Romney: ‘We cannot afford’ disaster relief
Looking back through the transcript of Monday night’s GOP debate, attention has begun to focus on the following exchange between CNN’s John King and Mitt Romney. I’ll post it here in its entirety, just so there’s no question about context:
KING: Governor Romney? You’ve been a chief executive of a state. I was just in Joplin, Missouri. I’ve been in Mississippi and Louisiana and Tennessee and other communities dealing with whether it’s the tornadoes, the flooding, and worse. FEMA is about to run out of money, and there are some people who say do it on a case-by-case basis and some people who say, you know, maybe we’re learning a lesson here that the states should take on more of this role. How do you deal with something like that?
ROMNEY: Absolutely. Every time you have an occasion to take something from the federal government and send it back to the states, that’s the right direction. And if you can go even further and send it back to the private sector, that’s even better. Instead of thinking in the federal budget, what we should cut — we should ask ourselves the opposite question. What should we keep? We should take all of what we’re doing at the federal level and say, what are the things we’re doing that we don’t have to do? And those things we’ve got to stop doing, because we’re borrowing $1.6 trillion more this year than we’re taking in. We cannot…
KING: Including disaster relief, though?
ROMNEY: We cannot — we cannot afford to do those things without jeopardizing the future for our kids. It is simply immoral, in my view, for us to continue to rack up larger and larger debts and pass them on to our kids, knowing full well that we’ll all be dead and gone before it’s paid off. It makes no sense at all.
Where to begin?
Let’s start with the Romney’s contention that disaster relief is an obligation that the federal government ought to shuck and devolve to the states or even private enterprise. Devolving that duty to the states means it would not get done. The state of Missouri, like most states, is struggling to balance its budget and could not possibly have funded the billion-dollar relief effort launched in the wake of the disaster in Joplin. The same is true of Alabama and the tornadoes that devastated our neighbors to the west in April. A state suffering destruction on such a scale cannot be told to suck it up and pull itself up by its own bootstraps.
After all, it is moments such as these that put the “United” in the United States. We are not self-contained human units each out to maximize individual wealth and consumption; we are Americans, and we help each other out. The notion that disaster relief is among “those things we’ve got to stop doing” is nonsense, and to base that suggestion on grounds of morality, as Romney does, boggles the mind.
After all, we are the richest nation the world has ever known. The concept that “we cannot afford to do those things” — “those things” being assisting our fellow Americans in a time when they have lost everything as a result of natural disaster — is unacceptable.
I’m not sure what Romney was thinking in those remarks. This was not some misstatement or misunderstanding on his part. I suspect, however, that this is what happens when a party becomes so trapped in its rhetoric that it no longer recognizes rational bounds or even basic compassion.
– Jay Bookman
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440 comments Add your comment
Adam
June 15th, 2011
10:26 am
BADA BING: here is an idea, if you are in Tornado Alley, and your house has been destroyed before, rebuild with a tornado RESISTANT house to limit future damage and for safety.
Did you type that with a straight face?
M
June 15th, 2011
10:26 am
@@
When you can’t sell your house because you tried to fix a mold problem caused by a leaking pipe and a little drywall damage on your own (and not file an insurance claim), you might think twice about mocking the lack of self-reliance of others.
Mold remediation is expensive because it’s not easy to do.
Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)
June 15th, 2011
10:26 am
“How about you stop the silly overgeneralizations that are just absurd.”
What’s absurd is a blogger who can’t simply ignore posted opinions that conflict with his own. I have no problem ignoring the absurdity of your posted opinions. Move along.
BADA BING
June 15th, 2011
10:27 am
@@….. did your Church bus you down? Did you stay there or return every day? Maybe if people knew how and where to volunteer it would be helpful.
Peadawg
June 15th, 2011
10:28 am
“Are they subject to leash laws?” – Unicorns are friendly creatures. They would never hurt anybody. Kinda like pitbulls.
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:28 am
Doggone — “The Congress already GAVE their assent. “Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists” passed in 2001 & “Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002″
How’s that apply to Libya?
The Leg Lamp is a "major award".....
June 15th, 2011
10:28 am
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:25 am
“Oh, that’s right. Isn’t any. Truth hurts, doesn’t it?”
