"I will do what I never thought I was going to do. I am begging, begging anyone who can hear us to save us from dying."
"I will do what I never thought I was going to do. I am begging , begging anyone who can hear us to save us from dying.
The mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico, sharply rebuked the Trump administration's efforts to aid the island in the wake of Hurricane Maria, and delivered an emotional plea to "anyone who can hear us to save us all."
"I will do what I never thought I was going to do. I am begging, begging anyone who can hear us to save us from dying. If anybody out there is listening to us, we are dying, and you are killing us with the inefficiency," Carmen Yulín Cruz said on Friday.
Cruz's plea comes as Puerto Ricans struggle to recover from the devastating impacts of Maria, after the storm slammed into the island nine days ago, leaving its millions of residents without power.
Aid has been slow to arrive to residents on the island, who are in increasingly dire need of food, water and medicine.
The Trump administration has come under fierce scrutiny from Puerto Ricans and lawmakers for not helping the U.S. territory quickly enough.
The U.S. Virgin Islands' congressional delegate and the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee on Friday called for an "emergency" Oversight hearing on the disaster response.
“Urgent action by our Committee now could help accelerate the federal response to the devastation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and make a measurable and significant difference in the lives of American families there,” Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) and Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands) wrote in a joint letter.
The president insisted on Friday afternoon federal officials were doing a great job with relief efforts.
"We have done an incredible job, considering there's absolutely nothing to work with," Trump told reporters at the White House.
"And a very big question is, what are we going to do with the power plant? Because the power plant is totally wiped out," he said. "There is nothing. The power grid is gone."
Cruz made headlines earlier on Friday after she issued a sharp condemnation of acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke's comments in which she called the federal government's response to the devastation "a good news story."
“Maybe from where she’s standing, it’s a good news story,” Cruz said. “When you’re drinking from a creek, it’s not a good news story. When you don’t have food for a baby, it’s not a good news story.”
She added: “Damn it, this is not a good news story. This is a people-are-dying story.”
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Donald Trump , international clown, actually said that the relief effort was slow because there is "big water" between the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
I think he is also golfing this weekend.
h2o = small water
H2O = big water
Its a scientific thing.
There have been so many natural disasters over the past week or so that help from international humanitarian aid organizations has been stretched very thin, which puts even more pressure on the USA to provide as much help as possible promptly and efficiently.
Right now I'm watching interviews and reports from PR..What is being reported by the administration is far from what is really happening on the ground in PR and USVI.
"We have done an incredible job, considering there's absolutely nothing to work with," Trump told reporters at the White House.
What kind of sickness has to be in the mind of a man who would make a statement like that in the face of the people on the ground there begging for help?
PR is devastated beyond words. There are 20,000 federal aid workers on the ground there alone.
President Trump is right. Where do you begin? Saving lives is number one, of course. Food and water, of course. But, PR itself?
All the wheels were put in motion for federal assistance. It is not enough when you are seeing firsthand what the people are going through, but why blame the USA?
Maybe because it's been eight days with no resources made available to distribute supplies that were provided by private charities.
""We have done an incredible job,"
that is what Trump said yesterday. What would cause someone to make a statement like that while people are still suffering? If they do ever manage to do an "incredible" job, hope that someone will say it about you when it is over. Dont be an ahole and dont needlessly and inappropriately brag about yourself in the middle of the crisis.
If a nobody like me can understand that common sense, why can't this "great" man?
Expect nothing less from the man who wanted to congratulate Houston on their hurricane recovery ... the day after they were hit by a hurricane.
He was in a hurry to get praised.
"We've done an incredible job" vs "I've done an incredible job". He said "we". There are many federal agencies who are responsible during a catastrophe and one hopes that they all work hand in hand to quickly get the job done. Obstacles.....how do you get in there?
His administration is going to be criticized no matter what they do. And, some of it is good criticism.
Mercy, we have TX, FL, Mexico, PR and the islands. When is the last time that the US has had our resources taxed like this?
