Houston police have released the dashcam footage of a deputy shooting and killing an unarmed mentally ill man walking around with his pants around his ankles.
The post Police Release Dashcam of Cop Killing Unarmed Man with His Pants Around His Ankles appeared first on The Free Thought Project.
(ANTIMEDIA) Dickinson, TX — Government suppression of free speech can take many forms. It’s not always censorship in the media or storm troopers in the streets bashing in the heads of protesters. For proof of this, one need look no further than Dickinson, Texas.
The small coastal town southeast of Houston took some of the worst Hurricane Harvey had to offer, with almost 7,400 homes damaged — many of them beyond repair. In response, the city council decided to set up a relief fund. People can donate to the city, and then a committee distributes the money to residents on a case-by-case basis.
As it clearly states in published minutes of the October 10 meeting of the Dickinson city council — the meeting where the program was discussed — taxpayer funding is not an issue because “no City dollars are being spent or received.” Individuals donate to the city, and the city allots that money to hurricane victims.
The city government appears to be acting as nothing more than a go-between, a means by which to connect people who need help with people willing to give it. But apparently, due to a recent law passed in Texas, the city is requiring people to make a pledge before they can receive any aid — one that cuts straight to the heart of free speech.
Right in the grant application, The Dickinson city council says residents cannot participate in the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement against Israel. From that form:
“By executing this Agreement below, the Applicant verifies that the Applicant: (1) does not boycott Israel; and (2) will not boycott Israel during the term of this Agreement.”
If it sounds to you like a governmental body is requiring citizens to adhere to a particular political ideology before they can receive aid following a natural disaster, then your hearing is just fine. That’s what the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also heard, and they felt obliged to say something about it. From a press release on Thursday:
“The city of Dickinson, Texas, is requiring applicants for Hurricane Harvey rebuilding funds to certify in writing that they will not take part in a boycott of Israel. The American Civil Liberties Union criticized the city’s condition as a violation of free speech rights.”
Andre Segura, legal director for the ACLU of Texas, says the pledge reminds him of another time in America’s past:
“The First Amendment protects Americans’ right to boycott, and the government cannot condition hurricane relief or any other public benefit on a commitment to refrain from protected political expression. Dickinson’s requirement is an egregious violation of the First Amendment, reminiscent of McCarthy-era loyalty oaths requiring Americans to disavow membership in the Communist party and other forms of ‘subversive’ activity.”
As the ACLU points out in its press release, the Dickinson city council appears to be trying to enforce a Texas law passed in May that forbids government agencies from contracting with companies that boycott Israel. Text from Section 1 of House Bill 89 is almost identical to the provision in the Dickinson application form.
Dickinson’s city attorney told local KTRK the council was only following the law, though how exactly a law pertaining to companies contracting with state agencies applies to a city council handing out publicly donated money remains unclear. After all, as the council itself stated, “no City dollars are being spent or received.”
Local attorney Randy Kallinen says the ACLU is right on target.
“The application clearly requires people to have a certain political expression in order to get government benefits,” he told KTRK.
Kallinen also pointed out the obvious fact that people recovering from a natural disaster shouldn’t be required to pledge themselves to anything — let alone stipulations from a government body — other than putting their lives back together.
“Conditioning the much-needed relief from Harvey and other disasters upon adopting a certain political position is really something that is very distracting and slows down the process of rebuilding after Harvey,” he said.
Make no mistake, this is suppression of free speech. The Supreme Court ruled decades ago that people have a constitutionally protected right to boycott under the First Amendment. If restrictions similar to what is happening in Dickinson are allowed to stand, how long will it be before it becomes routine practice for governments — even local ones — try to tell you what you can and can’t think?
On Friday the Department of Commerce will report August retail sales, a material report which all else equal, may influence whether the Fed proceeds with its plans to unveil balance sheet tapering in its upcoming FOMC meeting. However, as we discussed last week, the report, together with virtually all other high frequency economic reports, will be materially distorted by the destructive aftermath of hurricane Harvey (Irma"s impact will be felt in the September retail report).
While Goldman recently showed the historical impact of hurricanes and other natural disasters on virtually every economic data series...
... of particular interest in the coming days will be the biggest driver behind the US economy, namely retail spending, and specifically whether the recent natural disasters led to a sharp - and potentially sustained - slump. According to internal Bank of America credit and debit card spending data released as usual just days ahead of the official government report, there does appears to be a substantial adverse impact. The question is how much of this is secular, and how much is a continuation of recent weakness in retail spending. Further complicating matters is a seasonal quirk, with the August spending report coming at the peak "back to school" spending period, coupled with the recent Amazon Prime Day which led to further distortions in retail spending patterns.
As BofA"s Michelle Meyer calculates, retail sales ex-autos, as measured by BAC aggregated credit and debit card data, declined 0.1% mom seasonally adjusted in August, leaving the 3-month moving average tracking flat for the month. Consumers shifted spending to gasoline stations, which were up strongly in the month, owing in part to Hurricane Harvey.
After controlling for the increase in gasoline spending, retail sales ex-autos and gasoline declined 0.4%: one of the sharpest declines YTD, and a confirmation of the continuing divergence between BofA (blue line) which has hugged the flatline in recent months, and official government data, which while week, has demonstrated modest Y/Y growth.
According to Bank of America, there are three key factors influencing the data this month:
In an attempt to isolate the influence of Hurricane Harvey which made Texas landfall on August 25, BofA first examined daily spending in Texas which shows that spending picked up in the days heading into the hurricane but remained depressed through the event and in the days after, as one would expect.
