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Subscribe to RSSMore than 400 residences in Staten Island still don't have electricity because their homes are too damaged, and many are taking refuge in warming tents. NBC's Katy Tur reports.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Dee and Scott McGrath were huddled under two blankets, both wearing hooded sweatshirts and pants, with an electric heater by their bed. Dee heard her daughter coughing through the night from the room next door and feared she was getting sick.
Though they’d tried to cover up the open gaps between the wood on the first floor of their gutted home, which was inundated by 11 feet of water during Hurricane Sandy, the chill of a deep freeze sweeping New York was seeping in. Downstairs, it was just under 20 degrees. Upstairs, where they’ve restored heat, it was only 60, the couple said as they recounted the Wednesday night experience.
The McGraths are not alone in their suffering: Though the number of those living without heat is a hard number for officials to gauge, more than 9,000 dwellings remain without electricity in the city, according to data from the area's power companies.
“It’s rough, it’s very stressful, it’s very depressing. And you get the anxiety of not knowing when your work is going to be done and when your house is going to be back,” Scott, 45, said Thursday afternoon, taking a break from working on the electrical wiring in his home. “You have emotional-like panic attacks in your head, you’re thinking of what you have to do next to make sure your family don’t die or get sick with the flu and stuff … you can’t be exposed outdoors all day and this is being exposed outdoors.”
Some 20,000 residential buildings in the city were left with some damage or disruption to their utilities after Sandy. A city program, mostly funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, had restored utility services and provided replacement equipment to more than 11,800 residences as of Jan. 21, while some 7,000 are awaiting help. Work on about 1,900 dwellings is under way.
The McGraths moved back in two weeks after the storm, but they only got heat on Jan. 2. Before then, they had been running nine to a dozen electric heaters off two generators at a cost of $80 a day. Until this weekend, they had to take showers and use the toilet at a neighbor’s home.
Miranda Leitsinger / NBC News
Dee Young-McGrath and her husband, Scott McGrath, stand Thursday in the first floor of their gutted home where the temperature dropped to just under 20 degrees the night before. It's hard to get the rebuilding done in such cold weather, they said.
“My poor daughter is sick in bed right now running a fever and I have to have an electric heater running for her besides my heat,” he said of Crystal, 21, a meter reader for one of the city’s power providers, Con Edison of New York. Upstairs the thermostat showed it was 60 degrees. “It’s pretty sad and she’s wrapped up in two blankets.”
Although the McGraths’ home received help from the Rapid Repairs program, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between FEMA and local agencies, Scott said the program’s subcontractors had botched the installation work, with leaks springing in the pipes when the boiler was turned on. His brother, a plumber, fixed the problems.
They got electricity earlier, on Christmas Eve. But the work done by Rapid Repairs was “basic,” Scott said, leaving them with few outlets, such as just two in the kitchen. He was installing more outlets on Thursday before eventually putting up insulation and dry wall.
The couple has done almost all of the repair work on their own, finishing the bathroom downstairs, with a shower and toilet, this weekend. Though it was an achievement they had looked forward to, the timing couldn’t have been worse with the onset of the subzero temps this week.
“It is completely unbearable to step foot out of my bedroom,” said Dee Young-McGrath, 42. “It’s like torture to sit on an ice-cold toilet. And the shower, I mean, we have holes in the wall back there … it’s just excruciating.”
The couple, who have lived in the home for 10 years, said they stayed for several reasons, including that FEMA housing options were either too far away or in troubled city neighborhoods, and many places wouldn’t take dogs. They have a 10-year-old dog, Brownie, a chocolate lab and border collie mix.
“Their (FEMA) answer was to tell me to put my dog in a shelter. That is my family. … I’d rather sleep in my car before I put my dog in a shelter,” Scott said as he called a tail-wagging Brownie “Daddy’s little girl.”
They also stayed since it's their home and because they’d heard stories of vandalism.
“Whatever I have left, I want to keep,” he said. “You stay here to protect your property, what’s left.”
Though the days are long and dark for them, there was a little levity when Katie jokingly offered a reporter a cold drink. One wall on the first floor is lined with bottles of water, a two-liter orange soda and a few energy drinks.
Katie said they were lucky to have a roof over their heads when others still did not and were sheltering at warming centers, but they both said the stress and depression has been great.
Scott said on some days he could not motivate himself to get out of bed and his hands would tremble when he was overcome with anxiety. They have been given sick leave from their jobs at Con Edison, where he is an investigative inspector and she an instructor, due to the emotional toll. The cold, with a forecast that it may snow on Friday or over the weekend, is making it even worse.
