I’d like to turn aside for a moment from my usual blogging subjects to write a little about an ongoing emergency in Texas, which prompted a proclamation from Texas Governor Rick Perry regarding the Texas wildfires and the devastation the wildfires are causing throughout the state.

As I write this, all but two counties in Texas have been affected by the wildfires.  More than 1,000,000 acres of our land have been devastated by the deadly fires.  Governor Perry has called upon President Obama to declare Texas a national disaster area, but so far, there has been no response from our president, who seems more concerned about his presidential campaign than the well-being of Texas voters.

Governor Perry wrote his strongly-worded letter to President Obama asking for a federal emergency declaration on April 16th.  Such a declaration from the president would free up federal cash and resources to fight the Texas wildfires, which are happening during what may very well be the worst wildfire season in the history of Texas.

Governor Perry writes:

“I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state.”

It’s been 10 days since Governor Perry wrote that letter to our president, but there has been no response from President Obama.  Where is our president?  He’s on the road promoting his reelection campaign, which is apparently far more important to Obama than protecting Texas, a predominantly Republican state in which he lost badly during the last presidential election.

In an email, FEMA spokesman Bradley Carroll said Rick Perry’s request for a statewide disaster declaration is “under review”.  He also noted that in cases of natural disasters such as wildfires, the first responders are local emergency personnel, volunteers, humanitarian organizations, and private groups – a fact which Governor Perry acknowledged in his letter to Obama.  However, as stated above, Governor Perry made it clear that despite the best efforts of all of these organizations, it’s not enough! I have to say that I’m wondering… which part of “it’s not enough” don’t you people understand???  I have therefore come to the conclusion that, based on our president’s actions during our disaster, it appears that while Texas land, homes and businesses literally burn to the ground, our president prefers that we all focus on helping him meet his 1 billion dollar fund-raising goal.  Have I missed something?

In the absence of any support from “The Anointed One” or anyone else in the federal government, Rick Perry issued the following  gubernatorial proclamation:

WHEREAS, the state of Texas is in the midst of an exceptional drought, with some parts of the state receiving no significant rainfall for almost three months, matching rainfall deficit records dating back to the 1930s; and

WHEREAS, a combination of higher than normal temperatures, low precipitation and low relative humidity has caused an extreme fire danger over most of the State, sparking more than 8,000 wildfires which have cost several lives, engulfed more than 1.8 million acres of land and destroyed almost 400 homes, causing me to issue an ongoing disaster declaration since December of last year; and

WHEREAS, these dire conditions have caused agricultural crops to fail, lake and reservoir levels to fall and cattle and livestock to struggle under intense stress, imposing a tremendous financial and emotional toll on our land and our people; and

WHEREAS, throughout our history, both as a state and as individuals, Texans have been strengthened, assured and lifted up through prayer; it seems right and fitting that the people of Texas should join together in prayer to humbly seek an end to this devastating drought and these dangerous wildfires;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICK PERRY, Governor of Texas, under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Texas, do hereby proclaim the three-day period from Friday, April 22, 2011, to Sunday, April 24, 2011, as Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas. I urge Texans of all faiths and traditions to offer prayers on that day for the healing of our land, the rebuilding of our communities and the restoration of our normal way of life.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my Office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 21st day of April, 2011.

RICK PERRY

Governor of Texas

Read the official press release from Governor Perry’s office here:

http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/16010/

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Texas Under Siege

Make no mistake, My Friends.  Our Beloved Texas is under siege by Mother Nature herself, and indeed by our own president by his lack of action.  Our president is all too willing to sit by and watch Texas burn to the ground while we spend billions overseas helping others!  What’s wrong with this picture?  Isn’t American supposed to be the first priority of our president?  Isn’t that why we hired this guy?  Where is the hope this man promised?  I don’t know about you, but I’m sure not seeing it!

I ask any and all who may be reading this to join me in prayer and support for my home state of Texas, and indeed, for our president, who has apparently given in to the temptation of sacrificing his humanity to be our president.  Our God is a god of miracles, so I am quite certain that He can work His wonders in our state (and in the president’s heart) during this time of tragedy and need.

On a more personal note, I would also like to humbly offer Rick Perry himself some praise and support.  I know that an offer of support and positive comments from Rick Upshaw, one average Texan who happened to have voted for him, might not mean much to Governor Perry.  I can only hope that it would matter to him if he’s half the man I think he is, and that his actions on this matter suggest that he is.  In today’s “politically correct” society, it takes a certain strength of character to stand up for what you know to be right, especially when it’s not necessarily the politically correct thing to do.  Regardless of your own personal religious beliefs, I respectfully suggest to you, Dear Readers,  that Governor Perry should have your respect and admiration for having the strength of character to stand up for what he believes to be right.  I hope you agree.

May God Bless The Great State Of Texas!

Amen!!!

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