And $20 trillion in debt when Trump walked through the door
......2006, and the right did absolutely nothing, but wanted to demonize the person who did
“Urgent action by our Committee now could help accelerate the federal response to the devastation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and make a measurable and significant difference in the lives of American families there,” Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.)
Ah yes, Elijah Cummings - aside from Maxine Waters, the most partisan member of congress. What are they trying to insinuate here?
"getting supplies from Point A to Point B remains a daunting task in a country still battling to open roads or even get out from under standing water.
"We are well aware of the fuels needs on the ground," FEMA deputy administrator Daniel Kaniewski told CNN. He says there is "sufficient fuel" in depots, but "the challenge we have quite frankly is distributing it."
Likewise, Gov. Ricardo Rosselló tells CBS News that emergency administrators are running out of truck drivers to bring supplies to groceries and distribution centers. They are now looking for bus drivers and others with commercial licenses to go to the port in San Juan to help get the materials out.
CBS reports that 3,000 shipping containers packed with food, water and medicine have been sitting at the port in Puerto Rico since Saturday."
It's not a problem of Trump being tardy - it's a problem of getting the aid to the people when there are no local people to drive the trucks....why is that?
There is "big water" between the US and Puerto Rico, and according to trump that has held things back.
I was particularly impressed that he turned his speech into a second grade geography lesson for the children tuning in. Now they understand that islands are surrounded by .... water! Big water. Ocean water.
The Atlantic Ocean is not the problem. Truck drivers & blocked roads is the problem
Tell your president
Do you only want to attack trump? or help John?
How about the topic under discussion?
Trump on Puerto Rican crisis: 'This is an island surrounded by water, big water, ocean water'
President Donald Trump on Friday said "there's never been anything like" the deva…
What difference does that make?
THE AID IS ON THE ISLAND!
Sounds like the Onion
The military specializes in logistics. Apparently we reserve them for more economically important American locations.
Such preoccupation with Trump's words
I feel for you. I couldnt defend trump either.
I don't think that's really what you want to say. I'll wait, I'm sure you'll tell us.
No, I'm good.
I'm sure you prefer a much more polished politician - one with leftist objectives
Ok good. So what are the other locations that the military sent their truck drivers to during the past few weeks?
Trucks don't matter when roads are impassable - as you just confirmed. Helicopters matter.
So in what economically advanced locations were all the helicopters deployed?
Your disingenuous trolling is noted.
FEMA asked an island of residents with no electricity or internet to register their emergency needs through the internet. Does that sound like an organized response to you?
Trump has been exceptionally successful during the time he has been in office, even with the tremendous amount of effort working against him.
These people have been fooling the American citizens for so long, some of them actually believe what they hear from MSM/Democrats.
Republicans and Democrats in leadership can not let an outsider come in there and show them up for the corrupt people they are. And they want to teach anyone else who thinks they can, a lesson, don't try or we'll come after you as well.
If Trump had immediately said " we are sending every available military resource to Puerto Rico" he would have looked like a hero. Instead he tweets things like we have to talk about how this will be paid for.
I have to laugh that people say he is a great communicator. He is a terrible public speaker, and what he does communicate is usually lies and bullshit.
I thought you told us that the military reserves its logistics for American locations in post # 5.1.2.2. ?
Surely you can show us why you said it?
Only to those who are obsessed with Trump's words. The question is did he respond adequately under the circumstances. I say he did. FEMA could have done better with responding to the fact that there was a problem finding drivers or that roads were blocked - the aid was there
That's Trump, certainly not a model for the "Master of The English Language" or "Master of Refinement".
Now take Obama, he could stab you in the back and convince quite a number of people he was doing them a favor.
What does the Puerto Rican government do then ?
From what I've read and seen so far, absolutly NOTHING !
Puerto Rico doesn't have government fuel reserves.....at all ?
Puerto Rico doesn't have bulldozers ?
Puerto Rico has no heavy equipment what-so-ever ?
Puerto Rico doesn't have 6x6 military trucks ?
Puerto Rico has no National Gaurd sworn to serve THEIR PEOPLE ?