“I have … panic attacks, anxiety at night, wondering what’s going to happen to my house. You know, running electric heaters, I start to panic, thinking that I’m going to cause a fire,” Scott said, noting he also worried about the possibility of pipes breaking in the freezing weather.
“This is not a way (for) a person to live,” he said. “It’s depressing to come here every day and you’re living in this house.”
NBC Nightly News' Katy Tur contributed to this report.
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Somebody get your heads out of your A$$es and help these people!!!
HELLO, Washington DC....... is anybody there???????? Hello, hello???????
For $80 a day they could sleep in a motel instead of running generators all night ..... and someone else would make the bed while they were working on their house. I hope that helps.
Read the article. FEMA offered them help. They refused the terms. They can deal with the consequences of that choice.
Have we become that soft? Really? Excruciating? 60 degrees in the bedroom, oh my! I keep my thermostat set at 60. Folks, our ancestors lived with worse conditions, daily. My last camping vacation was far more "uncomfortable".
Sorry, but can beat that; during my foreclosure and fight to keep my home, my furnace broke down. I ran the oven on really cold nights, covered my windows with blankets, and had 3 electric heaters running in winters for 2 years. One in the living room (where my wife and I slept), one in a bedroom (had all the kids stay in one room in winter months) and one in the laundry room to keep the pipes from freezing. Sometimes turned the oven on to warm more, putting a fan by it to blow out the heat on would boil water for heat/moisture.
Always wore hoodies, had blankets for kids, dogs, and us; we had 2 cracked windows and one that was boarded up because one of my dogs broke through it, shattering the picture window. I was in and out of work, had to go to social agencies to help pay bills, went to the local grocer at times to get scrap meat from deli for dinner and lunches, and got rail roaded by a lawyer for the 2 years (he constantly told me I could save my home, used every program in the book ((voluntary, thanks gov't .... so no, nothing.... he and the bank took my money and home).
Now, I'm in a foreclosed home that needs work. I have to blanket off certain rooms, areas as they have massive, massive drafts... some of the addition exposed to the outside. Repairs too numerous to list.
For the last 3 years I've had panic attacks, anxiety attacks, throw up in the morning as soon as I start thinking about money troubles, have taken any job available and again starting a new one Monday. I get the shakes so bad I can't type, can't dial the phone, and some times have spilled my drinks.
Almost 3 years now. Yet, I'm grateful for what I've been able to hang onto, family and a place to live. I still work, medical field and again now in machining. I would expect sympathy, but only blame failed government for banking practices and our economy.... I don't expect anyone to feel bad for me, give me anything, nor do I expect handouts from the government (I did expect fairness with the house deal, but yeah... stupid there).
So..... I feel for ya, but still........
(BTW... many winter days, our thermostat read 50-52 regularly. If it helps, we put towels warmed by the heaters for a few minutes prior to sitting on the can)
Obama and Biden are to busy!! Funny how the media gives them a pass!! This is a outrage!
A/noon Moderation. You have done it tough and once again the thing that goes through my mind is your "great self respect". Through gritted teeth you have continued on, quietly battling away and above all hanging on to your family. You are in the wrong country mate, you sound like one of us from across the Pacific!!! Sorry but when I saw 60oF which is 16oC here thought your kidding!!! Bunch of sooks it is not that cold. Hell I don't turn the heater on here until April and then it has to be around 14oC before I do. No we don't get snow where I am but cold is cold. Your ideas and what you have done are a credit to you and your family. It is amazing what you can do when you have to. Do you have hot water bottles over there?? They are great and cost nearly nothing and just use plain old hot water. Plonk them in the bed before you get in and they are great, warms it up nicely. Or sitting somewhere good to have one on your lap or better still put your feet on it. If your feet are warm makes a heck of a difference. Even I still use them, hate electric blankets. Flannelette sheets (brushed cotton you may call it??) are also good...way warmer than cotton etc...It sounds like you have faced and are facing "dark times" but hang on, things will slowly turn for the better. Keep going, hold your head up high and good luck and best wishes for the new job on Monday.....from someone who is thinking of you far away...
AKRandy
It seams like just last week the republican house of representatives passed the Sandy relief package. Cant imagine why it's taking so long for the money to get to people. Why you would think it was last year when Sandy hit. Oh thats right it was LAST YEAR (OCT. 29). Thanks BONNER for delaying the relief, because you did'nt feel like taking it up. Maybe our republican friends from the H of R should spend a week living with the people of Staten Island.
