Sandy another WH punt?

[patric]

I think Christie and Obama are having an affair the way they're talking about each other.

Don't underestimate the impact of that gesture.

Some in the GOP would love for the president to fail with disaster recovery. 
Christie may have wised up and decided he didn't want to sacrifice his constituent's well-being just so his party could make a point.

[Townsend]

Don't underestimate the impact of that gesture.

Some in the GOP would love for the president to fail with disaster recovery. 
Christie may have wised up and decided he didn't want to sacrifice his constituent's well-being just so his party could make a point.

I like the theory that Christie knows it'd be easier to run in 2016 without a Republican already in office.

[azbadpuppy]

Just read that some workers from Alabama got punted out of New Jersey because they were not union. Narrows my selection down for which states get my financial support.

On a related note, just got word some of my kin in New York lost their home to flooding. "Yes", I am going to help them out. 

Anyone else have family in that mess?

My sister lives in northern New Jersey, and is still without power but suffered minimal damage to her house. My best friend lives in Asbury Park, NJ 3 blocks from the ocean (Anderson Cooper and CNN were broadcasting in front of his house), and had moderate damage to his property, and is still without power, no gas available, and the city has a 7pm curfew.

My parents and brother are in CT, and they just got power back yesterday, but thankfully no real damage to property. My niece in Brooklyn was supposed to evacuate but did not, and she never even lost power. A friend from high school is still missing since Monday- last seen in lower Manhattan just before the storm hit.

The NY Governor's office is denying the Alabama worker's union claim. I would wait for more info before making a judgement call on that one.

There is such an enormous area affected by this storm, and with the unbelievable amount of destruction it will take years to recover and the support of the entire country to get through this, regardless of political affiliations.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Just read that some workers from Alabama got punted out of New Jersey because they were not union. Narrows my selection down for which states get my financial support.

On a related note, just got word some of my kin in New York lost their home to flooding. "Yes", I am going to help them out. 

Anyone else have family in that mess?

Yep.  A couple of people in Maryland - nowhere near as badly hurt, but some storm damage.  Friend in Bronx (works in Maspeth - Queens) who have not heard from since.


Just as we didn't learn much from Katrina, we probably won't learn much from this one.  Look at the lines for gas...they only knew this was coming for 3 or 4 days, but didn't fill up before hand??

[Hoss]

Yep.  A couple of people in Maryland - nowhere near as badly hurt, but some storm damage.  Friend in Bronx (works in Maspeth - Queens) who have not heard from since.


Just as we didn't learn much from Katrina, we probably won't learn much from this one.  Look at the lines for gas...they only knew this was coming for 3 or 4 days, but didn't fill up before hand??

Not trying to be callous here, as I have friends and family up there suffering through this, but you can only lead a horse to water.

That being said, both friends living on Long Island got about 50 gallons extra of gasoline before the storm got there.  Mainly for the generator.

[nathanm]

Just as we didn't learn much from Katrina, we probably won't learn much from this one. 

Other than that $2 billion(ish) surge barrier we built to protect New Orleans and the new pumps that are protected from high water, we learned nothing. Damn stimulus money, building useful things that have already paid for themselves in avoided flood damage.

[RecycleMichael]

Just read that some workers from Alabama got punted out of New Jersey because they were not union. Narrows my selection down for which states get my financial support.

The story is untrue. Even FoxNews has changed their story. Six guys from Alabama just showed up without any paperwork and the utilities were asking them to fill out forms. One of the questions on the form asked about union membership.,

The Alabama boys just didn't get along with the New Jersey boys (what a surprise) so when asked to fill out forms, then refused, left and called home and whined to their local radio station.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Other than that $2 billion(ish) surge barrier we built to protect New Orleans and the new pumps that are protected from high water, we learned nothing. Damn stimulus money, building useful things that have already paid for themselves in avoided flood damage.

I was pointed more at the personal level - people didn't learn that when anyone who knows anything about it tells you to evacuate, then evacuate....


Third friend is WAY out at the far east end of Long Island, and I think will be ok, but haven't heard from him, either.

[Gaspar]

Yep.  A couple of people in Maryland - nowhere near as badly hurt, but some storm damage.  Friend in Bronx (works in Maspeth - Queens) who have not heard from since.


Just as we didn't learn much from Katrina, we probably won't learn much from this one.  Look at the lines for gas...they only knew this was coming for 3 or 4 days, but didn't fill up before hand??

My relatives got both cars filled before the storm as well as additional gas cans.  They have siphoned and used it all in the generator.  They are trying to find more, but not having much luck.  My uncle just ran out of cell battery this morning so we haven't heard anything else.  They stocked up on MREs before the storm, so I think they have food.  Many of the cell towers are now going dead because the backup generators are dry.

The military needs to drop more food, water, and fuel, like they did in Katrina, and they need to do it before the cold front hits tomorrow!

[Conan71]

My relatives got both cars filled before the storm as well as additional gas cans.  They have siphoned and used it all in the generator.  They are trying to find more, but not having much luck.  My uncle just ran out of cell battery this morning so we haven't heard anything else.  They stocked up on MREs before the storm, so I think they have food.  Many of the cell towers are now going dead because the backup generators are dry.

The military needs to drop more food, water, and fuel, like they did in Katrina, and they need to do it before the cold front hits tomorrow!

