Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Florence, Irma, Maria

Earlier this week, long awaited and publicized Hurricane Florence pummeled the eastern seaboard with a swell of ocean spray and high winds. Thousands of citizens living in North and South Carolina were effected by the terrifying category 4 storm; at least 20 people have been killed. The storm has made headlines not only for the the horrible situation it has caused for families on the east coast, but because President Trump has fired up a tweet-storm that can only be matched by Florence herself.

After the devastation caused by back-to-back hurricanes Irma and Maria last year, Trump visited the island of Puerto Rico to express condolences, survey the damages, and throw paper towels. Obviously the president made efforts to clean up the island and restore electricity and normalcy - but the effort has been lambasted for its inefficiency and overall clownery. The viral video of Trump throwing paper towels to effected families was similar to T-shirt cannons at a football game. Not necessarily the presidential mood that should be exuded towards victims of a natural catastrophe.

To be fair, there were funds guaranteed to both Houston and Puerto Rico to help restore systems and provide aid - but sources claim that the help was too little, too late. Just a few weeks ago, official sources raised the death toll in Puerto Rico to nearly 3,000 fatalities - much higher than the 10-20 victim count in 2017. Trump came out hard against the Democrats for making his administration look "as bad as possible" and adding "I love Puerto Rico!" Outrage has ensued over the comments - it seems very disingenuous to claim political theater over a disaster like Irma/Maria.

With Florence reeking havoc on the Carolinas and FEMA springing into action; perhaps President Trump will provide more aid and more attention this hurricane season. If not for the sheer good-nature of helping those in need, maybe for political notches on Trump's belt.

1 comment:

  1. I couldn't have summed this up better myself. Trump was indeed disingenuous. The horrendous and equally viral throwing out of paper towels was a real eye-opener to the kind of man currently in the White House. His whole "holier than thou" attitude when it comes to providing any sort of relief to those less fortunate than he, oozes through the screen anytime he receives coverage. His infamous treatment of the victims in Puerto Rico will go down in history for sure, as some of the worst response by any political figure, and I wouldn't expect him to do much more for Florence victims. I too also agree that Florence's magnitude JUST MIGHT be the only thing that could top Trump's Twitter tirades.

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