The “fog of war” does not pertain only to war (the concept although not the precise phrase is attributed to von Clausewitz). What’s actually going on in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene? I’ve heard people claiming that FEMA has everything under control and I have heard people saying that FEMA is actually impeding relief after the flooding in North Carolina. I’ve heard people claiming that FEMA is running out of money and that FEMA has plenty of money (sometimes the same people). I’ve heard people claiming that FEMA has spent money supporting migrants and that FEMA has done no such thing.
I have no idea what’s actually going on. They all may be true. My predisposition was to give the administration the benefit of the doubt and let the dust settle (or, maybe more appropriate, the flood waters recede) before commenting.
Today the talking heads programs are devoting a lot of time to damage control which I presume they think of as refuting disinformation, producing plenty of disinformation of their own in the process.
It’s a disaster. It means some people will get help right away and be happy and others wont so they will be unhappy. Some people showing up to help will comply with rules so they dont make the chaos worse. Some people think they are really important and shouldn’t have to abide by the rules. Some of the government people, including police, national guard, local officials and FEMA will make mistakes and prioritize the wrong things, or just be assholes and piss people off. I was part of the Andrew relief group sent from our base and we saw all of that.
What seems pretty clear is that help has been sent at a speed and scale comparable to past hurricanes. After reading on the funding it sounds as if they are OK. During the past budget impasse the GOP, tried to cut FEMA funding. What they ended up doing was allotting $20 billion to cover past and ongoing costs with the understanding they could accelerate spending if there was another disaster and that new disaster relief funding would be needed if that happened.
Steve
Nice dust in the eyes.
The technicality position that FEMA is funded by one entity is bogus. They have multiple entities. Monies were diverted to immigrant issues.
FEMA has inhibited private assistance. The CYA position was that privates could get in the way, or become rescue subjects. Balls. Privates are always involved.
Just 3 months ago Mayorkis was touting his rich war chest. Now he’s broke. One of the worst liars in government my whole life.
Hard to believe Biden is withholding to diminish voting in Trump strongholds. But that was before a certain “dossier” 51 Intelligence officers lying through their teeth, “Biden runs circles around his staff” Kamala was no border czar and lawfare.
Guess you need to explain how and why the GOP governors and officials who are actually on the ground dealing with the catastrophe claim that FEMA is performing well and aid is reaching people. Guess they are all RINOs now.
I agree that privates are always involved. Having been involved with Andrew I would note that some of those efforts were positive, most of them, and others were negative. The negative ones were largely the ones who weren’t willing to listen or cooperate.
Steve
If the Florida track for the next one verifies, it will be even harder to tell what is going on in Appalachia.
We do indeed live in interesting times.
Dave Schuler: I’ve heard people claiming that FEMA has everything under control …
Under control in a chaotic environment is hardly likely. However, the evidence is that FEMA responded rapidly and in force, comparable to previous disasters.
Dave Schuler: and I have heard people saying that FEMA is actually impeding relief after the flooding in North Carolina.
People say all sorts of things.
Dave Schuler: I’ve heard people claiming that FEMA is running out of money and that FEMA has plenty of money (sometimes the same people).
That conflates two things: There are sufficient funds to address the current needs but not enough for future needs. (Another hurricane is on the horizon.)
Drew: Monies were diverted to immigrant issues.
No, Biden didn’t take FEMA relief money to use on migrants — but Trump did
Drew: FEMA has inhibited private assistance.
Do you have evidence of this?
Congress will approve whatever funds are needed to rebuild, and then, the local politicians will piss it away. Somebody’s unemployed brother-in-law will suddenly own a vehicle recovery company that will receive FEMA funds to tow the flooded vehicles.
There is a lot of clean-up needed, and FEMA funding seem to be fairly decent on this. Beyond simple debris, vehicles, refrigerators, freezers, and hazardous building materials have special disposal requirements. For example, refrigerants must be drained before disposal.
Where substations were flooded, they will need to be rebuilt in addition to the overhead lines. It looks likes bridges, roads, and underground pipes may need to be rebuilt.
It will take years, and most of the people have no idea of what they are in for. “Build back better” is a load of horseshit. Unless, it refers to some politicians’ bank account.
Political partisans will try to use this as an opportunity to gain points, but usually, Louisiana and Florida Republicans become “socialists” for these events. Otherwise, I will leave my house to vote them out.
I do not feel like writing a dissertation on all the ways the Post-Katrina rebuilding went wrong and the lasting effects. Simply, there was too much FEMA funds due to national politics, and local politicians pissed it away on stupid things like sideways traffic signals.
I suspect that a lot of these people have talked trash about New Orleans and Florida flooding. Schadenfreude might seem appropriate, but it is not an experience I would wish upon anybody.
If political opportunity is all you can imagine, I would suggest you look deep inside yourself for some spark of compassion, and whether you believe it or not, you may be in a similar circumstance one day. Karma is a bitch, and you are just waiting to join the group.
TastyBits: Congress will approve whatever funds are needed to rebuild, and then, the local politicians will piss it away.
Rule of Thump: Half of everything is wasted — assuming good management.