Timothy McIntosh, whose mother-in-law owns the nursing home, posted the photo and pleaded for emergency help.“Need help asap emergency services please RETWEET,” wrote McIntosh. His tweets caught the attention thousands on social media and the national guard was notified of the nursing home’s situation.“Latest update on La Vita Bella home in Dickinson, TX.On “purple” high priority list. Coast Guard on route right now for rescue.#HoustonFlood,” said McIntosh on Twitter.By the early afternoon, McIntosh posted that the residents had been safely evacuated.Hurricane-Harvey-photo-texas-nursing-home-residents-waist

Let’s review. On August 25, 2017, the coastal areas of Texas were put under a voluntary evacuation order. News and Weather stations forecast flooding due to tidal surge and the likelihood that Harvey would stall in the Victoria area. Meteorologists predicted up to thirty inches of rain could fall in the coastal bend area. 

Two days later, after the storm acted just as predicted, McIntosh sends out a tweet pleading for help. He includes a photo of residents in waist deep water. Where was he went the the buses still ran, and evacuation was simple? McIntosh and his dear old mother-in-law didn’t seem to be too concerned when water started seeping under the doors, no tweets, ankle deep still no tweets.

The residents, their families, and appointed guardians chose La Vita Bella as a safe, secure place that would provide a standard of care to allow them to live in some degree of comfort and safety. The owners and managers failed in their duty to their tenants. While a flood may be an act of God, the results are entirely predictable. When the word goes out a flood is coming, you pack your shit and get out of the way. But that didn’t happen at La Vita Bella.

The Coast Guard, National Guard, and the City of Galveston performed an unnecessary rescue because the nursing home ownership did not act responsibly. Don’t get me wrong, the Coast Guard, National Guard and the City of Galveston came through and performed heroically. But they shouldn’t have had too.

Meanwhile, the media plays this asshole up like he is a hero. What did he do? He tweeted. Did he start calling nursing homes on Friday Night to arrange the transfer of the residents of La Vita Bella? They were still there on Sunday, guess not. Did he coordinate with the City of Galveston to see if their shelters could accommodate the residents? The residents were waist deep on Sunday.

Here’s a homework exercise for journalists. Look up Criminally Negligent Homicide, (PC 19.05), Manslaughter (PC 19.04), Injury to Child, Elderly Individual or Disabled Individual (PC 22.04), and Deadly Conduct (PC 22.05). Still, think he is a hero?

There is so much the press doesn’t know, it is nauseating to see them revel in their ignorance.