Puerto Rico has Nothing to help their own citizens ?
I wonder what the Puerto Rican government does with their money !
APPARENTLY.......NOTHING !
Logistics in this context does not mean helicopters specifically, it means whatever it takes to get something from point A to point B. In PR, helicopters can be used to drop food and water onto inaccessible mountainous areas, as well as any areas where bridges were washed out. All terrain vehicles could also be useful, and the military is flush with them. Instead, Trump wants the victims to load up their pickup trucks and deliver supplies like the Duke boys.
That's on FEMA, don't you think?
Also...... The San Juan Mayor PRAISED FEMA and wanted red tap removed. Trump Eliminates Red Tape (Jones act), Sends approx. 6,000 People to the island to help, Mayor says Trump Sucks.
Gee, I wonder if she was fed Our Democrats talking points shit too !
What a friggin loser of a politician she is. Typical of Puerto Rico. We send 17 billion or so in welfare to Puerto Rico every year. What are they doing with that money. In fact, what are they doing with the money they collect from their own citizens. Their infrastructure SUCKS a big one. Even Geraldo notes that in his reporting.
Oh, by the way, where are the Puerto Rican government national gaurd peons anyway. Don't they "Serve and Protect" over there too ?
That's a decades old question
Your right. We should let them die, huh?
I think the decades old question has now been answered. The Politicians there make themselves RICH !
What does the F stand for? Who do you think FEMA answers to?
Trying your damndest to read between lines again ?
No Where.....and I mean NO FUCKING WHERE.....was that ever said !
Actually, I think they should get TOP PRIORITY - we should go out of our way to the point where people say "we went the extra mile for Puerto Rico". I mean that, even though all of the federal aid during these storms will hurt GDP in the next cycle, it should be an all out effort
You are defending the lack of a robust response. In between your lines is an indifference to the lives of those on the island of PR.
That's what this is all about. They were unable to find one single thing to come down on him for these disasters we've had so far. They know the hurricane season is coming to an end and they have to take full advantage of it, it may be their last chance, since so many have become enlightened to their devious objectives.
Your right. We should let them die, huh?
See what happens when you lose contact with reality. You read things that should be easily interpreted and come up with an entirely different interpretation.
And Our Democrats wonder why they keep LOSING !
They haven't figured out yet...."WE THE PEOPLE".....now see through their bullshit sob stories !
So you have NOTHING....Just like the Puerto Rican Mayor.
Got it !
It Is Me, Hal is exactly right. You are belittling the human tragedy to make a right wing political point. If Puerto Rico's National Guard and police force were the most corrupt and incompetent on the planet it would still not justify a slow response to the hurricane devastation on the part of the US government. Period.
What's the matter? Didn't you like that truthful part of what I said that you didn't include in your quote?
If you want to look good in this life don't go around saying this in public about 3 1/2 million people who are facing personal devastation.
What so-called Truth of YOURS again ?
You have NOTHING !
You are defending the lack of a robust response.
You are defending the lack of a robust response.
You are defending the lack of a robust response.
You are defending the lack of a robust response.
Maybe that will sink in now.
No, why dont you admit the following:
“This is a lot harder than people think,” said Craig Fugate, Obama’s FEMA director who was largely praised for his work at the agency.
But Puerto Rico’s government also was less prepared for Hurricane Maria than Texas or Florida were. Puerto Rico’s electrical grid was already decayed from years of neglect and was damaged further by Hurricane Irma days before Maria hit. Once the power and cell service were knocked out, along with the roads, the government’s ability to operate was crippled.
At the same time, federal officials are hampered in how decisively they can respond in Puerto Rico. Local leaders bristle at the idea the military should take over operations, for example, valuing their independence from Washington. Instead, they have requested more helicopters, military help to fix roads, and faster approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for companies seeking to fix communications systems.
“Puerto Rico isn’t Texas. It isn’t Florida. It’s a world of its own. And it’s a complete mess,” said one official, in a telephone interview from San Juan, who is assisting the administration and didn’t want to speak publicly for fear of upsetting the alliance between the governments in San Juan and Washington.
