Obama Fiddles While Texas Burns.
By: Ed Farnan | Published Monday, June 20, 2011, 2:50 AM | Updated Friday, September 9, 2011, 10:16 PM
While President Obama was taping the Oprah Winfrey show, attending fundraisers to collect money for his re-election campaign and other affairs of state so critical to America's well being....... A runaway natural disaster is turning one of our states into cinders.
Texas has been burning up by wildfires that have destroyed over two million acres, obliterated over 900 buildings and so far killed two firefighters. But the federal government has turned a deaf ear to its pleas to turn Texas into a federal disaster area. If this isn't an environmental and social disaster just what is?
Texas Governor Rick Perry asked President Obama for help
two weeks ago, in fighting
the biggest fires in Texas history, so far Obama has not responded. FEMA is still trying to reply to the request for help from Texas. The problem, according to federal officials is no money.
But when another natural disaster occurred in Alabama caused by tornadoes, it was instantly jumped on by Obama when he took a short trip from Cape Kennedy to Alabama for photo ops. Amidst the rubble of Alabama and the flashes of hundreds of cameras and recorders, Obama could look presidential in declaring Alabama a federal disaster area and unleash millions in assistance to that state.
In the meantime Texas is still burning and has not received the much needed declaration from president Obama to say it a disaster and open it up to millions in federal assistance.
Is there some bad political blood between Governor Rick Perry of Texas and President Obama that is causing the citizens of the state of Texas to suffer? The Republican Governor of the red state has been a vocal critic of Obamas policies in the past.
The reason for a national government is to provide assistance to individual states that are facing catastrophes beyond their ability to fight alone.
Would the bluest states, the most indebted, highly unionized, most democrat receive the same response Texas is getting? Just think about it if Illinois, Connecticut, Delaware, California, or New Jersey were burning up for over two weeks would their letters for help get lost in the mail?
Unless our President wants to be saddled with the same lasting impression as Nero fiddling while Rome burned. He better act Presidential and help Texas.
Editors update today May 3: Texas U.S. Senators, Cornyn and Hutchinson have both requested the that the Obama administration declare Texas a disaster area due to over 7,000 out of control wildfires burning the state up.
Editors update today May 6: Texas still has no emergency declaration from the Obama administration. However President Declares Emergency for Louisiana, Feds Mobilize for flood response ( The state of Sen. Mary Landreau, whose vote for Obamacare was key to its passage.) http://www.wdsu.com/news/27807947/detail.html#ixzz1LcrKy8Q2
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.seanomelbourne | May 06, 2011, 07:45 PM EDT
Mman is your last sentence the premise of your article?
Monsoonman | May 06, 2011, 11:06 AM EDT
Looks like Obamas strategy will be to try to run out of burnable material as a way of fighting these fires. Can you imagine the screeching if it was Nancy Pelosis state of California burning like in Texas? My ears bleed at the thought. Obama seems to regard Texans the same way Longshanks regarded the Irish when he told his archers to fire upon his own Irish forces battling the Scots under William Wallace: Irish are cheaper than arrows.
seanomelbourne | May 05, 2011, 09:05 PM EDT
He didn't need Texas last time and will not need it next time. The Feds gave millions in aid for a burning Texas.Maybe he should give megalitres of water to douse the burning hate as exhibited by you.
pflynn70 | May 05, 2011, 04:27 PM EDT
Obama is not going to help Texas because we Texans kicked his ass during the last elections. Its his way of "paying back" people who don't like him,remember he's from Chicago the most crooked,screwed up state. P/S he won't get Texas next go around either.
Monsoonman | May 04, 2011, 01:34 PM EDT
Texas would be self sufficient if they kept all of the revenue they give to the feds from their oil revenue & cattle sales. Maybe they should do that to pay for the damage the illegal aliens have done to them because Obama & Co. would rather protect the illegals as their potentia; voter base, than protect the states. Who started these 7,000 fires anyway?
fitzcarraldo | May 04, 2011, 12:01 PM EDT
I thought Texas didn't want any meddling with their sovereign rights. Doesn't the Texas legislature have to approve any federal action in Texas? Wasn't that what Gov Perry was telling us a few months ago. Texas cando it alone.
Monsoonman | May 04, 2011, 11:42 AM EDT
You would think obama and co. would be eager to declare Texas a disaster area and rush all available aid and money there. All of that "green house gas" being emitted into the atmosphere accelerating global warming? Warning warning, danger danger!! eeeeek.
seanomelbourne | May 03, 2011, 09:58 PM EDT
Not my favorite tipple "Seamas of the red hair" prefer Jameson 18yr.old.
SeamusRua | May 03, 2011, 09:20 PM EDT
"Mman the feds gave the cry bay Perry millions of bucks to fihgt thre fires." -seanomelbourne" Mate let go of the Fosters.
seanomelbourne | May 03, 2011, 03:50 AM EDT
Mman the feds gave the cry bay Perry millions of bucks to fihgt thre fires.
mamaginnty | May 02, 2011, 03:59 PM EDT
The news here in Ireland was that over 200 lives were lost and thousands of homes destroyed in Alabama I think my priorities would not be for trees but human life.
