Puerto Rico: Trump's Katrina

USA Today wrote:Puerto Rico: This artist's sketches show why you should pay attention
USA TODAY NETWORK

Puerto Rico remains entrenched in “a humanitarian crisis,” San Juan’s mayor said, the remote American island left powerless and wrecked after Hurricane Maria.

Clogged roads, closed banks, and no electricity became the norm after the storm’s attack last Wednesday. On Friday, Maryland-based illustrator Richard Johnson flew into the Puerto Rican capital to capture the devastation with a sketchbook and a pen.

“I’m using a human being as a lens instead of a camera as a lens,” Johnson, 51, said in San Juan on Wednesday. “I’ve had to stand there and absorb everything going on around me and translate it onto paper through my eyes. That’s a very human process, and some part of that passes on.”

What follows is a firsthand glimpse at Puerto Rico through his eyes and pen:

I was supposed to be embedding with the military but that fell apart as soon as I got here. I decided I would bug out the next day, but they’ve been canceling flights ever since. I thought since I'm stuck here, I might as well do what I do: Go out and draw and meet people and talk to people.

I’ve never been to San Juan before, or Puerto Rico before. As soon as we got off the plane we knew things were not as they should be.

It’s like a complete social collapse. All the things you take for granted taken away — all at once. It’s a test of human society, whether people can willingly band together.

There are dozens and dozens of streets completely swamped by electrical poles down. Power boxes are off, so there’s no danger from them, but a lot of streets are blocked by fallen trees or fallen power poles.

Garbage is beginning to pile up — people are not just throwing it out windows — so hopefully there is going to be a garbage pick up at some point. Those piles are just getting larger, day by day. Water has come back on in the last little while. For the longest time I think water was spotty for everyone.

More on infrastructure: In isolated Puerto Rican town, a need for water, power — and news

People immediately tried to tidy up afterwards, but the damage is pretty severe on the interior of a lot of buildings. They don’t look too bad outside, the storm entered a lot of buildings and just basically drenched them from the top down. One woman I met had been in a 24-story building. She was on the 18th floor. The storm, when it hit, from her description, it blew the air conditioning unit into the inside of the home.

More from recovery teams: 'It's absolutely devastating'

The people seem pretty resilient. They still feel like it’s teetering a little bit. They’re proudto be Americans. They’re proud to be Puerto Ricans. And they feel quite pleased that they see military planes coming in and out. They think things are being done. They seem, at least, very good hearted and good natured about it so far. People are very patient.

Puerto Ricans: Yes, they are American citizens

Without gasoline, though, lots are not getting to work.

Gasoline is in ludicrously short supply so people are queuing up for gasoline. They’re all starting to bring lawn chairs, so there are these long lines of people with gas cans and lawn chairs just waiting to get to the gas station.

More on gasoline: Why Puerto Rico is being denied shipping deliveries of fuel

There are stores beginning to open, especially if they have their own generator. Many stores that I go into do not have any electricity and they let people in one at a time and follow you with a flashlight while you take what you want off the shelves. At grocery stores, People were just loading up with whatever was non-perishable: canned goods, pasta, rice. There were limits on what people could take — four tins of anything.

More on power:: Puerto Rico's electrical grid 'virtually gone'

Cash is in short supply, so bank machines have huge line-ups. Yesterday I was at one with a queue of a couple hundred people at it. Today, one had probably about 100 to 150 people already queuing to get cash.

The challenge would be when people who normally get paid direct deposit into their bank accounts — when those pensions come up, those Social Security checks — I’m not sure how those people will get their hands on that cash. Nobody’s taking debit or credit cards.

People across a broad spectrum of societal labels are not doing well. Join one of these lines and you’ll see the Gucci handbags in the same line you see homeless people. They’re all queuing together.

Charities and relief groups need donations to help Americans in Puerto Rico. Here’s how you can help.

