sundance:
There has been a great deal of political consternation and talking points about U.S. aid, or the lack thereof, delivered to Puerto Rico. Indeed, San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz Soto has been a favorite of Democrats and liberal U.S. media as a spokesperson for claims the U.S. has not done enough for the island’s people.
However, a disturbing video shows Puerto Rico’s Secretary of State showing boxes and boxes of food, water and supplies being discarded by Puerto Rican officials in dumpsters, obviously not reaching the intended residents.
https://youtu.be/ygGlKSy6RMU
The FBI had previously opened an investigation into the level of fraud and corruption within Puerto Rico’s municipal authorities and reports of widespread theft of U.S. aid by officials of the local governments. This report on FEMA aid being corrupted by these same officials does not come as a surprise; indeed, unfortunately, it is the norm – not the exception.
(Puerto Rico) FBI agents in Puerto Rico have been receiving calls from “across the island” with residents complaining local officials are “withholding” or “mishandling” critical FEMA supplies — with one island official even accused of stuffing his own car full of goods meant for the suffering populace.
The accusations come in the aftermath of deadly Hurricane Maria, which devastated the U.S. territory last month.
“The complaints we’re hearing is that mayors of local municipalities, or people associated with their offices, are giving their political supporters special treatment, goods they’re not giving to other people who need them,” FBI Special Agent Carlos Osorio told Fox News.
Osorio, an agent with the FBI in San Juan, said the bureau was investigating the allegations.
@Greg:
And would you say all those buildings, etc were built to withstand Cat 5 storms? Do you think they should have been?
@Redteam:
Haven’t you been keeping up? It’s all Trump’s fault.
And the Russians.
@Redteam, #50:
Who do you blame for tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic eruptions, 500-year floods, droughts, and killer influenza pandemics? Sometimes things just happen.
I believe I’ve heard the opinion expressed around here on numerous occasions that humans are powerless in the face of the forces of nature. Does that cease to be true when budget problems exist?
As of 2012, Florida had a state, county, and municipal debt total of nearly $198 billion. Texas came in at nearly $341 billion. The State Budget Solutions table at the bottom of the page gives totals for each state. Puerto Rico has some unique problems, not all of which are under the control of the Commonwealth government. They’re citizens of the United States, but they don’t enjoy the same level of autonomy that a state does, nor do they have a vote in important decisions that are made by Congress regarding the island.
Nobody is blaming Trump for what happened, even though he is a bag of wind. People were critical of the delayed response. And then enormously aggravated by his asinine comments and personal attacks. You didn’t hear any of this crap from him about Texas or Florida.
@Redteam, #51:
Nope. Nor has Florida knocked down existing homes that weren’t built to such a high standard. Category 5 involves sustained winds in excess of 156 mph. The construction cranes you see in Miami will go down in 145 mph winds. So would a lot of houses.
Here’s something to consider, before pointing fingers: Florida has 828,000 mobile homes. Less than a third were built to survive a hurricane. And that’s not just a Category 5 they’re talking about.
@Deplorable Me, #52:
Speaking of Russia, why has the Trump administration failed to impose sanctions for the Russian election meddling? There’s really no question about whether or not that happened, and absolutely nothing has been done yet at the Executive level to prevent it from happening again.
Did a republican-majority Congress not pass legislation to that effect? And did he not pick up his pen and sign the bill? After which—nothing. There was an October 1st date by which regulations were to be issued that has simply been ignored. Did he have his fingers crossed when he signed it?
@Greg:
That’s because all their mayors acted like adults. There was only one Mayor Cruz and she was in Puerto Rico.
Perhaps he, like everyone else, here a LOT of accusations but see very little in the way of proof. Mostly, it appears Hillary and the DNC were employing Russians to provide lies for their campaign.
He, like me, heard a LOT about thousands of Facebook ads bought by Russians to twist the minds of voters, yet not a single one can be found.
Why didn’t OBAMA impose sanctions when HE found out the Russians were trying to become involved? OH, that’s right… HE was looking forward to help against Trump and, after bowing to them on the Uranium One deal, perhaps felt uncomfortable (or vulnerable) spanking them.
