By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following devastating flash floods that claimed over 100 lives and left more than 160 people missing over the July Fourth weekend, Texas Governor Greg Abbott deflected questions about “blame,” stating that such inquiries are the “word choice of losers.” The governor, after touring the affected areas, emphasized the state’s focus on search and rescue efforts, as well as the recovery of victims. Questions about the timing of warnings and preparedness have emerged, with local officials acknowledging a lack of warning systems and past proposals for improvement being rejected. While search and rescue efforts continue, officials are receiving support from both President Donald Trump and the Texas National Guard, as the state will begin to address every aspect of the storm in order to prevent deadly incidents in the future.
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Greg Abbott rebukes a question about “blame” as 161 people are missing after the Texas flood, and it immediately throws a spotlight on a recurring pattern. It seems the immediate response is to deflect, to avoid the dreaded “blame” game, and to offer a rather baffling analogy to football. The governor’s statement, “You asked and I’m going to use your words, ‘Who’s to blame?’ Know this, that’s the word choice of losers,” sets the tone. It suggests an unwillingness to engage with the hard questions, the ones that demand accountability when disaster strikes.
The football analogy that follows is, frankly, bizarre. Comparing the loss of life to a football game, where “championship teams” simply “don’t worry about it, we got this,” is a tone-deaf attempt to minimize the gravity of the situation. It feels as though the focus is on maintaining a certain public image, a facade of control, rather than addressing the very real concerns of families searching for loved ones and grappling with unimaginable loss. The fact that more than 100 people are confirmed dead, and over 160 are missing, renders this comparison utterly inappropriate.
The critique is further sharpened by the observation that this approach feels all too familiar. It’s the same script, the same avoidance of responsibility, we’ve seen time and time again. The suggestion that the “losing teams” are the only ones who point fingers highlights a mindset where acknowledging mistakes is equated with weakness. This attitude makes it difficult, if not impossible, to learn from tragedies and implement meaningful changes to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The comment about cutting mental health resources is a sobering example of how the consequences of these ideologies are felt on the ground.
The historical context is also important. The fact that the National Weather Service had issued multiple warnings before the flood should be considered, and whether those warnings were effectively acted upon. Were evacuation plans in place? Were they communicated effectively? The article points out the impact of personnel cuts and the absence of a warning coordinator. It highlights the importance of being proactive with the warnings and the actions that follow.
The comments highlight a lack of compassion and the unwillingness to acknowledge the potential for improvements. There are many questions about the role of Texas officials and the potential for better preparedness. The comments regarding the potential death count and the impact on the affected citizens bring into sharp focus the reality of the situation.
The frustration is palpable. The suggestion that “it’s too early to talk about” and the ensuing delays in addressing the issue are criticized. As the missing persons numbers continue to grow, the focus is on accountability and the fact that this disaster requires a response to include the blame for those responsible. The mention of “prayers” replacing action is a common refrain in such situations.
The response from Governor Abbott, and the broader political discourse, serves as a chilling reminder of the importance of accountability, transparency, and, above all, prioritizing the well-being of citizens in the face of crisis. The sentiment “don’t worry about it, we got this” has a hollow ring when confronted with such devastation, and people have a right to demand more.