If anyone is noticing, the massive floods occurring in the mid-west are barely getting coverage on the MSM, and some articles are being posted on news websites, but not nearly enough. Just now, this morning, did the MSM begin extensive coverage. Oh, was it the 20 or so levees that are breaking, perhaps?
As levee's continue to fail and limited assistance to victims is available, this tragedy has been unfolding below the radar, much to the relief of FEMA and it's Republican overseers.
In reading a recent article on CNN, a report has been released by
by Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Richard Skinner, that states:
Field employees for the Federal Emergency Management Agency still rely on ad hoc computer systems and, in some instances, paper forms, to order and distribute goods, said the report, which was released Tuesday.
Cots, tarps and other items donated by outside agencies and charities are not easily integrated into FEMA's supply chain, the report said. Field personnel also could place duplicate orders for disaster goods because some of the agency's computer systems don't talk to each other, it said.
"As a result, FEMA may be hindered in its ability to perform disaster response in an effective and timely manner," the report said.
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With the Katrina disaster behind them, and not wanting another "bad press" moment, are the MSM elites effectively performing a "black out" for Homeland Security and the Republican party?
The number of levees now breached has reached 20, with more to fail as the waters rise along the Mississippi. 30,000 acres of farmland have been destroyed in Illinois, not counting the Iowa's crops. And what is the media coverage?... Bush, McCain, Obama doing tours and stints. What the hell is going on here?
Here's the latest stats from FEMA as of June 18, 2008, in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin and Missouri. Read entire press release.
• Joint Federal Activities: FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the U.S. General Services Administration and the Defense Logistics Agency have worked together to provide
o 3,222,000 liters of water – enough to provide for more than 465,000 people per day.
o 213,120 meals ready-to-eat (MRE’s).
o 12.8 million sand-bags bags – enough to reach from Washington, DC to San Francisco if laid side-by-side.
o 46 generators.
o 2,500 tarps.
o 4,032 rolls of plastic sheeting – which would measure more than 50 miles long if laid end-to-end.
o 23 Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (MDRCs).
o 30 trucks deployed to help with debris removal.
o Another 108,000 liters of water, 50 generators and 7 MDRCs are currently on the way to impacted communities.
So, there are 5 states that are now under seige, and there are 46 generators? Only 2,500 tarps available? Well, one thing, and thank God for them, is in the press release, the number of National Guard assisting in the efforts is staggering, 4,800, considering the strain on their reserves. Thank you to all of them!
I also found, though cynically hoping, that the Crop Insurance Industry will be able to assist farmers more quickly than emergency relief funds and claims. From an article in The Examiner/Newswire, assurances to farmers are being made.
Bob Parkerson, President of National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS). "We want to reassure farmers that they are not alone. The crop insurance industry will stand by them. We have built reserves over the last few years with good weather, and have the financial stability and resources to help them assess their options, make the best decisions for their farms, and cover claims that will allow them to be back in business next season."
Needless to say, with the crops being destroyed, disaster assistance, and the added bonus of high fuel prices, we will be looking at a compounding problem of rising prices with food in the near months, if not weeks. The media has taken it's sweet old time with this one. Yes, things suck right now, but isn't it their job to report that as well? Naaah, the folks at Kelloggs, Post, Quaker, are paying way too much money!