Follow Josh Hafner on Twitter: @joshhafner

Richard Johnson @newsillustrator
Sketching Daily life in San Juan, Puerto Rico. @USATODAY @urbansketchers @fema @McKinsey @nationalpost @RedCross @PuertoRicoPUR #MariaPR

nicko wrote:Impeachment hasn't happened either

Original Quill wrote:

smelly-bandit wrote:

you been taking tips from Hitler have you??

you might have to step up your operations though, i mean it took Hitler years to exterminate the number of Jews he did, a couple of years to exterminate millions is rather ambitious even for someone with as much hatred as you have in that shriveled husk of soul

i think you're likely in for some more disappointment.

brexit will happen, and the best part is its going to be a the hardest no-deal brexit you can imagine  

Ruskies raise a ruckus.  But Brexit hasn't happened yet, has it?  Supposed to happen this year, innit?

SB wrote:2019 is the end date

SB wrote:but what a lot of people dont understand quill is that the EU cannot allow brexit to be a success.

Original Quill wrote:

SB wrote:2019 is the end date

Yeah, they keep putting it off.

SB wrote:but what a lot of people dont understand quill is that the EU cannot allow brexit to be a success.

Obviously.  But not to worry...Parliament will so dilute it that it won't matter.  They will negotiate, under Article 50, a new fishing agreement, or something like that.  It'll never happen.

smelly-bandit wrote:

Original Quill wrote:

Yeah, they keep putting it off.



Obviously.  But not to worry...Parliament will so dilute it that it won't matter.  They will negotiate, under Article 50, a new fishing agreement, or something like that.  It'll never happen.

fuck me you haven't got a clue about this have you??

Original Quill wrote:

smelly-bandit wrote:

fuck me you haven't got a clue about this have you??

It's old news, Russ.  Brexit is in the grave already.

smelly-bandit wrote:

Original Quill wrote:

It's old news, Russ.  Brexit is in the grave already.

and trumps already impeached is he??

you've lost the plot son

Original Quill wrote:

smelly-bandit wrote:

and trumps already impeached is he??

you've lost the plot son

Trump is neutralized.  You don't seen any legislation coming out, do you?  His party controls the WH, the Congress, the Senate and the Supreme Court, yet they can get nothing done.

We've got him right where we want him.

smelly-bandit wrote:

Original Quill wrote:

Trump is neutralized.  You don't seen any legislation coming out, do you?  His party controls the WH, the Congress, the Senate and the Supreme Court, yet they can get nothing done.

We've got him right where we want him.

like you stopped him getting elected??

like you stopped his Muslim ban??

like you're stopping the wall??

you're boring me now, you used to be somewhat intelligent.

its a shame that trump broke you  

Original Quill wrote:

smelly-bandit wrote:

like you stopped him getting elected??

like you stopped his Muslim ban??

like you're stopping the wall??

you're boring me now, you used to be somewhat intelligent.

its a shame that trump broke you  

I said he was neutralized.  That means all of the above is of no account.  The Muslim ban has no meaning now that anyone with any connection to the US can enter.  The wall is not built, and there is no financing available (boo-hoo, Mexico won't pay for it).  Trump is totally unproductive in Congress.  Trump can't even evacuate Puerto Rico, imagine how he'll do in North Korea when he has to high-tail it outta there.  We have no president, and the government is at a complete stall.

If you're bored, go to another thead.  That's what I usually do.

smelly-bandit wrote:

Original Quill wrote:

I said he was neutralized.  That means all of the above is of no account.  The Muslim ban has no meaning now that anyone with any connection to the US can enter.  The wall is not built, and there is no financing available (boo-hoo, Mexico won't pay for it).  Trump is totally unproductive in Congress.  Trump can't even evacuate Puerto Rico, imagine how he'll do in North Korea when he has to high-tail it outta there.  We have no president, and the government is at a complete stall.

If you're bored, go to another thead.  That's what I usually do.

trumps been more productive on running the government than you have been on getting him impeached so..............................

anyday now though hey quill???

Original Quill wrote:

smelly-bandit wrote:

trumps been more productive on running the government than you have been on getting him impeached so..............................

anyday now though hey quill???

