There’s tremendous power in generosity. And like the Bible says,” With great power comes great duty”. ( Wait, that’s not in the Bible. I think it’s from Spider-Man. Either way, a fine line’s a good range, so I’m keeping it. )  ,
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But along with tremendous responsibility, with great energy comes the potential for great abuse.
Interesting is how Judaism categorizes charitable (tzedakah ) donations into eight moral tiers: giving unwarranted or reluctably and regretfully. The second lowest is giving less than the required amount while still giving generously. Therefore it’s donating after being asked, followed by donating before being asked.
The second highest form of charity is ( second highest ) providing aid in a way that keeps the donor and recipient a secret, and ( highest ) assisting a person in becoming financially independent so that they can no longer rely on charity.
You do n’t need to go to rabbinical school to understand Maimonides ‘ logic: Charity is a means to an end. Its objective is to help people getting back on their feet — with recognition, respect, and integrity. It’s NOT about empowering the powerful so that they can rule over the weak.
And this brings us to FEMA— the foolish, aimless, rude government agency that’s responsible, presumably, to positively no one.
The new flood swallowed large sections of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Helene and Milton delivered a double-whammy that placed thousands of people poor. Some communities in Florida ( including my own in Tampa Bay ) fared very well — after all, Florida has the administrative know-how to deal with hurricanes, along with a highly qualified, hands-on governor— but different regions faced utter decimation.
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In my post about awaiting Milton’s entrance, a reader left this opinion:
LionessOfYeshua 3 weeks ago
As much as I adore this website and respect ALL the writers, editors, and contributors ( Hell, I’m a VIP GOLD member ), reading the comments and reading about the recent events in my hometown will be heartbreaking. AN ESCAPE strategy WOULD NOT BE AFFORDED. We are still here struggling… and before some snow come for me… My apartment was covered by a landslide and ya know how I’m writing this??? Because that’s the only WiFi I can find, I park in a Tractor Supply driving bit. It’s October 9th….. however no power or water. Our fluids will be out FOR MONTHS!!!! Again, I’m glad yall had the resources and a governor who “did n’t care” about us, but we are still here, trying our hardest to survive. FEMA WONT HELP ME. They say I have an identity issue. They ca n’t find me in the system.. yet they take taxes out of my check every week…. DO NOT LET US BE FORGOTTEN!!!! !
FEMA has stomped on red tape and created synthetic obstacles to avoid outside assistance, instead of leading the recuperation:
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This is ridiculous. The major concern of FEMA is supposed to be preserving the life of Americans. https ://t.co/zFhZF48hS1— Elon Musk ( @elonmusk ) October 1, 2024
At this time, SpaceX engineers are attempting to deliver Starlink terminals and other supplies to devastated North Carolina. FEMA is both failing and wo n’t let anyone help. This is inexcusable! !
They only recently shot this movie a few hours before, from where you can see the quality of the… picture. twitter.com/abpOsfNenF
— Elon Musk ( @elonmusk ) October 4, 2024
Of course, any government organization that is powerful enough to aid is also powerful enough to damage. Now, CNN reported that FEMA has really suspended helping North Carolinians, claiming that unhappy people were” threatening them”. So they’re taking their generosity away.
( Is n’t that nice? Apparently, FEMA employees have tighter security than Donald Trump, who’s dodging assassination attempts every other week now. )
Gee, I ca n’t imagine WHY those North Carolinians are so angry. Even ( and this is just a thought ) it’s because FEMA’s comment has been dismally limited?
The CNN post even blames a “backdrop of misinformation”, which is the latest federal word for “legitimate critiques”.
Nothing really threaten people with violence, of training. The majority of FEMA volunteers are doing everything in their power. However, anything significant is happening: The American people no longer rely on the government to support them.  ,
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Otherwise, they’re turning to the Free Market.
The majority of Asheville residents ( the ones who are still left ) probably could n’t tell you who oversees FEMA. Elon Musk is the businessman who is genuinely trying to change people, I assure you.
And when assist eventually comes to North Carolina, it’ll become from Musk— never Uncle Sam.
Keep your eyes on this: The earth is starting to shift … and not because of natural disasters.