Hurricane Helene FEMA and the weak Federal response

[pianopraze]

Speaking of loosing it’s mind:



I’ve been hearing x videos where FEMA denying aid to people. After seeing this, I understand why they were denied.

[KrustyKrab]

This has become a colossal failure for FEMA. The mismanagement and lack of coordination between all the different agencies and volunteers is staggering. I keep hearing these stories pop up daily and some of them are jaw dropping as to the incompetence and lack of leadership from FEMA.

Sending electric chainsaws to people without electricity??? WTAF is wrong with these people to do something that idiotic. As the saying goes….”We’re from the government and we’re hear to help”.

[UltraBudgie]

Well of course its a failure. Bureaucracy can't deliver compassion. All it can do it stamp the foot down in one place, and perhaps sometimes the ground pops up in another.

Why do people even think it could work? Government doesn't relieve, it imposes constraint, for those who can't self-govern. Actually fixing problem is best done individually, then via community, then via local government. By the time national government gets involved, you'll usually only get some kind of nightmarish facade. For example, peace and freedom.

In fact, in some ways a failure for bureaucracy is a win for authoritarianism, because every instance of failure being pointed to carries with it the implicit assumption that this is something the government should succeed at.

[putnam6]

Well of course its a failure. Bureaucracy can't deliver compassion. All it can do it stamp the foot down in one place, and perhaps sometimes the ground pops up in another.

Why do people even think it could work? Government doesn't relieve, it imposes constraint, for those who can't self-govern. Actually fixing problem is best done individually, then via community, then via local government. By the time national government gets involved, you'll usually only get some kind of nightmarish facade. For example, peace and freedom.

In fact, in some ways a failure for bureaucracy is a win for authoritarianism, because every instance of failure being pointed to carries with it the implicit assumption that this is something the government should succeed at.

Well, if this is something the government can not handle, then why in the hell are we spending so much money supporting FEMA when it's unprepared for one of, if not the primary mission of its department?

Regardless I know the attitude the government can't is wrong as there are plenty of times historically when effective leadership federal, state, and local, made the situations less and were more immediately helpful and less chaotic.

Ive mentioned this elsewhere, in the Carolinas some of the problems were it's taken so long for FEMA to get to other areas, they set up shop in Asheville and expect the rest of western Carolina to be able to come to them. When these people were isolated and cut off, so other local volunteers arrived got set up, and went to work independently of FEMA

Not to mention Florida has become much better at handling these situations and with a fraction of the budget since Andrew in 92

It doesn't have to be a cluster---- when it is its poor leadership and planning combined with a widespread every 100-year event

[UltraBudgie]

Regardless I know the attitude the government can't is wrong as there are plenty of times historically when effective leadership federal, state, and local, made the situations less and were more immediately helpful and less chaotic.

Think of it like processed food.  By sheer market forces alone, you'll eventually get a product whose primary deliverable is not nutrition, but rather the addictive belief that "this is food, sufficient that I don't have to bother myself with a garden or searching for better quality".

FEMA is sufficient.  After all, no one is seriously talking about eliminating them.

[Maxmars]

The truth, like so many times before, boils down to something someone said long ago. 
"The government gets exactly what it pays for." 
A lot of people think this a characterization of "government" but instead I think it speaks to the character of "paying for something." 

If the government is "paying for this," it is clear that it doesn't matter if FEMA never fulfills their mission.
Oh, and it's not lost on me that "paying" to them is about money (and who gets it)... the "mission" is superfluous flummery... "appearances" only.

EVERY single time FEMA engages it holds out an empty cup... "Please sir, can I have some more?"  Yet they are NEVER "ready"...
And when they engage, it is very clearly without "compassion," but instead with "authority to control" as their hallmark.

Sorry if that sounds angry... this shit bothers me.

[UltraBudgie]

Oh, and it's not lost on me that "paying" to them is about money (and who gets it)... the "mission" is superfluous flummery... "appearances" only.

And here (gasp) I think I might accuse you of being too cynical.

The fact is, FEMA is filled with many people who really do want to help.  Yes, there's opportunism and all the normal high-school power game crap, but there actually are idealists, lots, who are trying their best with the system they feel is the best existing possibility to magnify their efforts.  They actually take this seriously.