That was the warmest room in the house. Please re-read the story. High temp in NY today was 24oF its now about 15oF. So yes mate its frigging cold.
Stop trying to demonize those in the GOP for trying to restrain the spending orgy in Washington, D.C.. At no time was FEMA out of money.
If you think the government is the answer to all of life's problems, your Public School education and the secular humanism they preach have taken it's toll on you.
Interesting.....
I read the article, wondering why things are taking so long. Usually you just call your insurance company, file the claim, and they hire a contractor and get the work done. Then I noticed what was missing in the story. There is nothing about insurance. I'm guessing they didn't have any?
Well, bummer. I pay for insurance on my place. If something happens, I don't have to wait. If they didn't bother to get insurance, then why should the government (read: my taxes) go to help them? I should just cancel all of my insurance and spend my money elsewhere if it is somehow the responsibility of government to just come in an pay for whatever problem I have.
What the he!! is wrong with the people in this country, who won't take personal and financial responsibility for themselves?
A/noon Joe. Yes that was the warmest room in the house. They said it was "only 60oF". It is still not that cold in the room. Temp here today 35oC.
Sorry but if this was my house and it had been 3 months since the Hurricane, I'd would have at least fixed the holes in the bathroom First, that his wife mentioned.
And as for 60 degrees heck that's about what it is in my place right now, as my back door is open and it's 57 outside last time I looked.
And yeah you will have to do most of the work yourself if you didn't have proper Ins., if you wait on FEMA Aid, well you'll be summer hot before you see it most likely.
How about you if you're so concerned?
Welcome to the world of natural disasters. Have been through several hurricanes myself and had my spouses family lose all of their belongings in one. And they lived off of MRE's for weeks. But these events just show how soft we have become as a people. It's 60 degrees and they are freezing? Aren't these New Yorkers? Where is their supposed resiliency?
You had a bad event happen to you. It's time to dust yourself off and get back on your feet again. And those of you who blame FEMA, there are a whole lot more success stories regarding Sandy than failures like this one. This was no Katrina, that's for sure. Sounds like real problem was with the subcontractor anyway. And they could be in a shelter but I probably wouldn't do that either because of my pets. But that is their choice.
I may be missing something in the article but why won't this guy buy some insulation, plywood and build out a small portion of his house that is limited in size but warm? There is nothing wrong with living in 800 sq ft until things get better. I'm not insensitive but certainly am a realist. Do what it takes to protect your family and stop waiting on anyone else.
Yes, where's the party of spend spend spend? eh? No aid for these people? What?
Remember voters- you voted for this. These people are suffering because? This administration has dropped the ball on this one- bad!
No comment from the libbie leghumpers on this? Feisty, pigotry? Where are you?
" I’d rather sleep in my car before I put my dog in a shelter,” ... to which the dog said, "Roo you."
Who in their right mind would vote for a hurricane other than contractors? They are suffering from the affects of a hurricane! I can tell you have never experienced one.
All their needs are being cared for by the government. You Want to rely one the Government for help this is what you wanted. I for one have flood insurance. when it is hurricane season we keep the cars no less than1/2 tank and that is when we were in Maryland. Personally I will rely on myself more and get things done verses wait for FEMA to save the day 2-5 months latter.
This story is propaganda yanked from Faux News. Everyone knows Obama said this would be taken care of during the election. Don't believe the story. These are old photos and no one suffering. I know it for fact, because Obama said long ago the government was coming to the rescue.
shona1
Don't know if your a parent, if your child was running a fever and the warmest you could get their room was 15.5oC how would you feel. Did you read the part that the rest of the house was -6.7oC. Hope your enjoying your 95oF day. I hope you and yours never have to deal with Extreme weather and little or no protection from it.
This couple and their daughter all hold down pretty good jobs with Con Ed.If they didn't have insurance coverage then it is their problem.I don't want to sound mean spirited but three adults in that home have jobs.Their employer let them out on sick leave.Why isn't this family putting up the drywall first before worrying about how many electrical outlet's they have.The main thing is to stay dry,stay warm and stay healthy mentally and physically or they will see their lives snowball downhill.