Yes, the truth hurts. Must have hurt Obama that he had to admit there were no “shovel ready jobs”.
Bosch
June 15th, 2011
10:28 am
Bada,
Fairyland hell? It’s sitting right here next to me! Want some Skittles?
BADA BING
June 15th, 2011
10:29 am
Adam, yes there are wind resistant houses. Most houses are built to code, but there are steps to improve the survivability. Construction is a science, read about it.
Mighty Righty
June 15th, 2011
10:29 am
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:12 am
@@ — “I’m saying that, as far as the homeowner is concerned, major disasters are covered under homeowners insurance. Don’t abuse it by expecting coverage for what, you, yourself can do.”
Not floods and not earthquakes. Those aren’t covered.
“If you don’t have homeowners insurance, then you gambled and lost.”
You seem to believe that homeowners insurance will make you whole after a major disaster. I think we’ve seen in the last 10 years that it will not.
Joe, I am absolutely certain that you have never seen our government “make you whole” after a disaster. Usually, the government makes low interest loans available to the victims which puts them further in debt. There are people in New Orleans still waiting for help.
md
June 15th, 2011
10:29 am
“For instance, their “pro-life” stance. Protect the fetus even if it means killing abortion doctors. Then, when the child is born to an unprepared mother, make sure the child has no adequate health insurance and no good schools to attend. Tell that little 9 year old to shut up, go out and get a job if he wants to eat! Little freeloader! ”
Wouldn’t it be easier to just whack the 9 year old? What’s the difference………isn’t the easy path what you are looking for?
AmVet
June 15th, 2011
10:29 am
Should I play the con game and answer the nonsensical observation that “we can’t afford it” with the retort of, “Fine, then send them a check yourself.”
That medicine tastes really bad doesn’t it?
josef
June 15th, 2011
10:29 am
Look, @@ and I may disagree on any number of points, but I will say that her and her husband’s response by getting out there and doing their own “little” part in helping their neighbors in need does give her a certain right to say something…and I say the same thing about Sean Penn, Brad Pitt, et al. in New Orleans..it doesn’t give carte blanche, but it DOES show a moral compass accompanied by thought, action and deed…
So, @@, how does it feel to be put in the same crowd with Sean Penn? ISH
Keep Up the Good Fight!
June 15th, 2011
10:29 am
Let’s also be clear. Disasters are not limited to a single state each time. Often one disaster can arise in several states so limited disaster response to “state agencies” fails to account for the need for coordination by the feds across state borders. Again, there is a role for the state and for the feds.
The Leg Lamp is a "major award".....
June 15th, 2011
10:30 am
Peadawg
June 15th, 2011
10:28 am
So maybe Michael Vick has a unicorn as well……
Ronin
June 15th, 2011
10:30 am
Jay,
Financially the Federal government can’t afford it, however morally, they have no choice but to fund disaster relief.
Granted, state insurance pools (Cititzen’s) are the last resort for many homeowners. However, those are normally required when there is a mortgage on the property. When an older home is paid for, sometimes owners choose to go without paying for private insurance. In other words, they roll the dice and take their chances. The question is, should the feds come to the rescue and rebuild their homes? While I believe that each person should pay their own way, rarely, if ever does that happen. There will always be a segment of the population that is dependent on government.
They will be dependent on the state, the feds for property insurance (disaster), health insurance, food, the list goes on.
Who should pay?
Without the federal disaster aid, some poor rural communities and their population would simply cease to exist after a catastrophic event. Again, I’m a firm believer in pay your own way, but as someone who has worked in this industry for decades, there has to be a safety net of insurance or guaranteed low cost loan money available to people to rebuild.
Left wing management
June 15th, 2011
10:30 am
Mitt Romney is a capitalist. Which is his problem. Our problem too.
Each morning when he rises he kneels to say a prayer to the idol that is his real god: capital. Balance sheets, ROI, M&A, Six Sigma. He and the Jack Welches of the world are good lieutenants for their master.
If push came to shove he’d have his own mother sent to her resting place in a cardboard box, if that were the wish of the all-powerful god of capital. But then, he doesn’t have to make such unpleasant choices since he’s gotten his, played the numbers and stashed away his booty. So it’s all golden for him, he can leave such unpleasantries to the millions who get the shaft when the mad dance of capital swings the other way.
