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Tennessee Volunteers Reportedly Turned Away From Sandy Recovery Efforts
Wanting to pitch in with the relief efforts in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, a group of roughly 40 volunteers with the Tennessee Baptist Convention in Tennessee loaded up a convoy of trucks and headed to ground zero of the hurricane’s destruction.
But when they arrived in Lakehurst, N.J. on Sunday, they were told their help wasn’t needed.
David Acres, disaster relief director for the Tennessee Baptist Convention, told WSMV-TV that he and his army of 40 planned to take mobile kitchens and supply trucks to New York and New Jersey as thousands are still without food and water, some even without homes.
“We did move probably seven or eight vehicles from here to the New Jersey area,” Acres said.
So imagine his surprise when they were turned away. It is hard to believe that someone in the area couldn’t find a place for them to help. Residents of New York and New Jersey have been extremely critical of federal relief efforts so far.
Acres says the food the group brought with them will not go to waste.
More from WSMV:
“This is kind of what happens in disasters. It doesn’t always play out the way you want it to play out,” Acres said.
Acres said that because mobile kitchens from Kentucky, Arkansas and North Carolina were already in place, Tennessee’s trucks apparently weren’t needed in New York or New Jersey. Plus, there was no place to set up near the disaster areas.
“It was very difficult to find a good secure area to be able to set our equipment up and to be able to cook,” Acres said.
He added that the two-day trip wasn’t in vain. The local volunteers stayed overnight at McGuire Air Force Base to minister to members of the military.
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Comments (135)
PurrrpleMtnMajesty
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 12:54amUnclear….WHO turned them away??
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redwhiteandblue82
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 2:18amI’m with you on this one, I live in Brooklyn, they could have helped out any place they wanted too. Because they tried to go into THE MOST hazardous place during the aftermath of a hurricane, of course they were turned away! No traffic was allowed in or out of Lakehurst at that time, military was already on top of the situation. They should come back now that people could actually use some help, from uncertified rescue squads . STOP SPREADING STORIES JUST TO CREATE HATRED!!! REPORT SOME NEWS!!! I’M TALKING TO BOTH SIDES!!!
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Detroit paperboy
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 3:21amScrew New York and New Jersey……………
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Cadisasterrelief
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 3:29amI am not an official spokesman for the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief
Just sharing my knowledge, I joined up with these people in 1994 and have had the great fortune to have been active in many relief efforts. My statements are only conjecture based on past experiences. This Tenn. team did not go there without requests of deployment by the teams that were already operating in the area and the move was approved by the Red Cross. As far as “ground zero” areas, we always go to them. We were on site by Sept 12, 2001 in New York despite the congestion and I have passed through several mandatory evacuation areas controlled by the military with no restrictions. The “Blue Cap” person, Dave Acres, is so wonderfully humble that he would never express the incompetence of government officials as being the cause of his team being turned away. I have never in 18 years seen the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief in the news so much as I have in the past 2 weeks. PLEASE, I encourage you to watch for their training seminars held close to where you live and take the certification courses so you can aid disaster relief efforts in the future.
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NeilChapin
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 5:51amI have Liberal cousins in New York and they said they have witnessed the union thugs turning away help from non-union workers. The also haven’t seen a whole lot of FEMA help. Read fresh political comentary at: http://smallcraftadvisorychronicles.blogspot.com/
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AlwaysAmazed
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 6:43amNo surprise here. Christie, Zer0 and FEMA have it all under control. Sad story for the residents.
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kaydeebeau
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:10amBeing a Tennessee Baptist myself, the story we were told was that there wasn’t a way to protect the volunteers from the roaming thugs and bands of hooligans that are running rampant in the area
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RJJinGadsden
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:13amWhat do we see and hear about the victims in Staten Island on a daily basis in the news? One would think that the Federal, State, and local governments in the area would attempt to coordinate assistance getting to these victims. Amazing if union workers are calling volunteers scabs.
At this moment on Fox I was just watching an on site interview with one of their personnel in Oceonpoint, NJ. There is a micro city set up there with volunteers from all over that seem to be mostly utility workers, area police and other volunteers staying in large tents. The utility workers are listed as coming from Alabama, Texas, Ohio, Minnesota so far. As he was speaking a large convoy was headed out to go to work. Looks like some areas are willing to accept the help….SOME!
