Tremendously Big, Tremendously Wet

With Hurricane Florence bearing down on the east coast, Donald Trump took a little time today to reflect on the “incredible unsung success” of his administration’s response to Hurricane Maria, the tropical storm that, at about this same time last year, decimated the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. “I think Puerto Rico was incredibly successful,” Trump told members of the White House press corps, seemingly unaware that as many as 2,975 people had lost their lives, and some survivors are still without power… Here, if you can stomach it, is Trump on his administration’s heroic response to Hurricane Maria.

As for Hurricane Florence, which Donald Trump described as being “tremendously big and tremendously wet,” it’s projected to make landfall in the Carolinas on Thursday. And one hopes that the Trump administration does better in this instance than they did in Puerto Rico. I’m not optimistic, though… especially if what I’m reading this evening is true about the administration having just taken $10 million from the FEMA budget to construct additional ICE detention centers… Here, if you’ve yet to hear about this most recent turn of events, is a clip from the Rachel Maddow show this evening, where she talks about documents obtained by Senator Jeff Merkley, showing how the Trump administration has reallocated hurricane relief funds to more racist endeavors.

Two more quick comments, while we’re at it.

First, it would appear that Puerto Rico’s Governor, unlike Donald Trump, does not see the U.S. response to Hurricane Maria as an incredible “success”.

And, second, is it really a surprise to anyone that we’re living in a hell world, where, every year, we’re watching more and more of our fellow citizens wash out to sea in what used to be called “hundred year storms”? I mean, when you elect a leader who, in spite of all the scientific evidence to the contrary, says that global climate change is a “Chinese hoax,” and chooses to prioritize coal mining over sustainable energy, this is what you get, right?

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37 Comments

  1. Posted September 11, 2018 at 10:18 pm | Permalink

    Like it or not, the reality is that we’re living inside of a suicide cult.

  2. Posted September 11, 2018 at 10:20 pm | Permalink

    I was going to write tonight about #SuckingInvisibleDicks. You got lucky.

  3. EOS
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 5:16 am | Permalink

    Detaining persons who attempt to enter our country illegally is nor racist. It protect all Americans regardless of race.

  4. Sad
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 6:21 am | Permalink

    Remember, he may not be leading on climate change but neither are we.

    He’ll do better with this hurricane because he thinks it will be effecting white people.

    EOS thinks he would act the same if it was a bunch of Norwegians trying to sneak in.

    Good grief!

  5. our unappreciated president
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 7:14 am | Permalink

    Donald Trump this morning: “We got A Pluses for our recent hurricane work in Texas and Florida (and did an unappreciated great job in Puerto Rico, even though an inaccessible island with very poor electricity and a totally incompetent Mayor of San Juan). We are ready for the big one that is coming!”

  6. CNN
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 8:54 am | Permalink

    Hurricane Florence is now forecast to pause late this week just off North Carolina’s coast and turn left — a development that would still smash the Tar Heel State with life-threatening storm surge and winds while putting more of South Carolina in greater danger.

    “More people are involved in this now — especially even Myrtle Beach, because the storm was not (previously) forecast to turn left toward you,” CNN meteorologist Chad Myers said Wednesday morning.

    Florence is a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 130 mph. It is forecast to deliver tropical-storm-force winds by noon Thursday to North Carolina’s coast, and hurricane-force winds and dangerous storm surges by late Thursday or early Friday.

  7. EOS
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 8:58 am | Permalink

    @ Sad,

    Why do you assume that? Is that how you would react?

  8. Lynne
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 9:42 am | Permalink

    Re: “I mean, when you elect a leader who, in spite of all the scientific evidence to the contrary, says that global climate change is a “Chinese hoax,” and chooses to prioritize coal mining over sustainable energy, this is what you get, right?”

    We were going to get this anyways. Even if Hillary had gotten elected. We can rightly blame Nader and Bush voters though! That is the thing about climate change, it is slow and the effects are delayed. The denialisn of the current administration is going to have an effect to be sure but that effect will not be fully felt for decades. That is part of the problem with climate change as an issue, people have a hard time connecting the effects with the cause because they are so far apart time-wise. It is the same with economic effects fwiw.

