Boston, MA

Editorial: Biden too slow on the draw over Maui disaster

Published

1 year ago

August 16, 2023

Editorial: Biden too slow on the draw over Maui disaster

Where’s the Joe Biden of 2021?

That was the year the president, who endorsers touted for his sense of decency, visited several states upended by natural disasters.

“Empathy matters,” said Massachusetts Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren in 2020. “And in this moment of crisis, it is more important than ever that the next president restores Americans’ faith in good, effective government.”

In December of 2021, Biden visited Kentucky to survey damage and pledge federal support for the victims of more than 30 devastating tornadoes that killed dozens and left thousands more in the region without heat, water or electricity, the Associated Press reported.

A month after he took office, Biden went to Houston to survey the damage from a historic storm. He toured Idaho, Colorado and California to survey wildfire damage over the summer. After Hurricane Ida struck, Biden went to Louisiana as well as New Jersey and New York in September.

Biden consoled a family in Manville, N.J. post-Ida, according to the Washington Post, Their home was destroyed by a fire that began alongside the flooding.

“Well, thank God you’re safe,” Biden told them.

We’d bet those who survived the catastrophic wildfires on Maui could use a visit and words of comfort from the president right about now.

Biden’s initial response to the deadliest wildfires in the country in more than a century was anything but empathetic. On Sunday, he was riding his bike on vacation in Delaware. As Newsweek reported, several reporters camped outside asked whether he could stop riding to talk about the devastating blazes, Biden responded: “We’re looking at it.”

According to Bloomberg correspondent Justin Sink, Biden, after sunbathing on the beach near his home, replied “no comment,” when asked about the death toll on the island.

Did he learn nothing from East Palestine, Ohio?

That was the site of a fiery train accident in February, in which freight cars carrying hazardous materials derailed, spewing toxic chemicals into the air.

Biden still hasn’t visited the area, and took heat for it.

He took heat for his Maui remarks as well, and on Tuesday said he’d travel to the island “soon” to view the devastation.

Why isn’t he there already?

“My wife Jill and I are going to travel to Hawaii as soon as we can, that’s what I’ve been talking to governor about,” he said. “I don’t want to get in the way – I’ve been to too many disaster areas, but I want to go and make sure we got everything they need. I want to be sure we don’t disrupt the ongoing recovery efforts.”

Oprah visited Maui, visiting wildfire survivors at shelters on the island.

“Mahalo Nui Oprah for following through! She returned with cots, pillows, and toiletries for the people in the shelter in Wailuku. She even spent some time with the people there. It was very much appreciated,” local non-profit group Kako’o Haleakala posted on Instagram.

Biden has toured other disaster sites without disrupting recovery and rescue efforts. A presidential visit, particularly in time of crisis, lets people know that they are seen and heard and matter.

Buckle up on Air Force One ASAP, Mr. President.

Empathy matters.

Editorial cartoon by Gary Varvel (Creators Syndicate)

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Related Topics:deadliest Disaster Featured hurricanes joe biden Maui maui wildfires oprah tornados

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Boston, MA

Orlando hosts Boston following Tatum’s 43-point game

Published

7 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Orlando hosts Boston following Tatum’s 43-point game

Associated Press

Boston Celtics (22-6, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (18-12, fourth in the Eastern Conference)

Orlando, Florida; Monday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Boston visits the Orlando Magic after Jayson Tatum scored 43 points in the Celtics’ 123-98 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

The Magic are 14-7 against Eastern Conference opponents. Orlando is fifth in the Eastern Conference with 10.9 offensive rebounds per game led by Goga Bitadze averaging 2.9.

The Celtics are 20-4 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference with 10.8 offensive rebounds per game led by Luke Kornet averaging 2.0.

The Magic are shooting 45.2% from the field this season, 0.5 percentage points lower than the 45.7% the Celtics allow to opponents. The Celtics are shooting 45.7% from the field, 0.6% lower than the 46.3% the Magic’s opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Franz Wagner is averaging 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.7 steals for the Magic.