Where are the claims that the lousy response is because Obama hates white people, Italians, and Jews?

This appears to be every bit the clusterfark that Katrina was, maybe worse as it doesn't appear there was a mass exodus before Sandy hit.  Perhaps people will finally get the message that waiting on the government to bail you out because you didn't take proper precautions isn't a prudent plan of action.  I don't care how many FEMA clerks, National Guardsmen, or local FD and PD you throw at it, these are messes of epic proportions.

[Townsend]

Where are the claims that the lousy response is because Obama hates white people, Italians, and Jews?

This appears to be every bit the clusterfark that Katrina was, maybe worse as it doesn't appear there was a mass exodus before Sandy hit. 

What station are you listening to?

[Hoss]

What station are you listening to?

Maybe that new Tea Party channel?

[nathanm]

What station are you listening to?

Whatever it is, they clearly don't actually remember Katrina's aftermath.

[Gaspar]

My wife just got in touch with her uncle.  Apparently the food and water drops are taking place, but they are only available at a small amount of drops around the city(s), and supplies are very limited.  Here are the locations if you have relatives that need food or water.  He says they have not been able to find any fuel available yet.  

Coffey Park at Richards Street   
Brooklyn   1 PM - 5 PM

West 25th Street and Surf Avenue
Brooklyn   1 PM - 5 PM

Mill Road and New Dorp Lane
Staten Island   1 PM - 5 PM

Hunter Avenue and Father Capadanno Boulevard
Staten Island   1 PM - 5 PM

Beach 51st Street and Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Queens   1 PM - 5 PM

Red Fern Avenue and Beach 12th Street
Queens   1 PM - 5 PM

Beach 84th Street and Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Queens   1 PM - 5 PM

West 27th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues
Manhattan   1 PM - 5 PM

East 10th Street between Avenues C & D
Manhattan   1 PM - 5 PM

Catherine Street between Cherry and Monroe Streets
Manhattan   1 PM - 5 PM

Pitt Street and East Houston Street
Manhattan   1 PM - 5 PM

Confucius Plaza on Division Street
Manhattan   1 PM - 5 PM

413 Grand Street (Water Only)
Manhattan   1 PM - 5 PM

[Conan71]

What station are you listening to?

Have you not heard anything about the mounting frustration by survivors and people being pissed that Gloomberg thinks the NYC marathon is some sort of priority while much of the city is still incapacitated?  It's being fed out of every outlet.  Here's a couple in print

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/02/hurrican-sandy-aftermath-recovery-anger_n_2065852.html

NEW YORK, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Frustration grew for superstorm Sandy's victims in the U.S. Northeast on Friday, many of whom were left with no power, no gasoline and little information about when their shattered lives might return to normal.

While Manhattan prepared to host the annual New York City Marathon on Sunday, acute gasoline shortages in the city's storm-battered outer boroughs and New Jersey led to long lines and short tempers.

Tankers finally began entering New York Harbor on Thursday, and a tanker carrying 2 million barrels of gasoline arrived at 2 a.m. (0600 GMT) on Friday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said.


'THEY FORGOT ABOUT US'

President Barack Obama, locked in a tight race with Republican challenger Mitt Romney, has so far received praise for his handling of storm relief. But scenes of angry storm victims could affect the U.S. political campaign with Election Day four days away.

"They forgot about us," said Theresa Connor, 42, describing her Staten Island neighborhood as having been "annihilated." "And Bloomberg said New York is fine. The marathon is on," she said, referring to Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Rising seawater flooded lower Manhattan, much of which still lacked power and subway service on Friday, while midtown and uptown Manhattan were close to normal.

Fury has been escalating throughout New York at Bloomberg's decision to proceed with the marathon on Sunday, vowing the event - which attracts more than 40,000 runners - would not divert any resources storm victims.

"I just walked past four huge generators. Those could be put to use for people who need them," said Marjorie Dial, a tourist from Oregon who was shocked to see the generators in Central Park, where the marathon finishes. "What they've discovered on Staten Island should have been the tipping point - the bodies."

In a dozen interviews across the city Thursday, residents expressed growing worry. Promised aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency was not arriving, fights were breaking out, and tensions simmered in gas lines that snaked for miles.

Despite Bloomberg's endorsement of Obama Thursday afternoon and a generally positive jobs report Friday morning, time is slowly running on believers in government. The socio-economic divide that I wrote about earlier this week is widening.

Tribeca, one of the wealthiest areas in the city  to lose power, is deserted. Its residents, it seems, have the means to flee the city. Meanwhile, officials estimate that 49,000 people are trapped in public housing buildings that lack power. Middle-class residents of Brooklyn, Staten Island and the suburbs ringing New York say they are being forgotten. The mayor's foolish decision to proceed with the New York City Marathon this Sunday is provoking a popular backlash. With only an estimated 50 percent of the area's gas stations working and with wind-chill adjusted temperatures expected to drop below freezing Friday night, Bloomberg is flirting with disaster.

"This is terrible," Max Okuendo, a 37-year-old security guard who has been without power in Lower Manhattan for three days, said Thursday afternoon. "It has taken so long."

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/11/hurricane-sandy-act-ii-the-aftermath-puts-government-and-bloomberg-on-trial/264450/