Trump has done nothing by way of running the government.  But I don't complain because a Republican who does nothing, does no harm.  

The Republicans have tried three times to put in place Trumpcare--with a full majority of both houses--only to trip and fall each time.  They are inept children.

Maddog wrote:

Original Quill wrote:

Trump has done nothing by way of running the government.  But I don't complain because a Republican who does nothing, does no harm.  

The Republicans have tried three times to put in place Trumpcare--with a full majority of both houses--only to trip and fall each time.  They are inept children.

What in the hell is Trumpcare? There is no such bill that was crafted by Trump. There were multiple Republican plans, that were hardly an improvement over Obamacare. But you are kind of correct about the Republicans. They are not much better than Democrats and are mostly hot air when it comes to really reducing the size and scope of government. It's just a campaign promise.  

Original Quill wrote:

smelly-bandit wrote:

trumps been more productive on running the government than you have been on getting him impeached so..............................

anyday now though hey quill???

Trump has done nothing by way of running the government.  But I don't complain because a Republican who does nothing, does no harm.  

The Republicans have tried three times to put in place Trumpcare--with a full majority of both houses--only to trip and fall each time.  They are inept children.

smelly-bandit wrote:

Original Quill wrote:

Trump has done nothing by way of running the government.  But I don't complain because a Republican who does nothing, does no harm.  

The Republicans have tried three times to put in place Trumpcare--with a full majority of both houses--only to trip and fall each time.  They are inept children.

i thought you were going to impeach him??

you know?? for being a russian spy or something??

have you settled for  containment??

Original Quill wrote:

Maddog wrote:

What in the hell is Trumpcare? There is no such bill that was crafted by Trump. There were multiple Republican plans, that were hardly an improvement over Obamacare. But you are kind of correct about the Republicans. They are not much better than Democrats and are mostly hot air when it comes to really reducing the size and scope of government. It's just a campaign promise.  

Trumpcare is the RW version of healthcare: I think they call it 'repeal and (faux) replace'.

I take no stand on increasing/reducing the size of government.  I just do what's necessary to save lives domestically, and keep our soldiers safe and out of overseas cluster-fucks that our none of our business, and waste my tax money.

Maddog wrote:

Original Quill wrote:

Trumpcare is the RW version of healthcare: I think they call it 'repeal and (faux) replace'.

I take no stand on increasing/reducing the size of government.  I just do what's necessary to save lives domestically, and keep our soldiers safe and out of overseas cluster-fucks that our none of our business, and waste my tax money.

Which version?

Cant be all 3 (or the 4th they are working on now).

You're giving Trump far too much credit to suggest he has a plan for healthcare. He will sign anything at this point.  

Original Quill wrote:

Maddog wrote:

What in the hell is Trumpcare? There is no such bill that was crafted by Trump. There were multiple Republican plans, that were hardly an improvement over Obamacare. But you are kind of correct about the Republicans. They are not much better than Democrats and are mostly hot air when it comes to really reducing the size and scope of government. It's just a campaign promise.  

Trumpcare is the RW version of healthcare: I think they call it 'repeal and (faux) replace'.

I take no stand on increasing/reducing the size of government.  I just do what's necessary to save lives domestically, and keep our soldiers safe and out of overseas cluster-fucks that our none of our business, and waste my tax money.

smelly-bandit wrote:

Original Quill wrote:

Trumpcare is the RW version of healthcare: I think they call it 'repeal and (faux) replace'.

I take no stand on increasing/reducing the size of government.  I just do what's necessary to save lives domestically, and keep our soldiers safe and out of overseas cluster-fucks that our none of our business, and waste my tax money.

so basically you're a trump voter who doesnt like trump??

Original Quill wrote:

smelly-bandit wrote:

so basically you're a trump voter who doesnt like trump??

Quite the opposite.  I didn't vote for Trump.  Dislike him.  But, I find him immenesly entertaining.