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Bluefish49
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:22amI’m on leave of absence from my current employer. I’m a Construction Manager with major experience in demolition. I had considered going up to the disaster area to see if I could be of some help…possibly helping manage some removal teams…etc. I would have done this at no cost and could be basically self sufficient. After seeing this kind of attitude towards non-union workers which I am proud to say I am I decided to donate my time locally where I think its appreciated. I also do not give to the Red Cross but instead the Salvation Army where their top manager doesn’t make a high six figure salary.
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RJJinGadsden
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:43amAfter reading this story, and watching even more on the news this morning, I think that I am coming to a conclusion. The true catastrophe in this storm is the major failure of a very expensive infrastructure. As one person interviewed on F&F a few minutes ago has pointed out that the local governments in the area to include NYC, other surrounding areas, as well parts of NJ had no plan at all for handling such an emergency. That is just unacceptable. Others in the mean time want to blame so called global whining, and continue to wallow in their own self pity. I see a mass migration eventually from such areas in the near future. At least those who survive the winter.
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Gonzo
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:49amLet Obama, Bloomberg, Christie and “The Boss” deal with it. Take care of your own Southerners.
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Hanner
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:23amHurricane Charley, Ivan, Irene……,Houston hurricane of 08, Katrina……How many of these does it take for these worthless, and incompetent people to figure this out. (FEMA, Red Cross)
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Pantloadian
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:55amGONZO . . . Sounds fair. And the next time a hurricane slams Florida, we’ll send in Rick Scott and Rush Limbaugh and Charlie Daniels.
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mikem1969
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:02amREDWHITEandObviouslyDumb, it is not just about the food trucks, there were electrical companies that sent line workers to help get the power back on that were turned away because they were not union, and now this as wel. You know what, we need to stop even trying to help these idiots that keep voting dem, aka lib progressive and just let them suffer. I truly hate to say that about any American, but they need a good boot in the backside to get a freaking clue.
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DeOppressoLiber
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:48amRemember Big Brother has to get all the credit on helping. I would like to know the ground zero truth on looting and how safe do people feel in NY an NJ. The web says one thing but the big media says nothing.
Would someone in those areas give a real SITREP?
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Gonzo
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:16amYou won’t need too, we take care of our own Dbag.
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vadale
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:24amNo they can’t help out anywhere they wanted in NY…Your stupid mayor has prevented groups from bringing unapproved food into the city and feeding the homeless or anyone else….Do you really think 40 people left their families and jobs to not help…You New Yorkers just voted for the vary ideology that is causing high food prices, high gas prices, high electrical bills….You are a bunch of morons…Enjoy your tent cities and all the new layoffs in the paper today….MORONS.
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KoolAidDrinker
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:36amEverybody knows that George Bush turned these do gooders away! Plus, the Priz already fixed everything. He went up their, hugged the Gov. and took one lap around the scene in Marine One and sha-zame, got re-elected. Nothing else to see here…… Move along….. By the way, has anyone seen Sean Penn or Brad Pitt offering their love and support for their peeps in NY and NJ? Just sayin!
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gbo
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:44amDid it not occur to the volunteers to call ahead and make arrangements for a place to set up and conduct operations?
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G-WHIZ
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:54amThe GOVT turnned them away…cause they’re not UNION or DEMOCRATS!!
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kobbookie
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 11:08amThese storm victims live among the richest in the nation. Where are they when it comes to helping out? I believe the middle of the country red states should not spare any money for the east because when we need help, Obama will NOT be there for us. Look at what has happened in the last 4 years. He punishes red states. Why do you think Christie did such a flip?
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happ77
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 3:44pmI’m with Gonzo on this one. I donated some $ to Mercury One
for disaster relief before the election, but my new philosophy is
if you voted big government then wait for government help.
Detroit Paperboy no offense but screw Detroit too. Pantaloin,
we don’t need your help, we’ll take care of ourselves.
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hypnos
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 4:06pmLooks like there were a lot angry old white men in the picture.no wonder they were turned away.
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GuruMeditation
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 11:05pm@Detroit paperboy: I am down with that. I say let them all perish.
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hslusher
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 12:49amBig government solves all problems
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AbrahamsSheepdog
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 3:24amThey will be spit on. No good deed unpunished. Let there god save them.
