Who’s to Blame for Houston’s power restoration issues? It’s not just CenterPoint Energy
Houston Mayor John Whitmire, right, greets a man in-line for supplies at Acres Homes cooling center in Houston, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. After Hurricane Beryl slammed into Texas, the storm knocked out power to nearly 3 million homes and businesses. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)
In the aftermath of the massive power outage that has left millions of customers in Houston in the dark for days, it’s tempting to point fingers solely at CenterPoint Energy. However, the reality is far more complex. The city’s response—or lack thereof—highlights a systemic failure that extends beyond one utility company. Emergency management and preparedness are the cornerstones of city governance. They are City Government 101. The role of city executives, including the mayor, is to ensure that their city is ready for emergencies. This involves proactive planning, constant communication, and the ability to mobilize resources quickly.
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Unfortunately, it seems we’ve fallen short in these critical areas. The derecho in May was devastating, yet it barely made the news. Now, with Beryl lingering in the Gulf for weeks, the lack of preparedness is glaring. If this had happened under former Mayor Sylvester Turner, we would have been hearing from him and other city leaders multiple times a day. This constant communication would have ensured that everyone, from citizens to utility companies, was better prepared.
The importance of competent local leadership cannot be overstated. When we look at the current administration’s response, we are reminded of the stark difference in leadership styles. Sylvester Turner navigated multiple disasters with a level of competence and communication that is sorely missing now. It’s no one’s fault that the Hurricane passed through our city, but it’s hard not to wonder how different the current situation would be if he were still in office. Hopefully, Whitmire and his team are on it now….and ready for the next disaster, because according to hurricane models, it’s coming.
Kamala is a DEI hire????? Are you freakin’ kidding me??
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at Resorts World Las Vegas on July 09, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The New York Post recently called Kamala Harris a DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) hire….Yes, the same Kamala Harris Harris, who is a graduate of Howard University, a public servant for almost two decades as an elected district attorney of San Francisco, California’s former attorney general, and US senator. The same Harris who is more qualified to be POTUS than that convicted felon who already served as Commander-In-Chief. The incendiary op-ed by Fox Business senior correspondent Charles Gasparino entitled “America may soon be subjected to the country’s first DEI president: Kamala Harris was obviously meant to cause controversy and perpetuate the racist belief that people of color are inherently inferior to white people. Gasparino starts the piece by saying that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are “literally destroying businesses.” Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) also recently echoed this sentiment by implying that Vice President Kamala Harris was a diversity, equity, and inclusion hire. Roy wishes he had half the credentials and competency of Harris. But something tells me this is only the beginning.
Cussin’ Busta
Busta Rhymes performs onstage during Day 1 of the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Caesars Superdome on July 05, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Busta Rhymes isn’t a fan of the way people today enjoy live performances, and he made sure everyone in the crowd during his show at the 2024 Essence Festknew about it. A viral video shows the rapper getting frustrated with the crowd at the popular festival in New Orleans after he noticed that many of them were sitting and scrolling through their phones.
Rhymes said, “New Orleans y’all look like y’all tired? You mothafers ain’t ready. I don’t give a fk how many seats is empty in this bh. Everybody that’s here get the fk up!” He later added, “Ay yo f ** k them camera phones too. Let’s get back to interacting like humans.” He ended his rant by saying, “Thirty-three years of doing this st, I ain’t used to ngas sittin’ down at my show. The reason there will be zero tolerance for bullst energy in here is because this is my first time in New Orleans at the fking 30-year anniversary of the ESSENCE Festival…Make me feel like we home!”
To no surprise, this led to some pushback from people on social media. I feel him, but sorry, Busta, these are the times…
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