Searlit | May 02, 2011, 01:40 PM EDT
There are some great posts here, especially odonnell521, jamthecat, seagreen, greensod and kerryknorpp.
DLW12183 | May 02, 2011, 09:10 AM EDT
He clearly practices Chicago politics-those that are helpful, provide campaign money and votes get preferential treatment. Just look-he is going to Indiana on Friday to talk at Allison's-a union shop and a state he won in the last election
Larrcm2 | May 01, 2011, 11:26 PM EDT
It is hard for me to comment on this , but I have noticed that Obama and his appointments and staff have made "getting even" for not supporting Obama and his legions. This is a sad statement on our current lack of leadership and one of retribution.
Monsoonman | May 01, 2011, 07:52 PM EDT
Lad? Can you please point out any untruths in the article. As was stated the fires are the worst in Texas history and Obama has NOT declared it a federal disaster. You are starting to worry me Lad, I have always considered you a middle of the roader....lol.
seanomelbourne | May 01, 2011, 07:43 PM EDT
Why is Farnan such an ignorant whinger he has the same respect for the truth as Adolf.
Monsoonman | May 01, 2011, 06:47 PM EDT
Where's Maloney? Did those tornadoes miss you Lad?
Monsoonman | May 01, 2011, 06:31 PM EDT
So all Texas needs to do is turn into another blue state and tax the hell out of the private sector to make everything alright? The problem with forest management under obamas greenies is that it is almost impossible to control burn anymore...You knw green house gasses/global warming? So you're supposed to manage the underbrush by hand trimming millions of acres, of course with unionized public sector employees...Oh the insanity, beam me up Scotty! Hence we now have super fires that create more, gasp! "green house gasses"!!!!
tundish45 | May 01, 2011, 05:46 PM EDT
On the local politics aspect consider the Texas Forest Service, which seems to have failed to prudently regulate timber management and in the crisis seems to be understaffed. Which political party has led it to this sorry state? The party opposed to regulation and spending, or the tax and spend party which favors regulation? Sounds like Farnan opposes regulation and tax and spend behavior until his pants catch fire.
tundish45 | May 01, 2011, 05:23 PM EDT
Didn't Texas Gov Rick Perry say a while back that Texas should leave the Union? And that small government is the best government? So isn't this complaint that US tax dollars aren't being thrown at burning mesquite a little hypoctritical?
Monsoonman | May 01, 2011, 04:15 PM EDT
The article is 100% correct. Fact: fires are the most destructive and largest in history. Fact: obama has not declared Texas a disaster area. As usual with obama it is all political and punitive when you don't do it the chicago way. Politics should have NOTHING to do in a Presidents allocation of resources for the nations disasters.
odonnell521 | May 01, 2011, 03:25 PM EDT
Farnan's habit of fabricating lies is starting to get a bit tiring. Here's the facts. According to Rachel Racusen, the spokesperson for FEMA, Texas has gotten 22 federal grants to help fight the fires. A total of 16 of those came in April alone. Ah, if it were Fox News talking points, I don't know how this guy would ever get a column written. Here's what a real columnist, Reno Berkeley said this week - "Governor Rick Perry's constant confrontational attitude towards the president seems to know no bounds. First, he wants to secede, then he refuses federal funds from the stimulus, and then he takes it. Of course, the money he got that was supposed to be used for educational purposes was diverted into the general fund. And now, when an entire state like Alabama has entire towns completely leveled, Perry is crying like a baby because he hasn't gotten his share. Perhaps the governor's hair got in the way of his brain function."
Skibberrean | May 01, 2011, 01:53 PM EDT
DITTO! Monsoonman. He is a fraud and a disgrace to this wonderful Capitalist Country that our Fathers,Grandfathers and Great Grandfathers built. God help us in 2012 that the American people will see this administration and Obama for what it is.
Monsoonman | May 01, 2011, 01:06 PM EDT
Some of you, who have not had your total allotment of kool aid yet, are starting to see what a vile, vindictive political animal you elected to the whitehouse. You took the worst that corrupt chicago politics could belch out, but dressed in nice clothes and a friendly smile and transferred it to our highest office. shame on all of you for voting for your own self interests rather than the best interests of our country, children and grandchildren.
Nicomax | May 01, 2011, 01:00 PM EDT
None of the 'blue' states you listed had governors who suggested secession.
