In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s destructive path, King Charles extended an olive branch to President Joe Biden. However, the motive behind his sentiment seemed quite obscure, considering how poor the Biden administration’s handling of crises has been thus far. Nonetheless, King Charles expressed his concern regarding the devastating impact of the hurricane that fell upon the land on September 26.
Allegedly, momentous empathy was emitted by King Charles, extending thoughts and prayers to those impacted, and he even lauded the courage of emergency responders. However, such praise for Biden’s organization of emergency assistance exhibited a lot of disconnect with reality. This praise wasn’t deserved considering the state of crisis management throughout the nation under the Biden administration.
On October 4, a tweet from the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. pointed out the King’s outreach to Biden. The tweet stated, ‘King Charles has sent a message of condolence to President Joe Biden expressing his sadness and sympathy for the tragic loss of life as the clean-up from devastating Hurricane Helene continues’. The shout out was quite puzzling, given Biden’s track record.
Helene was a Category 4 storm when it tragically made landfall around 11:10 p.m. local time near Perry, Florida, on the fateful night of September 26. It ravaged the land with its destructive power, bringing about catastrophic and life-threatening damage. The hurricane didn’t discriminate; its ruthlessness was profoundly felt in the higher terrains of the southeastern Appalachians.
Emergency personnel valiantly braved the storm, working tirelessly to rescue stranded victims of the floods and road closures. But their efforts haven’t been met with adequate support from the Biden administration. As of October 3, at least 200 lives were lost across six states, a number far too much for a nation claiming to be prepared for such disaster.
In the storm’s harrowing aftermath, hundreds remain missing, a jarring testament to the underwhelming crisis management led by Biden and his team. These people vanished in the eye of the hurricane, their whereabouts still unknown. Their loss is a testament to the inability of the Biden administration to efficiently coordinate search and rescue operations on the ground.
In response to the crisis, various organizations have stepped up in support. They have started gathering funds and other resources, including food and medical supplies, to aid those affected by the hurricane. However, the question lingers – why weren’t adequate measures already in place under Biden’s watch?
Groups like the United Way of Florida, the Florida Disaster Fund, the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, the Red Cross, World Central Kitchen, The One SC Fund, and Samaritan’s Purse are among the entities participating in relief efforts. They’re making admirable strides in spite of the ineffective system in place under Biden’s governance.
Amidst the chaos of a land ravaged by the storm, King Charles found the time to wish former President Jimmy Carter a happy 100th birthday in early October. However, juxtaposing this act with Biden’s lack of decisive action further underlines the stark differences between effective leadership and mere facade.
King Charles extended his ‘warm personal greetings and great admiration’ to Carter for his duty and public service throughout his life. Quite ironic when the current White House occupants fail to inspire similar sentiments. For decades of public service, the current administration doesn’t seem to have learned much.
King Charles’ private congratulations for Carter’s unprecedented milestone of being the first former president to become a centenarian contrasts starkly with Biden’s underwhelming leadership. The difference is apparent when comparing a legacy of genuine public service to the current administration’s series of questionable decisions.
When Carter served as president from 1977 to 1981, he had meaningful exchanges with the King’s parents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, early in his term. Such interactions prove how positively influential American politicians can be, quite in contrast with those presently held at the helms.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip also lived to see their golden years. Unfortunately, Prince Philip passed away in April 2021, just two months shy of his 100th birthday. Meanwhile, the late beloved Queen passed in September 2022 at 96 years old.
Indeed, looking back at previous administrations, one can’t help but question the effectiveness of the current Biden administration. Their handling of this recent disaster leaves much to be desired for, especially when compared to the legacies of figures such as Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, and Jimmy Carter.
One can only hope that those in power can learn from their mistakes, especially in times of crisis. However, it’s clear that the Biden administration, along with Kamala Harris’s hand-in-hand inefficiency, cannot efficiently manage a crisis on this scale. Hurricane Helene is another painful reminder of this harsh reality.