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patriotteapress
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 12:49amIt’s time we red stater’s shake the dust from our sandals and leave those that won’t help themselves to their own devices.
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What the Heck
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 6:10amI am with you. Enough of the takers.
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Dismayed Veteran
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:46amIt is an extremely sad situation on the east coast. I pray for those people every night. Prayer is all they are going to get from me. My money will stay in Lincoln, Nebraska.
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KoolAidDrinker
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:55amHas anyone seen Sean Penn or Brad Pitt? What do they have against the good people of NY and NJ? I guess they only care about the poor rechid souls of Louisiana!! Where the Hell are they?
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justa_thought
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 12:02amScrew them! Thats the second group. Let them do it themselves. Im so sick of idiot liberals. Pack it! Freeze, starve, go naked! sorry but they make their own bed.
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Delores at CH WV
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 12:00amNYC Mayor wants 40 thousand people to relocate just to get rid of them. Today, He is asking these citizens to leave their homes. I believe that he is going to take their homes & land for a big, pet project by declaring these homes abandoned.
Also, He has asked them to leave their homes to thieves because the city doesn’t have enough police staff to keep them safe in their homes. Why not? NYC probably has an army of police officers. Don’t these 40 thousand citizens pay some of the highest taxes in America?
Is the NYC Mayor telling the World that the city is safe from terrorist, but he can’t control local crooks? Do New Yorkers feel safe living in NYC?
I thought that liberals love to pay high taxes to live in NYC because they were so great of taking care of their citizens. It seems to me that is not true. They won’t let the TN Volunteers help in the city and they could care less about these citizens without water, heat, and food in a big snow storm. Many of these folks don’t have any dry clothing either. And, he is asking them to leave the last material things to theives. I wonder why He isn’t leaving his home. How is he expecting these people to leave them homes without some where safe to stay. Hog Wash! Why these folks keep voting for this Multiple Billionaire is bizzare to me? No wonder he didn’t let Obama come to NYC; He is a mirror to Obama!
If the citizens don’t leave, I guess he will tear up like Obama and send in the homeland security
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RedSox718
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 12:26amTaxes are outrageous in NYC. Residents there don’t even pay state taxes, they all go to the City.
As for NYC having an “Army of police,” They do but they also have the military there. Gov. Cuomo wanted to use the National Guard as a security force to prevent looting in the hardest hit areas and Bloomberg continues to say no.
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loriann12
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:08amNever let a good crisis go to waste…Agenda 21 wants multifamily dwellings because you can pack more people into a smaller space. i think you’re right about if they leave, he’ll sweep in and take the land/buildings to redevelop. But he doesn’t have to declare it abandoned…he can declare it unlivable and take it.
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NancyBee
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 2:23pmLoriann…You are right about Agenda 21………..
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scout n ambush
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:14pmNow that the election is over will they be moved to the camps the ones that they first called internment camps when they were looking to hire gaurds and contractors and later we were told they were fema relocation camps for natural or man made disasters(terrorist attack).After all thats what these places are supposed to be for right?
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Al J Zira
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:58pmWell we know that FEMA has no idea how to respond to a crisis. Would someone please figure out a disaster plan for the common disasters that happen in this country every year? Every year it’s the same: fires in California and surrounding areas. Floods along the Mississippi Delta, Hurricanes in Florida and up and down the east coast and tornadoes in the middle states. Am I leaving anything out?
You would think one of the 4 billion people on the payroll in this government would put together a plan that allows aid from surrounding states to get into these areas and provide needed services. I also remember when George Bush sent an air craft carrier to the tsunami victims and everyone laughed. Carriers have the ability to provide power, manufacture clean drinking water and provide needed medical care. Why isn’t there at least one, better yet two of these some where nearby?
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Cadisasterrelief
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 3:06amI am not an official spokesman for the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief
Speaking directly to the tsunami of 2004, when the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams arrived overseas they had an idea of what role they would be playing but that quickly changed upon arrival. Because of a lack of desire and ability of local efforts the U.S. Baptist Relief teams became the main body recovery units in the devastated areas. Not pleasant but as always they fill any and every void presented to them in disaster areas as God would have them do.
