The largest and costliest natural disaster in American history is still taking place as Harvey tears through the U.S. Like any disaster, this is bringing out the best and worst in people. Once again, I will take the advice of Fred Rogers and identify the helpers.
All rescuers and emergency workers: Self-explanatory. I would like to single out Houston police officer Steve Perez, who was swept away by floodwaters on his way to work.
The bakers at El Bolillo: Mexican bakers were trapped in their bakery, so, to keep themselves occupied, they baked loaves of bread for two days to feed flood victims. As one Facebook user said, "These people are as sweet as their bread."
Generous celebrities: Sandra Bullock gave $1 million to flood victims. Leonardo DiCaprio donated $1 million. Ellen DeGeneres donated $1 million. Miley Cyrus donated $500,000. Kevin Hart donated $50K and rallied other celebrities to donate to hurricane victims. Dwayne Johnson also pledged $50K. DJ Khaled, Nicki Minaj, J-Lo and A-Rod each pledged $25K. Houston Texans player J.J. Watt started a fund for hurricane victims. His goal was to raise $2 million, and so far, he has raised more than $10 million.
Jim McIngvale: This owner of a chain of furniture stores opened up several of his locations as shelters, and allowed people to sleep on the brand new furniture he was selling.
Shelter workers: Many people are volunteering their time to give people a place to stay after their homes have been flooded or destroyed.
The jury is still out...
President Trump: I give him credit for acting somewhat presidential during his visit to Texas, and his personal donation of $1 million. I think he should have met with some of the victims, although he gave the valid excuse that he didn't want to interfere with rescue operations, although I think the real reason is that Melania didn't want to get her designer shoes muddy.
Tom Llamas: This ABC reporter snitched to the police on looters entering a supermarket to police and was savaged on social media. Some argue that the people were starving and needed food, and others argued that the looters were breaking the law. I think this needs to be further investigated, and questions should be asked like "Did these people have easy access to food and shelter," and "Was this enough of an emergency to allow the taking of items from a business?"
Non-Helpers:
Joel Osteen: This piece of subhuman slime, who claims to be a good Christian, did not let flood victims stay in his 20,000 seat megachurch at first. He didn't let people in until he got bad press and people began to throw shade on him through social media. He, along with the equally contemptible Creflo Dollar, practices the so-called "prosperity theology," which states that good, pious Christians will be rewarded with material gain. So, according to this theory, are poor people bad Christians?
Looters: People should not use a natural disaster to take people's belongings.
Price gougers: $5 for a bottle of water. Up to $99 for a case. $10 per gallon for gas. It takes a true a-hole to use a natural disaster for financial gain.
Chris Christie: The New Jersey governor lambasted Texas senator Ted Cruz for asking for billions in disaster funding after voting against funding for East Coast states after superstorm Sandy. I am no fan of Ted Cruz, but this criticism is coming from a guy who deliberately closed on-ramps to the George Washington Bridge as an act of revenge, and has a lower approval rating than Trump.
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