Katrina Timeline

1.

I’m a little disappointed with my peers. They either have no idea of what’s going on in New Orleans or they unknowingly reveal their prejudice towards blacks with ignorant comments. The first one is, “They should have left the city. It was a category five hurricane.” Arguments to show that the affected were poor and car-less is met with statements such as, “Well I would have started walking.” Yes, escaping a 200-mile wide hurricane by walking 15 miles a day is the rational thing to do. They don’t want to hear that Greyhound bus service shutdown on Saturday because then they would have to strain to come up with the next comment: “Well they shouldn’t be looting. They are hampering the effort.” I can’t help but think of the movie Die Hard when Bruce Willis blows up a couple terrorists by throwing down an improvised explosive device through an elevator shaft. The explosion infuriates the FBI, who calls him on the walkie-talkie to complain about the shattered glass. Bruce Willis says, “Glass, who gives a fuck about glass?” Those who are focusing on the looting try to use that as some sort of proof that Katrina victims deserve their situation, like a poor person deserves to live in a ghetto because they “don’t work hard enough.” Explaining them the social causes of poverty and race it met with a confused, blank stare, since you share with them facts that their daddy didn’t teach them while growing up. It’s a shame how racist beliefs prevent otherwise normal people from empathizing with those seriously in need.

2.

Many say that it is disgusting of the left to politicize the issue and blame Bush during this crisis. Coming from those who politicized a blow job and used it to impeach a standing President, I’d say they have a lot of nerve. This administration has failed the people of New Orleans and I’ll be damned if no one is going to be held accountable. While George Bush was strumming the guitar, and Condi Rice was shopping for shoes and playing tennis, the relief effort for perhaps the biggest natural disaster in the history of this country was bungled beyond belief. And I almost forgot about Dick Cheney, who is still on vacation. It’s not that unexpected to see the administration so detached from reality for they have done it with the economy and they have done it with Iraq, painting a lessening insurgency on its “last throes” as violence continued to intensify. Even respected journalists are tired of the conservative spin. The crucial moment after the hurricane passed to restore order was missed, allowing groups of thugs to terrorize the area, providing the government with a much needed excuse of why relief could not be provided in a timely matter.

3.

The administration’s hype since 9/11 of increasing security for Americans and protecting the homeland has turned out to be one big sham. Billions of dollars have been spent on the Department of Homeland Security, but apparently only to respond to fantasy terrorist attacks and not natural disasters such as strong hurricanes which are sorta known for hitting this country. The joke of the organization known as FEMA has been revealed, and other than providing flood insurance I’m not really sure they have any other duty except for giving television interviews to let everyone know that “help is coming” (while criticizing hurricane victims at the same time). FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security should have a plan to deal with every possible natural disaster that occurs in this country, especially the one concerning the flooding of New Orleans which has been discussed plenty in scientific and media circles for the past decade. Unfortunately, the flooding is getting played out exactly as described. When President Bush says, “I don’t think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees,” he is either lying or showing his true incompetence as leader of this country, something he’s shown many times already with his handling of domestic terror policy, the economy (more tax cuts!), and lies about the invasion of Iraq.

If the government takes over three days to simply drop food and water for 60,000 stranded people, I shudder to think what would happen if there was a large terrorist attack in a major US city. Our inability to handle this disaster has exposed our vulnerability, but as long as we search every passenger that borders a plane, the window dressing of security is good enough to give the impression that we got things under control.

4.

The latest talking point coming from the administration and other conservatives goes something like this: “There will be plenty of time to assign blame for the delayed rescue effort.” Another simple deflection that in this microwave-speed culture works time and time again. Several months from now as the people of New Orleans build a life in some new place, everybody will forget about the abysmal relief effort, the human suffering, and the casual response of our politicians, instead focusing on increasing gas prices and how it is too expensive to fill up the Ford Explorer to take Cody to soccer practice. I have lost all hope that the people of this country will actually care to remember something that happened more than a month ago.

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“Our inability to handle this disaster has exposed our vulnerability, but as long as we search every passenger that borders a plane, the window dressing of security is good enough to give the impression that we got things under control.”

Quoted for posterity.

There are still many flaws in your argument, DCB.

On your issue #2, you keep saying Bush was “strumming a guitar” while the disaster happened. He wasn’t hanging out on his porch playing duelling banjos like you make it sound, he was handed an autographed guitar at a ceremony honoring WWII veterans by recognizing VJ Day, the day the Japanese surrendered to the U.S. Is that disrespectful?

Also, “even respected journalists are tired of the conservative spin”. That’s because they’re liberals, too.

On issue 3, you contend that Homeland Security has been a “sham” spending billions of dollars on “fantasy terror attacks”. Well..that’s the whole idea…so there won’t be anymore terror attacks. Why should Homeland Security plan for natural disasters? They’re called Homeland Security, because their job is to “secure the homeland” from people who wish to harm it. That doesn’t mean fighting back hurricanes. Bush doesn’t control the weather. Then you imply we won’t spend money on the Katrina disaster. Huh? Since when has any administration said “sorry guys, can’t help you out”. You think Bush is going to do that? Another example of how crazy insane liberals have become since Gore lost the election. They are so bitter over 2000 that they can’t see straight anymore.

Look, there’s nothing wrong with political debate. And yes, there is nothing wrong with being a democrat! (really?) But to me your logic is all skewed here.

My $0.02.

As someone who swings slightly more to the right than most who post here (I’m pretty sure of this anyway) I must agree with the Homeland Security issue. I think it’s a joke and a HUGE waste of money. Whatever happened to the Dept. of Defense?? I thought securing the homeland would fall under that dept.

No one is arguing that Bush is responsible for the Hurricane, Phil. This is where you misunterstand DCB’s argument (one I find quiet compelling). We’re arguing that he is responsible for not seeming to care about what’s going on. For not being a leader in a nation’s time of crisis. He wouldn’t be being criticized right now if he had flown back to DC immedietly to cover the relief efforts, instead. We wouldn’t be criticizing if he wasn’t lying to Diane Sawyer about broken leeves while rats are eating bodies in New Orleans. Right now he is not being a leader. This is why poor white people in Mississippi (not known for their liberalism) are on MSNBC saying “Bush don’t deserve to be President no more.” They need a leader, and Bush is accepting autographed guitars (which they probably don’t even know about because they have no power) instead of acting like a leader should.

I agree with every last thing DCB said. I heard the director of FEMA say on television last night that FEMA “just learned” that people were even at the New Orleans Convention Center. How in god’s name is that possible when they were told by New Orleans officials to go there in the first place? Now they’re saying no one knew they were stranded there?! Besides, didn’t anyone notice the thousands of people standing outside when they flew over with planes. Aren’t they flying around in planes to inspect the disaster? It makes no sense that they haven’t even dropped food and water. Although I guess it does make sense, since the majority of the people are black. And FEMA also said that they can’t really do much because they normally put money in people’s bank accounts, etc. and these people don’t have bank accounts. Yes, the director of FEMA really said that. Come again please? Also, I heard a reporter say that even though only black people are being shown looting on the air, it is definitely not just black people and then they showed a clip of a bunch of white people looting, so it’s selective programming. Shit, I’d be looting too. Now people are looting to get food, not sneakers. And the Dept of Homeland Security is for securing the homeland–whether it’s from terrorists or natural disasters. That is just common sense. I am outraged after seeing people literally dying in the streets, babies among them. I haven’t heard Bush say shit, he is the biggest fucking idiot and I can’t believe he is our president. And I’m not even saying that as a liberal.

