Quick Harvey relief a welcome change
Congress’ quick agreement on a bill providing $15.25 billion in aid for victims of Hurricane Harvey — which was promptly signed into law by President Donald Trump — is a welcome sign that dysfunction in Washington isn’t going to get in the way of helping the hundreds of thousands of people whose lives have been turned upside-down by the giant storm.
Early last week, a relief measure seemed likely to get caught up in neverending fights over raising the government debt ceiling and approving a short-term federal budget. Many Republicans objected to Democrats using the needs of Harvey’s victims to win concessions on these issues, but when the tactic didn’t faze Trump, the path was clear for quick action. The Senate passed the relief measure with a 80-17 vote on Thursday and the House followed suit on a 316-90 vote Friday. Congress should be poised to provide similar relief if Hurricane Irma is as hard on Florida as many fear.
Meanwhile, private fundraising to help Hurricane Harvey’s victims continues. On Friday, all five living former presidents — Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama — released a video asking for Americans to help all they can. Houston Texans star J.J. Watts’ Houston Flood Relief Fund was at $29.6 million and counting Friday afternoon. The American Red Cross and many other groups are also collecting donations.
This shows America at its finest. Our nation has many problems and many critics. But as reflected in the response to Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Katrina and other disasters, we remain resilient, compassionate and eager to help those in need. Cleveland: “I will NEVER attend a sporting event where the draft-dodging millionaire athletes disrespect the veterans who earned them the right to be on that field,” Justice O’Neill said on Facebook.
The heated emotions are understandable. But the players have the right to engage in protest. Justice O’Neill should understand that better than anyone. It is disappointing when a jurist criticizes the exercise of a fundamental American right.
As for players, they should also know that sometimes free speech has consequences. Colin Kaepernick was the first NFL player to protest during the national anthem. In 2016, as a player for the San Francisco 49ers, he began sitting during the national anthem to bring attention to racial inequality. He became a free agent and has yet to be signed by another team.
Left and right in America both have forgotten that freedom of speech is hollow if it is never uncomfortable. Athletes have a right to make the unpopular choice of protesting during the national anthem. Jurists should uphold the right to dissent.