If you don’t hold Obama responsible for not acting against the Russians to PREVENT interference, why are you so critical of Trump? Perhaps you, like everyone else, expect MORE of Trump because you KNOW Obama was incapable of action.
http://status.pr/
Just a little over 1 month and 1/4 of the electrical grid is working. Mostly at the coast where the population is densest.
If it has to do with the government contract awarded, those two guys are working gangbusters organizing and getting things done. I cant begrudge them a better grid as we cannot replace the unreliable antique system that was there.
@Greg: The mobile homes in Florida can be replaced for less than the insurance deductible on most homes in FLA, mostly Snowbirds that have another mobile home they spend summers in a Northern state. Lower taxes and smaller utility bills stretching senior dollars. I am shocked even 1 would be built to survive any hurricane.
@Deplorable Me, #56:
Ah. So Donald Trump has become a President not required to honor the laws enacted by Congress—even when he has officially signed them into law with his own hand and pen?
Sure, I’ll say stuff and sign stuff. But I’ll do what I want.
And who, exactly, is this “everybody else,” other than his peanut gallery? Is this Congress’s understanding of how the government works? Maybe so. They’ve already unofficially absolved themselves of taking any responsibility for the nation’s foreign military actions, apparently having surrendered all Constitutional authority in 2001. They totally ignored Obama’s invitation to weigh in on the response to ISIS. They wouldn’t even allow a vote.
Maybe you need to turn around and take a look back toward the gate, to see just how far down the garden path you’ve been led.
@Greg: What the hell are you blathering about? What the left would love is for the President to exceed his authority and bring actual grounds for impeachment possible. Please Greg hold your breath for that.
I found out how the 2 guys got the contract they were the only bidders that didnt demand a down payment, the job was granted by the bankrupt utility company of PR itself,. just days after the storm.
https://scout.com/college/kansas/Board/103734/Contents/PR-Electrical-Restoration-Being-Handled-by-Two-Person-Company
@kitt, #59:
What I’m “blathering” about is the right’s failure to care or seemingly even notice that Trump hasn’t done the first thing required by a bill enacted by Congress, that he himself signed into law. The bill was sponsored by a republican. It passed with overwhelming bipartisan support; in the House by a vote of 419 to 3 and in the Senate by a vote of 98 to 2. We very seldom see such a level of agreement among all of the people’s elected representatives.
There were to be sanctions imposed on Russia for meddling with the presidential election process of the United States, with initial regulatory action due by October 1st. Upon reviewing all facts and evidence, Congress—a republican-controlled Congress—deemed a prompt response essential, to protect the integrity of our nation’s election system. Yet since putting down his pen, Donald Trump hasn’t lifted a finger.
We might as well send Putin a box of chocolates with a Thank You note along with an invitation to do the same damn thing next year, and again in 2020.
Why aren’t people who are usually so enthusiastic about connecting dots not the least bit suspicious about something that looks like part of a very clear pattern?
They’re much more eager to connect dots relating to a past uranium company deal that doesn’t even have the consequences they’re claiming. One-fifth of North America’s uranium ore hasn’t actually gone anywhere, because it can’t be exported. Nor are speaking fees automatically brides. Nor are illegal payments to a trucking firm that has no direct connection with the mining corporation in question automatically part of the same picture. That situation was investigated, and successfully prosecuted. Which is how you know about it.
@Greg: When its proven, aside from Zuck saying they promoted Antifa on facebook, Possibly some bot accounts on Twitter. Not everyone uses social Media Can you link to any real proof please? Pathetic Zombies that believe the propaganda no matter how outlandish.
The House and Senate that overwhelmingly passed the bill were privy to details compiled as a result of multiple law enforcement and intelligence community investigations that the public is as yet unaware of. What has thus far been made available to the public outlines a very ambitious and sophisticated Russian disinformation operation that appears to have precisely targeted audiences that could be used to leverage and alter the outcome of a presidential election. They’ve also focused on widening the split around divisive issues in a way calculated to degrade national cohesion. We’ve provided them with much of the necessary tools and equipment. We’ve unthinkingly set up public opinion control panels, and then left them unguarded.