Oh, and yes, it’s terrible that one fool apparently shot at a helicopter, but that’s no reason to let the rest of the people suffer in squalor with no food or water.

I give credit to the New Orleans medical personnel at the hospitals, the local police, and the people in that region who are actually offering up their homes to total strangers. Also, one of the major casinos is going to pay its employees for the next three months, which was nice to hear. But as far as our federal government, I am disgusted.

Respect.

Well done post.

That really was an excellent post. I think that the majority of the people in America have no idea what is like to be from New Orleans. The media coverage of the looting has done nothing more than create a very unsympathetic America. After 9/11, there was a resounding message of hope and recovery. Today, we are blaming these poor people who are stranded for not evacuating and for looting TVs. These people are under dire conditions, they are going nuts, and they have no concept of the outside world.

I am even more apalled at Dennis Hastert’s suggestion that it is a waste to rebuild New Orleans. It is a great American city with immense amount of culture and history. Frankly, I can’t think of a single city in Ohio that I wouldn’t trade in to get New Orleans back.

AMEN!!! I couldnt have said it better myself

FYI-Dennis Hastert is even going back to vote to give money to Hurricane relief. He is going to have some “secret” meeting in the Midwest.

DCB and holiday are exactly right. We have failed our own people, and most are some of the poorest people in the country–people with so little they now have nothing. Very few of us could comprehend what having nothing means–what we would do or what we would feel–if in that situation.

And, if I hear one more person try to take blame away from Bush by saying “he can’t control the weather” I’m going to punch them. That is such a stupid point, I don’t even have the energy to refute it. Fucking idiots.

Hey PHil WHY DONT U SHUT THE FUCK UP! I love your site u just post pictures of yourself WOW, PLayaz huh such an interesting website you have alot of Informative posts on your blog. FUcking idiot. WHy dont you post something interesting for once cause everytime i click to your site i just see pictures of u looking like an idiot. FUcking MORON!

When people openly reject God and do detestable things in His sight, they only open the door to the enemy to do what the enemy does best - to kill, steal, and destroy. The stench of witchcraft, vodoo, and sexual immorality has risen to the nostrils of God and caused Him to reject. Let us pray for a revival in the city of New Orleans and in the states along the Golf.

Here is a word spoken by the prophet Kim Clement given this year July 22, 2005.

“Enough of past curses reminding you of yesterday?s failures. Enough of New Orleans and its treachery. Enough of stealing the Ark of the Covenant from my people just because you had those surrounding you that had no faith. Caleb said we are able to take this land. Joshua said we are able to take this land. But ten voices arose against the Lord God. And they would stone my servant Moses and say let us stone them and raise up another leader so that we may go back to Egypt. Would you go back to your dung? Would you go back to your vomit?

O New Orleans God speaks to you from Houston tonight and says enough of this! For a judgment is coming says the Spirit of the Lord, and I will take the men that have stood in faith, raise them above the flood that shall destroy those that constantly bicker and stand against my servant Moses, or my servant Bilbo. I want you to understand there are great men in New Orleans that have faith but you have been set aside not to lose but to win. Enough of this! For I will take the curses and the bodies will even rise and they will come forth on the water, but I will keep you and the stench of death will only last a few days. And then what I promised two years ago will come to pass for August, September and October of this year I made a promise it would happen, and God said be strengthened now, be strengthened now for enough is enough says the Lord.”

Christiangirl-I’m fairly certain that the New Testament God is not nearly as judgemental or wrathful as you imply. You should be ashamed to call yourself a Christian.

What does my blog have to do with anything being discussed here? I mean, you’re exactly right, don’t get me wrong. You have pinpointed exactly what my blog is all about. I just don’t see why it made you so angry all of a sudden.

Anyway, keep clicking, MadAsian - I welcome all visitors!

Getting back to the subject, bottom line is, I don’t get the “blame Bush for everything” movement. The Presdient does not (read: can’t) micromanage the entire country. That’s what people like FEMA are for. If you are going to be critical, at least be fair and spread some blame around. Don’t tell me FEMA has to wait for a phone call from the President to tell them it’s OK to do something.

Micromanage the country?! I’m not talking the price of soy beans in Wichita, Kansas here, Phil, it’s the largest natural disaster in the history of our country. It?s our own people dying in the streets.

Here’s a word of caution for you, Phil, as you appear to be marching down the path of blind ignorance. It is one thing to be a republican and respect the president; it is another to blissfully support and defend someone where there is clearly criticism and accountability needed. If you can?t see this than there is not hope for you providing anything other lock stepped partisan rhetoric. Shameful.

Thats bullshit…..issue #1 if you are told a week in advance (doesnt matter who you are black white or purple) that you need to leave your shit (espeically if you are so poor that you have nothing to leave) and get the f… out of here or you will most likely die, then you f…. leave. If you have no car, or $30 for a Greyhound bus, you find someone who does, if you have no one then you start f… walking to safe ground…WHEN YOU ARE DESPARATE YOU F…. CRAWL to get to safety!!!! Laziness, ignorance and lack of funds are never a good excuse. Yes I feel horrible for those who COULDN’T leave for various valid reasons, I wish I could help them directly somehow, but not for those that stayed behind because they were too lazy, stupid, or even worse wanted to take advantage of all those that wouldnt be able to help themselves. Now those are the people that go around and rape girls in the Saints stadium (all over the news) or loot stores not for fucken medical supplies, water or food, but for f….. tvs, and dvd players.

” unknowingly reveal their prejudice towards blacks with ignorant comments”…I wont even comment on this shit.

“It?s a shame how racist beliefs prevent otherwise normal people from empathizing with those seriously in need.”

No its a a shame how YOUR ignorance makes you blindly believe that all people that are poor are only so because we the rest of the hard working world didnt help them. Dont try to preach about poverty and how all poor people are poor because the society forced it on them…..like you know something about it.

I really feel for those who really do need help and cant get it………I wish there was a direct way (no middleman) of helping them.

FEMA can reasonably carry a brunt of the blame for this, however, do you think after September 11th Bush would be going to WWII commemorative events? Do you think that if this had happened in Florida that he wouldn’t be there? You know he would and he has obviously failed many Americans. I hope that the rest of us can all see this and see the good that many of New Orleans poorest are doing to survive and understand that those committing crimes are not the majority. Great post DCB - your argument is crystal clear.

Who is this prophet Kim Clement and what the hell was that post all about? It sounds like christiangirl is right up there with the Muslims who are calling this punishment on the United States from Allah (even though 1000+ Muslim pilgrims died like the next day, maybe that was Jesus’ fault, right?).

Why don’t people realize that religious extremism is the root of all evil on this planet? Live and let live, you fucking psychotic.

Holiday, I only shared a warning that had been psotedon July of this year. I believe in the New Testament God who is a God of love.
God as our heavanly father wants the best for us. But like I said if we openly reject God, can we seriously expect His blessings? His protection? what can we expect? My heart, efforts and prayers are with all the people suffering due to this hurricane. It is not my intention to judge, but realize we need to wake up and start living a life that God wants us to live. I know God is listening and he will lift up New Orleans.

