By Robert Laurie ——Bio and Archives--August 30, 2017
American Politics, News | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us
An informal network of good Samaritans with small watercraft is once again mobilizing — this time in the wake of unprecedented flooding in Houston. Formed 12 years ago after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, the so-called Cajun Navy, which has saved thousands of stranded people, by some estimates, is already helping rescue stranded Texans, one member said Sunday. “There’s no telling how many are already over there,” said 39-year-old Joey Hains of Lafayette, La. “Basically everybody that’s wanting to go help out” is going or has already arrived, he said. Hains said he planned to head to Houston, his boat in tow, at first light Monday.
“The reality of the Cajun Navy is everybody out here with a boat that isn’t devastated gets out and helps others,” Clyde Cain, who runs the Facebook page Louisiana Cajun Navy, told USA TODAY last August. A ragtag group from the beginning, the Cajun Navy has long been nothing if not unstandardized: Guys with hunting boats, shallow draft duck hunting boats with mud motors, airboats, pirogues, kayaks. “You name it," said member Timmy Toups. “Everybody was wide open, going at it.”You may recall that, back in August of 2016, the Cajun Navy took to the waterlogged streets of New Orleans to perform a similar rescue operation. They were quick to respond to virtually anyone who needed their assistance. However, as I wrote at the time, that didn't matter to a certain now-former President. Barack Obama, upon hearing of the Cajun Navy's efforts, immediately assumed they were a bunch of racist hillbillies. His administration issued a memo scolding them for their potential - though in reality non-existent - racism. It read:
Support Canada Free Press
“Care must be taken to ensure that actions, both intentional and unintentional, do not exclude groups of people based on race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), religion, sex, or disability.” “Those planning for Katrina appeared to assume most people could rely on personal vehicles to evacuate and failed to consider the transportation needs of all segments of the population.” “Many seeking temporary housing immediately encountered discriminatory advertisements that explicitly refused to rent to African Americans.”Fortunately, there wasn't a single incident of “racist boat rescue" reported. Maybe that's why President Trump has not issued such a warning this time. Or, maybe he's simply not a jackass trying to gin up racial strife to influence an election. Either way, the not-racist Cajun Navy is on the scene, saving lives, and puncturing the left's "everyone in the south is a racist" narrative. If you're in a position to help these guys out, or simply to offer them a little comfort amid what is unquestionably a monumental task, please do. These are good people.
View Comments
Robert Laurie’s column is distributed by HermanCain.com, which can be found at HermanCain.com
Be sure to “like” Robert Laurie over on Facebook and follow him on Twitter. You’ll be glad you did.