Meyer explains:
We estimate that the net reduction of spending in Texas sliced 0.1-0.2pp from the monthly growth rate of total retail sales ex-autos in August. We then dug deeper and looked at the impact by the type of spend which reveals that necessary items (food and gasoline) increased in the month while more discretionary items declined (Chart 2). We also measured spending by major region in Texas (MSAs) which shows significant decline in Houston but continued growth in regions not hit by Harvey (Chart 3)
The charts below provide further evidence that Harvey caused a net drag to spending in the areas hit directly. In contrast, there was trend-like growth in MSAs in Texas which were not directly impacted by Harvey.
However, it wasn"t just Harvey explaining the sharp drop in ex-gasoline sales. In addition to the adverse reginal impact from Harvey, August retail sales were also likely held
back by the strong success of Amazon Prime-day in July. BofA data shows that Prime Day pulled forward activity from August into July.
Finally, and perhaps most concerning, the third indication that retail sales are set to disappoint, BofA writes that while it did not find much of a story for the back-to-school season, its proxy for back-to-school sales showed growth of just 2.4% yoy, down more than 50% the 5.4% yoy pace last year.
This is a problem because according to the National Retail Federation"s annual survey, families were projected to spend approximately $29.5bn on back-to-school items which would translate to an 8% yoy increase from the prior year"s spending plans. Unfortunately, those spending plans have not translated to actual spending as expectations have once again overshot spending patterns as they did in 2011 and 2012 but were below in 2013-2015.
Finally, broken down by category, BofA finds that on a % mom basis, consumer spending declined in most categories in August with only food and beverage, gasoline stations and cruise showing an increase. As noted above, spending on food and beverage and gasoline stations likely saw a boost due to Hurricane Harvey as households stocked up on essentials.
BofA"s Bottom line: the weakness in August retail sales, already expected to come in at near stall-speed levels, is likely exaggerated by the hurricane and July prime-day.
The good news is that while Hurricane Irma may depress spending in September, retail sales typically bounce back after a natural disaster, suggesting upside into 4Q. Unless, of course, it forces an even greater decline in spending, as the following charts showing the secular decline in retail sales indicate.
Photo: Flooding in Rockport, Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey
Residents in Houston need to take precautions, as testing of the flood waters left by Hurricane Harvey came back showing bacteria and toxic matter abundant in the homes devastated by the storm.
It is not clear how far the toxic waters have spread but Fire Chief Samuel Peña of Houston said over the weekend that there had been breaches at numerous waste treatment plants. The Environmental Protection Agency said on Monday that 40 of 1,219 such plants in the area were not working. According to the New York Times, the results of testing have been worrisome.
Water flowing down Briarhills Parkway in the Houston Energy Corridor contained Escherichia coli, a measure of fecal contamination, at a level more than four times that considered safe. In the Clayton Homes public housing development downtown, along the Buffalo Bayou, scientists found what they considered astonishingly high levels of E. coli in standing water in one family’s living room — levels 135 times those considered safe — as well as elevated levels of lead, arsenic and other heavy metals in sediment from the floodwaters in the kitchen.- The New York Times
“There’s pretty clearly sewage contamination, and it’s more concentrated inside the home than outside the home,” said Lauren Stadler, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Rice University who participated in The Times’s research. “It suggests to me that conditions inside the home are more ideal for bacteria to grow and concentrate. It’s warmer and the water has stagnated for days and days. I know some kids were playing in the floodwater outside those places. That’s concerning to me.”
Residents and medical professionals are becoming increasingly concerned as well. Many have said they are seeing infections that have more than likely resulted from exposure to the bacteria contaminated floodwaters.
Dr. Beau Briese, an emergency room physician at Houston Methodist Hospital, said he had seen a doubling in the number of cases of cellulitis (reddened bacterial skin infections) since the storm. He said it was a more modest increase than he had expected, and that the infections had been successfully treated with antibiotics.
Dr. David Persse, the chief medical officer of Houston, said that those residents who are caring for children, the elderly, and those with immune disorders should try to keep out of homes until they have been cleaned of the toxins from the flooding. “Everybody has to consider the flood water contaminated,” Dr. Persse said. He also warned residents to avoid letting cuts and scrapes come into contact with the floodwaters, which can cause an infection which could require antibiotics to treat.
Forty-nine year old, Brad Greer developed two scabby infections on each one of his legs where his rain boots had irritated his skin. Even though he took antibiotics, he said, he started feeling lightheaded and weak as he and his brother-in-law tried to move possessions from Mr. Greer’s flooded home. He went to the emergency room at Houston Methodist, where he was put on an intravenous drip and given another antibiotic prescription. Mr. Greer said swimming pools around his neighborhood are rank. “All the pools are just giant toilets you’re unable to flush,” he said.
Many Houston residents appeared unaware of the contamination of the floodwater in their homes while others have reported a disturbing “funky gunk” smell but did not know that the mold and water could be toxic.
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We have been working with the Mayor of Houston and his staff in coordinating our efforts. They, and the people of Houston have been welcoming and gracious.
Sylvester Turner, Mayor of Houston, Texas
Our volunteers are needed in the daytime to protect the many workers in the warehouse and the truckers who deliver donated goods to the warehouse. The volunteers from various organizations like the Teamsters, NACC, and church groups unload delivery semi’s, organize the supplies, and then load trucks from local organizations with the donated goods to be delivered to neighborhoods in need.
Some of the volunteers who are working in the Houston warehouse. Lowe’s donated buckets filled with cleaning supplies.