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AbrahamsSheepdog
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 3:38amYes a plan could work. People like being helpful but who will start a *Smart site to get this started? They tracks us for polls & God knows what. I keep hearing more crap red+ stories from real people. Fema is really needing adressed by congress. Never freaking mind. Libs make victims not help them. I think Republican means paid lib. How else? This is the worst starwars episode by far… I just want my $ back please.
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ree758
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 5:36amIt’s aparent this is a part of the population that Bloomberg reall doesn’t need
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Just_Us2
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 1:50pmThere are disaster plans, but, these are plans designed by the government. The inner cities of the north east were disasters BEFORE the storm. Did the thought ever occur to you that things ARE going according to plan? Poor inner city people vote Democrat..that is an undeniable fact. If you spread that out to a region then you secure a massive voting block that keeps you in power. Do you REALLY think inner cities would look like they do if Democrats actually cared? Billions are pumped in to these places and the money ends up in the pockets of a few who oversee the decay. You are caught in a net and the fisherman intends to take your wealth, your land, your job and put you on the teet of government. That’s the price of living in a blue state. They have disasters down to a science and they never let a crisis go to waste.
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jspec33
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:55pmStop helping them their communist govt can take care of them. They voted for this type of govt.
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Al J Zira
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 12:26amJSPEC33: Thank you for your sentiment. I live in NJ and I didn’t vote for Obama. I haven’t voted for a democrat for as long as I can remember but I appreciate your feelings.
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Strange_Paradox
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:32amThe problem is that the small pockets of people that may have not supported Obama or Bloomberg or any other liberal agenda is suffering because of the majority of liberals there ie unions turning away assitance, Bloomberg denying assistance, FEMA ineffective (FEMA has always been a joke), ect. So the efforts of the locals that want/need assistance are being subdued or ignored. They are not making enough noise to the media outlets, local governments, ect. It’s like Sandy drowning out the noise of the Libyan attack at Bengazhi. The elections have now dominated the news and these people will be forgotten and pushed out and no one will care – just like all the apathetic people who stayed home and didnt care if Obama got re-elected or not. It’s not reassuring to me that people just move on or give up so quickly. But they people in NY/NJ can be reassured that Obama will leave no one behind. He’s done such a marvelous job with not leaving people behind in the past. Just ask Chris Stevens.
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coachsmac
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:48pmThere is some good people up there that are really hurting, but we got a government that is to stupid to do the right thing!! Can’t fix stupid, and you can’t help those behind them cause the stupid won’t get out of the way!! smh
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Jenasus
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:36pmEarth quakes are on the way there too according to HaarpStatus.com and in California.
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Jenasus
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:35pmI would like to see them turn away the government help too since we the people are the ones that support our government.
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Jenasus
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:32pmIt is their loss. They want the government to take care of them.
What the idiots in the North East don’t realize is that we the people are the government.
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normbal
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:32pmHey, New York, New Jersey, you voted.
You reap what you sow.
Suffer.
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wontyouguessmyname
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:29pmHelp yourself and your own community let the blue states suffer….. Virginia included.
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mtnvortex
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 1:48amWell, they could provide help for the Red counties. I live in PA, and I’d hate to be judged by the actions of my moronic liberal neighbors.
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TeslanEdison
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 4:05amPA isn’t a Blue state, just Philly so hack that part of the state off and give it to NJ, the rest is conservative, steel coal, and industrial, don’t blame the residents of this state for the garbage the colleges are turning out.
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objectivetruth
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:36amI have no idea how obama carried VA.It had to be the left leaning cities especially the NOVA.Want to leave us to our own demise fine by me.We won’t be asking for help anyway.We rarely do.Most of us here are rather self sufficient.By choice and natural design.Next time there is a diaster that needs our help you won’t get it either.Frankly I’m tired of my state helping the ungrateful.Go ahead and persecute us for being selfish.Its what cry babies do best.
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RadicalsForLiberty
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:29pmNo private volunteers aloud, you’ll only muck up the workings of the totalitarian police state and the pointless meanderings of the useful idiots with clipboards.
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objectivetruth
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:46amAt the rate its going up there I’m starting to wonder if the citizens themselves cleaning up would catch their wrath.Its mind boggling the stupidity of this.
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environmentalandawake
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:26pmThis is rare. “I’m absolutely Speachless.”
