Sandy Takes It's Toll

My heart goes out to all those who are suffering and contending with the forces of nature in that heavily populated area of the Eastern Seaboard that was inundated by the storm Sandy and it's aftermath.  These types of storms and their intensity are increasing as the pace of climate change accelerates unabated.

I give props to Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey.  I may not like his politics.  I may often find him a rude, inconsiderate blowhard.  But I give him all the props in the world for how has come out for his state first, and has embraced rather than scorned the federal assistance he has received.  He is not taking this as an opportunity to belittle the President, but instead is putting the interests of his state first.  Now, this may change in a day or two, but right now, it was a relief to hear.

It was an interesting contrast in leadership, too.  The President has pulled off the campaign trail and is devoting all his energies to managing this emergency.  Will mistakes happen?  Yes.  Will the federal efforts fall short of people's expectations sometimes?  Yes.  But it won't be from lack of effort on the part of the President, FEMA, the military, and other groups trying to provide assistance.  The President has also spoken out for the American Red Cross, stressing the importance of financial donations.

On the other side, we have another candidate who says he has suspended his campaign, but simply has renamed his campaign "Storm Relief" rallies.  Inside the rallies, there is the same campaign rhetoric as there was before.  The candidate is shown helping assemble canned goods and bottled water and miscellaneous stuff.  The stuff the Red Cross has said they don't need - they don't even have time to sort through it and handle it.  They would prefer cash donations, that they can direct immediately in the most effective way to handle the crisis at hand.

One candidate wants to make the federal response more targeted, sharp and effective.  They support policeman, firefighters and first responders, and would like to protect their jobs and see their numbers grow where needed.  The other candidate wants to eliminate FEMA and the federal response, and thinks we already have too many policeman, firefighters and first responders.

Imagine that.  The first test of leadership, and it came before the election.  And guess which candidate passed the test?  It should be enough to determine the outcome of this to date close election.  But the American people?  You never know.

But as for me?  I know.