Oath Keepers have helped to set up a system of neighborhood Block Captains who pick up and deliver food, water, and other relief supplies to their neighbors. When we can, we provide security for them on the return trip. Yes, there is a problem with looting.
A pallet of supplies, ready to go.
Our Oath Keepers are also needed at night to protect the warehouse, truckers who deliver after dark, the supplies, and their fellow Oath Keepers sleeping inside.
Night duty at the Houston warehouse.
We are looking for men with relevant military, police, or security training, such as:
Current serving or retired law enforcement. We have a crucial need for police officers to act as liaisons to local and federal LEO’s and also because of their many other skillsets which translate directly to nearly everything we are doing here.
Current serving or veteran military, especially infantry or other combat arms, military police, or others with Personal Security Detail, force protection or site security training and experience.
Experienced armed security professionals. Must be trained, safe, and competent with your weapon and equipment. And must have a solid understanding of the lawful use of force and the force continuum.
Above all, we want only cool, calm, steady men who will keep a cool head under pressure, and will interact well with many volunteers coming and going – quiet professionals. You WILL be vetted. If you have a CHL, please bring it. Please bring a copy of any training certs you have, or any other pertinent proof of training or status, if at all possible. Please make it easy for us to vett you and get you assigned to a team. If you are an Oath Keepers member, please bring your membership card if you have it. You DO NOT have to be a member to volunteer. We will take all qualified personnel. Please see the contact info below.
We can also still use:
Emergency medical personnel: EMTs, military medics and corpsmen, civilian paramedics, nurses, etc. However, please understand that our primary mission here at the warehouse is a fixed position defense/protection operation. If we have enough people, we may be able to send some out on relief missions to affected areas, but please don’t count on that. You would be needed to support and care for our people, and be prepared to deal with trauma just in case, and also to do some medical checks and first aid on disaster victims if you go out on a mission to affected areas (as our medics . Please bring whatever gear you have that you would need to work that mission.
Communications experts (HAM General class or above preferred, but a technical class HAM is also useful). Please bring extra radios if you have them.
TO VOLUNTEER CALL:
346-237-7527
346-237-7531
Or email: la@oathkeepers.org
Any questions, please call or email.
We have been blessed with the honor of protecting and assisting some outstanding first-responders, including directly assisting local volunteer fire-fighters, search and rescue, police officers, sheriff deputies, and also National Guard units from multiple states including Texas and Louisiana (we actually helped protect unarmed National Guard and fire-fighters), and protecting the incredible volunteer medical teams mentioned above, as well as helping the devastated, tired, and wet Texans who live here. It has been a privilege and an honor to do so, and we intend on being on call and ready to respond whenever they need us, as well as protecting this new relief supply center in Houston.
This is square on with our Community Preparedness Team (CPT) concept – Americans coming together, lending a hand, is what it is all about. We would hate to turn them down because we didn’t have enough men.
A U.S. Soldier with the 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, waits to load supplies that will be distributed the towns effected Hurricane Harvey in a in a reconnaissance mission to asses the damage and combat the affects of the hurricane at an American Red Cross Distribution Center in Sugar Land, Texas Sep. 3, 2017. The Department of Defense is conducting Defense Support of Civil Authorities operations in response to the effects of Hurricane Harvey. DSCA operations are part of the DOD"s response capability to assist civilian responders in saving lives, relieving human suffering and mitigating property damage in response to a catastrophic disaster. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Hubert D. Delany III)HOUSTON, Tex. (INTELLIHUB) — Anna Khait, Brian Richmond, and other volunteer rescue workers helped to hand out emergency food and supply kits to hundreds of people who were displaced by Hurricane Harvey’s devastating winds and floodwaters offering the group an opportunity to traverse various parts of the city during their efforts where they claim that both the Red Cross and FEMA were virtually “nowhere to be seen.”
“Red Cross was nowhere to be seen,” Khait explained on a recent Leak Project videocast hosted by Rex Bear. “You didn’t see Red Cross out there [at all].”
Khait and Richmond told Bear that FEMA’s presence was lacking as well which begs the following question: Where in the hell is all of the disaster money going?
To put it all in perspective, the CEO of Red Cross Gale McGovern appeared on CBS News last week where she explained that 91% of the donations that the Red Cross receives goes to “Red Cross services.” What ever that means.
“Like I said, on average ninety-one percent goes to our services,” the CEO said. “I am very proud of the fact that we are good stewards of our donors’ dollars.”
But a little research shows that Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern’s base salary is $500,000. Does that sound like good stewardship to you? Not to mention that over $4 million yearly is paid out to members of the upper echelon of the organization. Again, does this sound like good stewardship?
So what else did Richmond and Khait encounter in Houston after Harvey hit?
Khait told Leak Project that during the crisis their group was “armed up the butt” and was prepared to deal with any situation in which they may have encountered but realized in retrospect just how dangerous and intense those few days really were.
Richmond said at one point they were in a strip mall with a heavy National Guard and State Police presence where they were asked if they would be willing to run private security.
“The police actually inquired with us to be a private citizen security team on the ground there,” he said. “Even with of that police and National Guard presence in that small strip mall they were still wanting more armed security and they were inquiring with me because we had small arms.”
On a good note, Richmond said that their team planned the “citizen” operation so well that in most cases people wouldn’t even have to exit their vehicle to be loaded up with food and other goods they needed.
