I'm gonna start this by reminding my readers that I am aggressively nonpartisan. I vote for those I feel are best qualified to do the job I want done, regardless of what letter appears behind their name in parentheses. I vote for third party candidates when one meets my criteria and loathe the fact that we're brainwashed by the two-party system.
That said... The very idea of a hurricane in the Smokies boggles the mind. But Helene has taken out a huge chunk of western North Carolina and a good sized bit of Tennessee. I honestly believe the Smokies saved the rest of eastern Tennessee. To put it very simply, the hurricane bounced off them hills!
My Facebook feed is full of Helpers. It does my little black heart good, just like the plethora of food pantries during the pandemic. Civilian groups, state and local agencies, even just Jim-Bob next door are pouring into the area from all over the country. And even from outside the country!
Dolly Parton donated money to the cause, and I wouldn't be surprised if she's out there in her civvies handing out food and water. (It's not like we'd recognize her!) Other celebrities have followed her lead, but as usual when people are in need, Dolly led the pack.
But FEMA has dropped the ball, or at least fumbled it a little. Internal agency issues, budgeting, and paperwork gets in the way of a quick response by any federal agency. It simply doesn't matter at this point who shortchanged FEMA this time, because it's been getting ripped off as long as it has existed. Disaster victims are less important than a pet special interest group.
In all the news reports, in all the Facebook posts, I've seen nothing to support claims that FEMA isn't letting people in. Because I've yet to see any vehicles that say FEMA on them. If the National Guard units and local law enforcement are trying to stop you from getting in there, odds are that you simply are not qualified to do anything more than endanger yourself and others. Go home, stay out of the way, and let them work.
This disaster is not the fault of FEMA, of any political party, and certainly not of any given individual. The very idea of a "weather control device" defies the laws of physics. Yes, it is possible to affect the weather by seeding clouds and such, but no one can drive a hurricane or tornado around like it's a 56 Buick.
And honestly, at this point, I'm looking sideways at those of you pointing the finger of blame. I'm wondering if you'd leave some hillbilly stranded because he was or wasn't wearing a MAGA hat. Shame on all of you.
