Why We Can't Forget That Oklahoma's Senators Voted Against Sandy Relief

[sinkingfeeling]

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2013/05/why-we-cant-forget-oklahomas-senators-voted-against-sandy-relief/65435/

Nearly four months ago, Oklahoma Senators Tom Coburn and James Inhofe both voted against H.R.152, the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act that eventually sent $50.5 billion in relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy. And in the flurry of last night's devastation in Moore, Oklahoma. it was impossible not to forget that fact, knowing the federal government would soon rally to the cause.

In 2011, both senators opposed legislation that would have granted necessary funding for FEMA when the agency was set to run out of money. Sending the funds to FEMA would have been "unconscionable," Coburn said at the time.

But another pertinent question to ask, is if it's appropriate to bring their voting records up so quickly. As Politico's Glenn Thrush (who also brought up the issue) quickly found out, some thought it was too soon to delve into Inhofe's and Coburn's voting records:

The whole debate is not unlike the conversation that erupted about gun control in the hours following the Newtown shooting. Some stressed that addressing the debate while the murders of the Sandy Hook children was still raw was necessary. Others said it was "too soon." If you remember, it didn't take long for actual politicians to parlay the Boston bombings into a debate about immigration. It's not impossible to feel for the victims and also be critical of Oklahoma's (and other states') lawmakers. How much help or money victims will receive will probably be decided by bills tapping into federal aid, like those created in the wake of Sandy.

What we know is that the residents of Moore, Oklahoma, are in desperate need of help. Lives have been wrecked. Lives have been lost. Oklahomans are going to need the sympathy and compassion from other humans in what's going to be a long and painful healing process. That's undeniable. How much or how little you may want to focus on the past actions of Inhofe and Coburn is completely your own decision, but it's impossible to ignore.

[global1]

1. Overheard This A.M. While In A Checkout Line In A Food Store......

Husband talking to his wife in line: "Obama is the luckiest guy around. He now has another disaster to help him out. This tornado will put a lot of money into the economy to clean-up and rebuild that town. That money will stimulate the economy. Boy did he luck out."

I was furious - but I held my tongue and didn't say anything to this guy.

When I got home and thought about it - perhaps that's why Coburn and Inhofe want offsetting cuts for any disaster relief going to these Moore, Ok victims. They are pushing that - because they don't want to do anything that will ultimately help Obama out.

Any thoughts here?

[jessie04]

2. I didn't forget.

Time to make them understand they made a bad mistake.

[geek tragedy]

3. It wasn't just them--it was every fucking red state with a few

tiny exceptions.

The Republican base--their voters, their values--made disaster aid a political issue.

Let them see how much they enjoy playing by the rules they tried to impose on Sandy victims.