Morning Joe. I deal with extreme temperatures just the same as everyone else around the world....45oC here the other week, everything is all fried off and dead now. Houses burnt down, wild life and live stock incinerated and a life lost in the bush fires. And no I don't have air con, that is "my choice", I hate it and I will not have it in the house. The child is sick what part of the story don't you think I read? But they seem to think their dog is of more importance than their child..didn't you read that bit!!! I am also an animal lover but the child's needs come first I would have thought. It is "their choice" to stay in the house they were offered alternative accommodation. What is the difference with a child with a cough and fever in the cold, to a child with a cough and fever in stinking heat, with no air con? We all have tough times like those before us and those that will come after us. At the end of the day it was their choice, so best they get on with it and make the best of it. Yes I am enjoying our summer but only 17oC here today might have to turn the heater on.
shona1
Don't know if your going to get back this way but here goes. Hope you and yours are safe and well. In your own words "my Choice"to live like you do. It was not their Choice living in a home that was ripped apart. It was not their Choice to have limited heat. Standard insurance does not cover flooded homes. Their home was hit by flood waters from Sandy. They have put everything they have to get their home back in order. They do not have the choice to stay anywhere else. Hope that 62oF day helps calm some your brush fires. At least you have the Choice to go in the house and turn up the heat. The sick kid had to use the Un-heated (-6.7oC) bathroom, not her choice.
Went out today shorts and t-shirt and washed the car, we had a heatwave come through 7.2oC. Untill yesterday we didn't get above 2oC daytime. Could finaly use the garden hose without freezing up on me.
By the way how is Queensland these days?
Evening Joe...You do realize the "child" is 21 years old?? There is a bushfire lurking about 20 km's from where I live here in Victoria. Been burning for 2 weeks and we are hoping for rain. Another one down Melbourne way 200km fire front so a bit of a worry. Queensland is under water at the moment especially Gladstone way. May have to evacuate people as the river is flooding and may break its banks. It is the remains of a cyclone going thru...plus they had 3 small tornadoes (quite rare here) go thru as well caused a lot of damage...so they are in the wars. But that all just goes with the territory..one end of the country it is floods and cyclones the other bush fires and no rain....Still that is my country and we have to take what comes and make the best of it..much the same as over there..
shona long time no see, hope y'all stay safe and get some relief soon.
Morning 1sg..yes we are fine for the moment but things here in Australia can change very quickly as over there...It is Queensland that is in the firing line at the moment...hundreds evacuated due to flooding and warnings for small tornadoes up there...the cyclone that has passed has really stirred up the atmosphere. We are the opposite in Victoria bush fires and no rain, but that to will change and life goes on eh...Have a good evening over there....
shona1
Well it's back to flooding for us and heavy snow in the hills. I would gladly send some of this weather your way to quell the fires. Washington suffered some of the largest wild fires this state has ever seen last year. 10s of thousands of acres burned, lives lost, lots of homes burned to the ground. Best of wishes to you and yours to get through it. We here put up with rain, snow , heat (39.5oC), cold (-14.5oC), floods, high winds (129 kph), ice storms. and I wouldn't live anywhere else.
Yes I did know she was 21, mine range from 30 to 37. They are still "children" to me and protecting them and my grand children from harm will always job one.
Have a good day today and a better day tomorrow.
60F is not dangerously cold, but 20 downstairs is nuts,and space heaters pose a fire hazard. High time these people got the help they need.
While I feel badly for them, they refused housing elsewhere. They got preliminary help, which they didn't like, and are redoing. Yes, they need help, but I also think their brains are frozen. Over half of the 20,000 residences affected have been restored. The recently passed Federal help has barely had time to get there.
Why is FEMA not paying to put these people up in hotels until their homes are fixed? This is insane - FEMA should pay to house these people in hotels!!!
In the article, the family said that they wanted to stay in their own home because they heard about vandalism.
Mike Krueger,Why don't you whip out your wallet and book a hotel room for these people in a nice area.FEMA,by the way,is yours and mine and every tax payer's money.They were given an option for shelter and they didn't like the area that it was in.How arrogant and entitled these people are.
heres an idea, ask where all that money that was approved first of the year went, and Why oh why are people not blaming pres Dumbo like they blamed Bush for katrina, the sad thing is that they are sheep. The media is trying to brainwash people but hey its okay, someday people will learn.
"...someday people will learn."
Should read, "...some people will learn one day."
There are a lot of people who will never learn.
hs321,
Too true,Sad but true, that's why we have O for 4 more,some will never learn,apparently half of the Country,are suckers,and believe his song and dance,and their head explodes at the Mere mention of O not doing his job....
