Trump's Katrina: The ongoing crisis in Puerto Rico

[heatcharger]

Surprised there hasn't really been a thread on this.

The NOAA posted these satellite images showing how widespread the power outages are:



NYT piece on agricultural devastation:

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WaPo article on how the power outages are affecting the island:

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PR's governor is requesting federal aid, but there's questions about whether Congress will sign off on a large enough funding package as well as if it will be quick enough, and whether the Trump administration and the DOD will send in the Navy for relief.

I have to wonder, with the debt issue making it impossible for the commonwealth to borrow money for relief, in the case that Congress and Trump don't act quick enough, will there be a mass exodus to the contiguous United States? Florida is the logical place to go, but it could pose a lot of logistical issues if/when people decide to leave the island.

[NewYorkExpress]

 i

Surprised there hasn't really been a thread on this.

The NOAA posted these satellite images showing how widespread the power outages are:



NYT piece on agricultural devastation:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

WaPo article on how the power outages are affecting the island:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

PR's governor is requesting federal aid, but there's questions about whether Congress will sign off on a large enough funding package as well as if it will be quick enough, and whether the Trump administration and the DOD will send in the Navy for relief.

I have to wonder, with the debt issue making it impossible for the commonwealth to borrow money for relief, in the case that Congress and Trump don't act quick enough, will there be a mass exodus to the contiguous United States? Florida is the logical place to go, but it could pose a lot of logistical issues if/when people decide to leave the island.

There are a lot of Puerto Ricans in NYC, so that makes more sense than Florida, which is also very vulnerable to strong hurricanes (as Irma showed).

[publicunofficial]

Trump is lucky American's care even less about Puerto Rico than they do poor black people in New Orleans.

[KingSweden]

It's beyond time to make Puerto Rico a state

[pbrower2a]

It's beyond time to make Puerto Rico a state

Now. Do so.

The difference in lighting is that between South Korea and North Korea.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Ricardo Rossello‏Verified account
@ricardorossello

Briefed @POTUS @realDonaldTrump in #SituationRoom and thanked him for his leadership, quick response & commitment to our people

[Dr. Arch]

I've been up to date on everything, including what's happening on the ground, but I preferred not to post it here, as it's hard enough as is. If you have any questions, let me know though.

[Reaganfan]

The President is going to Puerto Rico Tuesday.

[Gass3268]

The President is going to Puerto Rico Tuesday.

Today?

[Sirius_]

It's beyond time to make Puerto Rico a state

[GeorgiaModerate]

The President is going to Puerto Rico Tuesday.

Today?

No, next Tuesday (Oct 3).

[Reaganfan]

The President is going to Puerto Rico Tuesday.

Today?

Did I say today?

[Gass3268]

The President is going to Puerto Rico Tuesday.

Today?

No, next Tuesday (Oct 3).

Thank you

[KingSweden]

Puerto Rico, along with Hawaii, New Mexico, California, and Texas, should be expelled from America.

What is it with new Republican posters from Iowa? Something in the water?

[JA]

Even if Congress happens to, by some miracle, provide a suitable aid package to Puerto Rico, there's still an austerity program being imposed upon the island. Puerto Rico is facing a serious crisis and the threat of an even great brain drain as a result of this hurricane and the policies of the territorial and federal governments.

[Inmate Trump]

Next Tuesday is too late.

Anyway, it’s time Puerto Rico became a state. They pay taxes, they fly our flag, they are citizens, they can become president (yet aren’t allowed to vote in the general), no passport is needed to travel there. I suspect a lot of people don’t know most of that, and I bet the president didn’t know, which is the most likely reason for his delayed and weak response.

They are as American as anyone in the mainland and should finally be treated as such.

[Dr. Arch]

Next Tuesday is too late.

Anyway, it’s time Puerto Rico became a state. They pay taxes, they fly our flag, they are citizens, they can become president (yet aren’t allowed to vote in the general), no passport is needed to travel there. I suspect a lot of people don’t know most of that, and I bet the president didn’t know, which is the most likely reason for his delayed and weak response.