Tatum is averaging 28.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists for the Celtics.

LAST 10 GAMES: Magic: 5-5, averaging 106.4 points, 42.0 rebounds, 22.3 assists, 9.4 steals and 7.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.0 points per game.

Celtics: 7-3, averaging 118.5 points, 49.7 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 7.5 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.7 points.

INJURIES: Magic: Paolo Banchero: out (oblique), Franz Wagner: out (oblique), Jalen Suggs: day to day (ankle), Gary Harris: day to day (hamstring), Moritz Wagner: day to day (knee).

Celtics: Sam Hauser: day to day (back).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Boston, MA

Termination of Boston cop who sent pro-Trump Jan. 6 tweets vacated, commission rules

Published

15 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Termination of Boston cop who sent pro-Trump Jan. 6 tweets vacated, commission rules

A Boston Police officer who was fired for sending pro-Trump tweets anonymously on Jan. 6, 2021, had his termination vacated by the state civil service commission.

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Originally Published: December 21, 2024 at 7:36 PM EST

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Boston, MA

Celtics at Bulls preview: Can Boston keep its cool in back end of home-and-home series? – The Boston Globe

Published

23 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Celtics at Bulls preview: Can Boston keep its cool in back end of home-and-home series? – The Boston Globe

“We were getting decent looks, but we just weren’t making them,” Porzingis said. “And when you’re not making them, not that our energy was lacking, but it’s just not the same hype. And honestly, they were taking and making some tough shots, and they were also making the open ones.”

The Celtics also saw their worst shooting percentage (39.2 percent) from the field in a game this season, connecting on 38-of-97 attempts.

Meanwhile, Chicago is coming off one of their best defensive performances thus far. They had 56 rebounds and forward Zach LaVine led the offense with a season-high 36 points.

“They played physical,” Jaylen Brown said. “They hit shots. They guarded well. If a team’s hitting shots and guarding well, anything can happen on any given night.”

Sam Hauser is questionable to play with lower back spasms.

Here’s your preview.

When: Saturday, 8 p.m.

Where: United Center, Chicago

TV, radio: NBCSB, WROR-FM (105.7)

Line: Boston -10.5. O/U: 240.5.

CELTICS

Season record: 21-6. vs. spread: 10-17. Over/under: 12-14, 1 push

Last 10 games: 7-3. vs. spread: 3-7. Over/under: 4-6

BULLS

Season record: 13-15. vs. spread: 14-13, 1 push. Over/under: 16-12

Last 10 games: 6-4. vs. spread: 6-3, 1 push. Over/under: 5-5

TEAM STATISTICS

Points per game: Boston 119.5, Chicago 118.8

Points allowed per game: Boston 110.0, Chicago 121.4

Field goal percentage: Boston .456, Chicago .473

Opponent field goal percentage: Boston .460, Chicago .477

3-point percentage: Boston .367, Chicago .378

Opponent 3-point percentage: Boston .350, Chicago .339

Stat of the day: The victory ended the Bulls’ five-game losing streak against the Celtics, which included a 138-129 home loss on Nov. 29. It also gave the Bulls three straight victories for the first time this season.

Notes: LaVine scored five consecutive points after Boston made it a 99-96 game on a Brown 3-pointer. Two of those five points came on free throws after Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla and Brown were each hit with a technical foul with 5:12 to play — Mazzulla for walking onto the court and Brown for asking why his coach was given the tech. Tatum also received a technical with 3:10 remaining . . . The Bulls were 19 of 52 from 3-point range. They trailed 57-54 at halftime and 86-82 entering the fourth, but used a 12-0 run to take a 99-90 lead . . . Tatum had 31 points and 10 rebounds but was 10-of-22 shooting from the field.

Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.

Alexa Podalsky can be reached at alexa.podalsky@globe.com.

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