Louisiana Officials Demand That Self-Reliant Locals Stop Surviving the Flood Without Permission

Daisy Luther

Around the world, governments have recently been issuing an unsettling call for their citizens to become more self-reliant. Just this week, the governments of both Germany and Czechoslovakia warned that people should be prepared for ““be prepared for the worst case possible scenario.”

But here in the United States, just the opposite is happening. Our government seems to have an unquenchable thirst for cracking down on those who take responsibility for themselves. There is an abundance of evidence of this in Louisiana.  

The southern state has been hit with the worst flooding in over 500 years.

While the final numbers won’t be known for some time, Gov. John Bel Edwards’ office has estimated 60,646 houses were damaged and 30,000 people rescued; other people escaped on their own.FEMA says 109,398 people or households have applied for housing help, and 25,000 National Flood Insurance Program claims have been filed. The American Red Cross called it theworst natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy struck New Jersey in 2012.

This massive disaster was all but ignored by the mainstream media, since it didn’t fit the current agenda of divisiveness and racial tension. So what did the folks in Louisiana do?

They rolled up their sleeves and took care of business.

First, the Cajun Navy, a loosely organized group of local fishers, boaters, hunters, and guides, took it upon themselves to being rescuing people trapped by the sudden flood. Initially, the local sheriff’s department was reluctant to accept the assistance, but as they became quickly overwhelmed, they realized that they were disregarding a valuable asset.

Initially, authorities in Livingston Parish didn’t want private citizens headed into the water, worried amateur rescuers might end up in trouble themselves, said Layton Ricks, the parish president. But as the calls from stranded residents continued to mount — at one point, Livingston officials said they were about 150 calls behind — parish officials relented.

“Then it was like, do you have vests? Do you have insurance? Are you truly capable of doing this?” Ricks said. “And as it turned out, we couldn’t have done it without those guys. They were a tremendous asset for our people.”

Locals who were not affected by the flood began cooking and donating food.  Others helped flood victims to begin gutting their homes so they could start to rebuild. This community in the bayou pulled together to show the world that a real emergency response begins at home, undertaken by the very people who were affected. They didn’t wait around bemoaning the lack of FEMA, Red Cross, and government aid. They got to work.

They opened up their own shelters in local businesses that were not affected. They distributed immediate relief to those who were displaced. They performed their own rescues, organized the response, and used social media to coordinate their efforts.

They made just about everyone in America who heard about their efforts feel a wave of pride. In fact, they were so effective at their own free-market local disaster relief that they rendered the government’s assistance all but unnecessary.

And that is when the government said, “Oh, no. We can’t have that.”

Of course, the government doesn’t want citizens to realize that they are perfectly capable of rescuing themselves. If people realize that they can perform independently and that it is much better than performing within the strictures of government regulations, they will be a heck of a lot harder to control.

So, they stepped in and uttered the scariest words ever.

“We’re from the government and we’re here to help.”

Like a horde of modern-day carpetbaggers, they began “helping” by forcing people who were struggling to rebuild to purchase permits. That’s right. They forced people to ask for permission for the right to repair their own property.

Considering the daunting expense of rebuilding in itself, those State permission slips may make reconstruction cost-prohibitive for some, while others — given the strict regulations pertaining to the floodplain and more — may not be allowed to rebuild on their own property at all.

“We haven’t suspended any or our requirements for permitting,”Justin Dupuy, building official for Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge, told Reason in an interview. “Before they start making any repairs, they just need to call in and check with us to see what they need.”

Really? These people who are about to undertake a repair have no idea what they need unless they ask the government?

Fortunately, in a small act of grace pointed out by Reason, fees for reconstruction permits have been waived by local officials — though the permits, themselves, are still mandatory, as permission to repair some of the 20,000 flood-ravaged buildings in East Baton Rouge might not be given at all.

How very kind.

But that isn’t the worst of it.

They also decided to charge fees to the Cajun Navy before they were “allowed” to continue rescuing people.

I couldn’t make this up.

