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The Government Can't Help You, But the Cajun Navy Can
PJ Media ^ | August | Liz Shield

Posted on 08/18/2016 2:24:12 PM PDT by Kaslin

Louisiana was devastated by record-level flooding last week, when an astonishing 630 inches of rain fell in a 72-hour-period, hitting both southern Louisiana and parts of Mississippi.

The situation has left the community devastated. Scott McKay at The American Spectator describes:

As of this writing, some 20 of the state’s 64 parishes are now under a disaster declaration, with another handful likely to follow as the state’s rivers swell beyond their banks and spill into streets and homes. More — well more — than 40,000 homes have been destroyed, and well north of 40,000 people have evacuated. The sheriff in Livingston Parish, just east of Baton Rouge, estimates that 105,000 people in a parish with a population of about 135,000 have “lost everything.” The eastern half of East Baton Rouge Parish, which lies on the opposite bank of the Amite River from Livingston, suffered similar damage.

David Key boats away from his flooded home after reviewing the damage in Prairieville, La., Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016. Key, an insurance adjuster, fled his home as the flood water was rising with his wife and three children and returned today to assess the damage. (AP Photo/Max Becherer)

The lesson of Hurricane Katrina was not to depend on the government to come and save you. After the floods last week, the Cajun Navy, a local volunteer group with boats and cars, deployed to rescue their troubled neighbors. No one was going to stick around waiting for the government to show up. The community has become its own first responders.

The Cajun Navy used Facebook to coordinate its rescue efforts. The Times-Picayune:

As thousands were stranded inside their homes as Louisiana floodwaters rose this weekend, social media users shared photos and thanks for the “Cajun Navy.” The term was affectionately applied to the many fishermen, hunters and leisure boaters who arrived to provide back up to official first responders backed up with emergency calls for stranded residents.

The “Cajun Navy” faced no less strenuous work, according to one such volunteer. Chris Macaluso, a Baton Rouge resident, used his own boat to help get neighbors to dry ground from his own subdivision.

“I had access to a boat I could use but, man, they got a lot of (people) in duck hunting boats riding around these neighborhoods who have no idea where they’re going, but they’re just here to help,” Macaluso said. “This is not easy work.”

#CajunNavy doing what they can to help in #BatonRougepic.twitter.com/7nltb8Q1nU

— Ashley Doan (@AshleyMDoan) August 15, 2016

“The reality of the Cajun Navy is everybody out here with a boat that isn’t devastated gets out and helps others,” said Clyde Cain, a 53-year-old from Tangipahoa Parish who runs the Facebook page Louisiana Cajun Navy. “We’re just one big network.”

Residents from all over the state mobilized to help their flooded neighbors. Troy Green from Ascension Parish headed to East Baton Rouge Parish ready to help. "I am here to help," he said. "Where do you need me?"

#waterrescue today in #batonrouge Most were in good spirits and glad to see us. #louisianaflood #louisianastrong #louisianaproud #prodriveoutboards #unclejcustomboats #prayforlouisiana #cajunnavy A photo posted by Troy Green (@1troyg) on Aug 14, 2016 at 4:56pm PDT

Green said he had nine people, a cat, and two dogs aboard his boat. He was planning on returning the next day to retrieve a lady's bird.

The flooding has brought some looting to the stricken area. East Baton Rouge deputies arrested four men on suspicion of looting. Detectives found $750 of merchandise in their car after they were spotted leaving a car Monday night. Other reports out have the number of looters arrested at 14.

As of today, President Obama, who is on vacation, has not visited the state and its flood victims. In fact, Obama hasn't even made a statement on the devastation. The Washington Times reported that Obama was briefed on the situation and then promptly headed back to the golf course. Obama did speak with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate on Wednesday from Martha's Vineyard where the president told Fugate to use “all resources available” to help the community. Well, Mr. President, the Cajun Navy is way ahead of you on that.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; US: Louisiana
KEYWORDS: cajunnavy; louisiana
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1 posted on 08/18/2016 2:24:12 PM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

Has anyone blamed George W. Bush for this yet?


2 posted on 08/18/2016 2:26:11 PM PDT by Arm_Bears (Rope. Tree. Politician/Journalist. Some assembly required.)
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To: Kaslin

the President is in Martha’s Vineyard getting some well deserved rest. He shouldn’t be bothered with these mundane things.


3 posted on 08/18/2016 2:27:08 PM PDT by Typical_Whitey (Hey Obama Guns don't kill people, Radical Muslims kill people.)
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To: Kaslin
 
 
I was thinking about what kind of a logo they should have and they've already got one posted up - pretty good.
 
 

4 posted on 08/18/2016 2:29:12 PM PDT by lapsus calami (What's that stink? Code Pink ! ! And their buddy Murtha, too!)
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To: Kaslin

When Katrina hit, Bush didn’t go because some said he hated black people. What’s Obama’s excuse?