Shepard Ambellas is an opinion journalist, analyst, and the founder and editor-in-chief of Intellihub News & Politics (Intellihub.com). Shepard is also known for producing Shade: The Motion Picture (2013) and appearing on Travel Channel’s America Declassified (2013). Shepard is a regular contributor to Infowars. Read more from Shep’s World. Follow Shep on Facebook and Twitter.
In addition, we have been running escort missions for field medical teams from
We will continue to run those missions if we have sufficient manpower, but by necessity, our protection of the relief center must take priority for now (at least for the next few weeks).
We will rotate people in and out, so if you can only come down for a couple of days, that is fine. We need all the help we can get.
We are looking for men with relevant military, police, or security training, such as:
Current serving or retired law enforcement. We have a crucial need for police officers to act as liaisons to local and federal LEO’s and also because of their many other skillsets which translate directly to nearly everything we are doing here.
Current serving or veteran military, especially infantry or other combat arms, military police, or others with Personal Security Detail, force protection or site security training and experience.
Experienced armed security professionals. Must be trained, safe, and competent with your weapon and equipment. And must have a solid understanding of the lawful use of force and the force continuum.
Above all, we want only cool, calm, steady men who will keep a cool head under pressure, and will interact well with many volunteers coming and going – quiet professionals. You WILL be vetted. If you have a CHL, please bring it. Please bring a copy of any training certs you have, or any other pertinent proof of training or status, if at all possible. Please make it easy for us to vett you and get you assigned to a team. If you are an Oath Keepers member, please bring your membership card if you have it. You DO NOT have to be a member to volunteer. We will take all qualified personnel. Please see the contact info below.
We can also still use:
Emergency medical personnel: EMTs, military medics and corpsmen, civilian paramedics, nurses, etc. However, please understand that our primary mission here at the warehouse is a fixed position defense/protection operation. If we have enough people, we may be able to send some out on relief missions to affected areas, but please don’t count on that. You would be needed to support and care for our people, and be prepared to deal with trauma just in case, and also to do some medical checks and first aid on disaster victims if you go out on a mission to affected areas (as our medics . Please bring whatever gear you have that you would need to work that mission.
Communications experts (HAM General class or above preferred, but a technical class HAM is also useful). Please bring extra radios if you have them.
TO VOLUNTEER CALL:
346-237-7527
Or email: la@oathkeepers.org
Any questions, please call or email.
We have been blessed with the honor of protecting and assisting some outstanding first-responders, including directly assisting local volunteer fire-fighters, search and rescue, police officers, sheriff deputies, and also National Guard units from multiple states including Texas and Louisiana (we actually helped protect unarmed National Guard and fire-fighters), and protecting the incredible volunteer medical teams mentioned above, as well as helping the devastated, tired, and wet Texans who live here. It has been a privilege and an honor to do so, and we intend on being on call and ready to respond whenever they need us, as well as protecting this new relief supply center in Houston. This is square on with our Community Preparedness Team (CPT) concept – Americans coming together, lending a hand, is what it is all about. We would hate to turn them down because we didn’t have enough men.
Robert Erwin, Vice President of R2 Corporation, is a great American patriot in the truest sense of that word – a man who loves his country and loves all of his fellow Americans regardless of their politics, and he deserves all our thanks and respect for providing this massive warehouse for relief operations. And the many volunteers here also deserve our thanks, and they deserve our protection. Please step up and help keep them all safe. We are stretched thin, so please come out if you can. Many hands make light work.
And again, if you can’t make it in person, please consider making a donation to help support those who can.
Video CALL TO ACTION, volunteers needed to protect a hurricane relief warehouse distribution center in Houston. In the video are Stewart Rhodes, Founder and President of Oath Keepers and Tank from Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children.
The address for the new distribution center: 101 Esplanade Blvd. Ste. 400, Houston, TX 77060
The contact email (before you come): la@oathkeepers.org
There will be another post soon with more information.
Video CALL TO ACTION, volunteers needed to protect a hurricane relief warehouse distribution center in Houston.The address for the new distribution center: 101 Esplanade Blvd. Ste. 400, Houston, TX 77060The contact email (before you come): la@oathkeepers.orgIf you cannot come in person to assist, please visit the link below to donate.https://www.oathkeepers.org/product/texas-hurricane-relief/
Posted by Oath Keepers on Tuesday, September 5, 2017
If you cannot come in person to assist, please visit the link below to donate.
https://www.oathkeepers.org/product/texas-hurricane-relief/
If you would prefer to mail a check, our mailing address is:
Oath Keepers
5130 S. Fort Apache Rd.
Suite 215
Las Vegas, NV 89148
(INTELLIHUB) — Texas cities like Austin and Dallas are now starting to experience what people are dubbing a ‘gas shortage’ with long lines and in some cases dry pumps.
Although the shortages are most-likely being caused from the storm’s crippling of critical oil refineries, some are not so sure and feel that the crisis may be orchestrated. Either way the result is the same — long lines at the pumps and no gas at some stations altogether.
In Austin today there were long lines at Riverside Chevron on S. Congress Ave. where gas is expected to run out completely by nightfall.
Intellihub’s Shepard Ambellas tweeted: #Gasshortage in #Austin.”
#Gasshortage in #Austin ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/CbREdxhCkV
— Shepard Ambellas (@ShepardAmbellas) August 31, 2017
North of Austin, in Dallas, there were long lines at the pumps as well.
Tom Fougerousse tweeted: “Pretty epic line for gas today in Dallas at the Costco #Gasshortage.”
Pretty epic line for gas today in Dallas at the Costco #Gasshortage pic.twitter.com/mMHKERjH3H
— Tom Fougerousse (@TomFougerousse) August 31, 2017
And 40-minute waits!