Monsoonman | May 01, 2011, 12:57 PM EDT
Jamthecat: Would you please post a link to the story that says this article is a lie? Post obamas disaster declaration that allows FEMA disaster aid and monetary aid for Texas. TIA (thanks in advance)
jamthecat | May 01, 2011, 12:49 PM EDT
As a Texan I can say, flat out, Rick Perry is lying and Ed Farnan is deliberately spreading what he knows is a lie, all for political purposes. Texas HAS received Federal aid, just not as much as Texas' governor wants. It's his and the Legislature's own damned fault the state is in this kind of peril, but God forbid they be held accountable for it when they can shift the blame to someone who's actually trying to help them.
peterson | May 01, 2011, 12:49 PM EDT
Obama is the worst ever U.S.President !!
jdi2269 | May 01, 2011, 12:39 PM EDT
WHY DOESN'T ANYONE PRINT THE WHITEHOUSE LEAK THAT OBAMA WAS GOING TO ALABAMA ON FRIDAY BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO MISS THE NFL DRAFT ON ESPN ON THURSDAY. THIS JERK REALLY HAS HIS PRIORITIES SET!
Monsoonman | May 01, 2011, 12:35 PM EDT
Most of the posts here criticizing Texas Forestry management are willfully ignorant, or just plain ignorant.....Obamas greenies who have burrowed in and seized control of the EPA and other agencies who dictate to states on how they manage their forests, have banned proper forest management, thus the era of super fires have begun under their watch. Fire bad in their opinion, another example of college theoreticians in charge of policy in the real world. It doesn't work.
ciarrai | May 01, 2011, 12:30 PM EDT
Gov. Perry asked for help 2 weeks ago and Obama has done nothing? That sounds like just another right wing attempt to defame President Obama. I bet he has responded to Perry and help has gotten to Texas. This isn't the Bush regime and it's handling of Katrina we are talking about. Obama actually cares about people. Bush cared about Bush, Righty.
seagreen | May 01, 2011, 12:13 PM EDT
I would like to have a picture of Obama in a toga fiddling while smoke was pouring out of Haliburton's executive offices(oops, they moved to Dubai) OK then, Exxon-Mobile
joanxis | May 01, 2011, 10:41 AM EDT
I love all of you people from Texas calling it like it is. Another area that Govenor Goodhair is trying to destroy is education. He has never liked teachers and has tried repeatedly to get into our pension funds, because there is so much money there. Thankfully he couldn't do it. He lies about why Texas is in the fiscal state it's in and now he and the Republican legislature want to stop funding part of retired teacher's healthcare. Retired teachers haven't gotten a cost of living raise in 10 years. Oh, he's a wonder, he is.
greensod | May 01, 2011, 10:30 AM EDT
Soapyrub,Is right on the money.Perry is a man that can not be trusted.He is interested in one thing,himself,and only himself.He lied to the people of Texas on the run up to the election,then he dropped one bomb after another about how broke the state is.This is the guy that pulled rank on a cop when he stopped him for speeding,told the cop to get on down the road.He uses the old the young and the poor to support his rich buddies.He himself lives in a house that costs the tax payers $ 10000 per month while the Governors residence is under construction.This is the same man that wanted to pull texas out of the union,same man that told washington Texas did not need any money form them,same man who used federal funds to prop up his Texas budget as he lied to the people abuot how good Texas was doing.After slapping the Feds in the face time and time again.The Feds continue to pour money into Texas for border patrols, fire fighting, school funds, fence building on the border.He is now in the process of destroying all of the colleges in Texas,another money grab in the works.This guy is a bully with the compassion of a skunk.The above arcticle could not be futher from the truth.Check the record and the facts on this guy,it may take a little time todo that as he is also a whimp who hides under every little rule he can find.The Austin American Statesman would be a good place to get some facts on this public menice.
kerryknorpp | May 01, 2011, 10:22 AM EDT
The Republican Legislature is cutting funding again for the Texas Forest Service, our primary agency which does excellent work in fighting fires, statewide. How can a declaration from President Obama make our ability to fight fires better?? Gov. Perry needs to appeal to his Republican friends in the Legislature to fully fund the Texas Forest Service so that they may effectively address the problem. Blaming President Obama is just another "Straw Man" put up by Gov. Perry. He is really good at that. A Texas Rancher
soapyrub | May 01, 2011, 09:09 AM EDT
This is a flat out lie - the Feds have stepped in and helped with fire fighting. Texas is in no position to whine about their situation - they brought it on with poor forestry managment. Perry is a two faced fool. Divine justice? Methinks yes.
hancock | Apr 30, 2011, 07:55 PM EDT
Grat picture of the empty tunic.
seanomelbourne | Apr 30, 2011, 07:34 PM EDT
The secessionist governor of Texas going cap in hand to Obama for money some hypocrite and poor Ed is weeping,here have a tissue Ed!!
flusched | Apr 30, 2011, 04:55 PM EDT
Alabama isn't a blue state. Texas is the richest state in the union, but it has the most children below the poverty level of any state. Texas has all of those wealthy oil men crying poverty while they gouge the rest of the country with high gas prices. Does it really make sense to you for the richest state in the country to be asking a federal government struggling with enormous deficits for more money. The money would just go to reimburse rich oil men.