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:30 am
Dr. Pangloss — “Left on its own, what kind of disaster relief would Mississippi have?”
Everybody gets a shovel and a Hefty bag. But you have to pay twenty dollars because the state won’t fund it.
1811/1801 - 0311/0317
June 15th, 2011
10:30 am
Hey lock-nuts ……… you’re halarious this morning!
Mick: Don’t forget Detroit and the auto industry !!! Union strong !!!
Off to the dog park …………. be nice to each other !
md
June 15th, 2011
10:30 am
“Morphed? For me this has ALWAYS been the issue. The feds SHOULD help, and any argument that they shouldn’t or can’t is STUPID.”
Can you show me where he said there should be no federal assistance??
Disgusted
June 15th, 2011
10:31 am
BADA BING: here is an idea, if you are in Tornado Alley, and your house has been destroyed before, rebuild with a tornado RESISTANT house to limit future damage and for safety.
Did you type that with a straight face?
Nope. Same face that the guy used in saying that I should take my paralyzed wife around while shopping for a doctor who will sign the handicap placard without charge.
BADA BING
June 15th, 2011
10:31 am
Peadawg….unicorns have a huge, dangerous horn. Haven’t you ever seen one in person?
Dave R.
June 15th, 2011
10:31 am
Time: “Belguim goes 249 days without a government”
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2052843,00.html
If only we could do the same thing . . . . :sigh:
@@
June 15th, 2011
10:31 am
Joe Mama:
You seem to believe that homeowners insurance will make you whole after a major disaster. I think we’ve seen in the last 10 years that it will not.
Over the last few decades, most folks have come to realize that the government is only good for digging us into a deeper hole, not making us whole.
I’m outta here.
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:32 am
Dave — “All this “insurance doesn’t cover floods or earthquakes” is just so much nonsense.”
Given that we were specifically talking about HOMEOWNERS insurance, your contribution is both inaccurate and unnecessary.
Reading is fundamental, Dave. So’s reading comprehension.
The Leg Lamp is a "major award".....
June 15th, 2011
10:32 am
AmVet
June 15th, 2011
10:29 am
Even more nonsensical is the left’s belief that we can afford EVERYTHING!
Peadawg
June 15th, 2011
10:33 am
“Haven’t you ever seen one in person?” – Actually no. I also haven’t seen on of those trees that grow money. Maybe the Democrats can help me out on that one…sense they apparently think they exist.
Bosch
June 15th, 2011
10:33 am
No Leg,
My unicorn was bought with my hard earned money, no government hand out from me! I just looked it up — the only leash laws are the same as giraffes, you can’t tie them to pole. Apparently they don’t like that and shoot red lasers out of their eyes and it scares children and old people when they do.
Bryce
June 15th, 2011
10:33 am
No, he’s right. We cannot afford it. That’s what state funding, churches, and NPO’s are for. And unlike FEMA they won’t make ridiculous judgements about who to help? Not a federal issue.
The Leg Lamp is a "major award".....
June 15th, 2011
10:33 am
BADA BING
June 15th, 2011
10:31 am
Is Congressman Weiner a unicorn?
md
June 15th, 2011
10:33 am
“Did you type that with a straight face?”
I’m sure he did Adam….are you really that dense. We change building codes all the time to create better “resistance”……..another words have meaning lesson……he didn’t say “proof”……..
No different than strengthening the codes in FL for hurricanes and CA for earthquakes………
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:34 am
Leg Lamp — “Yes, the truth hurts. Must have hurt Obama that he had to admit there were no “shovel ready jobs.”
Must have hurt the GOP that they have to admit that their campaign promise to do something about jobs was just so much bulldada. But hey, vote for them again and THIS time they PROMISE to follow through.
Right?
The Leg Lamp is a "major award".....
June 15th, 2011
10:34 am
Bosch
June 15th, 2011
10:33 am
AWESOME!!!
BADA BING
June 15th, 2011
10:34 am
Adam…..Google ” wind resistant houses”. There are 1,890,000 results that you can read about. Try to learn something every day, that’s my motto.
