Yesterday a story cataloged teams of men from two local power companies volunteering to leave for Ohio to help restore power for 800,000 people in Cuyahoga County. Once the work was completed then they would head for the east coast if needed.
A group of men who volunteer to leave their families to assist fellow Americans. The work would be dangerous, the hours long, but in their view worth the effort or why volunteer? True American spirit in action.
We are certain to read stories of uncommon valor by ordinary citizens in New York and New Jersey that reached out to help their neighbors in distress, but not until politicians get out of the limelight. The Red Cross, The Salvation Army, other charitable and faith based organizations were already on the ground assisting.
High above in a helicopter politicians fly over to assess the damage, but what can they do? Will they or can they make the water recede? Do you remember a candidate saying ‘this is the moment the seas began to recede’? Already the Climate Change zealots are claiming this disaster is man’s fault because of an element everyone exhales and trees inhale.
The politicians offer false hope, and the zealots fraudulent excuses. Both for personal gain or vindication of their beliefs. The people on the ground know that neither can restore what they have lost. This was an act of nature that man has experienced throughout the millennium.
Normal life will be restored over time however will never be the same.
Just the prior month a group of volunteers were serving in Libya. The brother of Tyrone Woods asked why are you going again? You are a retired Seal, married with a young child? Tyrone’s answer: because if I don’t do it who will?
The same American spirit we see in response to Sandy, yet more dangerous. The storm clouds of Sandy formed and could be observed with advanced technology and the warnings to prepare were sounded. Unfortunately for Tyrone Woods the warnings to our government sent by Ambassador Stevens were ignored.
Although our government used advanced technology to watch the attack on our consulate in real time, there was not to be politicians flying overhead telling the media how great they are, or any help from volunteers to come to the aid of Americans in distress. They were ordered to stand down.
What would your reaction be if you knew your government ordered help to stand down in the aftermath of Sandy?
The result was Ambassador Christopher Stevens, computer expert Sean Smith, and two former Seals Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doherty died an unnecessary death at the hands of Islamic terrorists.