There has been a lot of back and forth and finger pointing as to why Ohio Governor Mike DeWine had not issued a disaster declaration on behalf of his state to insure that the Federal Emergency Management Agency could respond to the train derailment and release of toxic chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio to this point.

So much so that Senator Sherrod Brown made a point of asking the Governor publicly to get off his duff and get it done:

“U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and other officials have pushed the governor to declare a disaster in East Palestine to open up resources from the federal government.

But DeWine said the Federal Emergency Management Agency continues to tell him that Ohio doesn’t qualify for their assistance, which is usually reserved for disasters that cause significant property damage. The governor filed a document with the agency Friday to “preserve our rights” for help if the state is eligible down the road.

Ohio’s congressional delegation sent a letter to FEMA Thursday asking why East Palestine doesn’t qualify for assistance. In the meantime, DeWine said he doesn’t want to give people the wrong impression by declaring a disaster.

“We don’t want people to think something’s going to happen, and I try not to mislead people,” he said.“

Yes, yes, Governor, we wouldn’t want people to get the wrong impression about whether a disaster has occurred as their livestock sickens and dies and their eyes burn from toxic fumes.

But the fact is that FEMA cannot come into your state until you declare a disaster:

“This page provides procedural information regarding the Stafford Act declaration process and is intended for emergency managers, elected officials, media, and stakeholders interested in the formal declaration process. All emergency and major disaster declarations are made solely at the discretion of the President of the United States.

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207 (the Stafford Act) §401 states in part that: “All requests for a declaration by the President that a major disaster exists shall be made by the Governor of the affected State.” A State also includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Republic of Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia are also eligible to request a declaration and receive assistance through the Compacts of Free Association.

As a result of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act, federally recognized Indian tribal governments now have the option of pursuing a declaration directly from the President. FEMA has developed Tribal Declarations Pilot Guidance, which provides more detailed and specific guidance for Tribal requests.“

Into this secondary disaster steps the ultimate master of disaster Dotard J. drumpf, after days of Faux News flailing on President Biden for not instructing FEMA to respond to the disaster which DeWine has refused to declare, seeking to take credit for the FEMA response that will ensue now that DeWine has finally done so.

My question is did drumpf and DeWine collude to set up drumpf disingenuous post?

What do Ron’s followers think?


Exactly, Jo.


Yup

👇👇👇


A lot of it😆😆😆


Yup

The biggest loser will always do what he thinks is best for him, no matter the cost to the nation or the rest of us.

I had hoped DeWine was better than this, but maybe not.

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6 COMMENTS

  1. Having once been part of FEMA I’m well aware of how disaster declarations work. AND also that states have their own versions of FEMA. Sometimes a state’s resources are adequate to a disaster, whether natural or man-made. But state and local officials are usually professionals who know quickly if a larger response, or more expertise than they have is needed. This was one of those cases, where the accident with it’s initial release of toxins and then the controlled release of more AND the effects it could have on nearby waterways begged for federal response. Ohio might not be FL but DeWine is probably capable of/willing to fire and ruin the careers of any state and local officials who submitted recommendations to his office to make a formal Disaster Declaration request to the President.

    However word did get out early on that the feds were standing by ready to help right away (these state and federal honchos know each other and in fact it’s encouraged which is why once a Disaster Declaration if official things get moving so quickly!) which made DeWine’s obfuscation make me say WTF? As I said, given the potential (which btw has been realized) on this disaster affecting waterways this cried out for federal assistance from the get-go.

    DeWine dragged his feet. Plain and simple. I couldn’t figure out why, but you’ve provided a plausible explanation.

  2. De Wine would rather not upset his major cash donor, than help his hurt and hurting constituents. That nicely sums up the republican party today. It’s all about doing what the rich want even if it hurts your actual supporters, the voters. (and for that matter, the environment, society, the economy, anything that isn’t directly controlled by said cash donors.)

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  3. Once again the orange shit gibbon proves just how big an ignoramus he is. I do feel sorry for the folks in Palestine, OH though: I’m sure they’ll be dodging paper towels and whatnot if former guy actually does show up.

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