Tornado survivors pick up pieces as Obama visits

[babylonsister]

Who does this 'not' remind you of?

Tornado survivors pick up pieces as Obama visits
AP

By GREG BLUESTEIN and MELISSA R. NELSON, Associated Press Writers Greg Bluestein And Melissa R. Nelson, Associated Press Writers – 7 mins ago


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Gas station lines, looting and the discovery of smashed heirlooms sapped survivors' energy Friday around cities shattered by the deadliest tornado outbreak in nearly four decades. President Barack Obama arrived in devastated Alabama to console victims, while authorities worked to overcome damaged infrastructure and even a shortage of body bags in one town.

As Obama stepped off a plane at the airport in hard-hit Tuscaloosa, rescuers and survivors combed the remains of neighborhoods pulverized by Wednesday's outbreak that killed at least 297 across six states.

The president's arrival drew a muted response from Tuscaloosa resident Derek Harris, who was pushing a grocery buggy down a street where virtually every home was heavily damaged. The 47-year-old and his wife hoped to use the cart to salvage a few belongings from his home.

"Hopefully he'll give us some money to start over," Harris said of Obama. "Is FEMA here? The only place I'm hearing anything is at the Red Cross center."

Some were more upbeat about the president's visit, including 21-year-old Turner Woods, who watched Obama's motorcade pass on its way to tour damaged areas. "It's just really special having the president come here," she said. "It will bring more attention to this disaster and help get more help here."

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110429/ap_on_re_us/us_severe_weather

[jpak]

1. "Hopefully he'll give us some money to start over," - bet he didn't vote for Obama

and won't in 2012 even if Obama gives' 'em $$$$

yup

[monmouth]

2. First thing I thought of too. Hypocrits..n/t

[Cali_Democrat]

3. Maybe he is a big time Obama supporter and he's depressed his house was destroyed

We don't know.

[jpak]

4. His response was "muted" when asked about Obama's visit and began to complain

I take that as evidence of an Obama non-supporter

with his hand out for a handout

[KoKo]

6. Did you read the article? Have you seen the devastation all over these states?

The Weather Channel and CNN have been doing good reporting. These people have nothing left ...flat..everything destroyed and gone overnight. They have little food, no cars or gas if they have a car and no place to live...no electricity...nothing. And, the areas where the tornadoe's hit...even in Tuscaloosa were mostly poor black areas and there were many rural poor areas plus mobile home parks that were destroyed.

You don't know how these people voted or even if they voted. It doesn't matter if they are mostly black or mostly poor black and white. These people are in shock. What does it matter than any public official flies in and spends a few hours looking over what they've lost. They need help and and don't know where it's going to come from for many who have no insurance and no place they can afford to go to live. Even their jobs are probably gone for awhile because the businesses are all closed.

Have some compassion. Hopefully you will never be in their position where you live through something like this..but, if you are, then maybe you will understand more about they are going through and not be so quick to judge people.

[jpak]

8. I have friends in Tuscaloosa and compassion for the victims

but I have contempt for hypocrites

yup

[KoKo]

9. Yeah...I can't verify your relatives or friends in Tuscaloosa...but

your lack of compassion leads me to believe that "your friends" lived on the side of town that wasn't devastated and you are maybe thinking that all those people suffering...Just Need to Get On With It.

IOW'd's your post seems "elitist" to me that you can't see suffering unless it happened to your friends.

I may be misjudging or seeming harsh on you...but your anger and hatred came through in your post showing a lack of compassion for folks who aren't of your political views.

[jpak]

10. You are wrong. They live within walking distance of UA - called yesterday and they were fine

When I lived in FL I would evacuate to their home during hurricanes

Ivan followed me up there and went through Tuscaloosa

your ass is on display

climb higher!

yup

[Elwood P Dowd]

5. AP does it again.

They ignore the hugs, handshakes, and good words from many he talked with there and instead start off with something negative.

[bigdarryl]

7. I bet those racist hicks in OK aren't asking him for his birth certificate

there asking for a CHECK!! so much for the South talking about less Goverment

[sudopod]

11. Go eat a bag of dicks.

What is wrong with you?