Adam
June 15th, 2011
10:35 am
Mighty Righty: There are people in New Orleans still waiting for help.
Not Intended to be a Factual Statement.
BADA BING: Please do explain how making tornado resistant houses would have helped in Joplin?
GURN
June 15th, 2011
10:35 am
“I’ll post it here in its entirety, just so there’s no question about context”
Sorry, that’s not the entire exchange. Here’s the REAL transcript:
KING: Governor Romney? You’ve been a chief executive of a state. I was just in Joplin, Missouri. I’ve been in Mississippi and Louisiana and Tennessee and other communities dealing with whether it’s the tornadoes, the flooding, and worse. FEMA is about to run out of money, and there are some people who say do it on a case-by-case basis and some people who say, you know, maybe we’re learning a lesson here that the states should take on more of this role. How do you deal with something like that?
ROMNEY: Absolutely. Every time
KING: Uh
ROMNEY: you have an occasion to take something from the federal government and
KING: Uh
ROMNEY: send it back to the states, that’s the right direction. And if you
KING: Uh
ROMNEY: can go even further and send it back to the private sector, that’s even better. Instead of thinking in the federal
KING: Uh
ROMNEY: budget, what we should cut — we should ask ourselves the opposite question. What should
KING: Uh
ROMNEY: we keep? We should take all of what we’re doing at the federal level and say, what are the things we’re doing that
KING: Uh
ROMNEY: we don’t have to do? And those things we’ve got to stop doing, because we’re borrowing $1.6 trillion more
KING: Uh
ROMNEY: this year than we’re taking in. We cannot…
KING: Including disaster relief, though?
ROMNEY: We cannot — we cannot afford to do those things without jeopardizing the
KING: Uh
ROMNEY: future for our kids. It is simply immoral, in my view, for us to continue to rack
KING: Uh
ROMNEY: up larger and larger debts and pass them on to our kids, knowing full
KING: Uh
ROMNEY: well that we’ll all be dead and gone before it’s paid off. It makes no sense at all.
Clearly Romney missed Kings question in the middle of all that.
AmVet
June 15th, 2011
10:35 am
This is really great stuff!
Watching the apologists try to spin Mitt’s words into something a little less repulsive.
As always, you neo-cons take a stand for the average Joe and the working class American family.
Well played…
moonbat betty
June 15th, 2011
10:35 am
From the article:
“maybe we’re learning a lesson here that the states should take on MORE of this role. How do you deal with something like that?”
The question was maybe states and private entities can take on MORE of a role…I don’t believe Romney was saying the Feds should play no role whatsoever.
Ya’ll are being over emotional (why do you think Jay included that photo?) and dishonest if you think Romney would just pull the plug and provide no assistance at all in a major disaster like Joplin.
The Leg Lamp is a "major award".....
June 15th, 2011
10:35 am
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:34 am
You mean vote for Obama again and he’ll make it a “top priority” like so many other of his failed initiatives?
Brosephus
June 15th, 2011
10:35 am
How can you have disaster relief when you give Billions away to foreign countries to protect corporate America…….. Please be real, Republican’s believe Corporate America is more important than US Citizens !
Bullsh*t!!!! Both parties have funneled money to other countries, and both parties do more to appease corporate America than they do to appease civilian America.
Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)
June 15th, 2011
10:35 am
“I don’t think you have any standing whatsoever to assert what the public is and isn’t focusing on. You can assert your opinion, but at the end of the day, you’re only speaking for yourself.”
It’s not my standing. You can spend your time how and where you wish but if you’re going to attack my opinions you should get better connected with what the public’s thinking. I get informed through news media reports and opinion tracking polls. If you spend all of your time on here, Jay and the liberal bloggers aren’t going to help you keep in touch with the real world because you’re only going to here their opinions. You need to take initiative on your own.
Dave R.
June 15th, 2011
10:35 am
Ahhhh, moving the goal posts again. How many times can you libs dodge personal responsibility?
Let me count the ways.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 . . .
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:36 am
Righty — Joe, I am absolutely certain that you have never seen our government “make you whole” after a disaster.”
And I made no assertion that they should, would or do. I was responding to a poster who *appeared to me* to be under the impression that *insurance* would make you whole.
