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Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by Martha on November 3, 2024, 2:58 pm

https://nypost.com/2024/11/03/world-news/spains-queen-letizia-king-felipe-hit-with-mud-over-deadly-floods/

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Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by Karen on November 3, 2024, 3:11 pm, in reply to "Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

It was a very intimidating visit. In video Letizia is not there.

Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by Martha on November 3, 2024, 3:17 pm, in reply to "Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

The security guards are too short - they need to be his height to protect him properly. That being said, Felipe and Letizia deserve credit for not shying away from a very difficult appearance. The people are rightfully angry and they want/need immediate help and will want answers regarding the poor communication and planning.

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Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by Hollie24 on November 3, 2024, 4:12 pm, in reply to "Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

There are photos of Letizia with mud on her coat and hands. She looks angry in some photos--I think at the situation and on behalf of the people--and incredibly sad in others. Of course the people are angry. The government was ill-prepared for this disaster and it shows.

This visit did accomplish the goal of finding out what the people need and want--clean drinking water, food, and housing as they rebuild their lives. If I were Felipe and Letizia, I'd get busy packing supplies,organizing volunteers, etc. I know school is in session right now, but why not have students aged 16 and up aid with digging out from the mud,while the younger ones collect clothes,toiletries. etc and box them up for those in need? Felipe and the goverment could give the students a week off to help.

And what about Leonor? She's doing her service now, right? couldn't she do something as well without making her a security target? Sofia in in school in Wales, but couldn't she organize donations too?

Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by Karen on November 3, 2024, 5:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

Sorry, I did write clearly in my post. I know Letizia was there. I meant she didn't appear in the video.

Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by Karen on November 3, 2024, 5:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

Didn't not did.

Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by karenl on November 3, 2024, 7:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

The BBC World Service talked to an official from Spain's equivalent of NOAA. The official stated that the Fed., Provincial and Local Govts. were of catastrophic rain and the resulting flooding 7 days before hand and the warnings were not taken all that seriously, "they've had flooding in that region for years and it'll be all right...etc." The agency was taken seriously. The official conceded that 7 days was not a lot of time, but stated planning for disasters should have taken place years and years ago.
The Fed. Govt. got caught out. I applaud the King and Queen for taking out this difficult visit and getting caught in the public's anger when it's not the Monarchy that was responsible, it's the Govt. that has the power and responsibility. Notice the PM scooted out as fast as he could.

Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by Hollie24 on November 3, 2024, 7:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

Yes, of course the politicians are at fault, and boy howdy have they run away--literally--when faced with their stupidity. However, I think it's useless to play the blame game at this point. That's not going to get people clean water, food, clothing, and shelter. That's not going to get their towns and villages dug out from the mud and, sadly, it's not going to find the dead.

Felipe and Letizia are a position to help their countrymen, and I hope they grab the chance and start moving.

Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by Martha on November 4, 2024, 9:46 am, in reply to "Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

My husband and I are emergency response volunteers, and from my own experience I will call the level of preparation and response pure negligence. Weather warnings should have gone out as soon as the storm was predicted, along with evacuation routes for each area notated and evacuation centers staffed and supplied to receive the residents. Crews and equipment should have been staged to respond immediately to rescue and recover victims. The level of incompetence is breathtaking.

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Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by Cynthia on November 4, 2024, 10:18 am, in reply to "Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

I read that the 2,000 year old Roman dam did its job, and the 20th century public works failed. They'd known since 2008 (I believe) that major upgrades to the municipal fabric needed work but didn't want to pay for it.

Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by Hollie24 on November 4, 2024, 10:36 am, in reply to "Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

Spain was hit with a major recession around that time.Unemployment hit a record high and construction companies crumbled.Spain eventually had to apply to the EU for relief and assistance. There was no money to do anything.Around 2015 Spain began to recover. I think local governments should have used their share of the relief funds to rebuild and strengthen aging infrastructure, but they didn't.

Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by Cynthia on November 4, 2024, 11:54 am, in reply to "Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

It would have employed a lot of people, too. Now it will cost twice the original estimates, on top of all the disaster relief costs.

"What have the Romans ever done for us?"

Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by Hollie24 on November 4, 2024, 10:20 am, in reply to "Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

Yep. And the politicians fled and let Felipe and Letizia get hit with rocks and mud balls.

As I said, this is a chance for Felipe and Letizia to regain the over and trust of their people.They can pitch in and help fill and load rescue packages. They can organize volunteers and contact some foreign countries for assistance as well.France and Portugal are right there. So is Andorra. They can all offer assistance.

Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by Karen on November 4, 2024, 11:33 am, in reply to "Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

Many have offered assistance, even Iraq! The issue is, they can offer their help and assistance, but they can't do anything until the Spanish Government accepts the assistance and help offered.

https://europeannewsroom.com/europe-offers-its-help-to-those-affected-by-the-floods-in-spain/

https://manage.rudaw.net/english/world/31102024#:~:text=Iraqi%20government%20offers%20to%20help,Rudaw.net

The King Stood His Ground Under A Mud Barrage

Posted by karenl on November 4, 2024, 7:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

I learned some new info. The people of Valencia are furious at the "protesters" because the majority were "outsiders" who didn't live in the region at all, but drove in looking for trouble. The Military is investigating and said it appears "marginal groups may be involved", possibly Catalan Separatists.
I spoke rashly about the PM "scooting out", he was in imminent danger and the security had to get him out. The King was advised to leave, but he insisted on staying and talking the people until security had to insist he and Letizia leave. The King and Queen are getting high marks for their visit.
The people of Valencia are angry at the Federal Govt., but the brunt of their anger is aimed at the Provincial and Local authorities.

https://apnews.com/article/spain-floods-royals-mud-felipe-letizia-903a0f29591049ff54e9778e916882b8

Re: The King Stood His Ground Under A Mud Barrage

Posted by Hollie24 on November 4, 2024, 8:16 pm, in reply to "The King Stood His Ground Under A Mud Barrage"

That's good.

Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by Hollie24 on November 4, 2024, 8:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

I hope Felipe can persuade the government to accept aid.

Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by JohnW on November 4, 2024, 7:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

The King and Queen can (and should) attend to help at centres that might be established even, even, play roles in establishing voluntary aid centres, themselves.

But this is also, potentially, a political/constitutional minefield for The King and Queen, as they must not be seen as intruding into roles of the executive government and out of the constitutionally defined role of the King. Requesting aid from foreign Governments would constitute just that, unless the King was acting on the advice of his Government.

The dangers to the monarchy of constitutional over-reach are exacerbated by the attitudes of the Socialist Government to the monarchy and, if the Prime Minister has an ounce of shame, by the contrast between his behaviour and that of the King and Queen, which is more likely to have inflamed his dislike for the monarchy that to have inspired a new affection for it.

Re: Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods

Posted by JohnW on November 3, 2024, 6:48 pm, in reply to "Video: Felipe & Letizia pelted with mud over deadly floods "

The King fulfilled the earliest and most vital role of kingship, that of scapegoat, with courage and dignity. The Prime Minister and his entourage ran away.

Let us see what the papers say tomorrow.

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