I've watched the Vietnam war for two weeks. The military sent supplies and troops in precision

[question everything]

as needed.

Why can't we do something like that in Puerto Rico, which is a lot closer?

Why can't we parachute pallets of water, of food, of diapers, of milk, of bread?

If there are no runways, we can land on water, can't we?

Send General Honore there. He will know how to organize aid.

But do something! Instead of all that stupid talk about kneeling.. or not!

Just watched the mayor of San Juan on the 11th Hour and she was desperate.

[left-of-center2012]

1. I asked something similar a week ago

Knowing the disaster that was about to hit P.R.
the U.S. military should have been pre-positioned (in Georgia, etc)
to drop supplies, etc into Puerto Rico immediately after the storm via helicopters, etc

The military should have sent in troops to clear roads, put up temporary bridges, generators, etc.
Send in troops to drive those supply trucks for which there are no drivers.

Instead we get Trump saying "We've been told we're doing an amazing job in Puerto Rico"
and today the W.H. says "It's a good news story".

[LeftInTX]

2. Gen Honore is there

I don't how much he can do as a private citizen, but he is there. On CNN.

[Hoyt]

3. Why can't these rescues be planned out in advance by FEMA, military if needed, etc.,

well ahead of time so that we don't have to wait for the Prez to do anything.

[Ex Lurker]

4. They are

The military has plans for every contingency imaginable, including invasion from outer space (I am not kidding). But they can't implement anything without orders, and you know where those orders have to come from...

[Hoyt]

8. Maybe, it was deemed a Disaster Area on the 21st. I think that ought to set in motion rescue efforts

Not arguing with you, but just think there is a better way that takes the politics out of the response. A President -- even good ones -- are not in a position to implement disaster relief. Just tell them to declare it a Disaster Area and then go golfing or something.

[JI7]

5. the so called President doesn't want to

and his supporters don't want him to either.

[pansypoo53219]

6. npr said radar an issue. need radar.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. Military precision? during Vietnam?

After induction, i (and my couple hundred fellow draftees) were sent to a post for basic training. There was no basic training companies available, they were already full of trainees. So we sat for a couple of weeks in the civilian clothes we wore on the train. At least we had food and water. Finally, we were herded onto a couple of airplanes and flown to another post where we were given the "proper reception" by a drill sergeant, including fresh clean green clothing.

The Army can do much, but sometimes "precision" is not the operational word.

Few planes can land on water (on purpose). Fewer can land on ocean waves. Transportation companies will be sent, but they (and the Engineering companies before them) will need the same fuel and food and housing that the people of Puerto Rico need. It will be an interesting juggling act, and many juggled balls will fall to the ground in the process.

Hopefully, few will die due to lack of water, food, air conditioning, medicine and hospitals, etc.