One station in “Garland” is allegedly charging over $8 a gallon!
This was taken in #Garland today by #TXSkyRanger. If you see gouging like this, please send pic & location to isee@nbcdfw.com. #GasShortage pic.twitter.com/UHGiLJ89jM
— Brian James (@BrianJamesNBC5) August 31, 2017
A little humor…
Laura Giles jokingly predicts the near future for “North Texas.”
https://twitter.com/lgiles/status/903235285126967296
However, some say that the so-called “gas shortage” may be engineered.
Hannah Lee tweeted: “Is there a legitimate gas shortage, or have we just made a gas shortage because everyone panicked? #dallas #Gasshortage.”
Is there a legitimate gas shortage, or have we just made a gas shortage because everyone panicked? #dallas #Gasshortage
— Hannah Lee (@hanmosel) August 31, 2017
We will keep you updated. Always visit Intellihub. Bookmark us.
Shepard Ambellas is an opinion journalist, analyst, and the founder and editor-in-chief of Intellihub News & Politics (Intellihub.com). Shepard is also known for producing Shade: The Motion Picture (2013) and appearing on Travel Channel’s America Declassified (2013). Shepard is a regular contributor to Infowars. Read more from Shep’s World. Follow Shep on Facebook and Twitter.Crosby, TX — (RT) Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Texas has confirmed that two explosions have occurred at the site. People have been taken to the hospital, according to emergency workers, cited by local media.
“At approximately 2 a.m. CDT, we were notified by the Harris County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of two explosions and black smoke coming from the Arkema Inc. plant in Crosby, Texas,” Arkema wrote in a statement.
The statement goes on to say that although the plant followed hurricane preparation protocol, “unprecedented flooding overwhelmed our primary power and two sources of emergency backup power. As a result, we lost critical refrigeration of the products on site. Some of our organic peroxides products burn if not stored at low temperature.”
“Organic peroxides are extremely flammable and, as agreed with public officials, the best course of action is to let the fire burn itself out,” the statement reads.
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Arkema says it is working “closely with federal, state and local authorities to manage the situation.”
However, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez stressed during a press conference that “it wasn’t an explosion, I want to be very clear, it was not an explosion…”
He instead explained the incident as a series of “pops.”
“There were different organic peroxides of different grades that were released and it created a pop in the containers where they were being stored and some gray smoke initially emanated from it and eventually turned into black smoke” after a fire began.
READ MORE: Feds Indict Houston PD "Officer of the Year" for Trafficking Cocaine for Los Zetas Cartel
Gonzalez went on to state that it is “not anything toxic, it is not anything that we feel is a danger to the community at all…”
The “pops” occurred inside one of nine box trucks at the site, according to Bob Royall, an assistant chief with the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office.
“There are nine vans. Of the nine, three had lost refrigeration to keep them cool. the other ones are still under refrigeration,” he said, adding that the chemicals are “in containers in cardboard boxes inside the vans.”
The operator of the plant has confirmed that up to eight more containers could burn and explode, according to AP.
Meanwhile, Royall has said the incident is playing out as expected.
“Right now everything is going according to what we thought was going to happen so far. We are in a defensive posture, the fire department is out there on the scene, there is air monitoring being deployed by a contractor by the company to try to find out and watch and see where the smoke might go…” he said.
A sheriff’s deputy was among those taken to the hospital after inhaling fumes, according to a tweet from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Nine other deputies drove themselves to the hospital as a precaution.
“We had a number of deputies out there that were maintaining the perimeter. As a precaution, they were taken to a nearby hospital for testing…” Gonzalez said.
Rachel Moreno, a spokeswoman for the county fire marshal’s office, said it is unclear whether all residents obeyed the evacuation order for the 1.5 mile radius of the plant, adding that the office has received an unconfirmed report of a woman who may still be in the evacuation zone.
READ MORE: Don"t Trust the Red Cross, 10 Ways YOU Can Help Harvey Victims Without Enriching Scammers
An Arkema spokesperson stated late Wednesday that a fire at the site was inevitable.
“The fire will happen. It will resemble a gasoline fire. It will be explosive and intense in nature… as the temperature rises, the natural state of these materials will decompose. A white smoke will result, and that will catch fire. So the fire is imminent. The question is when,” spokesperson Janet Smith said.
The plant makes organic peroxides used in the production of plastic resins, polystyrene, paints, and other products.
Organic peroxides are “relatively unstable compounds which can decompose spontaneously and sometimes explosively,”according to Arkema’s Luperox website. They are “generally flammable and burn vigorously.”
When such compounds reach a temperature above the SADT (Self Accelerating Decomposition Temperature) the reaction becomes “uncontrolled and violent.”
Texas Army National Guard soldiers arrive in Houston to aid citizens in heavily flooded areas impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Army National Guard photo by Lt. Zachary West
The events involving Hurricane Harvey and Houston have brought to the forefront just how important it is to be ready for a crisis at any given time.
But no matter what we imagine those scenarios might involve, it likely will be more difficult than we think. For example, what good is stockpiled food if it gets flooded or buried under a ton of debris?
Following are five scenarios most people simply aren’t prepared for:
1. A lack of sanitation
This is going to be a big problem in the case of a very long-term disaster. If the plumbing isn’t working, then you can use a bucket for a toilet, making sure it’s covered when not in use. Dig a hole and dump in the contents. (That is, assuming you can find ground.) Don’t forget toilet paper. Once it runs out, you might not be able to get more. Consider using book pages, comic book pages, and non-poisonous soft leaves.
