President Obama met with survivors in flooded Louisiana Tuesday, touring a hard-hit Baton Rouge suburb strewn with debris and rubble. "Sometimes when these kinds of things happen, it can seem like too much to bear. But what I want the people of Louisiana to know is you're not alone, even after the TV cameras leave," Obama said at a press conference Tuesday afternoon after walking through destroyed homes and shaking hands with residents.
Obama said Americans are "heartbroken by the loss of life" and said the floods have cost survivors more than property.
Obama signed a federal disaster declaration over a week ago, freeing up $120 million in aid.
The article is filled with criticisms concerning how long it took the President to arrive in Louisiana but I ignored them because we know that the Governor asked the President to stay away and that Obama signed that federal disaster declaration immediately which is really the most important thing he could do in response.
This press conference only has value in bringing attention to the crisis, which everybody is already paying attention to already, and quieting those on the Right who attack the President at every opportunity.
Our President is much more concerned with helping these people get the services and help they need rather than to use their suffering as a backdrop for political purposes.
By the way Hillary is also not planning to visit the area until she knows that her appearance will not disrupt the response to the crisis.
P.S. It appears that Donald Trump's $100,000 donation (If he actually donated it.) may have gone to Tony Perkins and his anti-LGBT ministry.
Trump donated $100k to a La. church helping w/ flood relief effort, along w/ truck of supplies he helped unload Friday, per his spokeswoman— Ashley Killough (@KilloughCNN) August 21, 2016
Gee, that's really helpful.The church is Greenwell Springs Baptist Church, which Trump visited Friday and where Tony Perkins is interim pastor https://t.co/iw9dbipEdF— Ashley Killough (@KilloughCNN) August 21, 2016
Thank you favorite President for keeping your head on straight, caring and loving and being you! You are the best!!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said. 4:47.
Delete"Favorite president"
DeleteYep. He is my favorite president.
President Obama does everything with a quiet dignity. No dumb gestures, no vile rhetoric. Quiet dignity. He will be missed, along with his educated family.
DeleteTrump handed out Playdough.
ReplyDeleteHe knows how to make America grate.
DeleteMake America Regurgitate Again
DeletetRump is a businessman. He gave out Play Doh donated by someone else!! As a new grandfather, he should have brought diapers.
DeleteThank you, Mr. President, for NOT going hysterically stupid as the Right is so anxious and apt to do. Thank you, once again, for keeping your emotions out while keeping your head in the game. GD, I wish I could vote for you again. And I will happily vote for Her, come November.
ReplyDeleteGeorgiaPeach
5:00 PM:
DeleteWell said and DITTO.
I keep hoping the crazy right winger idea of President Obama taking over for another term will come true :)
DeleteSo the anti-gay pastor gets $100K to rebuild his flooded out house from Trump. Nice one, Donald.
ReplyDeleteTrump's only thought about anything or anyone is: How can I be a real dick? I'll do that.
DeleteGod destroyed Perkins's house? Out of locusts?
DeleteTake anything tRump says, especially when it comes to $$$ with a grain of salt. He SAYS he donates, but where is the proof? He ripped off service people then had to cough up the cash when he was exposed. Where is Maleria these days?
DeleteWorking as a catastrophe insurance adjuster for many years, I can say from first hand experience, that in the initial stages of an event like this, having a VIP onsite is very disruptive and slows down the relief effort. It's best that the President stayed away until now.
ReplyDeletethe president’s day in baton rouge
ReplyDeletehttps://theobamadiary.com/2016/08/23/the-presidents-day-in-baton-rouge/
I will really miss President Obama after he leaves office. But I am very excited to see what good things Madame President will accomplish and I think she's the only candidate who could come close to filling Obama's shoes. She will be picked apart and constantly criticized but she's weathered past storms like no other politician. Our country is fortunate to have the Obamas and the Clintons.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your statement, and I will add one thing. While I think it is likely that she'll be 'picked apart and constantly criticized', how about we voters make it less likely that Congress be a part of that by flipping the House of Representatives? I read recently that while that is still very much an uphill battle, it is looking more and more likely as the election nears, thanks to Trump. Help your friends register, drive those that need it to the polls, and vote blue ALL the way down the ticket on November 8!
DeleteDonald is acting like he's running against Obama. He wants to dig in on Obama because he has some weird grudge against him. Saw Obama jesting about Trump in on of those correspondence dinners sometime back when. Maybe that? And the Republican party just loves to do this double standard and call Obama on every little thing. It's like a bad marriage where one spouse can't stand the other spouse so bad that they say "don't breath" to the other. It's toxic. So Obama made it to the flood zone on Tuesday when he was advised would be the better day, and still "they" won't be satisfied. Seems like Obama is the first president in history that is blamed for everything. And anything. Wow. All because some seventy year old infant has to have his way.
ReplyDeleteThe Knee Jerks can't comprehend anything but instant gratification. They can't deal with long term solutions.
ReplyDeletePer the Washington Post, the church hasn't received Trump's donation yet.
ReplyDeleteDid they check with Perkins? It probably went right into HIS pocket.
DeleteNot only is Tony Perkins' organization (Family Research Council) considered a hate group by the SPLC, the church Trump donated to the homophobic.
ReplyDeleteThe GOP-driven media just has to make President Obama look as much like George W. Bush as possible even though every journalist out there knows that there is no comparison. It's all part of the Bush rehabilitation program.
ReplyDeleteBeaglemom