FEMA To State: No, Really, Eat Snow Cones

(Is it still good ol' boy politics in Oklahoma these days? Read DocHoc's commentary this week in the Oklahoma Gazette. The image to the right was found at WORLD GONE MAD.)

The federal government’s decision to deny financial assistance to those Oklahomans who suffered property and personal damages during December’s ice storm sends two powerful messages.

The first message is that our Republican-dominated Congressional delegation, especially senior U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe, simply will not fight hard enough for those people who elected them to office. Why is it that Inhofe, a longtime Bush administration supporter, would not and could not sway the Federal Emergency Agency (FEMA) to help Oklahomans?

The second message is that it appears under FEMA criteria lost wages, business losses and extra personal expenses do not count as damages in Oklahoma. FEMA officials told reporters there were simply not enough damaged homes for the state to qualify. This is an important quality of life issue for people who live here. It means Oklahomans, who often face unpredictable and dangerous weather, need to either move to places with more stable weather patterns or budget diligently for ice storms and tornadoes.

On Thursday, Gov. Brad Henry announced FEMA had once again rejected the state’s bid to receive federal assistance. The agency had previously rejected the initial assistance claim. Henry then appealed the decision, but FEMA would not budge. The storm knocked out power to 640,000 homes and businesses and was blamed for 29 deaths. The state also suffered immense damage to its tree population.

Earlier, Inhofe told the media there was not enough damage to qualify for help and said, “You don’t want to get something you’re not entitled to.”

Why did Inhofe, a Republican, turn his back on his fellow Oklahomans? Surely, Inhofe, in particular, might have successfully lobbied the Bush administration for help. He has tirelessly supported Imperial Bush and the botched Iraq occupation throughout the last several years. Surely, Inhofe is no stranger to the concept of political favors.

No one here is asking for a handout. But what about the small business owners who could not operate for several days because the power was off? What about the workers at those businesses who missed out on wages? What about those people who had to pay for motel rooms for several days?

What about all the tree damage? How much did it cost individuals to remove damaged trees? What about replanting? How much will that cost?

Corporate media outlets here have pretty much ignored the issue, though they did cover Inhofe’s statements about his entitlement worries. They filmed and photographed the ice storm misery for profits, but they, too, refuse to stand up for Oklahomans. They will bury this story, give politicians like Inhofe cover and wait like vultures for the next disaster.

Meanwhile, Oklahomans need to get ready for steep electricity rate increases because of the storm.