MANILA, Philippines (AP) — President Barack Obama is sending his deepest condolences to those affected by a deadly tornado that ripped through Arkansas.
Obama says he wants everyone affected to know that the federal government is on the ground to help. He says the Federal Emergency Management Agency will work with local officials.
Obama says, quote, “Your country will be there to help you recover and rebuild, as long as it takes.”
The president is also praising the heroic efforts of first responders and neighbors.
A broad tornado killed at least 11 when it sliced through suburbs in Arkansas on Sunday at the start of the U.S. tornado season. Another person died in Oklahoma.
Obama spoke at a joint news conference with Philippine President Benigno Aquino while traveling in Asia.
Okay, since this is Arkansas, first poll the people there, find out whether they’re government hating, posse comitatus red staters. Ask them if they’d like federal help, yes, it’s the government, want some help? Too many red staters have their hands out when they’re in personal trouble but deny the existence and importance of the federal government when there is no tornado or fire or flood. Time to challenge the cognitive dissonance that thrives in red states.
I will be waiting to see what Paul Ryan, Rand Paul and Eric Cantor have to say about financing this without compensatory cuts in entitlement programs, just like they did with New Jersey’s Hurricane Sandy damage. Those folks in NJ are still waiting.