And in a way, that's even more of a tragedy.  The intrinsic inhuman selfishness is an emergent effect of the bureaucratic system itself.  Bad eggs can be thrown out, but the fundamental dynamics of the larger system will remain.

I said no one is seriously talking about eliminating FEMA.  Not true -- some people are.  But it seems no elected representative in the executive or legislative branch, which has actual authority over them, is.  And if they were, then they'd likely replace it with something pretty much exactly like what's there, because FEMA is something, and something must be done.  And of course, FEMA is also staffed with management who are more than happy to undertake investigations of how to improve the agency, and, if Congress is willing to fund modifications, they will be more than happy to implement it.  See how it works?

[Maxmars]

And here (gasp) I think I might accuse you of being too cynical.

The fact is, FEMA is filled with many people who really do want to help.  Yes, there's opportunism and all the normal high-school power game crap, but there actually are idealists, lots, who are trying their best with the system they feel is the best existing possibility to magnify their efforts.  They actually take this seriously.

And in a way, that's even more of a tragedy.  The intrinsic inhuman selfishness is an emergent effect of the bureaucratic system itself.  Bad eggs can be thrown out, but the fundamental dynamics of the larger system will remain.

I said no one is seriously talking about eliminating FEMA.  Not true -- some people are.  But it seems no elected representative in the executive or legislative branch, which has actual authority over them, is.  And if they were, then they'd likely replace it with something pretty much exactly like what's there, because FEMA is something, and something must be done.  And of course, FEMA is also staffed with management who are more than happy to undertake investigations of how to improve the agency, and, if Congress is willing to fund modifications, they will be more than happy to implement it.  See how it works?

Perhaps you are correct that I am being too cynical.

But I would like to add that I, for one, do not feel that FEMA itself is the problem... the mission is clear, the means and methods are a fair start to address emergencies.  It's intent, as I know it, is not without honor.  And there certainly are many people who operate within that sense of honor... but there are too many that clearly don't... and they seem to be clustered within the 'decision-making' layers of the organization.  But when it's more important that the "contracts" and budgetary decisions get steered into foibles like DEI, and 'continuity of governance' it must be stripped bare and accounted for... disasters are no time for social justice and virtue signaling.  FEMA's existence needs to cut through the bullshit and act... not prevaricate over political appearances and power gamesmanship.

I never believed that it is all a big 'show' for the rank and file at the front lines... but I insist we acknowledge that just because it's not 'there' doesn't mean it's not at the root of the problem in the 'appointed class' leadership...  Hurricane victims need help... not virtue and public relations, or being a showpiece for some politicians.

[putnam6]

FEMA like any other office agency or department in the first responder category should always be striving to get better and reorganize and remap constantly, as competent fire and police departments, competent hospitals, and a competent military does.

We can do better and if we can't perhaps FEMA's national disaster funding should go to each region in the US-based initially on the estimated number of events based on the region's previous history. 

As has been mentioned Florida's responses have been stellar with minimal complaints since Andrew in 92. So Florida gets a chunk the rest of the Southeast gets a chunk of funds and they coordinate within thier region.

Hell before FEMA the state would send in their National Guard and see what the Feds or RedCross would do.

FEMA is financed by and large by our taxes, look at the graphic and ask yourself should Americans be without power this long?

Like one Western Carolinian said Hell send those solar-powered battery power banks for people to use.  

Not even going to talk about how other first-world countries handle disasters like Japan after Fukushima

Not even going to get into NC Governor Roy Moore saying some communities will not be rebuilt, those land owners will be made offers and he hoped they will take it and relocate. Because they had a once-in-a-lifetime event. Hell Houston has been hit 4 times with major disasters more often than Asheville and they never suggested or inferred for people to relocate. 

The recovery of our citizens and rebuilding thier lives after these should be in the top 3 prime directives of a government and if it isn't then we need to think about who us leading us

[UltraBudgie]

Hey! They reused the this-means-native-american eagle silhouettes from this masterwork:



I expect more from our tax dollars.