5 posted on 08/18/2016 2:30:00 PM PDT by mkmensinger
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To: Kaslin

The claim of “630 inches of rain” is specious - it’s derived from adding a bunch of rainfall observations ... it’s like saying “My family is 30 feet tall because that’s the total of our heights.”


6 posted on 08/18/2016 2:30:17 PM PDT by DuncanWaring (The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
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To: Kaslin

The rip off is that Americans pay trillions of tax dollars out of their pay checks, and the corrupt, useless government is totally incompetent in emergencies. Cut the funding to every “first responder” agency that does not respond within 48 hours of a disaster. If they don’t respond, why are they getting pay checks???


7 posted on 08/18/2016 2:30:37 PM PDT by txrefugee
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To: Arm_Bears
Has anyone blamed George W. Bush for this yet?

No, but if he were still president the media would howling with outrage over the poor federal response. Instead, they'll praise Obama, who can't break away from his MV vacation to be bothered with this natural disaster.

8 posted on 08/18/2016 2:31:10 PM PDT by AlaskaErik (I served and protected my country for 31 years. Progressives spent that time trying to destroy it.)
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To: Kaslin
Where is the Red Cross?

Where is the Federal Government??????

9 posted on 08/18/2016 2:33:54 PM PDT by oldbrowser (The 2nd amendment is to protect us from tyranny)
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To: Kaslin
If they had these

Dells Army Ducks are an Adventure for the Whole Family December 30, 2015 When booking your family getaway to Wisconsin Dells, a Dells Army Duck Tour is an activity that the whole family can enjoy. Whether you’re interested in the Dells unique rock formations and landscapes, or you’re just in it for a ride on one of the famous amphibious vehicles, an original Army Duck Tour offers a little bit of everything. On your journey, learn about the history of the Dells area and view beautiful geological features that were created at the end of the last glacial period. One of the favorite parts of the ride among the kids is driving into the waters of Lake Delton and the Lower Wisconsin River! Although there is a splash, don’t worry you won’t get too wet!


10 posted on 08/18/2016 2:37:46 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said? was let used as the NM reporter car)
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To: DuncanWaring
The claim of “630 inches of rain” is specious...

Good call. Here is an article that shows where that number came from.

Here's how much rain fell in Louisiana
11 posted on 08/18/2016 2:41:37 PM PDT by SpaceBar
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To: Kaslin
630 inches? I might buy 63".😬
12 posted on 08/18/2016 2:45:25 PM PDT by rktman (Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?!)
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To: oldbrowser

Where is FEMA?
Where is Obama?
Where is Biden?
Where are all the tragedy videos on the newscasts and networks?
Where are all the travel trailer temporary homes?
Why so very different now than with Katrina? Hmm?


13 posted on 08/18/2016 2:46:25 PM PDT by polymuser (Enough is enough)
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To: DuncanWaring

I swear, journalists must be some of the laziest and most credulous people on this earth.

Over 24 inches fell in some places. About 5% of the state is homeless or barely hanging on right now. That’s bad enough.


14 posted on 08/18/2016 2:57:55 PM PDT by Romulus
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To: polymuser

It’s all up to the coonasses, God Bless Them


15 posted on 08/18/2016 2:58:34 PM PDT by onona (Honey this isn't Kindergarten. We are in an all out war for the survival of our Country !)
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To: mkmensinger
When Katrina hit, Bush didn’t go because some said he hated black people. What’s Obama’s excuse?

OBama hates voters who do not vote for him!

16 posted on 08/18/2016 3:02:22 PM PDT by Lockbox
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To: Kaslin
Same thing went down with Katrina. It took a bit longer to get going, but it was the "volunteer Navy" that got the first rescues going.

My home country, and "my people", though I am now geographically far away, my heart and prayers are with them.

17 posted on 08/18/2016 3:03:58 PM PDT by Wonder Warthog (The Hog of Steel and NRA Life Member)
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To: Romulus

18 posted on 08/18/2016 3:04:15 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said? was let used as the NM reporter car)
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To: Arm_Bears

Bravo for the Cajun Navy!

No, this one’s on Obama, but it’s a fact that George W grew the government too.

I remember that during Katrina, FEMA told guys like this to go home, yet then didn’t step in to do the job that those guys were about to do. There was also a medical team from Florida who spent the whole disaster camped by the interstate, waiting for orders. What a mess.

This country was built on self-reliance and helping your neighbors. We ignore that legacy at our peril.


19 posted on 08/18/2016 3:07:28 PM PDT by Gunpowder green
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To: Kaslin

Has Sean Penn arrived to help yet? His videographer?


20 posted on 08/18/2016 3:08:47 PM PDT by IYAS9YAS (An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool - you bet that Tommy sees! - Kipling)
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