What, exactly, should have been done different V? It’s easy to look at the situation and say this is reprehensible. But it’s much harder to pinpoint what to do differently. Do you really believe that all the emergency crews aren’t doing everything in their power to help?

That’s not to say the Feds have been blameless. But to politicize this as incompetence by the Bush administration, or the Republicans, is naive as best, and opportunistic at worst. Thousands of people would still be dead under a Kerry administration (and I voted for him).

Basically im criticizing your shitty blog Buddy. CAUSE IT SUCKS!!

Natty G: I am no expert, but I would think with all of our money, military and experts, we wouldn’t have the mayor of New Orleans sending out a desperate SOS three days AFTER the disaster.

President Bush himself who is FINALLY assessing the situation said it’s unacceptable. I don’t think I am going out on a limb here with saying this is a clusterfuck. I am sure everyone there is working at a 100 % but we need MORE of everything?for that to happen we need the president behind it (which has just happened today). Light bulb on and not a moment too soon?in fact, days too late for many people.

The situation can be both unacceptable and unavoidable. They aren’t mutually exclusive. Sometimes shit happens. That doesn’t make it pleasant, and that doesn’t mean we don’t try to improve for the future. But sometimes death (even on a massive scale) is unavoidable.

I’d offer that it is those who just assume that something more could have been done, without understanding the realities of the situation, and then blame the President for a largely unavoidable situation, who are truly the blindly ignorant.

The fact that President Bush’s speeches on the matter have been rhetorically unimpressive is irrelevant. His speeches do not indicate his level of concern, nor his determination to help. A home-run speech wouldn’t have saved any lives, and wouldn’t have reduced any suffering. It would just have forced the bleeding heart liberals to criticize something else.

BRAVO. Great post. The Krugman article was great.

I dont blame Bush one bit but all of our national gaurd troops are halfway accross the world because Bush said there were WMD’s. Bush the commander in chief failed to mobilize our resources in the US down south. Even though he had a weeks notice.

well said, but I can’t help but thinking that God destroyed Mississippi to punish all the false prophets and “christians” for their hypocrisy and blind worship of false idols (Bush)

V: I wouldn’t describe myself as “blissful” in this conversation. I’m just saying these posts remind me a great deal of the aftermath of 9/11. After the fact, it somehow became Bush’s fault that terrorists did something know one even fathomed they could or would do. These posts, to me, insinuate Bush should have basically a) prevented Katrina from coming ashore b) already had food and supplies (personally) ready for deployment because we all knew 50,000 people would be stranded in N.O. and c) doesn’t really care anyway.

I am offering a differing viewpoint, which obviously isn’t welcome among those who do not agree with it. I really don’t see the problem, but it emphasizes my previous point that people are so polarized politically now that they just don’t make sense anymore.

I respect your opinion, DCB’s opinion, and others, but isn’t why we have these types of forums, to discuss them? I haven’t been disrespectful to anyone, and I’ve remained civilized (or tried to). If not, I apologize. It’s OK to disagree. There is plenty of blame to go around, and I’m sure some of it can be thrown on Bush. I just don’t buy the “Bush is to blame for all of our problems-and Bush alone” argument. That’s all.

To MadAsian: Thanks for bolstering your already irrelevant argument/complaint/whatever it is you are upset about. If you disagree with me, that’s fine - say why. My blog is stupid. I already know that. Tell me something else.

That’s all I’ll say, or will ever say when it comes to politics on this board or any other.

Sorry for the long post, DCB. Delete it if you want.

I believe that now is the time to bring our troops back.

“You know what else really grinds my gears?”

Anyways, good post.

And to ChristianGirl: I can’t believe there are still people who are so ignorant that they would spout the shit you posted on here.

That Castor Oil above isn’t the real one, me assuming I’m the real one of course. I find the fact that I’ve been impersonated very flattering.
Now inSOMnia can call my wife a whore and go fight with his mom over the last pop tart.

Proceed.

Great Post DCB, I think everyone dropped the ball on this, Starting with Bush. What a clusterfuck. And ChristianGirl, do you really believe that if we all openinly accepted God, instead of “openily reject God” Natural disasters wouldn’t happen anymore? If you do then need help.
Scienctific studies told us this could happen, The gov’t and the rest of us, basically ignore’d it. I wonder if we’re still going to dumb down our science classes with Intelligent Design bullshit. what a sad state we’re in today.

Dear DCB;

Fucking bravo. Best post you’ve ever written. Any of my fellow Americans with a shred of morality ought to be ashamed of our leaders this week. They’ve failed us in a monumental way.

Dear Bush Apologists;

There is no explanation for why aid to the victims of this disaster took 5 days to arrive. You can posture all you want - this kind of national catastrophe is why we have a federal government in the first place - and Bush is where the buck stops. He’s failed us, horribly, and people have and will continue to die.

Dear ChristianGirl;

It’s nice to see that there are people in America who still believe that a Mesopotamian carpenter living in outer space controls the earth’s weather.

One more thing;

“I really feel for those who really do need help and cant get it???I wish there was a direct way (no middleman) of helping them.”

There isn’t a direct way. That’s why we have a FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

Maybe some of you informed commentators haven’t been following the news - where officials in LA have been complaining that they’ve seen NO help from FEMA, NO help from the feds.

Then, 5 days later ? hey! There?s a fucking convoy of food arriving. I guess it took 5 days to travel 300 miles.

Wow, I’m really angry.

All you apologist douche bags out there, go listen to this;

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/02/katrina.nagin/index.html

Click on the audio stream, listen to it all the way to the end. Hear the mayor and the two anchors sobbing together? That’s the sound of a fucking American tragedy. Now let’s hear your mealy-mouthed excuses about the performance of the feds. Cunts.

DCB, this is the smartest thing I’ve ever seen you write. Rock on.

I am beginning to see where you are coming from DCB - this is just absurd (see article below):

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/02/katrina.response/index.html

Having been in New Orleans last weekend, there wasn’t a week advance notice to evacuate for the hurricane. The direct-hit path on New Orleans wasn’t announced until Saturday. There were indications that it would hit the panhandle on Friday, and thus, people began to pack the gas stations from Destin to Pensacola. And keep in mind that until Sunday morning, the storm was a cat. 3, which was exactly what Betsy was, and therefore didn’t scare people. When I left at 5am on Sunday, that was when it swarmed up to a cat. 5 and the mass evacuations left. The roads weren’t even that busy on Saturday afternoon/night.

Amen on this post DCB.

phil, couldnt agree with you more.

why is the blame on the feds? What about the fact that this was very geographically probable and the STATE of LA and the CITY of NO, were warned that in this situation, it could take DAYS to get to survivors??

isnt that the point of having states with their own governmental powers? so that the reach is closer to home?

DCB i think you try hard, and i like that. but liberal guilt and ignorance sneak their way into your posts. especially the serious ones.

Good Post DCB. I think some people commenting here got distracted. While New Orleans is the cover story, the Gulf Coast is a catastrophe. State and local officials dropped the ball on this, and the federal government is leaderless. While it is entirely understandable that this hurricane did more destruction than originally predicted or envisioned, the government since 9/11 has stated that we would reorganize (FEMA is now under Homeland Security), we would be better prepared, and that the federal government would have resources to contain a disaster of epic proportions. However, this event shows that the government has not done much, that nobody has game-planned a “worst case scenario”, and that the inefficiency of the system is systemic. While many say, “you can’t blame the President”, regardless of who is in Office, Bush, Kerry, The Dahli Lama, the President is the leader. He or she should set the tone. And when the tone is that our government has not stored provisions, made command and control stream-lined, have regional stock-piles, directed action, white-boarded worst case scenarios and options, then government has failed the people.