  9. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 11:03 am | Permalink

    Tell ’em what time it is.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_wS0Kw6k9c&frags=pl%2Cwn

  10. Jean Henry
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 11:21 am | Permalink

    “We were going to get this anyways. Even if Hillary had gotten elected.”
    I’m not sure what you mean by this, Lynne. Would we have had hurricanes exacerbated by climate change? Sure. Would we be further along in addressing Climate Change and have had a functional government to address such events? Yes.

    https://www.vox.com/2016/5/9/11548354/hillary-clintons-climate-and-energy-policies-explained

  11. Lynne
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 11:34 am | Permalink

    I mean that even if Hillary Clinton were president, we would still have had hurricanes exacerbated by climate change in 2018 AND we would be further along in addressing climate change and mitigating future effects. My point is that there is a danger in blaming Trump for the current conditions because it just reinforces the thinking that the effects of climate change policy are immediate. We are feeling the effects now of decades old policy and because of Trump, in about 20 years, we will have to bear the brunt of his actions several years down the road. How many Americans will make the connection though?

  12. Jean Henry
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 12:05 pm | Permalink

    I hear you, but I took Mark’s tone to be more one of incredulity that we are still in denial v blaming Trump for the storm itself.
    I’m sure Trump would like to control the weather if he could, however.

    You are right that the distant reality of impact of climate change on our daily lives limited engagement. In Ann Arbor many people still dont believe the 5 year old climate action plan needs immediate funding. Every one of these events is a shot across the bow for humanity. And I have come to believe they are the only effective impetus to climate action other than the profit motive. Systems under pressure will try to correct themselves. What we experience as climate change is a system correction. Unfortunately, our weather system (aka Mother Nature) doesn’t care one little bit about the fate of humanity. She’s warning us. It amazes me how we liberals seem capable of endlessly worrying about it while doing nothing much at all.

  13. wobblie
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 12:10 pm | Permalink

    You folks who believe the fracking queen would have done anything but bend over for the fossil fuel industries are delusional. Believing the effects are “decades” into the future is delusional. (For folks like EOS and HW, it is obvious to see, their whole lives are built on delusion.) Millions of climate refugees are seeking shelter throughout the world, and you liberal white folks think you still have time. Are you paying attention? Do you ever go outside? Dead birds–West Nile virus is a tropical disease folks–any body paying attention to the paucity of bats? Among other causes for there decline–lack of insects.

    Greenland-the last truly cold place left in the Northern Hemisphere is over 20 C above normal. https://climatereanalyzer.org/wx/DailySummary/#t2anom

    Meanwhile we get ready for the start of the next war.

    And remember by all means that the fault lies with the poor and the powerless. Those despicable folks who voted for Ralph and Jill, along with Susan Sarandon they are the real culprits.

  14. EOS
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 12:13 pm | Permalink

    What do scientists think about climate change?

    https://www.prageru.com/playlists/what-science-reveals-about-climate-change#6

  15. EOS
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 12:14 pm | Permalink

    What do scientists think about climate change?

    https://www.prageru.com/videos/can-climate-models-predict-climate-change

  16. Lynne
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 12:23 pm | Permalink

    wobblie, and you don’t think the Green Party Nader voters didn’t have a hand in the current climate change effects we are seeing? It seems fairly obvious to me that Gore would have had better policy than Bush. Or that they will be blameless for the future effects caused by people like you in 2016 getting Trump elected? Clinton would have had better policy than Trump. You can lie to yourself and pretend that you voted in a way that was helpful. I know better

    I find it ironic that the Green Party is so damaging to our environment.

  17. Lynne
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 12:34 pm | Permalink

    Also, the notion that climate change effects often occur a long time after the causes is not delusional. If anything, it should make our response NOW more necessary. Even if we could completely eliminate all additional carbon, we are still going to be seeing effects in coming decades from carbon already put in the atmosphere.

    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170731114534.htm

  18. John Brown
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 1:36 pm | Permalink

    In 2012 N. Carolina barred lawmakers and planners from using most up to date climate influenced sea level data. I hope anyone who thought that was a good idea gets washed out to fucking sea.
    https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/north-carolina-sea-level-rise-hurricane-florence_us_5b985a87e4b0162f4731da0e

    Wobblie is right that there are abundant signs all around us. Birds moving North, migration timing changing, Lake Superior internal temperature rising, Russians freighters traversing the North West Passage. Next step is the exploitation of the Arctic ocean for oil drilling, which is a huge part of the reason for the Russians ordering Agent Orange to screw with Canada.