Bosch
June 15th, 2011
10:37 am
Leg,
AWESOME!!!
I feel the same regarding your “Weiner” comment…..
moonbat betty
June 15th, 2011
10:37 am
Dead unicorns shot in the head by Romney should also be photoshopped into this article’s photo.
AmVet
June 15th, 2011
10:38 am
” wind resistant houses”.?
Lemme guess, they are guaranteed to suffer minimal damage in 315MPH winds.
Double your money back, if there are less than zero walls standing!
/snark/
BADA BING
June 15th, 2011
10:38 am
Peadawg……. I am interested in buying a ‘money tree’. How much should I pay for one?Do they come in different denominations?
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:39 am
@@ — “Over the last few decades, most folks have come to realize that the government is only good for digging us into a deeper hole, not making us whole.”
Non-responsive. My query was about *insurance,* not government. But nice job of dodging, madam.
getalife
June 15th, 2011
10:39 am
Look for Huntsman to jump on this obvious mistake.
The Mormons will battle for the gop nod.
It will be a friendly battle with willard winning then losing to our President.
Bosch
June 15th, 2011
10:39 am
AmVet,
“This is really great stuff!
Watching the apologists try to spin Mitt’s words into something a little less repulsive.”
I dunno, I think the whole poutrage over bin Laden yesterday was better. Any thoughts?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
June 15th, 2011
10:39 am
Bing….if your house if destroyed in a tornado, it must be rebuilt to minimally meet the state building code which incorporates any required building methods to reduce damage (see Florida code for example). That does NOT change what prior housing stock exists and builders will generally only meet code on these issues. Most homeowners, other than in a remodel, do NOT set the standards for the construction of their homes. In remodels, most homeowners believe that government codes cover. Very few homeowners have the knowledge to understand the code requirements, what to exceed and the money to retrofit and incorporate additiona safety, like safe rooms.
Lets also be clear. Although codes are updated nationally every 4 years by applicable groups, Georgia only updates their state codes every 8.
M
June 15th, 2011
10:39 am
Dave R.
I guess you don’t have insurance at all? Your home is on stilts and built to be tornado-proof, yes? You have enough money in the bank to replace your house should it be destroyed? Your car is paid off and you have a cash reserve that would compensate anybody you injured in an accident, right? And you’ll never get sick?
Personal responsibility, man.
Adam
June 15th, 2011
10:39 am
md: His comments are as good as “I take Obama at his word.” He wasn’t as clear as Cantor, but he’s pandering and winking at the GOP narrative by saying what he DID say, which is basically “we need cuts” while ignoring other aspects of the situation. Joplin is being used as an example to advance that same narrative, but it’s not a good political move to do so.
Did he say for sure that he thinks that we can’t afford any disaster relief? No, I think he said that doing so would cause problems for the country financially. It’s a little bit different, but it’s only an acceptable stance if you’re willing to find some way to pay for it that isn’t stupid (like let’s give tax cuts to billionaires so they can create jobs – that’ll pay for it!)
Peadawg
June 15th, 2011
10:40 am
“Peadawg……. I am interested in buying a ‘money tree’. How much should I pay for one? Do they come in different denominations?”
Jay? Normal? Bosch? Any suggestions? Where you you get yours?
Mighty Righty
June 15th, 2011
10:40 am
Listen folks, there are things going on that are one h-ll of lot more important than exagerating what Romney said two nights ago. For one, Obama wants to give our missile defense technology to Russia. Two, Iran is talking to Russia about a new anti-american alliance. Can you connect the dots? Three, pay attentiona to the Issa hearings into whether or not our Justice Department and our ATF agency conspired to make it look like legal gun dealers sold guns to Mexican Cartels. Keep your eyes open and your ears tuned. This administration is trying to take away our gun rights.
The Leg Lamp is a "major award".....
June 15th, 2011
10:40 am
moonbat betty
June 15th, 2011
10:37 am
What?
Romney would never shoot a unicorn. Palin, maybe, but not Romney….
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:40 am
Leg Lamp — “You mean vote for Obama again and he’ll make it a “top priority” like so many other of his failed initiatives?”