Do you think that doesn’t matter? That it doesn’t have serious consequences?
Collusion and election meddling are two separate issues—so far as we know with certainty—but the meddling part is beyond question. That’s why even a Congress that can’t agree on much of anything else took such prompt and definitive action.
@Greg: Major powers around the globe try to influence elections all the time it isnt new, Obama spent US tax dollars doing it. There isnt a bit of evidence that our election was changed, except she would have lost by a huge landslide had anyone else, except Bush, got the nomination. We were done with scandals and lawlessness. Now that link to proof, put up or shut up.
@Greg: Why didn’t Obama do ANYTHING to stop the Russians? Why did Obama spy on Trump when he knew Hillary was getting diddled by the Russians? Why did the Obama administration go ahead with selling a strategic resource when they KNEW the Russians were behind the purchase?
Trump also wants people to shut up.
@Greg: I want you to show proof, if there was anything, the spying and unmasking characters would have leaked it.
The super secret un-named sources gets old and never specify what crime or collusion happened.
Do you remember what totally made up fake story tripped Trump into saying NBC doesnt deserve to broadcast? NBC report that said he sought a “nearly tenfold increase” in the nuclear arsenal during a summer meeting. Trump said that he only wants “modernization” and “rehabilitation” of the stockpile.
Problem is people believe them, the story isnt theyLIED THEIR ASSES OFF its becomes Trump wants to silence the media.
So yes Greg when you have proof broadcast it, if not STFU
@Greg:
Damn, I want people to shut up. I am sick of the lying, crybaby, sore loser, infantile liberals going on and on about imaginary “collusion” between Trump and Russians while the ACTUAL collusion with Russians has been conducted by Hillary, Obama, Comey, Holder and the Podesta’s.
How do you think overwhelming bipartisan Congressional support for the Russian sanctions bill came about? Are all of the republicans in the House and Senate who voted for passage idiots? Because nearly all of them did. How do you explain this?
@Greg: Rumours, Rinos, deepstate and war mongers. Congress said they didnt know we had troops in Niger despite being informed and sitting in on meetings, (Obama sent them there in 2013 ) https://specialoperations.com/31850/congress-claims-no-knowledge-us-troops-niger-prior-ambush/How do you explain this?
The current reality in Puerto Rico:
Puerto Rico’s storm of misery
Official says Puerto Rico needs ‘unprecedented’ federal help
Both sad, and sadly predictable.
Puerto Rico’s deal with Whitefish was shady as hell, new records show – A congressional investigation revealed how the island’s public utility bungled its largest grid repair contract.
The governor of PR dumped Whitefish. It’s easy to understand why. The contract provisions were absurd. Earlier today, PREPA’s director resigned:
Head of Puerto Rico’s electric power authority resigns
@Greg:
Are you saying this because you are disappointed that Dimocraps are running everything down there and they appear to be so inept? So this deal with Whitefish was done before the hurricane even hit the island. And who was running all these deals?
@Redteam, #72:
The Democratic Party doesn’t run anything down there. The Partido Popular Democrático is unaffiliated with the Democratic Party. It’s the pro-commonwealth party, which advocates continuation of Puerto Rico’s current territorial relationship with the United States, as opposed to either statehood or independence, which are the positions of the other two major island parties.
The Democratic and Republican parties don’t count for much on the island because U.S. citizens who are residents of Puerto Rico can’t vote in any mainland elections. Becoming a Democrat or a Republican in Puerto Rico would be like joining a club that won’t allow you to enter the clubhouse.
Whitefish Energy does have Trump administration ties. Andy Techmanski, the company’s owner, is a personal acquaintance of Ryan Zinke, the Trump administration’s Secretary of Interior. What an odd coincidence.
Odder still is it that the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority didn’t call on any other electrical utility companies for assistance with which they have mutual aid and assistance agreements. Instead, they hooked up with some obscure company in Whitefish, Montana, that had only two actual employees.
RYAN ZINKE’S NEIGHBOR LANDS $300 MILLION CONTRACT TO FIX PUERTO RICO’S POWER GRID
You’re going to have to find some different angle to work “Dimocraps” into that arrangement.