The Libertarian Republic reported:

No good deed goes unpunished. The Cajun Navy is a group of volunteers that operates at its own expense  to rescue people trapped in flooded areas in Louisiana. They use their own boats. They risk their lives. And now that people have noticed that they are far more effective than government rescue efforts, there are plans to require them to pay a fee before they are allowed to do any good. “Don’t worry. It’s just a small fee,” legislators explain. “Maybe only fifty dollars. That would be worth it to put authority behind the Cajun Navy, wouldn’t it?”

When the Cajun Navy members said, “No thanks” to the government who wanted to train them to do what the government wasn’t even able or willing to do, they were treated like criminals.

That’s right. The government deployed the police to prevent these good Samaritans that we all wish now were our own neighbors from continuing with their efforts.

Louisiana State Senator Jonathan Perry is the engineer of the licensing requirements.

“Perry said that if members of the Cajun Navy continue on without his legislation, they will be stopped by law enforcement officials from rescuing residents past police barricades…

Under current state law, citizens who cross police perimeters are breaking the law and could face punishment.” (Source)

You can be assured he’s doing this for the Cajun Navy guys’ own good. He is trying to “empower” them.

That must also be what the Red Cross is doing when they make it more difficult for good-hearted locals to help.

Beth Yancey Houghton, a local woman who volunteered made the following post on Facebook.

“So as we are headed back home from the River Center in Baton Rouge volunteering our nursing services Dawn and I have come to the conclusion that neither of us WILL EVER volunteer or donate to the RED CROSS. The Red Cross basically takes over the shelters and starts refusing clothes, donations and various volunteer services UNLESS they are previously contracted. So what does that mean….well, 60 boxes of doughnuts were discarded this morning becuase the delivery vendor was not in contract, hot meals were refused becuase the entity providing wasn’t contracted, and medical supplies including medications were trashed for same reason. Clothes that were “donated” needed to be left on the street unless they were “furnished” by Red Cross. As of tomorrow, the shelter we were at will be completely over taken by the Red Cross other than the medical area because they couldnt have the actual room since LSU has a contract with state to provide medical care. Its sad when the military police were helping to “protect” the medical areas from the red cross when there are so many other issues at hand. Anyway, next time to want to donate or volunteer your services, do your homework.”

The Red Cross vehemently denies Houghton’s claim. Except…this:

Nancy Malone, a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross, said there’s misinformation being spread around, and people are confusing the Red Cross with their partner organizations. She also said there are liabilities to feeding people food that doesn’t come from certified vendors, which is why some offers to cook hot meals have been turned away.

But she categorically rejected allegations that the Red Cross has thrown away donations.

“If you came today and said you have 5,000 meals to offer, well, we already had food delivered today, let’s find a way to arrange for you to help someone else or come back another day,” Malone said. “It has to be about coordination. We are held accountable to state regulations. This food has to come from a certified kitchen.”

Perhaps, technically, they didn’t throw food away, but turned it away, even though they didn’t have enough meals from “certified kitchens” to feed everyone.

They make it seem like a conspiracy theory that many preparedness enthusiasts plan to avoid government intervention in the aftermath of a disaster. But as you can see in Louisiana, the intervention often takes the form of exerting control in an effort to foster a culture of dependency. The rules, regulations, licenses, and permissions mean that anyone receiving help must be compliant. An article called “You’re Right to Fear Government Intervention During Emergencies” sums it up neatly.

In a crisis, whether a natural disaster that displaces you from your home, war, or TEOTWAWKI, this is exactly how you will be treated by government so-called assistance. Red tape, bureaucrats, nonsensical rules that deny help because of more nonsensical rules. Nothing will come easy. The process will favor a few. Your needs will be met only on occasion and by pure coincidence.

So, while the governments of Europe are actually requesting that their citizens begin prepping for the future, the very idea of self-sufficiency scares the heck out of the United States government.

It’s important to note that their need to make us dependent isn’t only restricted to the aftermath of a disaster. They seem to do everything they can to hobble those of us who even attempt to become even a little bit more self-reliant.