Hey, you guys do know that New Orleans wasn’t the only place destroyed by this hurricaine, right?

For all your whining about some lack of response by the government, remember that this storm’s devastation is spread over a massive area. Government and private efforts are severely diluted because of this.

new p hits the nail on the head. The mayor of New Orleans, as far as I can tell, has completely blown it here. Remember, it was the City of New Orleans, not the feds, who were telling people to congregate in the SuperDome and Convention Center. It was the City of New Orleans that should have had some infrastructure ready to handle the people they knew were going to arrive. Instead, reports indicate that there was absolutely no organization, no security, no supplies…in short, nothing at either location.

Federal response takes time. The feds don’t have a swarms of doctors, buses, water, and food ready. The local and state governments are supposed to cover the first 2-3 days of a tragic event like this, and then the feds come in.

I think the local and state governments are being overlooked by those so eager to dish out blame.

i do know that, greg. but new orleans, geographically had the most to lose. it is the hub of the worst destruction and most of the human suffering.

Escape from New Orleans 2005…
Air Force One has to make an emergency landing in New Orleans. The President is taken hostage by an angry mob wielding weapons looted from Wal-Mart and are demanding food, water, medicine, buses and real leadership…what is Dick Cheney to do?

Enter Snake Plissken, a former special forces hero disgruntled by the war in Iraq who is forced into action…the President must be rescued within 24 hours or he may never vacation again!

Once again, Bush apologists, you’re all full of shit.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/02/opinion/02krugman.html

“Even military resources in the right place weren’t ordered into action. ‘On Wednesday,’ said an editorial in The Sun Herald in Biloxi, Miss., ‘reporters listening to horrific stories of death and survival at the Biloxi Junior High School shelter looked north across Irish Hill Road and saw Air Force personnel playing basketball and performing calisthenics. Playing basketball and performing calisthenics!’”

Now tell me that sounds like a federal government busting it’s ass to help.

I stand corrected, ChristianGirl - I have seen the light from this N.O preacherman…?New Orleans now is abortion free. New Orleans now is Mardi Gras free. New Orleans now is free of Southern Decadence and the sodomites, the witchcraft workers, false religion — it’s free of all of those things now,” Shanks says. “God simply, I believe, in His mercy purged all of that stuff out of there — and now we’re going to start over again.”

Muffin, insult people all you want, but you don’t have an f’ing clue about the realities of federal emergency disaster relief. You don’t.

You are so steadfast in blaming Bush and the feds, but yet completely unwilling to place even one iota of blame where it most immediately belongs: the complete collapse of the local and state governments.

You can point to trivial anecdote after anecdote all you want. But the undeniable problem here was that the City of New Orleans did NOTHING to sufficiently prepare for this storm. Cities and states have to prepare themselves to have the essentials ready to survive 2-3 days after the storm. New Orleans didn’t. The federal government cannot immediately come together and immediately help everyone in need. They can only supplement the efforts that the City of New Orleans should have taken. Ray Nagin fucked up, pure and simple.

That doesn’t mean that others have been blameless. They haven’t. FEMA obviously needs a major, immediate overhaul before the next terrorist attack. Everyone here wants to make sure this situation is resolved as quickly as possibly, and wants to make sure that it never happens again. However, just irrationally lashing out at one part of the problem, while completely ignoring the underlying root cause of this tragedy doesn’t do anyone any good. Based on your level of discourse, however, this is unfortunately a concept you probably can’t comprehend.

FEMA used to be the most respected arm of the federal government under the leadership of James Lee Witt. Now, it is apparent that it sorely lacks the leadership necessary and is awash in the boondoggle called the Dept. of Homeland Security.

I think that it’s commendable that people here are distilling this down into partisan politics. Oh, and when I say commendable, I mean disgusting. Get a grip, tools. Especially you, DCB.

Great post, DCB. Thanks for your thoughts.

The Bush apologists are sad in their scrambling to look the other way.

Ignorance is the norm in this country.

local government failed at some level for sure, but when you look at what bush has done to FEMA under his administration, it’s hard not to place a hearty amount of blame on him and his choices as well. example 1: he placed somebody who had never had experience in managing natural disasters as head of FEMA after the admirable tenure of clinton appointee james lee wit. example 2: bush considerably downsized FEMA, saying it should be mostly privatized. example 3: bush downgrades FEMA from a cabinet position and folds it into the dept. of homeland security. its main mission? to fight terrorism. example 4: 2005, funding for the NO district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is cut by a record $71.2 million. other requests to FEMA for money for the levees are ignored or shot down.

choices have consequences. bush’s choices helped, in part, to contribute to the long-foretold disaster that took place in new orleans.

Blah blah blah.

I guess the starving, dying people outside the convention center deserved what they got, cause the Mayor of NO was unprepared.

I won’t mention the FEMA budget cuts, or the obviously clumsy bureacracy that exists over at DHS. I won’t mention that one third of the national guard who should be deploying in LA tonight are instead pounding sand in Iraq. I won’t even mention how outrageous it is that a government agency with a 42 billion dollar budget takes 5 days to organize anything like effective relief, or wonder about how prepared they are for domestic terrorist events like a “dirty bomb” explosion.

I guess you’re correct - the most powerful man in the national government, George Bushie, shouldn’t be held accountable for this failure.

Lemme ask you something, chief. Do you know when the first American soldiers entered Afghanistan after September 11th? September 13th. Save your ad hominem attacks and explain to me why the feds can’t deploy troops - active duty troops in the US today - to a disaster site 300 miles away for FIVE days. Explain that to me, if you can.

Oh yeah - and next time read the article I link before you spout off about my “anecdotes”. Douche.

Fuck, I’m still mad.

” However, just irrationally lashing out at one part of the problem, while completely ignoring the underlying root cause of this tragedy doesn?t do anyone any good.”

Well if you fucking read the editorial I linked to, skippy, you’d have read this;

“Before 9/11 the Federal Emergency Management Agency listed the three most likely catastrophic disasters facing America: a terrorist attack on New York, a major earthquake in San Francisco and a hurricane strike on New Orleans. “The New Orleans hurricane scenario,” The Houston Chronicle wrote in December 2001, “may be the deadliest of all.” It described a potential catastrophe very much like the one now happening.”

So let’s talk about root causes asshole, and who dropped the ball.

Guys,
Let me give you some info. Before the Bush government came to power, Dept of Homeland Security and FEMA were two seperate entities. However when the D.H.S started running low in funds (Because we are attacking every second country) they took over FEMA and transferred $75 million (from FEMA to the war in Iraq) which was meant for hazard mitigation and flood plain mapping. The levees that were breached were an issue and brought up before only to be ignored by the gov (they cut funds on all levee projects). So is the Bush government responsible for this??? hell Yeh! Would the liberals have done a better job? I don’t know.

FYI: I am a Hydrologic Engineer and my firm is a sub contractor for FEMA working on flood plain mapping.

