While we’ve all been engaging in political battle, I’ve been keeping an eye… as many have… on Fargo’s battle with Mother Nature. Having had my own personal experiences with flooding, as has Oregon in general, I know the adrenaline these citizens must be running on, hour after hour… day after day.
My heart pours out to them all. And yet, I salute their courage and sense of community as the town and Guard all joined together to build up a dam, and brace for the worst.
Makes you wonder why Obama needs his National Civilian Community Corp, eh?
The above photo comes from a story in the NY Daily News on how Obama was “monitoring”. Still, this didn’t stop the ever campaigning TOTUS/POTUS from getting in a few digs on his Saturday radio address by saying he’d avoid “Katrina-like missteps”… then reminding everyone about his economic plans and focus.
“Even as we face an economic crisis which demands our constant focus, forces of nature can also intervene in ways that create other crises to which we must respond – and respond urgently,” Obama said.
“I will continue to monitor [Mata add:… from Europe next week…] the situation carefully,” he pledged. “We will do what must be done to help.”
Boy… ain’t that going the extra mile. Like Bush was oblivious to Katrina? Cheap shot, and truly uncalled for. Especially since the ones truly derelict in their leadership duties were the local and state officials.
More photos showing what the sturdy Dakotans are up against… and remember, this water is icy cold! Something we Oregonians were spared with the warmer temps.
[Mata Musing: my back aches just looking at moving around that sand bag!]
And a MUST VISIT is to Dave Arntson’s site for amazing shots (i.e. the two below) Mr. Arntson is a professional photojournalist who works both North Dakota and Minnesota.
Good luck, Fargo and other areas affected. We in the nation are pulling for you!
Vietnam era Navy wife, indy/conservative, and an official California escapee now residing as a red speck in the sea of Oregon blue.
Dontcha know the National Civilian Community Corp and Obamas global warming initiative would have stopped this from happening in the first place./sarc
My heart pours out also and I wish them the best of luck. Keep warm and safe.
more great pics here
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/red_river_flooding.html
Forty below keeps the riff-raff out. Actually true.
Seriously good photos there, Molon Labe. Iyou haven’t followed this link, waste no time in doing so.
Sometimes I wonder… how does a photog stop and snap instead of pitching in to help?
@ Mata
Well, snapping pictures and getting them to the rest of us does help generate support and volunteers to help. We don’t know if the photographer may pitch in and help out once the camera is put away.
Pic #10 was my favorite. American ingenuity.
Hmmm, natural disaster, and President Obama doesn’t even fly over? Too cold or too white?
Flying over would be a pointless photo op. To the extent that he’s done anything, he’s handled this fine. Of course, this is a case where the people on the ground already have a good enough grip on things that it would require active interference on Obama’s part to screw things up.
Too white on the ground.
He needs thr CCC because he can control where the where goes.
Can’t have doogooders just getting the job done.