I don’t think I’ve encouraged you to vote for or against anyone, have I?
ty webb
June 15th, 2011
10:41 am
Brosephus,
(regarding your 10:35) Bravo! Keep it up, and you may just become a-okay in my book.
Doggone/GA
June 15th, 2011
10:41 am
“How’s that apply to Libya?”
We are no longer directly involved in military action in Libya
josef
June 15th, 2011
10:42 am
“Dr. Pangloss — “Left on its own, what kind of disaster relief would Mississippi have?””
Actually the benighted Magnolia State has a pretty good one in place…lots of experience…school kiddies there have to go through fire, flood, tornado and earthquake drills on a regular basis!
And what is the hurricane “plan?” Pretty much “get the hell out and if you stay, you’re on your own for a minimum of three days and don’t expect anything from anybody public or private…”
AmVet
June 15th, 2011
10:42 am
“…can go even further and send it back to the private sector, that’s even better.”
Absof8ckinglutley, Willard!
BRING BACK ARGENBRIGHT SECURITY! (That’ll show them terrorists a thing or three.)
BADA BING
June 15th, 2011
10:42 am
Am Vet, one family survived the worst tornado in a reinforced shelter, while their entire neighborhood disappeared. You can make a home that resists tornados, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, and floods. There is no ‘proof’ anything, including your life.
md
June 15th, 2011
10:42 am
“Please do explain how making tornado resistant houses would have helped in Joplin?”
All a matter of making them stronger………if I live in tornado alley, I’m pouring walls with concrete and making a nice little safe room for the occupants………just like I did here in Atl………..
Don't Forget
June 15th, 2011
10:43 am
Dave R.
June 15th, 2011
10:35 am
Ahhhh, moving the goal posts again. How many times can you libs dodge personal responsibility?
Let me count the ways.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 . . .
(pause to remove shoes and socks)
Bosch
June 15th, 2011
10:43 am
Pea,
I don’t have a money tree, but I can tell him where to get a sweet unicorn. Sorry.
Adam
June 15th, 2011
10:43 am
Mighty Righty: For one, Obama wants to give our missile defense technology to Russia. Two, Iran is talking to Russia about a new anti-american alliance. Can you connect the dots?
Cite please.
getalife
June 15th, 2011
10:44 am
“I think the whole poutrage over bin Laden yesterday was better. Any thoughts?”
I remember when the cons believed cheney with his lie about aq and Iraq and now they are against ki lling obl?
Typical hypocrisy from our cons.
The Leg Lamp is a "major award".....
June 15th, 2011
10:45 am
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:40 am
?????
Try decaf. Here’s what you originated – “But hey, vote for them again and THIS time they PROMISE to follow through.” I merely spun it back to you.
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:45 am
Recon — “It’s not my standing.”
You have no idea what I said, do you? (laughing)
“You can spend your time how and where you wish but if you’re going to attack my opinions you should get better connected with what the public’s thinking.”
(laughing)
I’ve heard this before.
‘Fear me, librulz, for I speak for THUH PEEPLE!’
Yeah, you’re not all that, Dudley. But keep aiming for the sky. (laughing)
“I get informed through news media reports and opinion tracking polls.”
Ooh, I bet no librulz EVAR read “news media reports and opinion tracking polls.” (laughing)
“If you spend all of your time on here, Jay and the liberal bloggers aren’t going to help you keep in touch with the real world because you’re only going to here their opinions.”
I don’t SPEND all my time on here, pal. Boy, you sure do leap to a lot of conclusions.
“You need to take initiative on your own.”
And you need to stop speaking for others and presuming to know what others are thinking. You’re not all that, pal.
AmVet
June 15th, 2011
10:45 am
Actually we might a swell privatize disaster support.
We’re well on the way to privatizing our entire system of governance.
All hail, and welcome to a government of the corporations, by the businesses and for the multi-national conglomerates!
Donovan
June 15th, 2011
10:46 am
I firmly believe that when Mitt is our next president he will gladly provide the needed assistance after a natural disaster. So all you vengeful liberals can stop the nonsense of your pack attack on Mitt and find something more productive to do with your time. Nice try, Jay.
Bosch
June 15th, 2011
10:46 am
Adam,
Mr. Mighty has been giving us a heads up on the newest wingnut conspiracy theories. I actually appreciate his forthrightfulness and all so we won’t be blindsided.