I think Bush’s bungling of this whole thing could very well doom his entire presidency. That would at least be the one potential silver lining.

http://www.jackasseryblogger.blog.com/

People are dying, Doug, but at least there’s the “silver lining” of partisan political advantage. It’s not the Republicans politicizing this horrible disaster….

Not unlike what is going on in Africa, when you are black and/or poor, there is less of an urgency to respond. Pathetic.

For everyone that thinks this was “unavoidable” and that Bush shouldn’t be taking any blame, you really should be looking at what he has done during his presidency in regards to preparing for natural disasters. There have been many mentions as to what he has done to FEMA and the National Guard, but what about the levees that he couldn’t forsee breaking?

“How do you justify cutting $250 million in scheduled spending for crucial pump and levee work in the Southeast Louisiana Urban Flood Control Project (SELA), authorized by Congress in 1995?”
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001054151

This is the first year in thirty seven years that the levees have not had work done. I can’t help but wonder, if the work had been done, if some of the city and it’s rich history could have been spared.

Great post DCB.

wow, i never post comments on here but i just had to because your post was so spot on. . . well done

If anyone failed here, it’s the local and state governments. A black mayor and a city aparatus that has been run by mostly blacks. A state government who didn’t seem to notice that NO actaully belonged in the state. I am no fan of Bush, his responses have been mediocre at best, but people have to ask tough questions, not just find someone to blame for.

I’m glad we agree greg.

“The federal official in charge of the bungled New Orleans rescue was fired from his last private-sector job overseeing horse shows.

And before joining the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a deputy director in 2001, GOP activist Mike Brown had no significant experience that would have qualified him for the position.

The Oklahoman got the job through an old college friend who at the time was heading up FEMA. ”

http://business.bostonherald.com/businessNews/view.bg?articleid=100857

The Kanye West “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” video.

http://movies.crooksandliars.com/Kayne-West-Bush-Black-People.wmv

Also,

I wrote, ” Even respected journalists are tired of the conservative spin.”

Typical conservative response, “That?s because they?re liberals, too.”

Slate: “The Rebellion of the Talking Heads”

“In the last couple of days, many of the broadcasters reporting from the bowl-shaped toxic waste dump that was once the city of New Orleans have stopped playing the role of wind-swept wet men facing down a big storm to become public advocates for the poor, the displaced, the starving, the dying, and the dead.”

Phil, wake the fuck up. Your opinions are the most disturbing in this thread.

CNN, “The big disconnect on New Orleans”
“Diverging views of a crumbling New Orleans emerged Thursday, with statements by some federal officials in contradiction with grittier, more desperate views from the streets.”

Potentially staged photo ops:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/bush-tour-a-photo-op-says-senator/2005/09/04/1125772395413.html
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104×4597216

NY Times: As White House Anxiety Grows, Bush Tries to Quell Political Crisis
“Faced with one of the worst political crises of his administration, President Bush abruptly overhauled his September schedule on Saturday as the White House scrambled to gain control of a situation that Republicans said threatened to undermine Mr. Bush’s second-term agenda and the party’s long-term ambitions.”

Why are my comments most disturbing? Because you 100% of the blame on Bush, and none on the people actually running the state and city of New Orleans, Lousiana and I disagree?

Excellent post.

First i want to say that i’m African-American. Second i want to say that the media’s focus on looting and the ramifications on how the country and world view AA’s is nothing new. We’ve been demonized in the media for the last 30 years. Its easy to not have sympathy for N.O. because you’ve been conditioned for it.
I actually don’t find Bush as culpable as many other people do. It is hard for the human mind to understand the magnitude of destruction caused by this hurricane. Its the size of kansas according to news reports. I just hope and pray for two things.
1. That the country will restructure how we handle emergency management from managerial level all the way down to ordinary citizens.
2. That people won’t let a few looters define the way you feel for all AA’s you encounter throughout your life. There’s good and bad elements in all hues.

I am a liberal, but I don’t think the colored community as a whole is trying to make a effort to reform. Giving an ethnic spin on the whole thing is BS.
I think Bill Cosby was really harsh but I think he spoke the truth and besides self pity is not going to help and neither is the solution. If Kanye West felt that strong about Bush he should have rallied his ass off the previous elections getting votes for Kerry. Where was he then? :((

Kanan. Your comments made me laugh. I thought i was reading a arryan message board. Thanks dude, thanks for totally missing the point.

LOL..I am sorry, I just thought you were getting all worked up “We?ve been demonized in the media for the last 30 years” mmm…OK but are you relating that to the hurricane victims? I just think that if you are poor you will suffer, no matter what, race is not the factor. Yes I do pray for the victims.

Just say N.O to the GOP - Bush wants Roberts as Chief Justice - Nice strategic move and timing Karl…

Delay, Delay Delay -

Push back until 2006. Fight, Fight, Fight. Bush is getting weaker everyday.

Soon we will have a 5000 - 10,000 body count on Katrina. All but 500 of which died because of the levee and ship canal walls breaking.

Gas and oil prices are expected to continue to rise. Natural Gas prices will skyrocket.

Rove will be indicted by November. At that point solid support for Bush should be in the 30-35 percent range. That means Democrats even if they are in the minority should be in the position to tell Dubya to take a flying leap.

Filibuster being over ruled, Nuclear Option bring it on. With the mid-terms approaching only Republicans from the most solid/worst Red-neck districts will continue to drink the kool-aid.

you rock! =)

Hey Phil! Nice toupee!

I can’t agree with all this blame on Bush. Not that there is needed qualification but I am NOT a Bush supporter.

Exercise a little logic here. Read about what has really been going on.

FEMA is the root and cause of all the issues. Though I have to agree that the Local and State authorities did nothing to secure relief before it was needed. Let’s be honest here though, they didn’t think it would be that bad. They thought, “We’ll put them in the super dome, then when it blows over everyone will go home”.

These thoughts of course being flawed in the first place. As there is plenty of proof well documented that a category 5 storm hitting the vicinity of New Orleans would be disaterous. Selective amnesia or faith in a non existant God I’m sure.

Barring all the things that could have better prepared these people that were never taken care of, look at some of the more obscene actions by FEMA.

The most disheartening has already been mentioned. The director of FEMA “didn’t know” that there were people in the convention center. For crying out loud, Osama Bin Laden hunkered in is palatial cave knew about people in the convention center. Great information gathering on FEMA’s part.

A police unit from Virginia traveled 30 hours with their own food, supplies and equipment (tent’s etc) to Mississippi to help rescue people and control violence. FEMA turned them away.

Wal-mart sent 3 Tractor Trailers filled with bottled water to the grief stricken area and were turned away by FEMA.

Half of the world (who doesn’t hold the USA in high regards) have offered help, supplies, people and were categorically turned away, a slap in the face to those extending a helping hand. (Ok, we can blame that one on Bush. Idiot)

FEMA’s complete lack of organization, intelligence or care has caused THOUSANDS of deaths. The stories of FEMA’s incompetence go on ad nauseum. Look for a discovery channel special on it next year for sure.

We can of course link the issues with FEMA back to the Bush Administration. 44% of the funds allocated to support the levee system in New Orleans has been diverted to the War in Iraq since 2001. A noble cause right? Wait, someone remind me why we’re in Iraq, I’ve already forgotten!

The constant tear down and failure to rebuild the marshlands off the coast of Louisiana. This is huge. Those marshlands quell a lot of hurricane damage by absorbing the storm surge.

