FEMA’s failures and the tone-deaf response of the Biden-Harris administration to the victims of Hurricane Helene have been well-documented on these pages. As my colleague Nick Arama reported, USAID administrator Samantha Power gleefully crowed about how the Biden-Harris administration is helping Ukraine “keep the lights and heat on.” The disconnect is stunning. Next up by Arama on the gobsmacking responses, from her VP account, Kamala Harris posts about giving Lebanon $157 million more in funding when all the Hurricane Helene victims are receiving, at least in the near term, is $750 per household — IF they qualify.
The people of Lebanon are facing an increasingly dire humanitarian situation. I am concerned about the security and well-being of civilians suffering in Lebanon and will continue working to help meet the needs of all civilians there.
To that end, the United States will provide…
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) October 5, 2024
The ratios on this post are scorching, as is appropriate. After Harris’ photo op and lackluster speech when she visited August, Georgia, last Wednesday, she has made little mention of the disaster or its victims since. But at her rallies, Harris promises that she will be the president for “All Americans.”
Sure, Jan.
North Carolina Democrat Governor Roy Cooper is cosplaying at caring and coordinating relief efforts, but what he is really doing is running interference for his and the federal government’s botched job. Here he is in a video with FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell, making claims that they are doing good work and have been on the ground since Day 1.
🇺🇸 Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA posted NC Governor Roy Cooper & @FEMA_Deanne is this short update clip.
The comments in the replies tells the story.
FEMA are either completely incompetent or actively working against The American People. pic.twitter.com/fOFkhmek5a— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) October 5, 2024
Rinse. Repeat. The ratios on this one are even crispier than on VP Harris’ post. The American people, and especially those suffering in Western North Carolina, East Tennessee, and parts of Georgia and Florida, have had enough of the lies and the gaslighting. While some have been intimidated or flummoxed in their efforts to help, others are bypassing the stonewalling tactics from FEMA and “recommendations” from elected officials. Anecdotally, there have even been reports that local law enforcement is assisting them in this, with county sheriffs telling FEMA to stand down. However, any direct video and concrete proof has yet to be confirmed.
But one law enforcement officer out of rural North Carolina has gone on video record and is letting people know that FEMA deserves nothing but a hard pass.
Deputy Mike DeStefano (@mikedapopo on TikTok) posts short videos about his life as a deputy in rural North Carolina, and is now using his platform to address those who are seeking to help his community.
WATCH:
@mikedapopo #appalachia #donate #nonprofit #femaSucks #copsoftiktok #lawenforcement #deputy #rescue #recovery #wnc #hurricaneHelene #relief #help ♬ original sound – Mikey
By now, everyone’s heard about what’s going on in the western part of Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, Florida, Georgia. Donate.Please donate what you can, try to find a nonprofit to donate to. Uh, church, local PD. A lot of those are taking donations, sheriff’s departments. I know my department is running a bunch of stuff to the western part of the state to help donate, but please do not donate to FEMA.
They are hindering a lot of what people are trying to accomplish out in the western part of the state.
FEMA doesn’t understand that these Appalachian people are built differently. I’m very familiar with them. They are not gonna stand by idly and have government officials tell them what to do. FEMA’s playing a game of FAFO because free men don’t ask for permission. Again, please donate and help these people out. They need us now more than ever.”
“FEMA’s playing a game of FAFO because free men don’t ask for permission.” Profound and spot on. Appalachia is not Maui. FEMA can try their bureaucratic “We’re in charge” moves to try and divert resources and true help, but these mountain folks are not going to go quietly. Posts like this one, from law enforcement no less, help to bring even more noise.
After this first video went viral, Deputy DeStefano received lots of response and requests asking where they should send their donations. So, he did a follow-up video encouraging relief organizations and churches in the western part of the state to drop their contact information in the video comments.
@mikedapopo #appalachia #donate #nonprofit #copsoftiktok #deputy #hurricaneHelene #help ♬ original sound – Mikey
This is the way. Hopefully, more state and community law enforcement will not only keep doing the right thing, but will speak directly to the failure of the federal response, while also directing individuals on how they can best help.
