Posted on 10/04/2013 2:21:54 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
Republicans lawmakers from Louisiana are insisting that the government shutdown will not impact the region's preparedness ahead of the expected landfall of Tropical Storm Karen on the Gulf Coast.
The storm, which has maximum winds of 50 miles per hour according to the National Hurricane Center, is expected to slam the Gulf Coast late Saturday or early Sunday morning. Forecasters believe Karen could intensify to hurricane strength before then.
That's led to questions about the government's preparedness for severe weather. According to The Times Picayune in New Orleans, at least 2,000 federal workers have been furloughed in the state, including 876 national guardsmen.
But Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) tweeted Friday there was "no negative impact trickling down from the government shutdown."
Rep. John Fleming (R-La.) echoed that sentiment, telling National Review that he did not "think that many of my constituents even know that there is a shutdown — or even care."
The White House announced Friday it had recalled and deployed federal liaisons to emergency operation centers in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. It also recalled staff from furlough to a supply distribution center in Atlanta and activated its national response coordination center in Washington.
"FEMA is recalling certain currently furloughed employees necessary to serve functions of the agency that protect life and property in preparation for the potential impacts of extreme weather including Tropical Storm Karen in the Gulf of Mexico and severe weather in the central United States," White House press secretary Jay Carney said.
Well, they did pass a stand alone bill for FEMA, which I personally oppose, but let’s not say the GOP opposes it.
And that’s exactly the problem. This is why this shutdown must be ended PRONTO, before the people get the idea that they can live with a lot less government.
Here we go, anytime it looks like the statists are on the ropes, here comes another giant storm to show us how much we need to be taxed to death in order to save people who aren’t smart enough to get out of the way of a tidal wave.
What’s that song about a depression, a tropical depression?
Anyway, it’s not a hurricane, it’s a tropical storm.
Now gas prices will go up, food will be rationed and federal park police will shoot more crazy African women. It’s a conspiracy I tell ya!
Ya, that’s the ticket. A conspiracy./S
Gas stations around here have stopped collecting federal gas tax. Getting a nice break on gas in advance of the storm.
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