“When Trump visited the island territory last October, OFFICIALS told him in a briefing 16 PEOPLE had died from Maria.” The Washington Post. This was long AFTER the hurricane took place. Over many months it went to 64 PEOPLE. Then, like magic, “3000 PEOPLE KILLED.” They hired....— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2018
....GWU Research to tell them how many people had died in Puerto Rico (how would they not know this?). This method was never done with previous hurricanes because other jurisdictions know how many people were killed. FIFTY TIMES LAST ORIGINAL NUMBER - NO WAY!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2018
This really wasn't that hard to find (#GoogleIsYourFriend):
September 1, 2017: "Houston residents begin 'massive' cleanup as Harvey death toll hits 45"
September 2, 2017: Trump visits Houston
September 4, 2017: "Death toll bumps up to at least 63 amid Hurricane Harvey recovery"
September 7, 2017: Relatively low Harvey death toll is 'astounding' to experts. It was 70 at that point.
October 4, 2017: "Storm deaths: Harvey claims lives of more than 75 in Texas"
October 13, 2017: "State says Harvey's death toll has reached 88."
Or:
October 14, 2017: "Texas officials: Hurricane Harvey death toll at 82, ‘mass casualties have absolutely not happened’"
So the total death toll from Hurricane Harvey is 82 or 88, depending on whether you accept the Texas Tribune's report, or the report in WaPo. Not really a controversy worth stirring. Harvey started pummeling Houston on August 25, 2017, and dumped about 64 inches of rain on the area before it was finished. Much of the Texas Gulf Coast was affected; the city of Rockport, which took the eye of the storm, was virtually wiped off the map. But Houston didn't suffer the 3 week loss of power it did 9 years earlier, when Hurricane Ike went directly across the city Still, you will note the death toll rose over 500% in 6 weeks, and almost 100% after Trump's visit. Such is the nature of death tolls after major storms. The count in Puerto Rico was delayed for months because of the conditions there, conditions Trump's government did precious little to alleviate (he blamed it on the fact Puerto Rico is an island).
Still, Trump relies on experts like Geraldo Rivera:
“They say all these people died in the storm in Puerto Rico, yet 70% of the power was out before the storm. So when did people start dying? At what point do you recognize that what they are doing is a political agenda couched in the nice language of journalism?” @GeraldoRivera— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2018
And damns the Puerto Ricans with faint praise, noting how corrupt Loud Obbs says the PR government is:
“The story of Puerto Rico is the rebuilding that has occurred. The President has done an extraordinary job of cleanup, rebuilding electrical stuff and everything else.” @EdRollins “The people of Puerto Rico have one of the most corrupt governments in our country.” @LouDobbs— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2018
He likes that Ed Rollins quote because Rollins credits the paper-towel throwing with Trump personally restoring power to the island, although some parts of the island still don't have power a year later. Loss of power is the primary culprit blamed for the massive death toll after the storm. The nature of the calculations is obviously beyond the feeble powers of Mr. Rivera to understand, but it all makes you wonder:
Is this really the hill the POTUS wants to die on? Apparently it is. It's said he fears a "Katrina Moment" in his Presidency. I, for one, would welcome him making Puerto Rico and Hurricane Maria into his "Katrina." It would be fitting for the fatal wound to be so self-inflicted and deliberate. As to the foolishness of this controversy itself, the Governor of Puerto Rico deserves the last word:
Mr. President—— Ricardo Rossello (@ricardorossello) September 15, 2018
I’d very much be willing to walk you through the scientific process of the study and how @Gwtweets arrived at the excess mortality number estimate. There is no reason to underscore the tragedy we have suffered in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. 1/2 https://t.co/HGENQOu6fQ
In the meantime, I hope you consider sending a message of support to show you stand with all of the US Citizens in Puerto Rico that lost loved ones. It would certainly be an act of respect and empathy. 2/2— Ricardo Rossello (@ricardorossello) September 15, 2018
Adding: funny how many people are talking about the slap at Trump, v. the number talking about the request for respect and empathy. So it goes, eh?
And apparently the death count for Florence is going to be "magically" inflated, too. What is wrong with this man?
And apparently the death count for Florence is going to be "magically" inflated, too. What is wrong with this man?
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