Here are a few examples of the anti-independence stance of our government:

Most burning stoves become illegal

In some states collecting rainwater is illegal

Living off grid is illegal in some states

In some areas, you can’t even camp on your own land

Unfortunately, I could go on and on. Here in the US, we are strongly encouraged to rely on ‘the system’. In the event of a national emergency, our government seems to prefer people to line up and get a government issued MRE than to pull something out of the pantry, share with our neighbors, and calmly go about our business.

If we become too self-reliant, then it becomes obvious we don’t need them or their ridiculous regulations. This is the greatest fear of those in power: our knowledge of their irrelevance.

 

And maybe that’s the real reason for the complete lack of coverage of the flooding in Louisiana. Not only was the flood a non-story because it doesn’t fit the current narrative of Black vs. White. It doesn’t fit the narrative that we are helpless and in need of the government to save us.

But this isn’t at all true. We are actually incredibly capable of preparing ourselves for life’s disasters and then dealing with them when they occur. (If you aren’t prepped yet, you can go here to put yourself on the path to self-reliance.)

The Cajun people didn’t wait for rescue. They rescued themselves. They proved that they had the wherewithal to take care of the business at hand without Daddy Government swooping in to save the day.

In fact, the only thing the government did for Louisiana was to make their lives more difficult by forcing beleaguered residents to get permission to go about the business of rescuing and rebuilding.

Daisy Luther

22 thoughts on “Louisiana Officials Demand That Self-Reliant Locals Stop Surviving the Flood Without Permission

  1. “by forcing people who were struggling to rebuild to purchase permits. “THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD PLACE TO START A WAR

  2. We will not become a civilized species until the people decide they can work together without government. Government is the root of all the problems in the world. If the people were not held back or limited by government rules, we could have been mining the Asteroid Belt by now. It was government that caused the flooding by having a barrier built to prevent flood waters from getting back to the river. Now there is a hurricane heading their way.

    1. Yup, agreed, my primary question I ask folks now is, “Who’s version of freedom am I obligated or required to live under or follow….?”…and where does any authority over me by other human beings derive?….real simple questions, then folks start the mental gymnastics to try and justify “Why we need Government”…..

      1. ITS NOT MENTAL GYMNASTICS…… WHEN YOU USURP MY RIGHTS YOU BECOME MY ENEMY. GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FORMED TO UPHOLD MANS RIGHTS. IN OUR CASE , THE BILL OF RIGHTS. WOULD YOU ALLOW MURDERERS TO ROAM FREE? A JURY TRIAL IS GOVERNMENT…. YA NEW THAT RIGHT???????

  3. The Red Cross is not in the business of helping, except to help themselves to the donations. Remember 9-11? I do. I won’t give them shit!

  4. Funny how the Red Cross denies her claims that they reject her food and help because they are not contracted or certified vendors and then in the next statement says, “Yes we accept food, but there are liability problems and it has to be from a certified vendor”.

    Unfrigginbelievable!!

    Like saying, “No I’m not saying that you can’t have guns. I’m just saying you can’t have guns.” What a bunch of friggin’ hardcore Commies!

    And yes, Swift, I am also one of those people who remember what Red Cross did after 9/11. That was the day many people woke up and realized the truth about the Red Cross Foundation and their Commie scams and how they stole all of that money that the people donated for those in need.

    Can’t wait to see that foundation burn to the ground along with George Soros.

  5. Unbelievably absurd that our own gov’t injects themselves into a natural disaster of eminent proportions like in Louisiana forcing a legislation for “rescue” efforts?! Praise be for the “Cajun Navy” personnel who decided the best course of action torrescue their people! Isn’t that what we, as citizens, should do? HELP people? What did the New York people do for their own after “911”?! We saw an outpouring of relentless people helping people & I didn’t hear or read anytime of any government interference that “self-reliant l” people were warned not to do the proper thing! I was attending the New England Institute of Technology school in RI when I used to live in RI; the school allowed students to gather resources of their technical experience learned to go to NYC to assist with getting computers hooked up for the rescue efforts in places where needed outside the rubble areas for access to assist in various help efforts, communications with officials & government relay efforts. No one denied their help, it was a combined effort by almost all of the New England states of every helpful hand available! Even our RI fire trucks drove to NYC to assist them, no one was turned away then! What is going on with Louisiana is a travesty of overrun government intervention that is killing our citizens their right to live! Time to take back our country the way it’s supposed to be or be ever caught in government overreach.