If this had been a Republican in office during this storm,we would have daily reports of their incompitance as well as daily war and death toll reports,But nope not on O's watch,he is untouchable...Benghazi,Fast and Furious,No budget for 4 yrs,no jobs,Unemployment,the list goes on and on....But he had a great party due to his uncapping the limits for donations to his coronation Party.
And some wonder why a Gov ran program(FEMA) is broken and full of waste,hiring incompetent contractors to work on homes wonder how much they were paid to do shotty work and are they still used,anything the Gov runs is pathetic and wasteful.
Interesting.
Rapid Response, union, shoddy workmanship, poor execution, lack of completion, all government results. And we are paying forthis with our taxes.
You can build a complete we home in 30-45 days, and these FEMA contractors can't even fix plumbing correctly!
Wonder how much they were paid and if the work was inspected before payment?
RAW,First of all FEMA doesn't have contractors.You apply for to FEMA.They send contractors that do not work for FEMA but are deemd qualified to do the work.They are ususally local companies in your area.If these contractors did sloppy and sub par work then this guy should have reported them to FEMA.My mother had water damage fixed due to an earthquake and being a senior on a fixed income.FEMA contracted a local company,the work was meticulously done and everybody's happy.I think these people just want an excuse to complain and to get that paid sick leave from Con Ed.
1st of all, learn to dress for winter. I raced sled dogs for 30+ years, and it isn't difficult to get good, warm clothes you can work in. I've been outside all night 100 times in -25 to -50 weather, and I do not mean wind chill.
2nd, Get some supplemental heat. Someone thinks it's a fire hazard. Going without heat is a bigger hazard. Get a couple of propane heaters, follow the instructions regarding safety, and set them up that way. Get tarps or plywood, and put up temporary wind-proof walls. Fix your "closest to acceptable rooms first, and work your way down to the worst ones. You will have to wait for better weather to get things fully finished, so concentrate on intelligent temporary repairs that improve your ability to go day to day.
Find a neighbor that is in the same boat, and trade off work days with each other. The extra hands will make both of you work harder, faster and more productively. Don't wait for the government. THey have your votes, now, and you don't interest them anymore.
I don't understand the whining and crying. In this day and age it is very easy to make yourself more comfortable. While I hate sub-zero weather, I live in a state where it is the norm. Could I survive the winter without the creature comforts we all are accustomed to? You Betcha! It may not always be the most comfortable, but it is very do-able.
OK NEW YORKERS WHATS UP WITH THIS??? I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA BUT WOULD LET A FAMILY IN NEED OF SHELTER (because of Sandy) USE MY TRAVEL TRAILER (it sleeps 10!) IF THERE WERE A WAY TO GET IT THERE!!!! I am a native NEW YORKER and think we need to help our "families" out!!!
Why FEMA has it all handled they need no help.
I'm not sure what the point of this article is. When you have a large disaster it takes a long time to recover - years, not weeks or months. You can look across the country and find communities/families still recovering from hurricane, tornado, flood, fire, and other major disasters that occurred years ago.
I actually thought the same thing. It's terribly unfortunate, but it's temporary as is the weather.
As soon as Obo is finished parting he will be "laser focused" on on helping these people. It looks like his little photo op after the storm has really helped. "With out delay" "Cut the red tape" "All officials have a direct line to my administration" Remember that?
I wonder how many of these people voted for the current administration.
What does the current administration have to do with this? Aren't you one of those that is against government help for people in need?
You seem to think that name calling will fix this. What a moronic statement!
Frisbydog,
Who is name calling??What statements are you speaking about??
I would love to know why all these people on the east coast have never had to have Flood insurance. It baffles me. I live in a home where only about 10 foot on my property is in a flood zone. I have to pay every year for flood insurance for a house that will never flood. Even in the 40 years we have lived here, never has there ever been a flood but someone who lives on a beach near the ocean never has to have flood insurance?? Sounds to me like all of us paying are getting ripped off. Don't force the houses that will flood so you don't have to pay any claims. Suck money out of the rest of us who will never flood.
I was looking at my insurance policy the other day and was trying to figure out why I have to have earthquake insurance, I live in Texas! Tornado/ fire I understand, but earthquake? I think you're right we're paying for those who don't "feel like it" or "can't afford it"
Insurance companies always stick it to the home owner after a natural disaster and refuse to pay. They did the same thing after Katrina. That's why the feds have to come in a pay because insurance companies say the damage was caused by wind so it is not covered. Allstate and State Farm were the worst after Katrina. So when I bought my house I avoided both insurance companies.