2. Looters/robbers/gangs
Even in short-term scenarios, there are bad people who want to hurt you and take your stuff. And 911 isn’t coming to your aid.
Are Your Prepared For A Downed Grid? Get Backup Electricity Today!
Be prepared for a worst-case scenario by arming yourself and teaching yourself and your family to use guns, crossbows, or whatever is available. Denying that you will need guns to survive is a sure recipe to losing everything you have.
3. No medical help and/or no medicine
While most people have a 30- or perhaps even a 90-day supply of medications, what would you do if you ran out and you were unable to find more? Learn about alternative medicine now. If there are herbs that can help take the place of pharmaceutical drugs, then learn to use them. It’s best to plan on no medical help. Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit, as well as a basic medical book with procedures on simple things: setting a broken leg, recognizing the signs of a concussion, or even delivering a baby.
4. Fake police/fake military
Unfortunately, police and military uniforms are $5 at almost any second-hand store. In a long-term disaster there will be plenty of people posing as the police, National Guard, or military personnel, claiming that they are there to help you — when they really are there for your weapons, food, water and shelter. Learn to recognize badges, IDs and uniform patches.
5. Mental health issues and stress
A real survival situation will be anything but pleasant — on the body and on the mind. Don’t discount the tremendous stress you will be facing. Everything from a lack of sleep, to worrying about looters, to inadequate fresh food will sap your strength and test your mental fortitude. Find ways to motivate yourself so that you can take care of your family.
What would you add to our list? Share your thoughts in the section below:
(INTELLIHUB) — A professor at the University of Tampa was fired after a series of disgusting tweets that openly celebrated Hurricane Harvey and its path of destruction as karma for the state electing Republicans and supporting Donald Trump.
Kenneth L. Storey, provided a “window into the dark heart of the alt-left” when he revealed what many on his “side” seem to believe – anything that could be construed as hurting the right is allowed, even if that means literally supporting the destruction caused by a Category 4 hurricane.
“I don’t believe in instant Karma, but this kinda feels like it for Texas. Hopefully this will help them realize the GOP doesn’t care about them,” Storey tweeted.
The professor even doubled down before being forced to issue an apology, telling followers who pointed out that good people live in Texas, “Well the good people there need to do more to stop the evil their state pushes. I’m only blaming those who support the GOP there.
Storey even directly stated that voters in other states who are conservative also deserve to be hit by a devastating hurricane.
“Yep, those who voted for him here deserve it as well.”
The sick leftist eventually issued an apology but the damage had clearly been done, a fact made clear after the University of Tampa publicly fired him. In a statement to the Tampa Bay Times, University spokesman Eric Cardenas said,”We condemn the comments and the sentiment behind them, and understand the pain this irresponsible act has caused,”
Amazingly, Storey isn’t the only liberal openly happy about the hurricane, as dozens of social media accounts celebrated the destruction, with some even going as far as to say all white people deserve whats coming to them.
“Some users have encouraged followers to specifically target white neighborhoods and white-owned businesses for looting and theft,” Infowars reported.
“Other tweets include celebration of “whites” being victimized by Tropical Storm Harvey – despite the fact that a recent study by Rice University found that the Houston metro region is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse in the United States.”
(ANTIMEDIA) — It’s no secret that the news media capitalizes on terrifying and tragic events to garner views and clicks; the familiar phrase “If it bleeds, it leads” has been used to describe this pursuit of ratings. Even President Donald Trump alluded to the media’s specific focus on Hurricane Harvey this week when he explained that he announced his decision to pardon infamous Sheriff Joe Arpaio when the storm hit because the ratings would be “far higher.”
Though the spike in viewership that often accompanies tragedies like these demonstrates that audiences themselves crave the coverage, one victim of the hurricane in Houston just bluntly called out CNN for placing their desire for newsworthy footage above basic human decency.
“Let me introduce you to Danielle, here. Danielle, you just arrived,” CNN reporter Rosa Flores says to a visibly stressed flood survivor standing with her young daughter at the Houston Convention Center.
Leaning in toward Danielle, Flores asks her to share her story of how she was rescued.
She first addresses the failure of police to come to her aid:
“Some guys had called our phone and asked us where we were. We were waiting for police for, like, 36 hours and they never came. We were waiting at the home. We did the white flags and everything and nobody came. But then somebody had called the phone after we decided to leave the house and we had walked to the gas station with the kids, and then they called and picked up us. But had been there like five days with no food and no lights, and nobody came. Like, nobody came.”
Flores continues to question her, asking, “Now, you’re with your children. We’ve heard of stories of mothers trying to save their children from the rushing waters. Can you tell us how that was for you?”
“We walked through four feet of water to go get them food on the first day,” Danielle responds. “Yeah, that’s a lot of shit. But you all are sitting here, you all are trying to interview people during their worst times. Like that’s not the smartest thing to do.”Flores interrupts to apologize, alternating between placing her hand on Danielle’s arm and pulling it away as she continues to elaborate on the media’s push to get comments from victims:
Flores interrupts to apologize, alternating between placing her hand on Danielle’s arm and pulling it away as Danielle continues to elaborate on the media’s push to get comments from victims:
“Like people are really breaking down, and you are all sitting here with cameras and microphones trying to ask us what the fuck is wrong with us.”
“So sorry,” Flores says again, repeating her sentiment multiple times as Danielle continues speaking.
