Proper-wing podcaster Charlie Kirk is shockingly blaming what he calls Austin, Texas’ “DEI hearth chief” for the lethal flooding that killed 119 individuals and left one other 173 lacking over the Fourth of July vacation in Kerr County, Texas.
On Wednesday, on his podcast, “The Charlie Kirk Present,” Kirk ranted over Democrats, whom he known as “despicable.” He accused them of “not lifting a finger” to recollect those that died and mentioned they have been liable for the disaster early Friday morning in central Texas when the Guadalupe River overran its banks earlier than daybreak, rising greater than 25 ft in simply a few hours.
The raging flood waters overwhelmed unsuspecting vacation campers and revelers who had nearly no warning earlier than the catastrophe struck. Dozens of kids have been amongst these killed.
Kirk pointed the finger at variety, fairness and inclusion insurance policies for the tragedy.
“What you aren’t being instructed by the media wherever is that the loss of life toll probably wouldn’t have been as excessive if it wasn’t for DEI,” Kirk insisted.
“This Texas tragedy is simply the most recent instance. It’s not simply incompetence. That is DEI working to undermine meritocratic establishments, and extra individuals probably died than in any other case would have due to DEI,” he continued.
He then went on to quote a federal lawsuit towards the Austin Hearth Division in 2014 underneath the Obama administration over racial discrimination. Just a few years later, the town employed Joel Baker as Austin’s first Black hearth chief.
Kirk claims Baker’s prime precedence “was to ensure the fireplace division was Blacker.”
“Whenever you rent individuals primarily based on race, you’re not hiring primarily based on abilities,” he continued to rant.
“So proper now, Baker is dealing with a vote of no confidence by his union for — that is the important thing — for denying the pre-deployment of assets to Kerrville, Texas.”
Kirk claims the fireplace chief determined to not shield Texans forward of the lethal flooding.
What this resolution has to do with race is unclear, and despite the fact that the Austin firefighters’ union additionally has accused Baker of delaying the deployment of specialised search and rescue groups, in keeping with KXAN-TV, they’ve made it very clear that it’s not about pores and skin colour.
“This isn’t about race or ethnicity — it’s about failed management. Through the latest Kerrville flooding, our extremely skilled swift water rescue groups have been prepared to reply however have been blocked by Hearth Chief Joel G. Baker,” the Austin Firefighters Affiliation mentioned in a Fb publish Wednesday, which is what Kirk is referring to.
“His resolution probably value lives. We’re demanding accountability for this preventable failure and can proceed pushing for management that places public security first,” the publish continued
“The Austin Firefighters Affiliation firmly condemns all types of racism, hate speech, and abusive rhetoric. Such conduct undermines the essential message we’re sharing about denied deployments and the ensuing losses underneath the management of the Austin Hearth Chief,” the publish continued.
The union mentioned it’s in search of “accountability” for what it known as a preventable tragedy.
Kirk then ranted about what he claimed was Baker’s refusal to deploy the search and rescue crews over issues about reimbursement as a result of Baker didn’t perceive the phrase reimbursement.
“Whenever you rent hearth chiefs primarily based on variety, you get morons,” Kirk railed.
However information stories element how the state and native businesses refused to fund a flood warning system that will have helped keep away from a catastrophe just like the one which unfolded final weekend.
And Baker has responded to the accusations posted by firefighters union president Bob Nicks. Native station KXAN reported that it spoke to Baker on July 7 and he introduced a extra detailed image in regards to the requests from flood-ravaged Kerr County for assist from Austin. The station reported the chief mentioned that on July 4 he fielded requests for an assistant hearth chief, a dispatcher, and three swimmers, and the assistant chief selected to not deploy, the dispatcher request was not granted, however three swimmers have been deployed.
“It’s essential that we’re in a position to operate and preserve a sure degree of readiness within the metropolis of Austin,” Baker instructed KXAN. “Now, to remember — once more — I used to be unsure how a lot of the climate would affect my metropolis — the town of Austin. I have to guarantee that I’ve an ample quantity of assets inside the metropolis so I can reply for my mutual assist calls and my computerized assist calls across the metropolis of Austin.”
KXAN reported the difficulty of reimbursement is expounded to a memo the town had despatched in June urging firefighters to not self-deploy on such events as the town confronted a price range crunch and uncertainty about whether or not such bills incurred might be recouped earlier than the tip of the fiscal yr.
Social media lit up after Kirk’s rant towards Hearth Chief Baker, accusing the podcaster of attempting to deflect from what the true drawback is: large price range and workers cuts throughout the federal authorities.
“That is idiotic: A) It doesn’t make sense. He’s simply utilizing buzzwords B) It contradicts Gregg Abbott’s plea to not blame anybody C) Blame begins with Trump price range cuts to the NWS, which led to SA by no means getting a flood alert warning,” an X poster identified.
“Republicans RUN Texas, The Home, The Senate AND the presidency however someway it’s black individuals & Democrats fault?” one other consumer questioned.
“White males saying white issues.”And nonetheless one other X consumer didn’t maintain again, “Pricey Charlie, you dumbf!$%, white Republican males have been answerable for Texas for 30 years.
CNN is reporting thon the Federal Emergency Administration Company, underneath Division of Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem and appearing Director David Richardson, was additionally gradual to reply. The lethal flooding occurred early Friday, and by Monday, solely 86 FEMA staffers had been deployed, a fraction of the quantity normally deployed for a tragedy on this scale. By Tuesday, simply over 300 have been in Texas.