This doesn't make sense. Stick the meter and a breaker box on a 4x4 and hook it up. That is unless City Code regulations have you hog tied.
You don't get to violate regulations and/or city ordinances just because your home is damaged.
"We're dealing with crippling anxiety, depression, and my daughter is so sick she can't go to work, but I refuse to put us in free, modern, warm housing during this arctic snap after a terrible hurricane because my dog is a family member?" Seriously? They have these things called kennels. Some are quite nice. And, btw, your dog is NOT a family member. It's a dog. And it's certainly not worth risking your mental and physical health over when there are options. Do they want Obama himself to show up and drape blankets over their shoulders and Biden to put warm slippers gently on their feet?
Yep. They were offered help, refused it because they didn't like the terms, and are now dealing with the consequences of that choice.
Did you also read that there is vandals stealing these empty homes blind? He said he would like to keep what little he has left.
Most 21 year old's have some friends. It's crazy but perhaps since she's sick with a bad cough and sitting in a room by herself, she could go stay with some friends that have electricity. If my child were sick in this weather I might take FEMA up on their offer to stay in a warm place and put the dog in a shelter temporarily. If you're worried about you belongings put them in storage for less than $80 dollars per day. Alternate staying at your house one night and the warm hotel another night. Ask your neighbors watch your house the nights you sleep in the warm hotel. Dog over their sick 21 year old is the take away message.
Can someone please explain to me why we can spend hundreds of millions of dollars on "foreign aid" to countries like Pakistan, which then harbor terrorists and blatant enemies of the United States and for which the only return we get is scorn and hatred, while decent, hard-working American citizens have to suffer like these poor people?
Also, why do we have American servicemen doing engineering and construction work in places like Iraq to restore the infrastructure of that country and others like it? Bringing those men and women home would return them to their own country and allow them to use their talents to help their countrymen life a decent life.
We are well aware of the charity of American citizens when disasters have struck other countries. How many of our alleged "friends" in those other countries have offered to send one dime, or one single worker, to the USA to help the victims of Sandy and/or any other horrific happening?
It's time to re-visit the ideas that you can't buy friends, and, that charity begins at home. Let's spend some of our tax dollars on the American citizens who truly need them.
The problem is not lack of money. It takes time (as measured in years) to recover from disasters. You've been watching too many movies like Star Trek.
Many countries sent us aid to help with Katrina. But aside from some of the quick response issues to get by the initial crisis, there is not really much that anyone can do. As I said, it takes time.
I'm with figgeretta! If my motorhome was in North Carolina and not in Missouri gutted and getting ready for a refit inside I would drive it up there and let the family use it, dog and all, until they get their house safer. Maybe a used RV dealer would let families like this BORROW NOT RENT some of their older RVs motorhomes and tow trailors. Don't forget the fifth wheel units also. We need to help one another in times like this. Besides the use of them could be a tax write off for your businesses. God Bless and good luck.
It's funny I don't see any comments here that hold Obama responsible for the terrible lack of response to these poor families plights. When George Bush was President and Katrina happened, you'd have thought the whole thing was his fault, even though he responded quicker and did more in a shorter period of time than Obozo has yet to do.
As someone else already said, these particular people were offered help, but refused it over a dog because it is considered "family". My child would come before any animal's welfare. If you are angry "Obozo" didn't use his socialist, Marxist, commie, Kenyan, Muslim powers to force these people to follow his commands, why don't you open your checkbook and help finance a place to stay that met these people's specs? They could live in some comfort, maintain their health and come and work on their place as needed. But that would be an entitlement handout, wouldn't it?
Is there some sort of infectious disease affecting conservative commentators on this blog?
You seem to think that name calling will fix this. What a moronic statement!
Frisbydog,
You must not understand how people don't like Obama and the way he is flushing America down the toilet,So if it hurts your sensibility to see name calling, your in the wrong place,The right are called worse names by the left constantly here,No it's not nice but your not the morality police either,and your not contrubiting anything other than your outrage at what you find "moronic statements" using name calling,Get used to it,We have 4 more years of the incompitance and lack of leadership in this administration,And I suspect name calling,It's on both sides of the fence but Im sure it never bothers you when the words Teabaggers,repubes,tinfoil hat wearing idiots,Gun Nuts Crazy,greedy,even calling for public executions of so called "Treasonist Republicans"..yep I saw it on this vine earlier this week,and nobody said anything till somebody on the other side of opinions a consertive said something they didn't like and reported the "righty" 6 different people had a conniption fit but said nothing of the threat of violence to the hated right...So take you self righteous indignation and stuff it.
