It is both a sad commentary and reason for hope. In a nation widely fractured and that fracture seemingly growing with every two-year election cycle, we came together for the time being last week. Of course it took one of the most devastating weather tragedies in our history to make that happen. The storms that raked the South had all of us hoping and praying for the best, knowing all along it was not going to turn out that way, and it did not.
But in the wake of the storms (I write this less than a week out), something remarkable happened. Everyone was pulling together to get things back to some semblance of normal, and the Obama Administration has played a key role. According to numerous elected officials in Alabama the response from the federal government has been swift, welcome and positive.
Alabama should know. On their southern coast many are still trying to put thing back together in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the inept response of the Bush administration.
-
- Bio | E-mail | Recent columns
The most remarkable contrast came from FEMA. Did you know that FEMA officials contacted the White House to get the ball rolling on disaster aid and recovery even before they were asked by anyone? Isn’t that what FEMA is supposed to do and isn’t that what they are supposed to do with our tax dollars? Within four days FEMA had offices set up in five states and is setting up satellite offices in various regions.
President Obama made the obligatory presidential visit to the hardest hit areas, but this time it was more than a well-choreographed photo opportunity. By the time he got there the wheels were already in motion to bring some solace, relief and rebuilding.
Politics had nothing to do with it since Obama still has no chance of winning Alabama in 2012.
Maybe this will send a much-needed message; The president of the United States is a caretaker above all else. For now anyway this president is doing the best he can to take care of our fellow Americans who are suffering big time.
Roll Tide.