BADA BING
June 15th, 2011
10:46 am
Keep up….good points. however, the house that you live in right now, any house, can be made more resistant to wind by adding truss strapping underneath your roof, roll down window and door shutters, stronger doors and windows, etc. Anything to keep the structure together and giving your family a chance.
AmVet
June 15th, 2011
10:47 am
BADA, I’m sure they are “resistant”.
But let me know when you see the people who make those claims, offer to ride out an F5 in one, OK?
Hang on, Mildred! There goes the concrete!
Bosch
June 15th, 2011
10:47 am
Well of course he will Donovan, so why is he trying to say the feds shouldn’t do it now?
The Leg Lamp is a "major award".....
June 15th, 2011
10:47 am
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:45 am
Psst…..hey Joe…..I don’t think Recon is your “pal”.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
June 15th, 2011
10:48 am
Concrete walls dont help much against earthquake disasters, and they have limited use in a fire (or rather smoke).
Anybody know what it costs to “retrofit” an existing home with a safe room? How about the cost of putting one in new construction.
Should landlords be required to construct safe rooms for all tenants? How about office buildings?
Sean
June 15th, 2011
10:49 am
The devastation in AL, MO, MS, TN, LA is so massive that the entire economy of those areas are gone. They will NEVER come back unless those communities had some assistance. With no economic activity, these communities are not contributing money to the local, state, or federal government.
I just would like to know who are these “Angles” in the private sector that will put up their own cash to rebuild an area that would take billions just to get an area back on its feet. Even if you get the community back, you have to bring the buisness back. Just look at New Orleans or Galveston tx… even with assistance from the government, they lost people and jobs that are not going to come back. That is a huge risk I doubt a person / entity in the private sector would even consider.
Just like we have insurance for our homes and our cars.. communities should be required to buy disaster insurance and the people in those communities would have to pay for that insurance ( AKA they will have to be taxed ).
Jay
June 15th, 2011
10:50 am
Mighty Righty: For one, Obama wants to give our missile defense technology to Russia.
You mean, just like Reagan promised to share missile defense technology with the Soviets? You mean like that?
Brosephus
June 15th, 2011
10:50 am
ty
Just calling out obvious BS. I honestly don’t give two sh*ts about either party. I see them both as the problem.
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:50 am
Doggone — “We are no longer directly involved in military action in Libya”
Respectfully, the War Powers Resolution is very vague on what constitutes “military action.” I’ve pointed out here before that supporting OTHER NATO nations’ military operations could be considered — broadly — a form of ‘military action,’ but the Resolution doesn’t speak specifically to that point.
I’m a stickler for what things do and don’t say, so I am wary of people making categorical assertions about what is and isn’t permissible under the Resolution.
The Leg Lamp is a "major award".....
June 15th, 2011
10:51 am
AmVet
June 15th, 2011
10:47 am
So I guess in your bitter world EVERY home will take a direct hit from an F5. Niiice. Now, back to reality. Look at the carnage is countries where building specs do not factor in earthquakes and compare that to those who do. If you live in tornado alley why would you not want your house to have the best chance of withstanding the elements? If nothing else, perhaps the death count would have been greatly reduced.
Mick
June 15th, 2011
10:52 am
Hey, brad pitt donated 500k to joplin, anybody else from the private sector stepping up? Didn’t think so…
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:52 am
Leg Lamp — “Try decaf.”
No need.
“Here’s what you originated – “But hey, vote for them again and THIS time they PROMISE to follow through.” I merely spun it back to you.”
I know what you did. I’m not *advocating* voting for or against anyone. You, however, certainly seem to be active at it.
Before spinning in reverse, it might be advisable to double-check your target.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
June 15th, 2011
10:53 am
Bada, yes you can remodel the house and replace windows. Do you know the cost differences? Do you know the position of the GAHBA on updates to code on these issues for new construction? Who resisted installation of fire suppression sprinklers in new single family residences recommended by fire marshalls last year in the state legislature and why did the Republicans not pass the bill?
Jerome Horowitz
June 15th, 2011
10:53 am
This is all just political pandering. Where’s the first place people look to after a disaster – the Feds. Even Gov’s Jindahl and Perry during oil and fire disasters. Big time states righters compaining that the Feds had not done enough.