    I hope I live to see the Greenland Ice Sheet slide into the ocean like a melting ice cream cone onto the hot July sidewalk. Miami, Boston, New York suddenly submerged will be a significant node on the ole historical human timeline.

  19. EOS
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 1:47 pm | Permalink

    That there is climate change is apparent to everyone. Whether this change is cyclical or irreversible is open to interpretation. And there is absolutely no scientific evidence that man can do to anything to reverse a long term climate change if that were the case.

  20. wobblie
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 2:15 pm | Permalink

    Thanks to Obama, the US now leads the world in crude oil production–most of it through fracking, policies that HRC wanted to continue. If we continue to vote for the lesser evil, all we will ever get is evil.

  21. Maria Huffman
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 4:03 pm | Permalink

    so look, externd a big hello to every Puerto Rican to move to Michigan and invite them to move here. since hurricanes don’t happen in Michigan.

  22. Lynne
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 4:18 pm | Permalink

    wobblie, If you stop voting for the lesser of two evils in our system, you are essentially voting for the greater evil and unfortunately in close elections it actually makes a difference.

    I guess it is easy for me to say though. Had the election been between Jill Stein and Trump, I am not sure which one I would consider the *lesser* evil because they are both so awful. Maybe then I would be the one voting third party? *shrug*

    Maria, yes! That is the solution. Let’s invite everyone who lives in PR, Florida and the whole east coast and gulf coast. Heck, let’s invite everyone from the west coast too since earthquakes don’t happen in Michigan either. :) I am not sure what you mean by that statement and if you are being tongue-in-cheek, forgive me. You surely must see that evacuating everyone from any part of our country prone to hurricanes is not practical though.

  23. Maria Huffman
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 4:26 pm | Permalink

    No, not really, but I really doubt many would move here, being as it may as well be Mars for some of them. I am pointing out that maybe moving from a caribbean island that gets pummeled by terrible hurricanes might be something to consider, though, and I think people would like them as a group and individually. just saying.

  24. Lynne
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 4:42 pm | Permalink

    I am all for encouraging people to move but also think that there is some value in working to help people stay in their homes if they want to. In the case of PR, if it were up to me, I would probably see if there were any policy actions which might encourage a decentralized power grid. Perhaps by subsidizing roof top solar and house wind turbines.

  25. wobblie
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 5:24 pm | Permalink

    ” between Jill Stein and Trump, I am not sure which one I would consider the *lesser* evil because they are both so awful. ”
    Lynn, I understand the problem now, you can’t tell the difference between good action and evil. That is the problem with most liberals, as long as it is not in your backyard… offering refuge for folks who have no means to take you up on the offer, is typical liberal feel good nonsense.

  26. Lynne
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 7:25 pm | Permalink

    You say that as if you actually think I am advocating mailing engraved “come to Michigan” invitations to residents of PR. Actually MY position is different and already stated. Address THAT if you wish.

    From my POV, I think YOU are the one with a hard time determining good v evil but whatever. I have yet to meet the person who thinks their own values are evil.

  27. Jean Henry
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 9:21 pm | Permalink

    As soon as religious fundamentalists start accepting climate change en masse (some evangelicals do and have for some time), they will begin crafting a narrative of God’s vengeance on the wicked, as they did with AIDS/HIV etc. They probably have already. In this case I’m inclined to believe them, though I don’t believe the good will be saved. We are simply the only species stupid enough to be likely to cause its own mass extinction. We are the dumbest species. Our consciousness is a simply means for self-delusion.

    There WILL be mass migrations, Lynne. And soon. Michigan will be very desirable if we don’t destroy our water resource. Maybe we will erect a border wall.

    I’m in a dark Wobblie like place right now it seems. The benefit of mass self-delusion is we go on anyway. I hope I am very wrong.