FEMA is a joke and Obama promised these people a fast trac recovery....of course that was days before the election...Just more of his empty promises to get votes...
he did it- so it's ok if I do too. I didn't realize this is the 4th grade playground.
Family denies aid= President is a moron. I see the connection.
I love how no matter WHAT the topic, it always goes back to polarizing dems vs. repubs. I would really love to see some collaborative, constructive talk here, but I think society has gotten to the point where no one actually researches any issues; society simply points fingers, calls names, and reiterates what they have heard on the same news stations that call whatever the Kardashians are up to "breaking news."
Government is for Entertainment only!
They take your money and give you a Song and Dance.
And the republicon mobsters say, "tough titty."
Political prisoner,
Better be careful Frisby dog will call you out for name calling and moronic statements.
Oh wait you we're calling republicans names so he won't care...NM
he did it- so it's ok if I do too. I didn't realize this is the 4th grade playground.
Emaggs,
Your so witty,too bad your rose colored glasses won't allow you to see the Double standard of your friend the Frisby dog,maybe your too busy misconstruing others posts,good for you,now go get your treat from the playground duty.
Ok. I'm not a rocket scientist or particularly good with my hands....HOWEVER, if you have been living in the house for 3 months obviously the priorities are all wrong. It looks like the upstairs bedroom is all finished with drywall and paint etc which is great BUT, you need to have the entire perimeter of the house enclosed and that should have been the first job to complete. Forget about installing extra outlets in the nonfunctioning kitchen, the next job would be to insulate all the walls and cover that with plastic sheeting to keep out the cold and the heat in. Insulation can be installed quickly and have immediate results, even if the job isn't perfect , it would be sufficient until spring and warmer weather comes along. The same goes for the bathroom. Insulate all around it and put in a space heater if necessary at least then it's usable. Once you do this, the house will become more bearable. I realize these people are shell shocked however this is like survival camping. And by the way, I totally agree with the poster about the camping trailers. A relatively simple solution to a terrible situation. The trailers can be parked in their driveways or in front of their homes. Where are the FEMA trailers for temporary housing while people rebuild??? Way to go government....NOT !!! May God give these people the strength to continue.
President George Bush was blamed for Katrina; and Republican Congress is blamed for Sandy. Obama had his photo op with Hurricane Sandy victims before the election, told them he would not abandon them, and the only thing he has done since was annihilate the Republican Congress for refusing to pass a $60 billion relief bill that contained almost $30 billion in pork that had nothing to do with Hurricane Sandy victims--did Cuomo, Christie, and the other governors whose states were affected by Sandy only want $30 billion or did they not think their residence deserved the entire $60 billion? Where is the real leadership in this? Where is Obama--oh that's right he is too busy taking away our Amendment rights and putting our daughters on the front lines of combat duty (which makes no sense if all American wars have ended and because of Hillarious Clinton's frequent flier miles--America is a safer place so why is it again that Obama and Panetta thought now was an important time for women to fight in combat??)
Barb, you really seem to lack the facts. At least for the short term there is just no working or even talking to you people.
Hey, I am President Obama was feeling their pain while he was riding around on Golf Cart One in Hawaii.
Both the man and woman in this story are employed at Con-Edison-the power company and he is an inspector. They are on leave from work while as they are dealing with crippling anxiety, depression and a sick daughter - she coughs at night. Most of us have gotten the real picture here. My advice for your 1st. real problem in 10 years-quit milking the system, be so glad you have a job when many don't,if your bosses read this -you may not have a job because you do not have the stamina for work, send the child to school where she will be warm & fed, be glad you have a roof on YOUR OWN HOME-when many people do not have their own home, 20 outside is not 20 inside and it is minus 20 in Wis, Alaska, Minn. & people are w/out heating oil funds, grow up and buck up camper and leave your own pity party.
NO! do not send a sick child to school! I wonder if they have any family or friends she can stay with? I love my pets but I would never choose them over my child. That bothers me a lot they they are choosing their dog over the sick daughter.
I'm pretty sure the article said the daughter is 21!!! She's not some little sick child missing school, she's an employed adult, fully capable of taking care of herself and could choose to stay somewhere else if she needed to.