It’s easy to sit back and talk about how this is not a Federal reponsibility, but, what will you say when it happens in your yard?
getalife
June 15th, 2011
10:54 am
The Libyan opposition promised to reimburse our costs for saving the slaughter with oil money.
cons want daffy to win to lose that money.
Dave R.
June 15th, 2011
10:54 am
“I guess you don’t have insurance at all?”
I have plenty, with one of the most fiscally-sound insurance companies on the planet. That is personal responsibility.
“Your home is on stilts and built to be tornado-proof, yes?”
Doesn’t need to be. I’m not anywhere near water and I have insurance with a great company. Personal responsibility.
“You have enough money in the bank to replace your house should it be destroyed?”
Yep. Every penny of my deductible since I have insurance with a great company. Personal responsibility.
“Your car is paid off and you have a cash reserve that would compensate anybody you injured in an accident, right?”
My car IS paid off. Thanks for asking. And I have that same great insurance company to cover anything to do with my car. Personal responsibility.
“And you’ll never get sick?”
Nope. I’m human. I question, however, whether you are based on the moronic questions you have asked, M. But I do have health insurance because I’m all about personal responsibility.
The Leg Lamp is a "major award".....
June 15th, 2011
10:54 am
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:52 am
Based on your response, I hit my target dead center.
AmVet
June 15th, 2011
10:55 am
“So I guess in your…”. Whenever I see that, I am dead certain that nothing but bullsh*t is gonna follow…
BADA BING
June 15th, 2011
10:55 am
Am Vet, no arguing here. Anything can kill you, do you want some sort of guarantee?You gamble every day you wake up, in your car, in the shower, on your stairs. You getz your cards and you playz them, thats all you can do.
The Leg Lamp is a "major award".....
June 15th, 2011
10:56 am
Jerome Horowitz
June 15th, 2011
10:53 am
I just noticed something. I’m a bit of a trivia fan and if you removed the second “o” from your last name you would have the birth name of Curly from the Three Stooges.
md
June 15th, 2011
10:57 am
“Concrete walls dont help much against earthquake disasters”
Actually, they do……..a lot of neat studies out there indicating that solid concrete structures built as a whole do pretty good in an earthquake………read that in popular science……the concept seems logical….the whole box moves as one vs pulling itself apart………..
As for minimum codes…….that is where choices come into play……..take all the money one wastes on conveniences – tv’s. ipods, iphones, etc etc….and put it into a safer house for the family. But most don’t think long term…….and the short term purchases remove the option when the money is gone…………
josef
June 15th, 2011
10:57 am
Brosephus
St. Elsewhere
The Leg Lamp is a "major award".....
June 15th, 2011
10:57 am
AmVet
June 15th, 2011
10:55 am
“AmVet”….Whenever I see that, I am dead certain that nothing but bullsh*t is gonna follow…
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:59 am
Leg Lamp — “Based on your response, I hit my target dead center.”
Given how poor your aim is, I’m not surprised you think that.
I hope you have good vision coverage; you clearly need it.
Did you have anything substantive to add on the topic of disaster recovery? I hear there’s a great discussion about that going on.
BADA BING
June 15th, 2011
10:59 am
Keep up, don’t know anything about the costs. I am not formally trained at construction, just read about it and watch science shows. My house is not reinforced here in ATL, but would be interested if I was in Tornado Alley.
The Leg Lamp is a "major award".....
June 15th, 2011
11:00 am
Joe Mama
June 15th, 2011
10:59 am
“I hear there’s a great discussion about that going on.”
Glad you hearing in working. Perhaps you should now try to read…
AmVet
June 15th, 2011
11:00 am
Right on, BADA. I’m just joshin’ ya.
I am all for taking preventative measures and doing everything possible to minimize risks, but color me dubious on *anything* that will stand up to that kind of power.
Look no further than the recent disaster in Japan. They built seawalls that were predicted to withstand greater than even the highest recorded surges.
Ooops…
St Simons - we're on Island time
June 15th, 2011
11:01 am
I see the con word for today is “constitooshun”
Oh, that’s rich.