The Biden-Harris administration botched the response to Hurricane Helene.
One political decision caused needless suffering for the storm’s victims.
And Kamala Harris was feeling the heat of this punch in the gut to hurricane victims.
Starlink internet service becomes a savior after Hurricane Helene’s devastation
Hurricane Helene cut a path of destruction throughout the southeast.
The Category 4 hurricane made landfall in Florida before it became a tropical storm that brought torrential rain as far north as Virginia.
West North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee received record rainfall that caused massive flooding.
The storm knocked out cell service and landlines cutting off communication.
SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet terminals have become one of the unsung heroes in the aftermath of Helene.
The portable terminals have allowed first responders and residents in storm-damaged areas to be able to communicate and reach the outside world while cell service is down.
Cell phone and internet service could be down for weeks and possibly months in the hardest-hit areas.
Starlink is the only form of communication that some parts of the southeast have after Helene.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced that he was sending more Starlink terminals to North Carolina and making access free of charge after the storm.
“Since the Hurricane Helene disaster, SpaceX has sent as many Starlink terminals as possible to help areas in need,” Musk wrote on X. “Earlier today, [Donald Trump] alerted me to additional people who need Starlink Internet in North Carolina. We are sending them terminals right away.”
Former President Donald Trump celebrated the news on his Truth Social platform.
“Great news. So badly needed in North Carolina, where there is virtually no communication. Starlink was the perfect answer, and Elon Musk, as usual, came through. Thank you, Elon!!! DJT” Trump wrote.
Starlink will be used for emergency operations by counties in North Carolina.
It’s hard to explain how powerful Starlink is — it’s one of the best products of all time, and just getting started https://t.co/grhqczJWTb
— Shaun Maguire (@shaunmmaguire) September 30, 2024
Biden-Harris administration plays political games with Starlink
The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill which was a green energy giveaway with a few infrastructure projects sprinkled on top included $42 billion for rural broadband.
President Joe Biden tapped Vice President Kamala Harris to be his “Broadband Czar” and implement the program.
No one has been connected to the internet nearly 3 years later.
A $500 Starlink kit from a big box retailer could have gotten these rural residents online.
Rural broadband at the federal and state levels is another big government boondoggle that lines the pockets of a few well-connected insiders but does not get anyone online.
The Biden-Harris administration does not like Elon Musk’s politics so they froze him out of the program.
Five of the hardest-hit states by Helene would have had Starlink terminals in place under a contract for rural broadband subsidies from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2022 but the FCC canceled the contract because the agency did not think that Starlink would deliver the desired results.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr called the decision “politically motivated” at the time.
Now, FEMA is sending Starlink terminals to North Carolina as part of its disaster relief effort.
Musk said that the decision to cancel the contract cost lives.
“Had the FCC not illegally revoked the SpaceX Starlink award, it would probably have saved lives in North Carolina,” Musk wrote on X. “Lawfare costs lives.”
Had the FCC not illegally revoked the SpaceX Starlink award, it would probably have saved lives in North Carolina.
Lawfare costs lives. https://t.co/FF0ugexP2g
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 2, 2024
DeSantis Daily will keep you up-to-date on any new developments in this ongoing story.
