Some of you might also want to contribute and, if so, I urge you to consider Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief.  I suggest Samaritan’s Purse because I have seen with my own eyes how effectively they work on the ground.  I can vouch for Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief program.   They are ready!  They have big food trucks, semis tractor trailers filled with chainsaws, etc.  They have much experience  (they have helped all over the USA from hurricane to tornado!), and they have the right tools (this matters!) to help quickly and effectively.  They are truly a well oiled machine.  They also have drive and a giant heart.

Here is the really fun thing about GretaWire: there are SO SO many of us here at GretaWire (we have built up a big community) that if many of you give even $30-50 (or even $10) we end up giving a huge amount together.  It is our combined effort (something that we are all proud of, right?  We are loyal group even when we are getting into a fierce comment fight.)

Think of it:  $50 from you buys 10 gallons of gasoline for the chainsaws that will help get trees and debris from any houses that may have survived.  It also helps power saws to help rebuild homes.  $30 is enough to help stock the food trailers to feed people who are working 24/7 or who are victims and very hungry.   I can go and on and on…but imagine if 100 (or 1000?) of you give $50 (do the math!)

Of course I gave more than I am asking of you — I should because I have a good job and because I am asking you, so I need to put my ‘money where my mouth is.’   I don’t ask you and not get out front and make my own donation.

I gave the first bit of money to get us all started ….to make it fun to help.   If you can, and not everyone can, and if you don’t already have your favorite disaster charity and are looking for one, please consider giving to the Samaritan’s Purse Disaster.  I have made it easy — there is a link below.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO SAMARITAN’S PURSE TO GIVE  (and scroll down and you can see where to donate.  I use PayPal since it is fast but there are other ways!)

If you do give, let us know here on GretaWire so we can sort of keep track here on GretaWire how many give.  You should NOT tell us how much since that is none of our business.  

And please please please know that I am well aware that these are tough times and many of you can’t afford to give — and you have just as big a heart as those who can.  I know that.

See HASC Chair Buck McKeon letter to Hagel below. I am told questions 2 – 6 will be asked of the 2 DOD witnesses who appear today in a closed session with the House Armed Services Committee. Also separately I am told that the 2 witnesses are Gary Reid, DoD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations /Low Intensity Conflict and Maj Gen Darryl Roberson, Vice Director of J3 (Operations) on Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Office of the Press Secretary

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release May 21, 2013

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

ON TORNADOES AND SEVERE WEATHER IN OKLAHOMA

State Dining Room

10:08 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. As we all know by now, a series of storms swept across the Plains yesterday, and one of the most destructive tornadoes in history sliced through the towns of Newcastle and Moore, Oklahoma. In an instant, neighborhoods were destroyed. Dozens of people lost their lives. Many more were injured. And among the victims were young children, trying to take shelter in the safest place they knew — their school.

So our prayers are with the people of Oklahoma today.

Our gratitude is with the teachers who gave their all to shield their children; with the neighbors, first responders, and emergency personnel who raced to help as soon as the tornado passed; and with all of those who, as darkness fell, searched for survivors through the night.

As a nation, our full focus right now is on the urgent work of rescue, and the hard work of recovery and rebuilding that lies ahead.

Yesterday, I spoke with Governor Fallin to make it clear to Oklahomans that they would have all the resources that they need at their disposal. Last night, I issued a disaster declaration to expedite those resources, to support the Governor’s team in the immediate response, and to offer direct assistance to folks who have suffered loss. I also just spoke with Mayor Lewis of Moore, Oklahoma, to ensure that he’s getting everything that he needs.

I’ve met with Secretary Napolitano this morning and my Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor, Lisa Monaco, to underscore that point that Oklahoma needs to get everything that it needs right away. The FEMA Administrator, Craig Fugate, is on his way to Oklahoma as we speak. FEMA staff was first deployed to Oklahoma’s Emergency Operations Center on Sunday, as the state already was facing down the first wave of deadly tornadoes. Yesterday, FEMA activated Urban Search and Rescue Teams from Texas, Nebraska, and Tennessee to assist in the ongoing search and rescue efforts, and a mobile response unit to boost communications and logistical support.

So the people of Moore should know that their country will remain on the ground, there for them, beside them as long as it takes. For there are homes and schools to rebuild, businesses and hospitals to reopen, there are parents to console, first responders to comfort, and, of course, frightened children who will need our continued love and attention.

There are empty spaces where there used to be living rooms, and bedrooms, and classrooms, and, in time, we’re going to need to refill those spaces with love and laughter and community.

We don’t yet know the full extent of the damage from this week’s storm. We don’t know both the human and economic losses that may have occurred. We know that severe rumbling of weather, bad weather, through much of the country still continues, and we’re also preparing for a hurricane season that begins next week.

But if there is hope to hold on to, not just in Oklahoma but around the country, it’s the knowledge that the good people there and in Oklahoma are better prepared for this type of storm than most. And what they can be certain of is that Americans from every corner of this country will be right there with them, opening our homes, our hearts to those in need. Because we’re a nation that stands with our fellow citizens as long as it takes. We’ve seen that spirit in Joplin, in Tuscaloosa; we saw that spirit in Boston and Breezy Point. And that’s what the people of Oklahoma are going to need from us right now.

