Community Chat

[tansy]

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@Noel7 wrote:

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@golding76 wrote:

Noel, I want to give you a big thumbs-up for pointing out the media's egregious mediocre coverage of the devastation in Puerto Rico.   You spotted this strange absence and amount of coverage well before the mainstream media started reporting on it late last night and today. 

To be honest, I hadn't yet noticed this lack of coverage of Puerto Rico's devastation until I read your post.  

Bravo! 

As for faulting territories for having weak infrastructures to begin with, and citing that as reason enough to withhold any donations, I say, please reignite your compassion.

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Thank you @golding76

I kept wondering why we weren't hearing about PR, except that the island had been devastated.

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Something like 49% of Americans didn't know that Puerto Ricans are US citizens.  

[Noel7]

Even then, there were some disinterested parties.  That was disappointing.

[sunshine45]

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@ms traditional wrote:

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@Vivian Florimond wrote:

I donated $ specifically for Puerto Rico through the charity created by all our living ex-presidents. It was bad enough to see the devastation in Texas and in Florida but at least those victims had places where they could evacuate. Puerto Rico is an island. The people have nowhere to go except the mainland. Those who can afford it and have the strength to wait on endlessly long lines at the airport until they can leave will evacuate. The poor and infirm will be stuck.

I appreciate the media reminding us that Puerto Rico is part of the USA. After a category 5 hurricane assaulted the island,it is cruel to point to their pre-Maria financial and infrastructure problems. No structure c iould survive the power of that storm. Just look at the photos of the Hurricane Andrew aftermath in FL to be reminded of what a powerful hurricane can do. 

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the island's financial mismanagement of years past means they cannot borrow to rebuild in the bond markets like well positioned states like FL and TX will do.   this is reality.   how are they to pay for a complete island rebuild? therein lies their challenge. 

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it is not necessarily THEIR challenge, but also OUR challenge.

[tansy]

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@sunshine45 wrote:

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@ms traditional wrote:

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@Vivian Florimond wrote:

I donated $ specifically for Puerto Rico through the charity created by all our living ex-presidents. It was bad enough to see the devastation in Texas and in Florida but at least those victims had places where they could evacuate. Puerto Rico is an island. The people have nowhere to go except the mainland. Those who can afford it and have the strength to wait on endlessly long lines at the airport until they can leave will evacuate. The poor and infirm will be stuck.

I appreciate the media reminding us that Puerto Rico is part of the USA. After a category 5 hurricane assaulted the island,it is cruel to point to their pre-Maria financial and infrastructure problems. No structure c iould survive the power of that storm. Just look at the photos of the Hurricane Andrew aftermath in FL to be reminded of what a powerful hurricane can do. 

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the island's financial mismanagement of years past means they cannot borrow to rebuild in the bond markets like well positioned states like FL and TX will do.   this is reality.   how are they to pay for a complete island rebuild? therein lies their challenge. 

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it is not necessarily THEIR challenge, but also OUR challenge.

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Thank you, @sunshine45🙂

[sunshine45]

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@Noel7 wrote:

Even then, there were some disinterested parties.  That was disappointing.

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LOTS of disinterested parties......i have been up late reading twitter posts, instagram posts, and facebook posts and some of them have made me SICK!

[Vivian]

For those interested in a little history, take a look at the effects of the Jones Act on Puerto Rico. The restrictions forced them, in many cases, to pay double for many commodities shipped to the island. Over the decades, it has cost them dearly. 

[Noel7]

Puerto Ricans pay federal taxes to America.

They deserve the same federal assistance as Texas and Florida. 

[sunshine45]

Island Dog Inc

Life as we know it here in PR is gone. It is awful and we are reaching out to our donors, fellow rescues, partners, team members, etc. We need your help now more than ever. Below is a wish list of items we need most desperately. Money donations can be made via our website as normal (link below). We do not have cell service and must travel far to receive a signal so our posts will be limited, but please know that every ounce of kindness and help you send our way will be received and appreciated beyond measure! We will make it through this and intend on being stronger THAN EVER!!!!!!! Please share this on your pages. We need your help! Wooff!!!!!
http://www.islanddog.org/donate.html

[Noel7]

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@Truffles wrote:
I am in Central Florida, private planes much like Mark Cuban's jet are flying water, diapers, non-perishable food items like peanut butter to Puerto Rico..Another huge cargo shipment leaves this Thursday..In addition, there are plans to charter planes for those folks needing to leave the US territory.I am hearing that unless major league destruction..folks are staying behind. I just had the group in my area pick up 105 pounds of organic peanut butter and hundreds of diapers..about an hour ago.

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Hi @Truffles

Peanut butter is an amazing food, for those of us not allergic to peanuts.  You can almost live off of it.

[Noel7]

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@sunshine45 wrote:

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@ms traditional wrote:

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@Vivian Florimond wrote:

I donated $ specifically for Puerto Rico through the charity created by all our living ex-presidents. It was bad enough to see the devastation in Texas and in Florida but at least those victims had places where they could evacuate. Puerto Rico is an island. The people have nowhere to go except the mainland. Those who can afford it and have the strength to wait on endlessly long lines at the airport until they can leave will evacuate. The poor and infirm will be stuck.

I appreciate the media reminding us that Puerto Rico is part of the USA. After a category 5 hurricane assaulted the island,it is cruel to point to their pre-Maria financial and infrastructure problems. No structure c iould survive the power of that storm. Just look at the photos of the Hurricane Andrew aftermath in FL to be reminded of what a powerful hurricane can do. 

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the island's financial mismanagement of years past means they cannot borrow to rebuild in the bond markets like well positioned states like FL and TX will do.   this is reality.   how are they to pay for a complete island rebuild? therein lies their challenge. 

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it is not necessarily THEIR challenge, but also OUR challenge.

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I agree @sunshine45

They should be treated the same as Texas and Florida imo.  They are American citizens AND they pay federal American taxes.