The list goes on, poor organization, coordination and overall leadership. I’m assuming Bush assumed that FEMA would have it under control. Much like your mom trusts you to mow the lawn when she’s away on vacation.

When Bush visited the grief stricken areas hit by Katrina, he should have seen incompetence and started rolling heads. This we can all agree on. I think we can all also agree that he didn’t crack the whip until public opinion of him was getting lower than it already is. I’m guessing one of his aides had to point it out to him. “Uh, Mr Laughident….you should make it look like you care.” so now he is working oh so hard on fixing what went wrong.

Ok, so as my thoughts progressed when writing this, I can see that there is a fair amount of blame to put on Bush for failure to act and take initiative, but the brunt of this has to lay in FEMA’s incompetent lap.

One more thing: There is also something to be said about the dispicable acts of the people who are “victims”. Instead of helping each other out, and working together for a solution, I see a lot of people either complaining about needing help or looting shit like TV’s and non essential items. Killing, raping, and general violence. This is inexcusable. In the event that there is a vacuum of federal support, the moral and ethical solution is to band together to help the greater good of everyone. Not yourself. These people should be ashamed.

As for the people who did nothing but complain about needing help. This is indicative of why they need help in the first place. The “welfare” mindset is one of the most dispicable mindsets I can think of. People who want everything done for them so they don’t have to do anything is disgusting. I know this as I have a half sister who is on welfare. She continues to have kids because the government pays her to have them. She doesn’t work and has 5 kids. She also has a house and a bigger TV than I do. Your tax dollars hard at work.

Finally, from DCB:

“Our inability to handle this disaster has exposed our vulnerability, but as long as we search every passenger that borders a plane, the window dressing of security is good enough to give the impression that we got things under control.”

The truth shall set you free.

I heart Clinton too.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/05/clinton.katrina/index.html

World Trade Center=mostly white victims=immediate response

New Orleans=mostly black victims=5 days response

And yes, that did sound like an Aryan message board. Don’t white people remember that slavery existed in this country? But then it was outlawed so, poof, black people should be just as rich as whites are and the only reason they don’t have the opportunity to go to college is because they are lazy! White people like to think that there is no more racism in this country and everything is just fine, or else they have to face the fact that white people subjugated and ravaged other races since the beginning of time. I am white, but I’ll never try to rewrite history. Those who blame the City and People of New Orleans are cold. It’s just a natural diaster, plain and simple. However, the lack of response by our federal government was quite telling.

“World Trade Center=mostly white victims=immediate response

New Orleans=mostly black victims=5 days response”

A building collapsing in the middle of a city is hardly comparable to an entire city underwater. The infrastructure damage in New York was nothing compared to that in New Orleans.

Folks,

You may want to check out the blog kept up in New Orleans by this guy, who is still posting. He’s running off of generators. Very enlightening.

BTW, Bush diverted $2.3M from last year’s and this year’s budget request that was intended to bolster the levees in New Orleans. Yes, that funding went to Iraq.

Also, to Phil - FEMA falls under Homeland Security. The guy who heads Homeland has no prior experience managing emergencies. Prior to this job he was the head of the Arabian Horse Association. Yeah. He was a good choice. The National Guard came in late as it was his responsibility (and/or the President’s) to mobilize them. They waited three days.

And, to ChristianGirl. I assume God was also angry at the 250,000 people swept away by the Tsunami? I mean, if we follow your logic, then DC, New York, San Francisco and LA are next right. It’s really too bad that there are so many Christians who only read into damnation and not compassion. Why don’t you go to the Gulf Coast and help out? That would be the Christian thing to do, don’t you think?

Sorry for the long post.

Sorry,

Here’s the link to the blog: http://mgno.com/

the people who failed were not the Federal Government but the Local government.

Here?s Ten Things you perhaps did not know, that might make you think differently about exactly who is ?at fault? for ?all of this.? (Two overly-general, and constantly thrown around terms I?ve heard all week.)

1. In the case of Katrina, there was huge fleet of school buses the mayor could have dispatched to aid in evacuating people unable to leave on their own. Instead, the buses sat in parking lots that later flooded, making them unusable when tens of thousands were stranded in the flooded city.

2. One of the primary reasons why the National Guard did not arrive sooner, was the fact that the Governor (Katherine ?Cry, Cry, For Us..? Blanco) HAD TO ASK for the troops from the federal government, and that she refused at first, fearing that it would ?complicate? the security situation on the ground. Contrary to popular belief, the President does NOT command the National Guard in any state. State governors do. Until she authorizes the Guard to be ?federalized? they can?t do anything at the behest of the president. Such niggling details.

3. Though the city’s crime rate is ten times the national average, U.S. news outlets downplayed the connection between New Orleans’ outsized criminal element and delays in rescue efforts. Even as murder rates continued to decline in other cities in recent years, the murder rate in New Orleans crept up. The police were plagued by allegations of corruption and brutality, and, according to The Associated Press, only had ”3.14 officers per 1,000 residents - less than half the rate in Washington, D.C.”

4. Though the U.N.’s own top official for disaster relief has called Katrina one of “the largest, most destructive natural disasters ever,” shamefully only a handful of nations ? at last count just 25 nations of the 191 countries in the United Nations ? have come forward to offer assistance.

5. Guess who IMPLORED Governor Kleenex to issue a rare MANDATORY evacuation of the city BEFORE the Hurricane struck, saving tens of thousands of lives? That?s right, the Dunce In Chief, George W. Bush.

6. The same guy who Kanye West claims ?doesn?t care about black people? has more black people in higher positions of authority in his cabinet than Bill Clinton had in two terms. Pesky facts.

7. Despite a modest cut in funding to the Army Corp. of Engineers and the levee projects in New Orleans, the Corps admitted last week that the two levees which failed were both complete and in ?good condition? and not part of the levees that were targeted for improvement.

8. I love how people say that Bush should have ?known this was coming? and done more to avert it. Well sure, I suppose, but how about the f?ing Mayor and Governor taking a beating first? Go to http://www.nola.com and read about the 5-Part series written by the Times Picayune in 2002 (FIVE PARTS!) that basically laid out this disaster in shockingly accurate detail well in advance. How about the fact that the city and its leaders learned almost NOTHING from what was a dress-rehearsal last summer on Hurricane Ivan. Even lesser hurricane Georges in 1998 did a lot of flooding damage in parts of the city. But yeah, it?s Bush?s fault.

9. No matter how long it took for rescue buses to arrive, how can you combat the off-the-charts ignorance of the following snippet from a news article. When asked if he was glad to see rescue workers finally arrive, a man said: “Hell no, I’m not glad to see them. They should have been here days ago. I ain’t glad to see ‘em. I’ll be glad when 100 buses show up,” said 46-year-old Michael Levy, whose words were echoed by those around him yelling, “Hell, yeah! Hell yeah!” “We’ve been sleeping on the … ground like rats,” Levy said. “I say burn this whole … city down.” REACT: Why yes indeed, burn that sucker down! And then we?ll blame George W. Bush!

10. In the end, some 100,000 estimated people were evacuated from a major metropolitan city that was 80% flooded with toxic waters. All told, there will be far less than the ESTIMATED 10,000 to 25,000 deaths predicted by government agencies in their simulated ?models? of a Cat 4 or 5 hurricane hitting New Orleans on the nose. This was done under the strain of a hostile criminal element in the city that went unchecked by local police. This was done under the strain of a mayor and governor that made both critical mistakes in the early hours of the crisis.