For those of you who want to help, you can go online right now to the American Red Cross, which is already on the ground in Moore. Already we’ve seen the University of Oklahoma announce that it will provide housing for displaced families. We’ve seen local churches and companies open their doors and their wallets. And last night, the people of Joplin dispatched a team to help the people of Moore.

So for all those who’ve been affected, we recognize that you face a long road ahead. In some cases, there will be enormous grief that has to be absorbed, but you will not travel that path alone. Your country will travel it with you, fueled by our faith in the Almighty and our faith in one another.

So our prayers are with the people of Oklahoma today. And we will back up those prayers with deeds for as long as it takes.

Thank you very much.

END 10:13 A.M. EDT

Per Pergram-Capitol Hill

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) says any additional money which could be needed to pay to recover for the tornado in Oklahoma should not need to be offset with requisite cuts.

There has long been an internal battle inside the GOP about paying for disasters…which sometimes entail additional spending. We have no indication (and it is very early) that they would need additional money or even a supplemental spending bill (such as for Sandy). But many R’s have long held that any additional spending need to be offset with dollar for dollar cuts.

That was not the case with the Sandy bill for the northeast. And the bill…when it passed, only secured 49 yea votes from House Republicans.

Chad Pergram

FOX News

Senior Producer for Capitol Hill

Barack Obama addressed the nation this morning on the tornadoes and severe weather that hit Oklahoma City on Sunday night and on Monday.

His statement from the State Dining Room, where he stood at a podium under a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, began at 10:07.

The president was accompanied by Joe Biden, the vice president, Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Richard Serino, the FEMA deputy administrator.

Full transcript from the White House will follow. But here are some highlights.

The president called the incident “one of the most destructive tornadoes in history”

“In an instant neighborhoods were destroyed”, he said, noting that among the victims were “young children trying to take shelter in the safest place they knew, their school”.

He said there were prayers for the victims and all those first responders who searched for survivors in the aftermath of the story.

“As a nation our focus is on rescue,” he said.

He spoke with OK governor Mary Fallin yesterday and told her the state would have all the resources they needed. He also declared a disaster in the state yesterday.

He also spoke with the mayor of Moore, Glenn Lewis, to ensure he is getting he needs.

The FEMA chief, Craig Fugate, is on his way to OK right now. No mention of whether the president would also be heading to OK.

The people of Moore, Mr Obama said, need to know that the American people will be beside them “as long as it takes”

there are empty spaces where there used to be living rooms

“We dont yet know the full extent of the damage from this week’s storm…we don’t know the human and economic losses that might have occured.”

“We know the severe rumbling of bad weather continues [and we are] preparing for hurricane season next week

“If there is hope to hang on to it is the knowledge that people in OK better prepared than most”

He said people who want to help should donate to the American Red Cross.

“So for all those who have been affected, we recognize you face a long road ahead…you will not travel that road alone.”

The White House said Mr Obama had received a briefing on the response to the tornadoes from Lisa Monaco, assistant to the president for homeland security, Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security Secretary, his chief of staff Denis McDonough, and deputy chief of staff Alyssa Mastromonaco and other members of his team.

–

Stephanie Kirchgaessner

Washington Correspondent, Financial Times

—

“….Numerous Western, Pakistani and Afghan hostages are being held in Afghanistan including US Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, 25, who has been a prisoner for nearly four years….” [from BBC.com / April 23, 2013]

Why did the Justice Department do that?   Answer that for me….post your answer right here.

How to Help Oklahoma Tornado Victims

How to Help Okla. Tornado Victims

Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 20, 2013

President Obama Signs Oklahoma Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Oklahoma and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and tornadoes beginning on May 18, 2013, and continuing.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in the counties of Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Sandy Coachman as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. 

FEMA said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.

FEMA said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties may apply for assistance by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

SAFE & WELL / LOVED ONES SEARCH

After a disaster, letting your family and friends know that you are safe and well can bring your loved ones great peace of mind. This website is designed to help make that communication easier.

Register Yourself as “Safe and Well”
Click on the “List Myself as Safe and Well” button to register yourself on the site.

CLICK HERE

We currently have 6 shelters open at the following locations:

• St. Andrews Church, 2727 SW 119th Street, Oklahoma City (All children that have not been reunited with their parents are being taken to this location)
• Little Axe Resource Center, 1970 156th Ave. NE, Norman, OK 73026
• Carney Oklahoma Senior Center, 301 E. Maple, Carney, OK 74832
• Shawnee High School Athletic Center, 1001 N. Kennedy, Shawnee, OK 74801
• Moore Community Center, 301 S Howard, Moore, OK
• Newcastle Storm Shelter, 851 N Carr, Newscastle

These shelters will remain open throughout tonight.

Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles have begun delivering hot meals throughout the affected areas. We are also operating fixed feeding sites at the Little Axe Resource Center, the Carney Oklahoma Senior Center and in Shawnee at the Shawnee Expo Center located at 1700 W. Independence, Shawnee, OK 74804.

Additionally, Red Cross Disaster Assessment Teams are working throughout the affected areas to assess the extent of the damage.

Those affected by this event who need assistance are urged to contact our OKC office at (405) 228-9500.

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