Oh heck, Puerto Rico is destroyed. The president can’t be bothered.
by digby
I’m pretty sure the president doesn’t consider Puerto Ricans to be Real Americans what with their “foreign” language and all. But he could at least show some mild interest in the fact that 3 million people are living in what is being called apocalyptic conditions.
(CNN)Days after Hurricane Maria pounded the island of Puerto Rico, killing at least 10 people, authorities are starting to see firsthand the scope of devastation that left the US territory off the grid.
Without power and communications in much of the island, millions of people, including city leaders and first responders, have been cut off from the world since Maria hit Wednesday.
Authorities flew over the island Saturday, and were stunned by what they saw. No cellphones, water or power. Roads completely washed away and others blocked by debris, isolating residents.
“It was devastating to see all that kind of debris in all areas, in all towns of the island,” Jenniffer González, the island’s non-voting representative in Congress told CNN.“We never expected to have a lot of debris in so many areas. A lot of roads are closed, older ones are just gone,” she added.
At least 10 people have been confirmed killed by the storm, according to Gov. Ricardo Rosselló’s office.Roselló met with more than 50 mayors and representatives from across Puerto Rico on Saturday. Some described the conditions in their communities as “apocalyptic” and said there have been incidents of looting in both homes and stores.
“We know a little more today than we did yesterday,” Rossello said. “This is going to be a long road.”
A dam is in danger of collapsing, adding to the crisis.
He tweeted about how the NFL should fire players who take the knee 12 times so far this week-end. He excoriated John McCain for failing to vote for the monstrous repeal of health care for 30 million people. He is engaged in playground name calling with the North Korean dictator and told his foreign minister that if he says something he doesn’t like “they won’t be around much longer!”
Not one word about Puerto Rico. Nothing.
This is stupid as well as heartless. His numbers go up when he pretends to be a president and acts as though he cares about people after a natural disaster. He’s not very good at it but the citizens seem to appreciate the effort.
But Puerto Ricans are Latino and they can’t vote for president they just don’t even rate a mention.
To donate to help:
“Unidos”: A Hurricane Relief Fund for Hurricane Maria Victims in Puerto Rico
And this from Jezebel:
If you live in the Miami area, the Puerto Rican Leadership Council is accepting donations of nonperishable food, water, and clothing at several locations beginning on Friday, with details and timing over at the Miami Herald. The Miami Foundation created the US Caribbean Strong Relief Fund to raise money supporting hurricane relief efforts in Caribbean nations and territories affected by Irma and Maria. Philadelphia-area nonprofit El Concilio has launched Unidos PA’ Puerto Rico to raise money for hurricane relief. The Salvation Army is accepting hurricane relief donations, and GlobalGiving has a Caribbean Hurricane Irma & Maria Relief Fund, which will initially steer funding towards immediate needs like food, clean water, and shelter, and will later shift toward supporting local organizations’ recovery efforts. Volunteer disaster relief organization All Hands is headed back to the US Virgin Islands for Hurricane Irma and Maria Response, and there is a crowdfunding effort by the Dominica London High Commission to raise money for basic relief materials on Dominica, which has been left in “war zone” conditions; you can donate to that effort here. ConPRmetidos, a Puerto Rico-based nonprofit, is accepting donations here.