One of the things that's not very appealing about life in or near a city like yours is that so many people are immediately, and I mean right now, dependent on the system for so many basics.
Kill the power out here in the countryside, we're still good for awhile. Let it happen there and watch things burn.
It's part of why people in big cities think they're entitled to things.

To add to this misery are the reports that LIPA (Long Island Power Authority or something like that) has gone into neighborhoods on Long Island and removed, yes removed, the electric meter which bascially cuts power to that house.

They claim this is being done for safety. They will not re-install power to those homes with the meter removed until a licensed (should be read as UNION?) electrician comes out to inspect the house to make sure that it is "safe" to have power restored.

Now, I agree this might make sense for houses that were flooded - yea, water, especially salt water can do some pretty nasty damage to wires and circuit breakers such that restoring power might cause some sort of electrical fires.

However, many of the houses being shut out from the power grid in this manner did not suffer any damage - they just lost power because the whole neighborhood went out.

So, where is FEMA in this? Not their issue they claim - so what f*cking good are they if they cannot cut through this "red tape" crap?

And where is the MSM on this issue? Shhh, such a story might make Gov Cuomo look bad - cannot allow a Democrat pol to look bad!

And where is Gov Cuomo on this? not a peep - cannot upset those UNION electrian's votes. Ironic that Gov. Cuomo used to be in charge of Housing & Urban Development for the US. What exactly did he learn during his time there? How to screw over homeowners?

Oh, BTW, many of the homeowners have been charged $500 or more to have an electrician spend 2 minutes looking at their circuit breakers to say "okay, it is safe." That's if you are lucky enough to find an electrician who is available to come to your house.

I've said it elsewhere - bureaucrats - about as useful as sand in your wet bathing suit.

Who did they vote for, again?

FEMA = Giant Useless Government Appendage.

I brought a friend to the Westchester County Airport yesterday. Driving through Greenwich, of all places, some lines are still down and some roads are still closed. I can't even begin to imagine what it's like on Long Island; here in CT on the shoreline, people are just starting to pick up and get their lives back together.

Our government is screwing us royally, and it's our fault. We're letting them, as if we didn't have a choice. But really, do we? We just held an election and elected the new bosses, same as the old bosses. What gives? I thought we weren't going to be fooled again. Shame on us, ALL of us.

"FEMA = Giant Useless Government Appendage."

Then it should be called "GUGA." How about renaming it the Fairly Extravagant Money Annihilator?

How about renaming it the Fairly Extravagant Money Annihilator?

I was thinking of another F word.

FEMA. $12B "budget" this year.

Whodda Bargain.

Luckily, the NY National Guard. isn't allowed in, since they've got icky guns.

Betcha they can work in bad weather.

Unix-Jedi: "Betcha they can work in bad weather."

Ha! You lose that bet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X79gNYpYO3k

National Guard trucks getting stuck during Hurricane Irene flooding.

So, who comes to the rescue when the calvary needs to be rescued?

(P.S., not trying to bash any military folks or anything, just showing that not every situation can be fixed or overcome - sometimes you just gotta bug out)

"Who did they vote for, again?"

Ding-ding! We have a winnah! Staten Island is the one borough of NYC where everyone doesn't vote Democrat. This is their punishment for voting incorrectly. Next time, they'll know better.

(Assuming that there is a next time... the city might just decide to condemn the whole thing and be rid of those troublesome not-thinking-of-the-greater-good voters.)

Charles:

Oh, bad weather will slow down and cause problems.

But I bet the military will be THERE. Not closing the office because it might snow some.

Not that they're immune to the weather.

One group of residents, calling themselves the "Brown Cross," is patrolling the devastated streets, armed with walkie-talkies, and helping residents clear debris and pump water from their flooded homes.

Do you know why they are armed with walkie-talkies and maybe bats or machetes? Because they are residents of New York City.

So if you are Oprah or Rosie or you can hire armed, personal bodyguards at your own expense. Or if you are Bloomberg you can have the NYPD provide your armed, security at taxpayer expense.

If you are a working class person or family in the NYC Metropolitan area -- you are too dangerous to have a firearm. Even when the looters are now coming through armed to the teeth. I'm sure the looters have the approval of the NYPD and Bloomberg to possess a firearm.

FEMA's real purpose was to maintain government power in a crisis. If the government had broken down, betcha FEMA would've been right on it.

There are ads on TV right now espousing the virtues of the IBEW.

For any ad, ask yourself, "Why are they advertising?"

Rad:

Of course, the people who'd take the most issue... don't have power for a TV...