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dealer@678
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:26pmYou wanna do whats right but their comes a point when God tells you to turn your head and dont look back
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objectivetruth
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:39amYeah and I’m there both politically and personally.I’m sick to death of being persecuted for doing the right thing.I’m tired of losing for having morals and believing in the truth.
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tnman65
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:25pmWho was it that said they didn’t want their help and turned them away? They need to make that known. Did all the citizens ask them to leave or some stupid official?
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vadale
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:33amWhen our groups went to the katrina clean ups and the tornado areas, we never saw groups from NY city…..Why is that?….You ever wondered why they just want people to help and serve them, but they seldom help anyone else?…There had to be some new yorkers down there, but we never ran in to any. It was groups from the red states and rural areas. This nations selfishness is congested in our cities…Who’s fault is that? BUSH????? MORONS
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TJexcite
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:24pmIt is all about insurance and lawyers.
What will happen if they where cleaning up a downed tree and got hurt. Or moving some pack of water out of a truck and they hurt their back. The State of New Jersey, the city and which ever agency allowed them to help could be sued. Not by them personally but by their own health insurance company back in TN who does not want to pay but make someone else pay for that injury that was not part of normal life.
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mercenary4freedom
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 1:57amThey need the extra help. The city/county/state could have them sign a release and then theres no liability issue. If they still want to turn away the relief effort, then screw em, let em suffer and do it themselves.
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vol1968
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 5:06amI live in S. Mississippi and am very thankful for Southern Baptist Relief. A very few days after Katrina, a large group of S. Baptist from Fla showed up. They brought portable kitchens, chain saw crews, and the Red Cross provided the food. They served well over 100,000 meals during the time they were here. They also brought crews of chain saw detail. All one had to do was sign a waiver and they would remove trees off your house. These people were truely a God send. They stayed as long as they were needed, and believe me, they were needed. They provided hot meals, water, and encouragement. I think the people in the NE can use all three. Whoever turned those volunteers away should be fired
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Dushman Kush
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:49amHaving been a legitimate disaster contractor here in the Southeast, and having witnessed these “Baptist” proselytizers descend on the Coast following hurricanes, I am not surprised that they were sent away. They “dropped” trees on people’s garages and homes and further damaged landscaping and underground utilities. They should have stayed at home and helped their elderly black people.
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lel2007
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:15pmShould have called first.
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OHN
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:14pmWhere OBAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he got what he wont RUN AND VOTE FOR HIM. HE COULD GIVE A DAME ABOUT US. IT TO LATE NOW.
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10-32inIdaho
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:22pmRan out of minutes on his Obama phone.
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Hiswill
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:15amObama is on his way to Burma. Apparently they need a visit from him more than the people suffering on the EAst coast.
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momrules
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:14pmIt seems a bunch of old white Christians were sent away after offering their time and money to help those in true need.
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DEFCON4
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:43pm@mom rules, Sad, but however true. Seems to me, there’s no place for us in “godgoverm-it”.!
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CatB
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 1:21amI am so disgusted .. they whine and complain and then send away help .. WTF … stop your b- ing east coast .. Obummer will heal you … right? So glad my income has fallen to a point where I won’t be contributing to this. Although I did send in a donation to Mercury One on the first day it was announced they were going to provide aid .. I really wish I had given it to my local needy.
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mike551
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:09pmLet the unions take care of their own obama voters. They need to come home to GODS COUNTRY!
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aproudinfidel
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:06pmThat’s because TN went red for us, not Obama.
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dmforman
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:05pmIf these events don’t wake up people than I am not sure what will. Those wishing to help, should be welcome with open arms, especially when you are pretty sure that they are not going to loot homes/businesses, and such.
Being from the area, I am sick and tired of this type of BS, I don’t want to hear anyone from these areas complain that they are cold and homeless this winter. It’s sad that they haven’t tried to help themselves like we see in the Midwest when disasters happen.
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Master.Debater
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 5:45amIf state media doesn’t report what’s going on and most people get all their news from it, how are they to react?
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Small World
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:03pmDo Not Comply.Go help.
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pissantno.10
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:09pmdont help them they justed voted in the death of our country
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10-32inIdaho
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:25pmHelp those willing to help themselves. They choose poorly. You only learn from mistakes when you become enlightened, or shown it was a mistake. I find this tragic.
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Small World
Posted on November 8, 2012 at 11:26pmI’m so confused!!!!
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