“And you really trying to understand with the microphone still in my face,” she says as Flores pulls the mic away. “With me shivering cold, with my kids wet,” she goes on as Flores pushes the microphone back toward her. “And you are still putting a microphone in my face.”
Flores again apologizes, pulling the microphone and her hand away as the woman leaves with her children.
In-studio newscaster Jim Acosta then begins speaking as the camera cuts back to him.
“Rosa Flores, it sounds like you’ve got a very upset family there. We’re going to take a break from that and we’ll get back to you later on,” he says as the segment ends.
Some social media users reacted to the interaction by claiming it was simply an isolated clip and that the news media has actually helped rescue efforts. Others questioned the woman’s authenticity by noting that though she said she waited five days, the storm didn’t hit Houston until Sunday — and still others pushed back against this skepticism, advocating sympathy for the stressed and traumatized flood victim.
Overall, Twitter users scolded CNN for pouncing on the woman while she was still soaked from the floods. “CNN, she’s at her stress limit, please stop with the mics in their faces & get them real help.#WhatsTheMatterWithYou,” one tweet read, echoing the sentiments of several others.
Vultures preying on people for ratings and cash. You don’t see CNN do stuff to even help people out other than this kind of behavior..
— Bruno Bernier (@BrunoBernier1) August 29, 2017
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses and we’ll interview them during the least opportune moments of sorrow and distress” -CNN
— Steve Duggan (@dougano) August 29, 2017
Creative Commons / Anti-Media / Report a typo
Just weeks after violent riots in Charlottesville, Virginia, brought fuel to the fire making many believe that Americans are more divided than ever before, the scene in Houston, Texas, is the exact opposite.
The impact of Hurricane Harvey in southeast Texas has been described by officials as “catastrophic” and the National Weather Services released a statement saying, “This event is unprecedented & all impacts are unknown & beyond anything experienced.”
This event is unprecedented & all impacts are unknown & beyond anything experienced. Follow orders from officials to ensure safety. #Harvey pic.twitter.com/IjpWLey1h8
— NWS (@NWS) August 27, 2017
The before and after photos showing the record flooding that has overtaken the city of Houston are both heartbreaking and humbling:
Before and after images of the devastating #Houston #flooding. #Harvey2017 https://t.co/E5NMltWRoG pic.twitter.com/Io2uq763xw
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) August 27, 2017
A remarkable amount of flooding in Houston. Here is a before and after of the I-160. pic.twitter.com/S9W5J3ZbFe
— Ben Parsons (@Ben_Parsons__) August 27, 2017
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Given the recent media coverage that has dominated headlines, one might think that there would also be reports of white nationalist groups flocking to Houston to help all of the white citizens, and members of AntiFa coming to the rescue of anyone hanging an anti-Trump banner from their front door. But the exact opposite is true.
“I’m going to go try to save some lives,” a man from Texas City told a reporter, as he helped lower a boat into the floodwaters.
"GOING TO SAVE SOME LIVES"
Heroes converging in #Houston#houstonflood #HurricaneHarvey pic.twitter.com/052ObBBrpx
— Austin Kellerman (@AustinKellerman) August 27, 2017
The sentiment of unity was shared across social media, and people of all backgrounds and races came together to rescue the elderly, children, and pets from the dangerous flood waters.
Don"t let anyone tell you that this nation is divided.#HoustonStrong #Houston #HoustonFlood #HurricaneHarvery #Harvey #rescue pic.twitter.com/5CicswWr18
— Joshua Reynolds (@joshjreynolds) August 28, 2017
Deputy Constables rescue an elderly woman from rising water in Houston, TX. #TropicalStormHarvey pic.twitter.com/jZ7Dgzz0qp
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 28, 2017
Good Samaritans in Houston, Texas, rescue an elderly woman today from rising floodwaters. ABC"s @TomLlamasABC anchors from city tonight. pic.twitter.com/CqiYXWoOvZ
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) August 27, 2017
Houston firefighters rescue woman"s dog & cat from 2-alarm fire. See: SE-023MO TX: PETS RESCUED FROM APARTMENT FIRE pic.twitter.com/i7Nrwrt5WD
— CNN Newsource (@CNNNewsource) May 17, 2016
Big love and respect to the amazing rescue crews keeping vulnerable children and the elderly safe in Houston.pic.twitter.com/MptDQNkdW9
— Greg Hogben (@MyDaughtersArmy) August 27, 2017
Residents of Houston are also receiving help from the Cajun Navy, a grassroots group of volunteers that made its name by rescuing stranded families during a massive flood in Louisiana last year.
READ MORE: WATCH: Veteran Nearly Killed by Cops for Legal Open Carry, Gets Gun Back
In addition to filling its Facebook page with messages on how people can help the victims of the storm, the group gathered volunteers in Baton Rouge on Monday, with a fleet of trucks and boats, in preparation for its rescue trip to Houston.
#Houston Hang on. The CAJUN NAVY is already activated and on the way. pic.twitter.com/O6NYOsmXL4
— Priscilla (@MaeMee) August 27, 2017
One of the most important things about the Cajun Navy is that it is demonstrating the impact everyday Americans can have when they come together and volunteer their time and resources. In many ways, they make a difference faster and on a greater scale than the federal government.
As New Orleans journalist Karen Dalton-Beninato noted, “Private boat owners are rescuing more from Harvey than any agency could. Like Louisiana’s Cajun Navy did last year.”
