Trump to America: "You are on your own."

April 26, 2026 (Vol. 20 No. 16) - I have been deeply involved in emergency management for most of the past half-century. That involvement was on many levels: as a reporter, as a member of the North Carolina State Emergency Response Team, as an instructor, as an academic researcher and as a volunteer. I am retired. But that doesn't mean that I don't continue to care about how people prepare for and deal with crises.

With this background, I couldn't help but take note of an action taken yesterday by Rep. Shanice Davids (D-Kansas). A news release distributed by her office said she has "demanded" answers from the National Weather Service following tornadoes that struck her district last week. Particularly hard hit was Ottawa (pictured above). Fortunately, no one was killed. Davids said she had "serious concerns" about Trump Administration budget cuts that have created "potential breakdowns" in forecasting and warning systems. In part, she was reacting to reports that multiple NWS offices in the region failed to conduct standard morning weather balloon launches and that the Storm Prediction Center failed to identify the weather threat in a timely matter. "These irresponsible decisions at the NWS have direct, real-world consequences for the safety of communities across Kansas and the country," Davids said.

Because of reckless cuts by Elon Musk's DOGE thugs, there are hundreds of staffing vacancies in NWS offices nationwide, At one point, 30 offices lacked a chief meteorologist. Critical roles such as "warning coordination meteorologists" were eliminated. These cuts have damaged the NWS's ability to help the public prepare for extreme weather events. Additionally, the cutting of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research programs will create long-term scientific and technological setbacks.

Unfortunately, DOGE's slash and burn approach to budgeting also gutted FEMA, which has lost 20 percent of its workforce. That translates Into irreplaceable lost expertise, a slow response to disasters, reduced planning and training activities, and increased pressure on local and state governments. We saw how these cuts impacted disaster responses in North Carolina, Tennessee, and California. I also believe these cuts played a critical role last year when 137 people died, including 27 children at a summer camp, during the July 4 flood in Texas.

The actions of the Trump Administration constitute criminal negligence. Cutting public safety agencies in order to bankroll the President's ICE raids, tax cuts for the uber-rich, and his unnecessary and unpopular war is immoral. Until the Democrats take control of the House and the Senate in the midterm elections, there is little were can do about it. I live in an area where potentially dangerous storms are forecast for this evening. Thanks the Musk and Trump, I understand the essence of federal government emergency preparedness and response: Pray for good weather. Otherwise, you are on your own. That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.