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Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Help Puerto Rico NOW

Hurricane Maria caused massive devastation to Puerto Rico. So far the federal response has been less than stellar. That needs to change immediately.
Millions of Puerto Ricans are without things as basic to life as drinking water. All are without power. Even hospital generators have run out of fuel, causing patients to die.
This is unacceptable. Our fellow Americans need life-saving assistance, lots of it. Now.
Trump's tweet count last week was NFL - too many to count; Puerto Rico - zero. He did finally fire off a few tweets in Puerto Rico's direction this week. And these were every bit as mature, statesmanlike, well-informed, and empathetic as we have come to expect from 45.
Yes, they were that bad.
He whined.
He whined about the "big ocean" between America and Puerto Rico.
We have big boats and rather impressive planes, if I am not mistaken. Use them to ferry aid rather than honeymoooning Mnuchins.
He whined about Puerto Rico's debt to Wall Street. That's rich, given that Trumpadore is in a sea of red ink himself, mostly to foreign banks as US ones got tired of his welching on his IOUs. Among those he owes millions to - the American taxpayers of Puerto Rico who got stuck with a $33 million tab for one of his numerous failed business ventures.
He whined about the infrastructure. Yes. It's bad. Fix it.
San Juan's mayor, Carmen Yulin Cruz has been on TV for days begging for help. She told Rachel Maddow last night of her frustration with federal officials requesting she send "memos" instead of acting quickly to supply her needs.
This is not the time for memos, or red tape, or tweets. This is the time for action.
The Republicans are always complaining about "government regulations." One shipping regulation which needs to be lifted right now is the Jones Act. This prohibits foreign ships from picking up and delivering products between US ports. It was waived for two weeks earlier this month to help move fuel more efficiently to help Texas and Florida after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma respectively. (The back story on the Jones Act and its impact on Puerto Rico can be found in this article from PBS' website.)
The Trump administration needs to remove barriers so aid can reach Puerto Rico. And the whining needs to stop. I've given up on this president ever being presidential, but can he at least pretend to be human? That would be awesome.

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