Posted on 08/24/2016 8:18:17 AM PDT by Terry L Smith
Amid the historic flooding many of the rescues in Acadiana, and across the state, are being credited to civilians.
They call themselves the "Cajun Navy."
The group started during Hurricane Katrina, when hundreds from Acadiana went to New Orleans with their boats to make rescues.
"Between us all, we took out quite a bit of people," said Doug Bienvenue, a member of the group.
Now the "Cajun Navy" is back, but the fleet is facing a few challenges.
Bienvenue is an original member of the fleet, so when GoFundMe accounts and t-shirt sales started popping up throughout flood relief under the "Cajun Navy" name, it didn't sit well with him.
"Cajun Navy does not sell anything like t-shirts," said Bienvenue. "We go out to help people, non-profit, from our hearts."
A Texas man tried to copyright the "Cajun Navy" brand, but couldn't. He said he had good intentions.
"Hoping to have a situation where I can help some of the flood victims," said the Texas man. "I have an employee who lives there in Greenwell Springs who lost everything."
And Louisiana State Senator Jonathan Perry is worried groups, like this one, need regulation and training.
"It's going to take some work, but it's very doable to eliminate the liability from the state and also put a cost," said Perry in an interview with KPEL Radio. "Even if it's at $25 or $50 training seminar where the person has some type of identification."
But Bievenue said what the group does has nothing to do with money or liability, it's simply saving lives.
"Nonprofit. That's what it's all about. It's about saving lives," said Bienvenue. "That's what it's about. We're not worried about what we have to go through, or how many hours we have to work."
A repuubie, no less.
The Cajun Navy is organizing the Cajun Army.
Totally volunteer, not asking for donations, not selling stuff, no overpaid staff, just bring what tools you got and get to work.
“One of the Fox blonde bimbos called them the Cajun Army this morning. News media is a joke.”
And this guy is a Republican. For shame; I would have expected a Dem to want to regulate a private, volunteer organization...kind of like the cops harassing little girls selling lemonade from a stand in front of their house.
A pox on ALL of government.
Oh, the dreaded “liability”...
State: Sorry, you can’t save that person’s life without a license, because they might get hurt in the process, and you have no insurance!!!!
Isn’t the State helpful?
Louisiana State Senator Jonathan Perry.....A REPUBLICAN RINO!.................
I'd hate to see a situation where it's okay to take your buddy fishing in your swamp boat, but it's not okay to rescue your stranded buddy in the same boat.
-PJ
I no longer watch Faux News at all.
They have become a mirror image of ABCNNBCBS...............
In other words government needs to protect itself from the fact that people can take care of themselves and others. If people saw the Cajun Navy helping then what the hell do they need a gigantic government for???
I’m sure that Walton & Johnson will be aiming a daily supply of broadcast derision at the legislator. I’ll have to stream their show and listen in.
Someone seriously is begging for tar and feathers.
Interesting that Tomas Pain’s “Common Sense” was published anonymously because the document was considered “subversive”.
Anonymous publication on the web is, of course, something the Feds would like to prohibit. They’ll do it, of course, not by direct action, but by pitching some manure that it’s to prevent “bullying” or to “protect children” (always a favorite with the ruling scum).
Ditto for me. We watch One America Network.
I no longer watch Faux News at all.
They have become a mirror image of ABCNNBCBS...............
You are projecting your own inadequacies onto those who are actually doing something to help. It's like you can't stand it that private people are actually doing what your state government should be doing.
No different than our Lecturer-in-Chief warning Louisiana officials with a 16-page memo sent while he was on the golf course trying to avoid the water hazards that many folks in Louisiana haven't been able to avoid, to avoid discriminating in handling their response to the disaster, if they want to avoid DOJ investigators and lawsuits.
Oh, and I'm sure the memo also lectured them to not to be mean to any Muslims yelling "Allahu Akbar" to avoid the wrath of the DOJ.
No mention yet of what or how Obama and his administration plans to actually help the victims of the flooding itself. That apparently is subordinate to cutting his golf vacation short and warning the state to not discriminate under threat of DOJ action.
Epic LOSER!
Someone seriously is begging for tar and feathers.
YOU’RE ALL WRONG PEOPLE!!!
He is trying to suspend regulations during a disaster so that more people can contribute with out fear of repercussions from liability.
watch the video at the below link, the media made him out to be the bad guy when what he wants to do is the direct opposite of what they are saying.
Would be a simple matter for the local FD or an appropriate office of FEMA to offer classes in emergency training. Dragging someone drowning into a boat takes very little expertise, mostly courage, which cannot be taught.
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