The only thing that sunk into me....was your lack of....or ignorance.....of a logistcally hard situation.
Call Lois Lane.....she has an "IN" to Supermans where-a-bouts ! i think Supermans Ice thingy was destroyed decades ago though.
What a friggin "Facepalm" moment your comments are !
Oh....I don't know.....Maybe 200 MILLION or so people feel the way I do, when a corrupt politician calls out someone that is trying to help them. In case you haven't figured it out....NO Human is from Krypton !
Well, I know you don't know what is going on because you defend Trump. Thats a profound deal breaker right there. But if you are happy insulting desperate people, it's a free country.
Jesus Christ - who said anything about the "military taking over the operation"?! Can you not fathom a cooperative operation? You post some of the most ridiculous distractions of anyone in this forum.
It isn't a distraction - it is the real problems we are facing in trying to get to the people in Puerto Rico. These are the hurdles that have slowed us down. To say it was because we don't care is simply a lie
Oh....Please, Please, Please, tell me......WHAT DO "YOU" KNOW ?
I hope it's not what the Mayor of San Juan told you, or what the MSM WANTS you to know. I HOPE, it was what YOU actually know.
Please.....tell me ?
In your mind !
By the way....I was belittling the Government that runs the island.... when they receive billions from the United States everty year..... in case you actually needed a FACT for a change dontchyknow !
The mayor of San Juan had to find a way onto a national platform to beg for action. If she wouldn't have, Trump would have continued to delay a robust response in light of PR's economic situation. He has proven time after time that he has no moral compass whatsoever.
If I start telling you what is wrong with Trump it would take all day and you would be defenseless.
But I have posted dozens of articles about Trumps lies, crooked dealings, incredible ignorance, etc over the past 2 years. You can look some of them up.
The mayor is contradicted by the Governor, but tell us how the President could have responded much faster?
Which has zero....zilch....nothing....to do with Puerto Rico's problem right now.
You know the one....the ""Here and NOW" thing ?
Maybe you can review the conversation here again, to answer your question. Playing dumb just drags the conversation down, not to mention the site.
Wow.
The corruptest leading the corrupt. How is that working out for you?
Youv'e made lots of accusations but it seems you cant back up one of them.
It's been real, have a nice day.
Well done.
No magic wands for Trump
Oh, I know what will HELP !
Since we are talking about Puerto Rico, how about that Pelosi person using Private and Military transportation on tax payer dollors. I here she hasn't resigned over it yet.
What an asshole. It is an embarrassment for the ages to have this fool leading our country.
Wow !
That would leave a HUGE GAP everywhere else. Except for a FEW places, the rest of the military isn't doing much. Are you ready for that, if what YOU want happens ?
Wonder what the logictics would be to get them ALL back to where they were.....if that were to happen that is.
It's nauseating that the liberal "resistance" would try to exploit this tragedy by lying about our response.
The Mayor of San Jaun already PRAISED FEMA.
So, based on your comment, What or Who was she originall praising again ?
Lol - the mayor of San Juan is where my information came from. Literally from her lips on Maddow last night, she described with exasperation how ridiculous and hapless such a request was.
Since SHE....has already praised FEMA for their actions.....what does the "F" stand for in "F"EMA ?
I got that question from one of YOUR OWN questions to another elsewhere.
Like I've posted before....Liberal types know NOT what they post !
Holy shit. Please tell me you are kidding.
You nailed it again!
Actually Branco nailed it as he always does.
IMO anyone waiting for the government to Fix their problem is probably in for a really long wait.
Look at the midwest, many of those poor folks have been waiting and hoping for decades some politician would fix their world and they are still waiting.
PS: Live where there are hurricanes .. this can and should be the expect result some day.
However, I wish the Best Of luck to the people of PR (I think they're gonna need it.)
Anyplace on the east coast could be the landfall of a hurricane, including some of the country's largest cities. Should all those people have lived somewhere else?