A short while ago, we heard platitudes from our president regarding the earthquake in Japan. The entire Sendai region, heavily populated and horribly stricken, just got knocked back 100 years for at least the next few weeks, and all we have seen from the most powerful man in the world is an undefined offer of assistance.
Emergency responders know what is at stake. Hundreds of thousands of people have no power, water, or shelter. Thousands lie injured and dead. The next 48 hours are critical. The temperatures in the region are in the 30′s at night and the 40′s during the day. These are killer conditions in an environment where infection will run rife. People need help now.
The infrastructure is paralyzed. Highways are riven with faults. The rail system is damaged. Ports are flooded. A 30′ tsunami hit a highly built up city with lightning speed, and we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg in the casualty numbers.
The Haitian earthquake was measured at 7.0. This one so far is rated an 8.9, almost 700 times more powerful. Japan is incredibly well prepared, but the devastation is biblical.
The shock will not wear off for days either in Sendai or in Tokyo. And reassurance is just as critical to survival as food sometimes. Knowing help is on the way and that the world is together is critical.
And our president just voted “present”. This is a disgrace beyond compare. Difficult times require great leadership. “Standing ready to help” means absolutely nothing when 2.3 million people in Miyagi Prefecture alone are affected. This is when you send in the Marines, heavy equipment, and every helicopter you can find. We have assault ships and crews not far away that have had extensive experience; in Haiti, Katrina, and even the 2004 Indonesian earthquake.
I just pray that our myopic media is misreporting the news, because while the Chilean quake was an 8.8, the population density near the epicenter was much lower. We have seen the devastation with our own eyes, but it is as if there is a remove from reality at the top. It would be nice to know that our leaders understand the gravity of the situation and perhaps give a damn.
Like this:
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | Earthquake, Emergency Response, Japan, Miyagi, Sendai, Tokyo, tsunami
[...] go see if I can find out a bit more about those earthquakes/tsunamis on the news. This summarizes my political response precisely. BHO! voting “present” is not an option here. Where is our [...]
Obama votes present again? Disgraceful.
[...] “PRESENT” ON the Japanese earthquake? I thought we were sending an aircraft carrier [...]
There are at least 11 Navy ships and two Marine Expeditionary Units responding to the disaster, and the Los Angeles USAR team is being sent.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7847718/navy_ships_move_to_assist_stricken.html
That requires a decision to be made, Obama does not do decisions, he is only good for lecturing and referring decisions to committees.
Absolutely the worst president ever, with the weakest group of sycophants supporting him.
USS Ronald Reagan in Western Pacific and should be in place on Saturday. All Marines in Japan on standby if called upon to help.
http://tinyurl.com/4n2zkoh
I’m sick about this. Did you hear the Big O describe the quake/tsunami as “potentially catastrophic”??? What pictures does this fool need to see before he figures out that it IS catastrophic???
No doubt a carrier is the single most potent humanitarian aid system around, not only for relief but also for keeping bad guys in check, I think the USS GW is homeported there, so there would already be a CV in place. Also saw where USS RR may be readying – http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7847718/navy_ships_move_to_assist_stricken.html
We’ll be there and ready: http://www.wtkr.com/news/wtkr-navy-prepare,0,6693692.story
Get over yourself. Good diplomacy means you don’t insult your ally by announcing that you’re going to steam in and save the day, making them look weak. We will be there as soon as possible, and as prepared as possible. In strength.
having worked in Japan for 30 years and having had deep experience with both disaster preparedness and bureaucracy there and here, there is no insult, especially to one’s ally, in offering any and all assistance available.
A Carrier Battle Group is tit’s on a bull, son. They need helicopters, amphibious assault ships with their LCAC’s and landing craft and all of the materiel necessary to keep people alive for 48-72 hours, and they need it right now. They do not need the Reagan and it’s dozen light helo’s. They can use it’s R/O water generation if they can get it inshore.
Perhaps, before spouting off so much, you should actually check your facts.
Or did you miss the Navy announcement? USS Reagan CVBG? Steaming there from Korea. USS Boxer ARG? On the way. 31st MEU, on the USS Essex ARG? On the way, from Malaysia. USS Tortuga? Loading to depart. USS Blue Ridge? Loading relief supplies in Singapore prior to departure.
USAR teams that are just returning from New Zealand are being turned around to prepare for immediate deployment to Japan. There are people in one of the LA teams that have been on the ground stateside for less than a day, that have been alerted for deployment. They’re all spooling up.
see above. CBG’s are of very little use. LSD’s, LST’s etc are of great use.
A nuke powered CV is good for electrical power.
[...] Our President’s response to today’s disaster A short while ago, we heard platitudes from our president regarding the earthquake in Japan. The entire Sendai region, [...] [...]