This is not about the couple choosing their dog over their child, it's about weighing their options and making the choice that is best for THEM! The daughter, at 21 years old, should be competent enough to do the same for herself.
the child is '21 yrs old' working as a meter reader at Con Edison so it is not a question of sending them 'to school' for warmth & food. the child could get her own place. I could not believe that they all were given sick leave from their jobs(WOW) don't think my company would do that. But I do agree on one thing MY DOG is part of the family. I would do whatever I could to keep him with my family. I also wondered why these folks did not have flood insurancesince obviously they live close to the water. in some cases, insurance companies don't cover a lot of residences right on the beach front and you have to invest in some 'special' insurance, but all had obviously good jobs and should have been able to afford the insurance. if the damage is water and regular insurance usually covers wind damages. i also agree it looks like in months since this happened if they are doing the work, then they would get 1 part completely done(although small area) but stable conditions. Rent an RV or find a used one to park in the yard temporarily. They all seem to have good jobs so they should be able to afford an alternative working solution.
I missed the part where it said the kid is 21 so I take most of it back, BUT, I have to ask, I have a 27 year old step-daughter who is autistic is this the case here? (Yes people who are higher functioning autistics can hold a job) if not, sucks to be them, I was already feeling little sympathy for them, now I feel even less.
More advice - get some pills on your employer sponsored health insurance plan for the depression & crippling anxiety-get some antibiotics for the child ( coughing in the next room-if fire is your concern - she would be in your room so all could leave in a hurry )- man cannot get out of bed somedays - both of you get out of bed & outside & raise your eyes to heaven & thank God you survived Sandy, have a child, 2 jobs, & your roof & house is intact. Then-take the clothes to the washeteria, boil water, take a bath& get to work, use your Fema for electric and food and get on with life - both of you deserve a kick in the rear for such a pathetic attempt -making the government look careless -you are 2 lazy dolts who just can't cope with inconvenience.
Where is the press and TV in all of this. After Katrina they were on Bush every day the city was not back to normal. NOBODY in New Orleans was freezing! Then it was Bush's fault but Barak gets a pass from the media.
Sure glad we pushed through the funding with pork included. Pushing through that funding did not help these people, I doubt if it realy helped anybody except people more connected. By the way what does that man do all day? There are people that live on $80.00 a week. I wonder what they are going to spend on air conditioning in the summer. Look at these people, they are victims and cannot function.
Crabdusty -- please read the article again - these people are on sick leave from their jobs at Con-Edison-the power company where he is an inspector. They have jobs & cannot work because of depression and anxiety-their home and roof is intact - they have a daughter - they are living in 60 degree temp. upstairs, they have a car. What would happen at Con-Edison - if every employee hurt by Sandy took sick leave? They think they need more Fema, more pills for the aniexty, 10 degrees more heat, cough syrup for their child,- truly they need a boot in the rear end, no pills, no syrup, to go to work, classes in how to be an adult, and church where they can warmly get on knees & thank God for life for all of them.
This comment section was made up of mostly racist idiots!! Everything is Obamas fault even though it's the A$$HOLE REPUBLICANS that keep making Obama look bad!!
Newsflash. Obama needs little assistance in looking bad. Daily, his foolish and shortsighted decisions out him for what he is, an amateur politician in way over his head. Beholden to a majority of entitlement-minded folks devoid of any sense of self reliance. I could go on but you just would not understand anyway.
Showshanda, are you deaf and blind? What makes our country great? The vast majority of the country doesn't want entitlements or tax breaks or things handed to them. What they want is to be treated fairly. Can you say that people have been treated fairly by their banks (not homeowners, but INVESTORS). All of the big banks lied to their clients and investors, but not a single one of those jerks have gone to jail.
We are going through some changes as a culture and we will NOT be dragged back to the 50's where people were blind to racial and environmental and business injustice! So if you want to make snarky comments and believe everything that FOX says then go ahead. You WILL be left behind! If on the the other hand you want to engage in a conversation about how we can make OUR country a better place then let's talk. BTW, I'm 57YO white male that at one time could be only described by current conservatives as a "disgusting moderate" republican. A fiscally conservative, socially moderate republican. Now I'm independent, but a lot more involved in local and state politics.
We HAVE to pull our country back to the center. However, compared to the politics of the current republican party, when given no other choice, I'll vote a liberal agenda over the mud and dirt that YOU espouse.
Railroad,
Everybody who understands this guy in office is bad for the Country is racisist ? You guys really need some new material.