Bless her heart...

If W had just stayed in Washington during the immediate aftermath of Katrina he would have had much less adverse publicity than he received following his flyover of New Orleans in Air Force 1. The flyover created the appearance that Bush was more interested in a photo op than what was happening on the ground. What probably hurt Bush much more than his flyover was the praise of Michael Brown the grossly incompetent FEMA Director that he had appointed. Brown had virtually no experience in emergency management and prior to his appointment he had been the head of an Arabian Horse association.

 

For reference, 30K is one C130 load, approximately 120K per C17 and 250K per C5, and civil heavy-lift is 100K+ depending on the aircraft.
Heavy lift aircraft cannot land in western NC. I've seen no reports of C5, 747/767/757/777, or C17 aircraft landing there. All heavy lifters need special equipment to unload. The C17 and C130 can combat off load cargo pallets (dump on the ground off the lowered aircraft rear ramp) or airdrop if possible
Helicopter and ground support will be the norm for daily operations in western NC.

 

Yet if he didn't visit he would still be vilified.
occupy democrats...yeah sure

 

The whole Kemp thing shows you that he's a POS of the highest order. Oh yes, Brian Kemp: Closet Marxist!!! And Nicky Haley = Hillary Clinton. Again, the dumbest voting block in the history of electoral politics, dating back 4+ millennia.

 

When I lived in Atlanta (70s & 80s) the C5s used to run out of Dobbins AFB, then I think they sent the stuff out on smaller planes from there.

 

I have plenty of issues with Harris politically.
But I don't list "she hasnt physically jumped into a flooded river to rescue a puppy while clinging to a tree branch" as one of them.

Leaders don't clog up the mission by making it about their physical presence.

I have no idea how much she actually has to do with any of this, but her physical presence is a silly thing to debate.

 

I think it's time we lose the whole "It's the POTUS fault this hurricane. . . . " Yet, to be fair here, Bush didn't do bullshit like this and actually tried to stay away for the reasons you mentioned. . . and, yep, was unfairly vilified for it. That said, this is a testament to how low-class and low-rent he and his fanbase are.

 

Yep. Bush did the right thing and was unfairly vilified for it. Stunting, however, deserves to be vilified and that's exactly what Trump is doing here.

 

Symantics I assume.

New York sends National Guard soldiers, helicopters and generators to help with Hurricane Helene recovery | WXXI News

New York Army National Guard Capt. Jeff Tampe and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Adam Wilcox prepare to fly a CH-47F heavy lift helicopter from the Army Aviation Support Facility in Rochester. It’s being flown to Donaldson Army Aviation Support Facility in Greenville, South Carolina in order to support the North Carolina National Guard in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

 

W. Bush's failures with Katrina were an Admin failure, in large part due to Bush appointing Michael Brown, who was a family friend ill-equipped to run a large organization like FEMA. Bush then doubled down saying, "Brownie is doing a heckuva job," when in reality, FEMA has massive supply chain issues, housing issues, and other response issues. Issues we aren't currently seeing right now with Helene. Shows the importance of having a competent cabinet.

The politicians have no business visiting yet. While the search and rescue portion is coming to an end, getting supplies to those that need them is equally important. All visiting dignitaries do at this point is hinder search and rescue and supply shipments by creating restricted air and ground spaces due to their security concerns. Biden is 100% correct in what he's doing, which is direct FEMA to do everything it can to help, and asking the Governors whether or not there is anything more they can be doing. The time to visit will come, when the area has some semblance of stability, everyone who can be saved has been saved, and people are at the bare minimum, getting everything they need to survive on a daily basis.

 

The Bush stuff just feels like convenient political nitpicking. This scenario - appointing a "friend" - could have happened in any administration, R or D. You're just describing politics as usual.

 

If Brownie were qualified and/or competent, this is a non-story. But he clearly was neither, and people suffered due to it.

 

I wont even try and defend Bush in this, other than to say that this is a more rural event in the Carolina's and Tennessee. Katrina was more urban. Housing in a city/region the size of New Orleans will be a much bigger struggle...based on population.

These storms cant be compared and they shouldn't be.

 

Lets hold off on spiking the ball for this admin getting credit for a job well done.

Way too early for that.

 

Early returns of the disaster response has been positive to date. Except for some MAGA whining.

And there's always room for improvement and learning.

 

I guess. But, again, in the larger picture, this feels like inside baseball shit.

 

I assume everyone is aware after a major wide-spread disaster, local civil support personnel are generally overwhelmed. Plus transportation is greatly impacted. They don’t need major political leaders coming in which would then be the priority for them to support. All for basically a photo op. That’s for Biden, Harris, Trump and probably even the gov. Biden or Harris should just say that. Wouldn’t the populace understand?

 

Another fail…

Glad they blurred out the paper of any sensitive notes.

new iPhones don’t have those headphone jacks. Does the OP know that planes often have headphone jacks in the desk or seat?

 

He also made some poor sap build a weird little brick wall around his podium out of the rubble of hurricane aftermath. Very weird.