  28. Jean Henry
    Posted September 12, 2018 at 9:48 pm | Permalink

    “Imagination is the only key to the future. Without it, none exists. With it, all things are possible.” — Ida Tarbell

    Maybe if we got our heads out of our asses and started working hard on real solutions, we’d all stop bickering with one another like children. Politics id the enemy of human progress. I’m more and more convinced of it.

  29. wobblie
    Posted September 13, 2018 at 6:35 am | Permalink

    I’m sorry JH, Don’t worry be happy, bad things happen to other people.

  30. Jean Henry
    Posted September 13, 2018 at 9:28 am | Permalink

    When worry, like faith, is a productive use of one’s energy, I’ll indulge it, Wobblie. I consider the kind of worrying you do to be a form of pride in the Buddhist sense. I’m not going to linger there too long. It;’s not willful ignorance; it’s willful understanding.

    “Faith” is a fine invention
    When Gentlemen can see—
    But Microscopes are prudent
    In an Emergency.
    –Emily Dickinson

  31. Donald Trump weighs in
    Posted September 13, 2018 at 10:21 am | Permalink

    3000 people did not die in the two hurricanes that hit Puerto Rico. When I left the Island, AFTER the storm had hit, they had anywhere from 6 to 18 deaths. As time went by it did not go up by much. Then, a long time later, they started to report really large numbers, like 3000…

    https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1040217897703026689

  32. Lynne
    Posted September 13, 2018 at 11:19 am | Permalink

    I have never denied that there will be migration due to climate change, fwiw.

    I find it highly ironic that wobblie, who has voted in a way that will fuck us in terms of climate change and who cares so little about fundamental rights of women to have autonomy over their own bodies that he would rather have Treump elected than vote in a way to prevent that would dare lecture anyone about not caring about the fate of others when they vote. Dont worry, wobblie, bad things happen to other people. No reason to stop throwing us under the bus.

  33. littlegreenselector@gmail.com
    Posted September 17, 2018 at 3:38 pm | Permalink

    “You folks who believe the fracking queen would have done anything but bend over for the fossil fuel industries are delusional. Believing the effects are “decades” into the future is delusional. (For folks like EOS and HW, it is obvious to see, their whole lives are built on delusion.) Millions of climate refugees are seeking shelter throughout the world, and you liberal white folks think you still have time. Are you paying attention? Do you ever go outside? Dead birds–West Nile virus is a tropical disease folks–any body paying attention to the paucity of bats? Among other causes for there decline–lack of insects.”

    You not understanding what I say doesn’t mean it is delusional. None of you idiots have acknowledged the obvious problem for the greenhouse gas theory. If it is true and affecting climate then all you have to do is engage in redevelopment of forests to begin to null it. We need to do it to reverse the damage caused by deforestation anyway. The sun’s behavior is obviously the number one factor in climate. Taking away the trees so fast in recent centuries must be high up there though.

  34. littlegreenselector@gmail.com
    Posted September 17, 2018 at 5:00 pm | Permalink

    Site admin: please delete these comments for obvious reasons.

  35. Impsilanti
    Posted September 17, 2018 at 5:11 pm | Permalink

    “then all you have to do”

    “The sun’s behavior is obviously the number one factor in climate.”

    “Taking away the trees so fast in recent centuries must be high up there though.”

    This imp doesn’t even take the time to actually read anything at all, preferring to sit back and make grand pronouncements and offer simple solutions with nothing at all to support them.

    Kind of like that one poster who, with no supporting evidence at all, claims that abortion leads to infertility, presumably because it simple “seems right” to the poster.

    Reading about science is not difficult. Actually, reading is pretty easy for most people. You just have to be willing to put in a bit of work to pull yourself out of ignorance.

    Unfortunately, these people are lazy and content to simply wave their hands about.

    We live in a time of unprecedented access to information, but there are still fools out there who refuse to even do the simplest of research to see if the bullshit they spread is actually supported in fact or not.

  36. Anonymous
    Posted September 18, 2018 at 10:43 am | Permalink

    Hey littlegreenselector@gmail.com. Thanks for partially coming out and posting!

  37. from the standpoint of water
    Posted September 18, 2018 at 7:36 pm | Permalink

    Donald Trump on the hurricane. “(It’s) one of the wettest we’ve ever seen from the standpoint of water.”

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