Actually, if the president or congress declare a national emergency, the National Guard can be called into service by the president.

Blame must be spread around all the way - locals failed, state failed, the feds failed. The fucking feds TURNED AWAY Wal-Mart, who had clean water and supplies there on DAY 2. They told the Red Cross to stay out, so that they wouldn’t attract more people to the city.

There is plenty of blame to go around, and the feds’ stupidity is in large part to blame. Don’t let them off the hook so easily.

Barb Sr. weighs in with her own glowing commentary as only a Bush can:

“And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them.”

Please.

This is to Marc and his half-sister problem, maybe she doesn’t believe in abortion. Can you think of every time in your life you ever had unprotected sex (or protected sex with a condom malfunction, whatever) and what would happen if a child was created each time? What the hell would you do if you had to support all those kids? You would bolt, which is why we have mothers on welfare in the first place. Do you think if every father was taking care of his responsibilities we would still have as many women on welfare who cannot work? There is no way your sister can get a job now because she would not be able to afford child care. She would have to make $150,000 a year in order to work and pay for child care. Maybe you should offer to babysit one day and see what the hell she goes through EVERY DAY. You really shouldn’t judge others until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes. If you judge your own family that way, I can only imagine what you think of strangers less well off than yourself.

Single Mother,

Talk about assumptions!

You assume that the father’s of her children split, when in reality, they too are welfare recipients. Why? Because they are too lazy to work and provide for their family!

I used to try really hard to help her out. The state tried really hard. Day care isn’t an issue because her kids are in school.

Even when they wern’t in school, the state paid for child care, alas my sister couldn’t hold a job at Taco Bell. It’s so much easier to do nothing than to actually do something.

If you’re having kids everytime you fuck, either a) get fixed, b) use some kind of protection, or c) stop fucking.

It’s amazing to me how you’d stand up for her. She can’t buy her kids school supplies, so the state does that for her. I wonder how she affords to smoke 2 cartons a week?

Please.

My other (full blooded) sister had no problems working full time, raising her child (with no father) and still getting her Bachelors and Masters degrees.

Don’t presume to lecture me on this issue as I am certain I have more experience in dealing with welfare cases. Unless of course you are on welfare and a single mother. Then I invite you to close your legs and get a job. As harsh as that may sound, it’s my truest feelings. If you aren’t prepared to care for a child then don’t have sex. Or, have sex, but use common fucking sense. (AKA protection).

I have had sex without a condom, and while birth control and a condom would have been more ideal, the birth control didn’t fail. However, had it failed and I needed to take care of my responsibility; I am both financially and mentally competent to raise a child.

Also:

“If you judge your own family that way, I can only imagine what you think of strangers less well off than yourself.”

I’ll admit being judgmental can be, and often is, abrasive. However: We all have the same opportunity. Some of us have to work harder than others. You can either be resentful of the person it comes easy to, or you can stop comparing yourself to others and do what’s right for you.

Good points by Anonymous. I think it’s important to remember that the politicians don’t live in a vacuumn. Their very careers are at stake, so one must realize their propensity to shift blame away from themselves (think NO’s raving mayor and LA’s “the buck passes here” governor).

This applies mostly to the local politicians, whose entire constituencies were affected by this and who will be running for re-election, but to a lesser degree to Bush and fellow Republicans. While the storm will be a faint memory for most Americans come election season (meaning the storm will have little national political impact), those in Cajun country will likely remember the preparation and response of their local leaders in this crisis.

Blame goes all around. The federal government, and yes, ultimately Bush are responsible to some degree. The head of FEMA should be fired immediately and Chertoff should be interrogated harshly by the President. Sadly, I don’t think this will happen in this administration.

That said, it is the local officials who are the most responsible. If Uncle Sam didn’t do enough, it is their responsibility to finish the job. After all, it’s their own homes and businesses that are on the line. The relationship between federal and local governments isn’t and shouldn’t be that of a parent and child, but of partners. Uncle Sam isn’t New Orleans’ daddy.

greg, you must have not gotten the republican memo today..

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/05/national/nationalspecial/05bush.html

“WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 - Under the command of President Bush’s two senior political advisers, the White House rolled out a plan this weekend to contain the political damage from the administration’s response to Hurricane Katrina.

It orchestrated visits by cabinet members to the region, leading up to an extraordinary return visit by Mr. Bush planned for Monday, directed administration officials not to respond to attacks from Democrats on the relief efforts, and sought to move the blame for the slow response to Louisiana state officials, according to Republicans familiar with the White House plan.”

We are about to witness the Swift Boating of state and local officials to deflect accountability from the white house. Pretty disgusting.

http://blog.dccc.org/mt/archives/003439.html

DCB: And your point is….?

Like I said, all politicians are seeking to deflect blame from themselves, including the administration. It’s just that those in Louisiana are much more responsible for the handling of this disaster than Uncle Sam. They are also much more vulnerable to political fallout than the administration, due in large part to this.

Tell me, do you not think that officials in Louisiana have much more direct and immediate responsibility for preparing and responding to a natural disaster than the feds?

Look, I think you’re politicizing this way too much. My impression is that you think I’m some partisan Republican hack, and I’m not certain what it would take for you to change that perception, but let’s be clear: I support a full accounting of responsibility for preparation for and response to this disaster. I’m convinced that there is responsibility at all levels of government, including that of the Bush Administration.

That said, the evidence is pretty clear that Blanco and Nagin did a piss-poor job. The more and more I read about this, the more and more this view is reinforced.

What I really hope is that you aren’t “swift boating” the Administration to deflect responsibility from state and local officials.

NO Mayor: Failed to evacuate the poor. Though after the hurricane hit, there was very little he could do.

Louisiana governer: ??? I haven’t heard what the state was doing in the immediate days after. I’m sure this will surface soon, but I can gather it wasn’t enough.

Bush: Strumming the guitar. When a state declares a federal disaster, which the govenor did, the job turns to FEMA to respond. Bush oversees FEMA.

On the Dept of homeland security’s web page..

“In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency, the Department of Homeland Security will assume primary responsibility on March 1st for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared for any situation. This will entail providing a coordinated, comprehensive federal response to any large-scale crisis and mounting a swift and effective recovery effort. The new Department will also prioritize the important issue of citizen preparedness. Educating America’s families on how best to prepare their homes for a disaster and tips for citizens on how to respond in a crisis will be given special attention at DHS.”

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/theme_home2.jsp

5 days is not swift. But at least no arabian horses died.

The issue with the mayor and governor is primarily their preparation for the hurricaine, not necessarily their response to it (although there have been many problems there too). If Blanco had accepted Bush’s request for unified federal command prior to the disaster, if Nagin had actually been serious about evacuating people, there wouldn’t have been people there to die in the first place. The point is that a lack of preparation and an inability to take the threat seriously on the part of local officials caused people to die.

I don’t know what you’re trying to do with your comments, but you don’t need to convince me that FEMA bungled the recovery big-time. You don’t need to convince me that the head of FEMA needs to be canned. This should be obvious to anyone. I just want to be sure this isn’t the latest in a long line of irrational and partisan witch hunts against President Bush.

Now maybe you’re starting to understand why many conservatives like myself have little faith in government. The handling of this disaster is a perfect example of the ineptitude of government.