They are as American as anyone in the mainland and should finally be treated as such.

Bless your soul

[JA]

Next Tuesday is too late.

Anyway, it’s time Puerto Rico became a state. They pay taxes, they fly our flag, they are citizens, they can become president (yet aren’t allowed to vote in the general), no passport is needed to travel there. I suspect a lot of people don’t know most of that, and I bet the president didn’t know, which is the most likely reason for his delayed and weak response.

They are as American as anyone in the mainland and should finally be treated as such.

The same applies to all American territories. They're even allowed to participate in the Presidential primaries. But, they're excluded from actual representation at the federal level due to their racial identities and the political implications of their incorporation into our federal electoral process. Even the District of Columbia is denied representation in the House and Senate. There's no stomach for this fight among Democratic representatives and the GOP would fight it every step of the way since their goal is to suppress representation and democratic participation of demographic groups unfavorable to their interests.

[Tintrlvr]

Trump is lucky American's care even less about Puerto Rico than they do poor black people in New Orleans.

To be "fair," if Americans cared more, Trump probably would, too.

[Santander]

Puerto Rico, along with Hawaii, New Mexico, California, and Texas, should be expelled from America.

What is it with new Republican posters from Iowa? Something in the water?

Daddy says too much #monsanto in the #corn creates issues in the brain.

[ltomlinson31]

Pentagon: 44 percent of Puerto Ricans lack clean drinking water

That would be around 1.5 million people without drinking water.

[tinman64]

Half of Americans unaware Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens

A poll of 2,200 American citizens by Morning Consult found that just 54 percent of those polled knew that people born in Puerto Rico are actually American citizens.

The finding, first reported by the New York Times, comes after Puerto Rico was ravaged by Hurricane Maria. Its plight did not attract as widespread attention as other areas of the United States affected by extreme weather in recent weeks, leading some, like the Times, to acknowledge that that could be because many Americans are viewing the event as a "foreign" disaster, not an American one.

The result of the poll is significant, because 8 in 10 of those who know Puerto Ricans are citizens support the notion of sending aid, while only 4 in 10 of those who are unaware support helping Puerto Ricans.

[scutosaurus]

Next Tuesday is too late.

Anyway, it’s time Puerto Rico became a state. They pay taxes, they fly our flag, they are citizens, they can become president (yet aren’t allowed to vote in the general), no passport is needed to travel there. I suspect a lot of people don’t know most of that, and I bet the president didn’t know, which is the most likely reason for his delayed and weak response.

They are as American as anyone in the mainland and should finally be treated as such.

Basically this. Hurricane Maria was the strongest hurricane in a decade, and American citizens are going to die if Trump doesn't get up off his ass, stop tweeting about the NFL, and go help Puerto Rico and the USVI. It's a humanitarian crisis and Trump needs to be held completely accountable for any loss of life that occurs as a result of his administration's negligence.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Trump is lucky American's care even less about Puerto Rico than they do poor black people in New Orleans.

[Reaganfan]

Next Tuesday is too late.

Anyway, it’s time Puerto Rico became a state. They pay taxes, they fly our flag, they are citizens, they can become president (yet aren’t allowed to vote in the general), no passport is needed to travel there. I suspect a lot of people don’t know most of that, and I bet the president didn’t know, which is the most likely reason for his delayed and weak response.

They are as American as anyone in the mainland and should finally be treated as such.

Basically this. Hurricane Maria was the strongest hurricane in a decade, and American citizens are going to die if Trump doesn't get up off his ass, stop tweeting about the NFL, and go help Puerto Rico and the USVI. It's a humanitarian crisis and Trump needs to be held completely accountable for any loss of life that occurs as a result of his administration's negligence.

Or maybe if we stop spending money on fictional things trying to determine how much polar ice caps melting cause bears to have diarrhea, maybe we could spend it on better forecasting tool to see storms like Maria and give people more time to prepare?