Replies

I sent your questions to a friend who passed it along to another who sent it to the director of the EPA in Iowa. He of course thinks it is about him and does not get that it is about the media. Intersting responses after the questins, I love the one on the levees.

To:List Supressed

I received this email from one of the people on the forwarding group. As an Iowan and a member of the state government working on solving the problems of the flooding , I hope this email originally from Mr. was not sent to stir up racial annimosity or problems. If it was, I am deeply offended as would anyone who has had to walk through flooded towns, boat through the new “Lake Oakville” (formerly 20,000 acres of the word’s most productive farmland). On the other hand he says that these are serious questions and therefore I will try to give all of you a serious answer.

As a senior official of the government of the State of Iowa- especially one who has been touring our state flood areas- looking at the damage and seeing the looks in the eyes of the people affected I will answer them serioulsy and hope that these answers get back to the people asking the questions. For people whose hearts go out to us in this state and want to help I request you make out a check out to the Red Cross Midwest Disaster Aid Fund. You can even specify Iowa relief. I spent last Friday in Oakville, a town of about 1000 people and the surrounding farms talking to residents, the Red Cross, etc. The Red Cross is feeding people, helping them find shelter, rescuing pets, etc. Helping them would be good. This is a real human disaster and one that should not be made light of. The answers to his questions follow below.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like further information on ways to help the State Of Iowa and its hard hit people.

Henry F. Marquard
Chairman, Iowa Environmental Protection Commission
Muscatine, Iowa
marquardhenry@stanleygroup.com

Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 10:57 AM
Subject: WHY

My heart goes out to all those affected in Iowa, Missouri and other states
from this devastating flooding. However, it raises a lot of sensitive
questions that need to be addressed.

1. Why aren’t Hollywood celebrities holding telethons asking for help in
Iowa, Missouri, and other states affected ? ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::The People who did Farm Aid are working on just such a concert, at least thats what I’ve heard.

2. Why isn’t the media asking tough questions about why the Federal
Government hasn’t solved the problem? ::::::::::::::::::::::::: Because its a state problem just like Katrina was. The operations between the USEPA, FEMA and our state agencies are proceeding extremely well. When I’ve been touring damaged areas, I’ve gotten great responses from FEMA and the other involved agencies. The difference between Iowa in 2008 and New Orleanes during Katrina is largely the competence and ability of the state government to be ready to handle things.

3 .Why isn’t the Federal Government relocating people to free hotels and
handing out pre-paid credit cards to everyone like it was candy? ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: They have been. Some 35,000 Iowans have been relocated. FEMA has been very good at providing hotels and emergency accomodations for everyone. Since most Iowans have family in state we’ve been able to move people in with family when transportation allowed it. Remember most east-west roads in the central part of the state were destroyed or damaged in the floods. FEMA and the other federal agencies have done a good job here.

4. When will Spike Lee say the Federal Government blew up the levees that
failed in Des Moines, Iowa and now in St. Charles, MO ?::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: We didn’t have to blow them up. 22 failed. The damage caused is about $20 billion dollars. The fact that our levees failed probably saved St. Louis from disaster. The 23,000 acres of farm land flooded in Louisa and Des Moines county kept about a crest of 20 feet of water from hitting Quincy ILL and St. Louis.

5. Where are Sean Penn and The Dixie Chicks speaking out on behalf of all
the flooding victims? :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I don’t know. We sure have a lot of country singers out here helping though. They are a lot more welcome and at home in Iowa and they wear boots- something you need considering all the water we have.

6. Where are all the people declaring that George Bush hates white, rural
people? :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Don’t know- Didn’t know he did. As a resident of Iowa I am really disturbed that someone would ask a question like this right now when people are suffering. We don’t need racial debate- we need help!!!!! Cedar Rapids, our most damaged city has our state’s highest minority population as well as large immigrant communities from Eastern Europe. These were people most disproportionally damaged by the flood.

7. How come in a month you will likely never hear about the Iowa/Missouri .:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I hope your Churches and Synogogues keep talking about helping your midwest neighbors. Next week when you get an emergency mailing from the Red Cross I hope you open it and send a check!
flooding ever again?

Hmmmmmmmmm! I wonder!

And by the way! I think its shameful to ask these questions at a time like this. By the way I heard Jessie Jackson has been in state helping out. Mr., have you been out here helping? If not please email me and I can certainly find you a damaged town or community and you can go down there with me and we’ll find a way to help.

Jessie in all this?

Where is that sanctimonious jerk Al?

Why arn’t Whoraldo and pretty boy Shepard standing amongst the victims and
crying on TV day and night bemoaning the tragedy that has affected so many
thousands in the flooded areas? ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Who cares when you can have some of the best country and western singers here helping!

A few more questions...

Why are there no murders being reported? :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::There has been but we were prepared for problems and have had law enforcement ready.

Why are there no rapes? ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Iowans are by and large a lawful people. There will be a crime increase but it will be small.

Why is there little to no looting? :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::There has been, unfortunately in some of the hardest hit areas. Our National Guard, State Police and local law enforcement are working long shifts of overtime making sure order is maintained.

Why are there no gangsters shooting at helicopters trying to help? :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Cause they were out filling sandbags with the rest of us.

Why are the victims (gasp) pulling together and helping each other to
overcome and survive this disaster? :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Because we are Iowans of every color, race, and creed. People of every race, color, creed, ethnicity,sexual orientation, level of wealth were equally effected. We help our neighbor. We understand community and are damn proud of it. Big city, small town, it makes no difference. We go to the next town and help them fill sandbags. Color, language, ethnic background really don’t matter here and in times like this matter even less.

Why