To Marc: You win, your sister’s a scumbag. I know the type. My point is, you can’t judge EVERYONE on welfare. I have some very good friends who have been off and on welfare, it happens because someone gets sick, they lose a job (for valid reasons), their boyfriend leaves them high and dry. You really shouldn’t judge everyone who is getting assistance from the government. I just think everyone should try to be more compassionate to the circumstances of others.

Its everybody fault. The Prez, Fema, Homeland Security, State, City, and the citizens. Oh and Category Five Katrina too!!!

Whose using my Moniker. Hey marc is your sister single? I could use a could lay. Oops did I say that outloud. Will the real Senator please stand up .

Not to beat a horse, that if not already dead, is in mortal danger of expiring but if someone needs temporary help, or what I like to call a “hand up”, that is one thing. Most of us have needed a hand up in our past.

The issue with government assistance is people looking for “hand outs”. It’s a drain on the economy and it really pisses me off to see people on welfare who can’t take care of their children, or buy food but they have the newest nike shoes, tommy hilfiger and beer and cigarettes.

This is the real Senator and I think it is getting old now that people are using my moniker! By the way to change the subject is Mardi Gras still on this year??

Marc, It sounds like you’re just envious of people with Nikes and bigger TVs than you have. It is not a drain on the economy either, that is a common misconception. Less than 1 percent of the entire federal budget goes to need-based programs for our citizens. You act like people are getting a lot of money. I think you need to do some more welfare research. Now prescription drugs are not even being funded for people on Medicare after January 1. My mother is supposed to pay $170 a month for Lipitor when she only gets $580 a month to live on. She is disabled.

No offense, but you sound pretty ignorant and hateful. Sorry you can’t afford that flat screen.

Single mother your mother is taking lipitor because she spent her welfare money on fatty greasy food. Perhaps if she ate better and didnt have high cholesterol she wouldnt need to be taking lipitor in the first place. Vote Republican vote for god

These people are clueless. Look what this old owl is yapping her mouth about.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/06/katrina.presidents.ap/index.html

http://www.wdsu.com/katrina/4938424/detail.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/katrina_former_presidents

I see where Marc is coming from. Not saying all single mothers are like this but to me MOST single mothers are just laying around at home collecting checks. Trust me i know. They just take advantage on buying things like shoes and bigger tv’s. While most ppl work hard and get really nothing. Seems like the bigger the salary the bigger the bill.

To Senator: We are actually vegetarians so I guess those commercials about cholesterol being hereditary really are true.

And to Mellow Yellow: I work full time, raise a young child, have a bachelor’s degree from a well-respected school, and go to school at night for a doctorate. But when I was pregnant, alone, and unemployed, I did get welfare and food stamps.

We are a country full of people who judge others, and it’s just not right. If America wasn’t so obsessed with material goods, then people wouldn’t feel like having Nikes and big TVs is the only thing that can make them worthy of any respect. And did someone really just write vote republican vote for god? How more close-minded can we be?

At least this DCB post touched on many important issues and really was a “cultural commentary.” It is scary to live in a country with so many self-obsessed and close-minded people, but it is encouraging to read some of this crap and realize that I’m lucky to be surrounded by many educated, non-hating people who share my views and do not judge others based on their economic circumstances or even their bad choices in life. I always try to imagine what it would be like to be in someone else’s circumstances. So I will try to imagine growing up in the suburbs with mommy and daddy being happily married and buying me everything I ever wanted and then teaching me to vote like a good little republican.

You’re a hypocrit single mother.

You’re judging and assuming all sorts of things.

So, which one do you want to be today? The pot or the kettle?

being vegetarian(French Fries+falafel)=f(x)+lipitor

Marc thats not gentlemanly of you now is it?

greg is a partisan republican hack everyone knows that…stop denying greg you republican partisan hack…hack!

So what u r telling me your like 1 out of 100 of woman who are not a lazy whore and out in this for welfare?? I agree wit Marc and the Senator u r a hypocrite. U want me to give u a cookie know since u made something of your self?? I know your proud of yourself but that doesnt explain all the other FAT LAZY WHORES THAT just fuck around and wait for their checks to come in.

Dam, how tragic. The post was about New Orleans and the catastrophe. Now you guys reduced it to insulting a woman and calling her a whore, because she gets a check to feed herself and kids. I don’t hear any of you clowns complaining about the whores in Iraq getting checks for rebuilding that piss hole in the middle east.

hey guys, i’m trying to figure out everything after reading up on katrina and whose fault it is that help didn’t arrive soon enough. What I don’t get is that the governor, or some high state official declared marshall law. Am I wrong? If i’m right, then why would u do that?

You’re wrong.

It’s Martial, not Marshall.

Great use of my moniker boys. (*stretching*yawning*) And, thanks for giving me access to the site again.

By the time you read this “Single Mother,” DCB and his cronies will probably erase it, but I have no clue what he/they/hisfriends are saying.

It’s funny at this point.

Someone is pressed to post. Let’s see if they know who they are.

omgpplareusingmymonikerlol!!! oh noes!!

IP check, aisle 3…

…oh, and let’s all quit the petty arguing eh?

it is not the federal governments job to evacuate people. thats unconstitutional. if you want to point blame somewhere, which you really shouldnt do, especially this soon, you should ask why the school buses in the parishes around new orleans and in the city didnt send people north and north west. the federal government doesnt have any business telling school buses to go. the other thing would be, the evacuation orders werent given til less than 20 hours before the storm struck, knowing it takes 30 to 40 hours to evacuate the city… the mayor gives those orders… im not saying its the mayors fault. but i’ll be damned if im gonna let some jackass from washington tell me what to do. what did reagan say, the scariest words in the english language are, im from the government and im here to help? thats especailly true here… it is impossible for the government to evacuate 500,000 plus people from a city… at some point, people have to stop pointing fingers and realise, that in our country, people are responsible for themselves. that is the glorious thing about our country, you have the final say, it is your own life, do what you want with it. it takes forethought, planning, and awareness sometimes to do the right thing, but that comes with the responsibility of taking care of yourself, if you dont like it, move to china, cuba, or north korea… but leave our freedom of independence alone, and stop pointing blame, especially from an act of God.

When it comes to rescue efforts, the administration’s defense tactic has been to trickle the blame down to as sepcific as city-level.

However, when it comes to awarding Multi-million “clean up” contracts, the federal government has NO PROBLEM jumpin’ all over it.

I suppose it’s safe to say that this is also an act of god:

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/3335685

Shady, Shady.

Interesting. I’m responsible for my myself, you say? Tell me if you load the buses with the people, where are you gonna send them? Who’s gonna drive the buses? What about gas for the buses? The average bus can hold between 50-70 people. How many people would that allow for evacuations considering all roads leading in and out of the city are jam packed with cars.
The fact of the matter is that government is and always should be the safety net after all else fails. So that means you don’t hire a guy who has no emergency management experience to run disaster relief for the continental united states. I know conservatives are shucking from the blame but america can smell the stench a mile away.

But to all the believers—- If i shouldn’t rely on government for anything– Then why the hell am i paying taxes?????

RE: the bus idea

Good luck getting permission from another jurisdiction to house 100,000 people until the hurricane passes. It’s beyond the scope of the city govt to house those people in another city. The best they can do was the superdome, which obviously wasn’t a great plan.

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