Handling of Hurricane Irma's Disaster in Puerto Rico
- "10 out of 10"
Self praise is no recommendation ~ Proverb
People may be proud of their achievements; they may have a very high opinion of themselves; they may think that others should be made to realize what a fine person they are. But, nobody will ever have a high opinion of them if they have too high an opinion of themselves. Persons who constantly praise themselves are never believed even when they make a truthful statement.
Pride goes before a fall ~ Proverb
When people are too conceited or constantly remind others of their self-importance, they will eventually do or say something to make themselves look foolish
If Chief-of-staff John Kelly is going to hold a press conference to express his disappointment with the behavior of Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, then this opens the doors for him to begin speaking out on the behavior of his white male counterparts including his boss, Trump. Certainly, Mrs. Wilson's actions does not come close to some of the bad behavior of White House cabinet members who Kelley is suppose to be monitoring. Public criticism from the chief-of-staff cannot be one-sided. His speech today conveniently left out Trump's initiating the subject by politicizing that he is better than other presidents in contacting the bereaved relatives of troops who died protecting the U.S.. Further, there was no mention in Kelly's speech of any disappointment with Trump's decision to selfishly make a point in bragging that Kelly was not contacted by President Obama after the passing of his son. Kelly's speech today conveyed exactly what he was speaking out against, "politicizing an action", when he chastised Congresswoman Wilson but failed to do so in Trump's case. How could his press conference not appear to be instigated by Trump?
Update - 10/20/2017
Trump has always showed his true colors so the public generally knows what to expect from a man who does not usually displays any tact. But, Chief-of-staff Kelly, after remaining silent for such a long time, showed his true colors during yesterday's press conference. It was not enough to politicize his concerns by belittling Congresswoman Wilson, but he bold faced lied about Wilson taking credit in obtaining funding for the new FBI headquarters while she attended the building's dedication in Miramar, FL. Fortunately, the Sun Sentinel Newspaper's video tape proved that Kelly is basically a deceitful, dangerous man.
It is now weeks after the hurricanes and Puerto Ricans are still experiencing great difficulties throughout the island especially in the countrysides where they are trying not only to find food but drinkable water.It is unimaginable how these citizens of the United States have not yet received the assistance that is well need within a reasonable period of time so as to get back to a sense of normalcy just as citizens in Houston and Florida. In some cases, some persons in Houston and Florida received thousand of dollars in DSNAP food stamps that will certainly lead to gluttonous spending on food in a country that already has a high obesity rate. Certainly, most of these people, who have a regular income but do not qualify for regular SNAP aka the food stamp program, had to stand in long lines for hours to be processed so as to receive the food card. Others, however, have manipulated the system and are auctioning off these cards on Ebay and FaceBook when people are in dire need of food assistance in Puerto Rico.
Rich, powerful people were selected by Trump to head up high-profile government positions in his administration. However, seeing their puppet-like compliance with Trumps' bullying demands, one would never know that these are wealthy individuals that own their own companies or worked as high powered executives and government officials prior to transitioning to work with the Trump administration. It began several months ago at a bizarre press conference when all these leaders at a table sang high praises to Trump with even Reince Priebus thanking God for him. However, little did Priebus know that the praises were in vain since Trump intended to fire him. How vicious!! Another incident was demonstrated by Rex Tillerson, who has never shown any fondness for giving interviews much less speaking at a press briefing. So, it was quite surprising when he held an impromptu press briefing to lavish Trump with praises so as to get back in Trump's good graces for calling him a moron. Quite clearly this press briefing was instigated by Trump, himself - who else!! But, another strange incident occurred when Mike Pence walked out of the stands after members of the San Francisco 49ers kneeled for the playing of the National Anthem. Of course, these players are former teammates of Colin Kaepernick. So, certainly, any dummy would know that as friends and supporters of Kaepernick's stance against police consistent brutality and killing of Black men, some players would have kneeled during the National Anthem. There was absolutely no surprise in their action. But, what was amazing is not only did Pence leave the stadium after the anthem, acting as if the players' kneeling was an unexpected action that he never expected to happen, but he was not even allowed to take credit on his own for leaving the game. Trump first him to it by tweeting that Pence left as a result of Trump's orders. Trump tweets and makes embarrassing remarks in public about his administrative team and never thinks twice to throw them under the bus. But, they continue to allow Trump to use his bullying tactics to let them look as if they are total jackasses. It is something to see how Trump's team are willing to let him embarrass them just to please him.
Heart-felt condolences go out to the victims' families and those who were injured during the mass shooting in Las Vegas. On every network national and local news, cable talk news and shows, internet news websites, newspapers, entertainment news and programs, magazines, etc. etc. etc. etc etc. stories on the lives of the victims and survivors are covered. Let us not forget, however, that there are so many other innocent victims throughout the U.S. that were killed by the gun and they, too, have a story to tell the nation. Nevertheless, it is disheartening to note that, as with other mass shooting, nothing will come of this mass shooting. It would be safe to say that most of those who attended the country music festival in Las Vegas are die heart supporters of the 2nd Amendment. Even surprising is to hear survivors and family members of those killed still support the 2nd amendment 100% and see no reason to make any changes in the rights to own guns!!??. But, even more astounding is to listen to Steve Scalise, who was shot and could have died, express that this is not the time to have a debate on gun laws and still defends the rights of people to own guns!!?? So, those who clearly see that there must be restrictions with free-for-all gun ownership in order to prevent future mass shootings are fighting a loosing battle when gun victims themselves or those who have lost loved ones to gun crimes do not budged in any shape or form to give any support to revising the 2nd amendment. How can there by sympathy for those who are tone deaf to gun control? This is one controversy where the laws of nature will take its course.
The president's visit to Puerto Rico today was met with some criticism on his uncaring remarks which hammered in the fact that the island's losses would impact the budget of the United States. His great satisfaction in comparing Puerto Rico's body count to that experienced in New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina was another shameful low at the press briefing. But, disorganization was observed at an all time high when flocks of people crowded a church where the president disrespectfully threw supplies to or rather at the people as if they were animals at a zoo. Couldn't the White House staff have had the intelligence to organize for residents to enter the church's building in a queue that moved in a single procession to receive handouts starting from the president to others in line? Didn't see the president disrespecting the victims he met in Houston or Florida by tossing supplies at them. Throwing supplies at the people mimics how some plantation massas gleefully threw scraps at their slaves. The Puerto Rican people deserve better - they are human beings and also citizens of the United States.
It is with sadness and a heavy heart to know that another mass shootings has taken place in the United States, a nation where there is a free-for-all in purchasing guns. Condolences go out to the relative and friends of the victims and injured from this horrific event that is the deadliest mass shooting in America's history. On another note, it was questionable to hear the uncustomary public loud outcries for God and scripture quoting. But, more surprising was that after weeks and even months of divisive rhetoric from the President that put so many against each other, the message today from him is for all people to unite. But, the divisive reality continues in the eyes of minorities when the President selectively chooses in his speech to the nation not to label a murder of 59 persons as a "son of a bitch" as he did with Black professional sports players or as a "terrorist" as he constantly designates to Muslims. In spite of the vicious crime, this White man is simply considered "a lone wolf" or quickly excused as being sick or mentally ill. How wonderful!! Nevertheless, since a leopard can never remove its identifying spots, it is skeptical how long the President's kumbaya charade will persist with his inconsistent personality. Even more, it never fails that time and again after horrendous incidents such as mass killings, everyone comes together in unity throughout the United States. Let see how long this togetherness lasts this time.
