravaged sites as it is necessary to keep skies clear for official rescue efforts and coordinate centrally. FEMA director, Deanne Criswell, said that online rumors were unhelpful. (The Blaze, Epoch Times, New York Post) This pilot said he was told he would be arrested if he flew to rescue anyone else.

A guy delivering supplies in his boat says FEMA has “preferred vendors” and won’t take publicly donated items. (Ryan Tyre via X)

One NC realtor (below) says she is diverting donations she is coordinating away from FEMA teams, who want to “inventory” everything.

People are angry that the government seems out to lunch:

Many online posts blasted the White House for seemingly ignoring the plight of folks in the worst hit areas. It’s hard to say what politicians could have done if they were on site – one helicopter pilot posted a tetchy video when President Biden did fly over the affected area because he could not be cleared to look for survivors nor help out for most of the day. All the same, both President Biden and V.P. Harris did not quit their regularly scheduled programs for long to acknowledge the disaster. The President appeared to be rather confused, but when asked about the storm, he said the hurricane survivors were “happy” and “have what they need”.

A former U.S. Army colonel wrestles with possible explanations for the slow response to such devastation, compared to the response after Hurricane Katrina and all his conclusions are damning of this administration. “Why are they acting with such disregard for average Americans? Is it negligence? Is it our global commitments to endless wars? Or is it something far more sinister? You decide on Nov. 5.” There were many similar complaints made by Democrats against the Republican administration during Katrina, but the writer here argues that there was much better preparation in place for that storm and a better organized recovery. (The Federalist)

Conservative commentator, Glenn Beck visited flood victims and found out how compartmentalized the government response is. One FEMA team he encountered was just focused on “getting people onto the system” where they can fill in forms and make claims. When asked about how victims would know where the station was located, staff said folks could “watch on their TVs”.

What’s the kerfuffle over Starlink?

While phone and internet services are down, a bunch of folks were sending Starlink receivers into the disaster area, as they can be set up quickly to receive signal. Elon Musk posted on X that his technicians were being blocked from delivering the units and blamed “law fare” against him for the pickle that NC is in when it comes to internet access. I found out that Starlink was provisionally awarded a huge contract with the U.S. government to bring broadband to rural Americans back in 2020. However, late in 2022 (which did come after Musk’s purchase of Twitter), the Federal Communications Commission reversed its decision, claiming that average download speeds provided by Starlink were below contract requirements. (There is debate as to whether the speed tests were accurate as the FCC ”test[ed] its broadband connectivity in regions the [government program] didn't cover”). The FCC said says it turned down multiple bids who weren’t up to speed. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, a Republican appointee, said that the decision “matches Biden administration’s pattern of regulatory harassment.”

There is a lot of debate about who spent all the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) money:

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said FEMA has enough money to help out Helene’s victims, but not enough to get through the hurricane season. President Biden said he had sent all he could to the relief effort. It seems a December 2022 funding bill authorized a split in FEMA funding with the separate program “providing shelter and other services to families and individuals encountered by the Department of Homeland Security.” (New York Post, Chef Gruel via X)

The governor of North Carolina said government resources were flowing just fine and expected Congress to approve more when it returns from recess shortly. (Epoch Times)

The WashPo took exception to Donald Trump’s claim that much of FEMA’s budget (almost $1 billion) has been swallowed up by housing the deluge of illegal migrants across the southern border. Their writer gave the claim four Pinocchios, instead pointing a finger at the Trump administration for squandering the money. (Washington Post, Not the Bee)

Former Acting DHS Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli said it is true, some money was “reprogrammed” (subject to laws and procedures) from FEMA’s budget during Trump’s presidency. However, it was to secure the border, not bring people in, he said. Politifact sort of agreed. President Trump has spent money housing illegals at the border while they waited in Mexico for their trials. (Fox, Politifact)

The Washington Examiner noted that FEMA has not increased its budget since a decade ago, even though many more Americans now live in areas subject to natural disasters. (Washington Examiner)

In recent years, FEMA has gone the way of many progressive organizations, prioritizing equity and diversity which always has a tendency to dilute priorities! (The Federalist)

We’re here to help:

It is safe to say that two things could be true at once: it could be that conflicting stories of this situation are takes from different angles, or in this case, different regions, which were impacted differently. Hopefully, the full truth will one day be told.

It is also safe to say, while we continue to pray and work for good leaders over our nation, there are things government cannot do. Especially if the government is sprawling and inept. Doubly so if it doesn’t like you. Let’s say, you can only chalk things up to incompetence until it happens so many times that you have to call it malice. It is demoralizing to realize these things, however the pandemic revealed that governments do not always share the same concerns of its citizens. May those leaders repent of their blatant disregard for those they purport to serve!

So, even as another hurricane is bearing down on the Florida coast, it is going to be up to people, communities, churches and families to get the job done. One thing that bids for smaller government is people doing things for themselves at every opportunity. Looking away from the parade of nonsense that Washington politics often is, to Jesus, who is the beginning and the end gives us the energy to serve those around. One we can’t do much about, the other we certainly can.

A metaphor, if I may…

And some nicer news in the gloom:

Compliation of some of the heroic actions. (Not the Bee)

Father walked almost 30 miles through debris to walk his daughter down the aisle. (Today)

Through our Mad network, we have sniffed out a few organizations that are doing the work on the ground. By all means, do your own investigating before you donate, but here’s our list:

Cajun Navy 2016

Pat Robertson’s Operation Blessing

Glenn Beck’s Mercury One

The Old Glory Club may be able to direct you also.