And, he provides a wonderful opportunity for actual devolution of the United States, which, anyway, has turned into a Nazi, white-supremacist state,  As Aqua once said, Sometimes confrontation is a good thing!

nicko wrote:Nazi supporting state?    you should air those views to ex Soldiers who fought the Germans.   I doubt you'd leave unmarked.

nicko wrote:Nazi supporting state?    you should air those views to ex Soldiers who fought the Germans.   I doubt you'd leave unmarked.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-26/97yo-vet-protests-against-trump/8988678

A 97-year-old WWII veteran has knelt in his backyard to join NFL players who protested during the national anthem on Sunday.

Over the weekend, about 200 people including players, coaches and some owners participated in a silent protest following a spat by US Fake President Trump, who suggested NFL players who knelt during the anthem was "a son of a bitch" who should be "fired".

In the past NFL players have dropped to one knee during the pre-game national anthem to protest against police brutality and race inequality.

John Middlemas dropped to his knee because, "Those kids have a right to protest". His grandson, Brennan Gilmore, posted a picture to Twitter and the veteran has since been dubbed an American hero.

smelly-bandit wrote:

Original Quill wrote:

Quite the opposite.  I didn't vote for Trump.  Dislike him.  But, I find him immenesly entertaining.

And, he provides a wonderful opportunity for actual devolution of the United States, which, anyway, has turned into a Nazi, white-supremacist state,  As Aqua once said, Sometimes confrontation is a good thing!

Lol

You should go into drama

nicko wrote:Nazi supporting state?    you should air those views to ex Soldiers who fought the Germans.   I doubt you'd leave unmarked.

Original Quill wrote:

smelly-bandit wrote:

Lol

You should go into drama

and

nicko wrote:Nazi supporting state?    you should air those views to ex Soldiers who fought the Germans.   I doubt you'd leave unmarked.

In a way we're all involved in drama, Russ.  The drama queen Trump doesn't even have a script.  We, at least, have something to say.

Yes, the US has gone from racist, to full-bore Nazi.  It's coming-out party was Charlottesville...a moment that will live in infamy.  The surprise you feel, nicko, is is not a sense of insult, but your own realization of the betrayal.  You should have seen it coming.  After all, they started some 15-20 years ago.  Where were the WMD's in Iraq?  What was this enhanced interrogation?  We started on the administration of GWB, with lies, rape, torture, kidnapping, murder and concentration camps (Guantanamo), all standard practices of Nazi Germany.  You saw it, yet didn't realize.  Many of those soldiers you mention should feel the same sense of betrayal.

Just as many Germans saw fit to emigrate from Germany when Hitler came to power, many states (particularly in the west) are seeing the benefit to breaking off from the Nazi United States.  The states that want nothing to do with Nazism, are those on the west coast and in the Pacific region.  The Pacific States of America is the reaction.

Maddog wrote:

Original Quill wrote:

and



In a way we're all involved in drama, Russ.  The drama queen Trump doesn't even have a script.  We, at least, have something to say.

Yes, the US has gone from racist, to full-bore Nazi.  It's coming-out party was Charlottesville...a moment that will live in infamy.  The surprise you feel, nicko, is is not a sense of insult, but your own realization of the betrayal.  You should have seen it coming.  After all, they started some 15-20 years ago.  Where were the WMD's in Iraq?  What was this enhanced interrogation?  We started on the administration of GWB, with lies, rape, torture, kidnapping, murder and concentration camps (Guantanamo), all standard practices of Nazi Germany.  You saw it, yet didn't realize.  Many of those soldiers you mention should feel the same sense of betrayal.

Just as many Germans saw fit to emigrate from Germany when Hitler came to power, many states (particularly in the west) are seeing the benefit to breaking off from the Nazi United States.  The states that want nothing to do with Nazism, are those on the west coast and in the Pacific region.  The Pacific States of America is the reaction.

Charlottesville had how many racists in attendance again?  A few hundred?

https://www.splcenter.org/hate-map

May want to check out the high number of hate groups in Cali.