    1. I’ll tell you what it is about, it is about contracts, and exclusive right to territory. It is about mafia.

      1. Violation of RICO laws, crooked Louisiana gov’t. The Right to Life is a DIVINE RIGHT, not a privilege for gov’ts to grant or take away. You demand that self-reliant locals stop surviving the flood w/o permission; you face prosecution and life in prison w/o parole if any of these locals die from that crime.
        Get it?

        1. I like how you think Eileen. ‘cept for the prison part.
          The way I hear it, the prison system is just way too overcrowded.
          I’d prefer a more permanent form of punishment.

        2. We the People “Get it”. However, the International Corporate Mafia does NOT “Get it”. The ICM Doesn’t Care. Locals will never get them prosecuted, much less put in prison w/o parole. They require a more permanent action.

          1. tc,
            No “Jinx” intended. I agree.
            Your comment just wasn’t up yet, when I started hunt’n peckin’ ( I don’t type well) my reply. LOL

          2. I said “jinx” cause we both agreed on the same solution at the same time.
            A 3 minute separation in comment time is pretty much equal in typing time.
            LOL. I type with two fingers.
            When people say the same thing at the same time your supposed to yell “jinx”.

          3. tc
            ROFLMAO

            Never heard it used that way.
            Thank you for teaching me. 😀

            This is the definition I’ve always heard:
            jinx
            jiNGks/Submit
            noun
            1.
            a person or thing that brings bad luck.
            synonyms: curse, spell, malediction; More
            verb
            verb: jinx; 3rd person present: jinxes; past tense: jinxed; past participle: jinxed; gerund or present participle: jinxing
            1.
            bring bad luck to; cast an evil spell on.
            “the play is jinxed”
            synonyms: curse, cast a spell on, put the evil eye on, hex
            “the family is jinxed”

          4. LOL. It’s all good. Hey, Here’s one of my favorite songs. Specifically directed at the undeniable sh!tstain that calls itself “Louisiana State Senator Jonathon Perry.

            WARNING: EXPLICIT LYRICS

  6. Always ask “Where did you get jurisdiction over me on how I live my life?” Their “rules and regulations” do not apply to the People. They apply to those who work in a governmental job. No where in any Constitution does it state that those in the governmental system have authority over the lives of the People. The People are the sovereigns in this country, not those in the governmental system. They are People also. No one man or woman has the authority over another, therefore, neither can those in the governmental system. People created the governmental system to protect their Rights, not to stamp on them.

  7. This exact same scenario happened in Vermont after hurricane Irene. Everyone just started helping one another and then the EPA, FEMA, etc. started bossing everyone around, kicking volunteers out and taking over. It was awful. There was only ONE case of theft in the entire area during the aftermath without any military or police intervention. By the time the National Guard showed up it was pretty much all done and they just stood around or got in everyone’s way with their humvees and trucks.

    This is just a symptom of a bloated, control-freak government we now have. Time to take the gloves off people.

  8. I spent Hurricane Katrina in St. Bernard Parish. The entire Parish went under water. My boat, that I had taken to my workplace, along with other private boats were used by workers and firemen, that took shelter with us, to rescue 210 people in the Parish after Katrina. We also secured floating bodies so they would not float away. The Red Cross was no where to be found but the Salvation Army was in the water with us. The Red Cross says it was too dangerous to expose their people to the flood waters so they sat out the first few weeks in Jackson, MS. I would not give the Red Cross a counterfeit Shekel. They are a bureaucratic operation with high costs, low effectiveness for the price and often point help in the direction of people meeting their political ideals. I know from Katrina experience that the government thru FEMA and Homeland Security are impotent when it comes to organizing and carrying out disaster rescue or recovery. Support the Salvation Army at least until they are taken over by the same despots that run the Red Cross. This is OUR nation. Not the nation of a bunch of misguided, indoctrinated communists control freaks.

Join the Conversation

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


*