Private boat owners are rescuing more from Harvey than any agency could. Like Louisiana"s Cajun Navy did last year.https://t.co/aT6V8Ogwvk
— Karen DaltonBeninato (@kbeninato) August 27, 2017
At the end of the day, while many politicians and mainstream media pundits push the narrative that the United States is filled with division based on race and political affiliation, the fact is that those people who are defined by that narrative are a small segment of the population, and it is only when they receive media attention on a grand scale that people begin to believe the public is more divided than it actually is.
Mother Nature has no discrimination when it comes to wreaking havoc on cities and neighborhoods. The people who give selflessly with their time and resources, and who push through the obstacles to help those who cannot help themselves are the ones who should be recognized and celebrated by the media, because they are the ones living out the example that today’s children need to see.
Here is how you can help people impacted by #Harvey https://t.co/T3uEzymff4 pic.twitter.com/A1ebsNNW1t
— Cory Smith (@CorySmithNBC5) August 28, 2017
As many of you know, I was born and raised in Houston, Texas and let me tell you, those roots run deep. Yes, it is hotter than the hubs of hell there and mosquitoes are the size of pterodactyls, but the people are warm and friendly and have always done what they could to help someone in need. I’ve seen this on more than one occasion and all I can conclude is it’s just the Texas way. That’s how I was brought up and for me, that ingrained duty to help those in need has always stayed with me. But it wasn’t just in Texas where I saw this. When 9/11 happened, I watched in pride as countrymen dropped everything to help those affected by the attacks. I saw it when the Fukushima 50 stayed behind to ensure others were out of harm’s way. It wasn’t just a Texan thing, I came to realize it was a human thing.
But have times changed? Have we become so entranced by our own ideologies and cultural division that we are turning our backs on each other? Let me explain.
This weekend, we all watched as Hurricane Harvey hit the coast of Texas with a vengeance. The damage has been so severe and the flooding so widespread that this storm has now been dubbed the “flood of a lifetime.”
In The Prepper’s Blueprint, I wrote how hurricanes are unpredictable in nature and truly one of the most difficult emergencies to prepare for simply because there are so many variables to account for. They can be mild or severe. They cause wind damage, flooding, tornadoes. You can be fully stocked with provisions and then your home is flooded in a matter of minutes because a creek has flooded and all of those provisions are ruined.
Currently, Hurricane Harvey has dumped massive amounts of rainfall in many towns inside and on the outskirts of Houston and affected about a quarter of the Texas population or 6.8 million people in 18 counties. To make matters worse, incessant tornado warnings are keeping Houstonians in a perpetual state of fear.
As well, everyone that I know living in this area prepared as best as they could with the limited warning they received. Many did not evacuate because voluntary or mandatory evacuations were not given by the city. Since Houston was not going to be a direct hit by the hurricane, officials felt that many could hunker down and everyone would be fine. They did not account for Hurricane Harvey turning into a Category 4 hours before it made landfall. What I can tell you, is as prepared as many were, the storm this size and magnitutde was no match for their preparedness efforts and this can happen. The latest rainfall totals should give you some perspective.
Here are some comments from an article at the Washington Post:
…
And in another Washington Post article, comments said
In this Yahoo article
In response to those who are making the above comments, please keep in mind that Texans pay taxes to help with national disasters so when these types of disasters happen in their state, they have every right to request immediate assistance. If national disaster assistance wouldn’t be available, what do you think would happen? Widespread disease, looting, death, and devastation would occur. Do you really want that for someone? Moreover, many of these comments have political overtones. It’s obvious that our country is very divided and there is a lot of bitterness. But political lines cannot be drawn in this type of emergency. By doing so we lose track of what’s important to mankind. I am appalled at the very thought of someone smugly saying how someone doesn’t deserve help and rescue in any type of disaster.
Despite these mean-spirited comments on social media, in true Texas fashion, the communities have bound together. For days I have watched my friends checking on each other through Facebook and social media and making sure everyone was safe, people are taking boats through flooded neighborhoods and risking their lives trying to rescue those in need and take them to safety, as well, people are offering up their homes and businesses for those who are displaced. They are offering food and water to anyone who needs it. It doesn’t matter what nationality, creed, color, or political affiliation they are. If you need help, there are people who want to give it. Simply put, it’s because they care and want to best for their fellow-man.
Moreover, the emergency responders should be commended for their fast acting response. Many haven’t slept in days because of the overwhelming need for assistance. As well, because the city cannot keep up with the need for emergency assistance, good Samaritan are coming from near and far to help those in need.
Don’t let anyone tell you that this nation is divided.#HoustonStrong #Houston #HoustonFlood#HurricaneHarvery #Harvey #rescue pic.twitter.com/5CicswWr18
— Joshua Reynolds (@joshjreynolds) August 28, 2017
Rather than spending time making these crass comments on the internet, here’s a novel idea, why don’t you do something proactive and help another human being. Organize a donation center for the victims of this disaster. For instance, many of you have seen a nursing home in Dickinson, TX had to evacuate the elderly. Supplies and donations could be sent there or you could make a donation to the American Red Cross to help with the rescue endeavors they are pursuing. There is so much more we can be doing than turning our backs to those in need. We should all be asking ourselves what has happened to humanity? How have we gotten so far away from caring for those in need? Instead of doing what we can to help we sit and make comments about how they don’t deserve help? We are better than that.
To sum this up, folks, please be sensitive and mindful of what others are going through. Some people are losing everything they have from this storm. My family is battling this storm and in the midst of fighting to save their homes, they are offering refuge to those in need. Let’s all take a lesson from that. Have open and caring hearts and remember that during these times we need to bind together and help our countrymen, not turn our back on them.
Stay strong Texas!
