More arrogance from the President..

[C.Ann]

Beautiful speech - passing the buck to the state and local agencies that were unable and unprepared to handle this disaster..

Not ONE word about people starving and dying from dehydration.. He spoke about HOUSES destroyed instead..

No apology - no explanations for his delay in responding..

And that God awful STUPID smirky smile of his..

Disgusting..

[Tina]

Yes, but he DID hug a black family yesterday. I'm sure he feels MUCH better now! :rolleyes:

[Laura]

Yes, but he DID hug a black family yesterday. I'm sure he feels MUCH better now! :rolleyes:

:rotfl:

[babar]

Yes, but he DID hug a black family yesterday. I'm sure he feels MUCH better now! :rolleyes:


:rotfl: I noticed that too. He still doesn't get it. He thinks he has to do his "aw shucks" routine and everyone will be satisifed and think he is doing a good job. I really don't think he gets it! :confused3

[Tina]

I'd like to see him helicopter in and try to hug someone down at the Superdome/Convention Center. They would eat him ALIVE!

[BuckNaked]

You guys are a hoot. :rotfl:

[Beth76]

Yes, but he DID hug a black family yesterday. I'm sure he feels MUCH better now! :rolleyes:
OK, I almost choked on my bagel. :rotfl:

Watching all that footage (like there was a lot) of him with the survivors, I just didn't buy it. I really believe it was all for the cameras. At one point he made a statement of being satisfied with the relief efforts. I just couldn't believe that. I understand that it's getting better, but in no way should he feel "satisfied" with that.

[dvcgirl]

There's plenty of blame to go around in this mess....starting with the Mayor of New Orleans, County officials, State officials, FEMA and the Federal Government. I don't think that anyone feels good about what has happened...including the President.

I believe that Federal response was 24 hours late...and that's awful. But remember, initially everyone thought that NO got a pass in this thing. It was almost a full 24 hours after the storm made landfall that the levees gave way.

However, the local response was *atrocious*. Positively atrocious. Yes, the Feds and FEMA knew that this exact scenario could happen, but you'd think that the officials in the state of Lousiana and the city of New Orleans would have been able to control the situation for 72 hours until the Feds rolled in. The Mayor lost control of his city within 24 hours....inexcusable. His police force....LEFT. Bye bye. Sorry folks, you're on your own. Awful. And even when *that* happened, the Governor, who literally looks like a deer caught in the headlights, should have had the National Guard (who *she* is in charge of) ready to move in to keep order. FEMA didn't even know about the people at the convention center because the Mayor didn't communicate that to them.

And yet, I'm not naive enough to think that this is *all* the local/state's fault. FEMA for one, supposedly had a "tabletop" exercise on this exact scenario two years ago. And so why the disjointed response. Some of it is moving in now, but it's not enough. I just don't think that anybody the sheer size of this disaster. I think that the head of FEMA will be gone...and probably the Director of Homeland Security.

But I think it's foolish to try and blame this whole thing on Bush. Bush was the one who authorized the funds for FEMA to run that tabletop exercise. And so, in his mind he's thinking...'okay, if that happens, we're ready.' I'm sure that Bush has been kicking some major tail in the last 48 hours to get things moving, and get them moving NOW. Ultimately, there are people on his team who will be gone over this. I just hope that the people of Lousiana remember their governor when election time rolls around.

[Virgo10]

I posted this in another thread but the thing that is bothering me the most is how the supplies and troops showed up just after George did.

They say timing is everything and I wonder how many spin doctors found that most satisfying.

[Marseeya]

Beautiful speech - passing the buck to the state and local agencies that were unable and unprepared to handle this disaster..

Not ONE word about people starving and dying from dehydration.. He spoke about HOUSES destroyed instead..

No apology - no explanations for his delay in responding..

And that God awful STUPID smirky smile of his..

Disgusting..

I liked him for about five minutes yesterday when he was hugging those girls and expressing his sympathy to them.

And then among the first words out of his mouth was 1) the war on "terra" and 2) the hurricane victims in that order.

I came to my senses.

[simpilotswife]

:rotfl: I noticed that too. He still doesn't get it. He thinks he has to do his "aw shucks" routine and everyone will be satisifed and think he is doing a good job. I really don't think he gets it! :confused3
Why? It got him re-elected didn't it? :rolleyes1

[babar]

Why? It got him re-elected didn't it? :rolleyes1


well, that doesn't exactly make me feel better about the people who vote in this country! :rotfl:

[Deb in IA]

Damned if you do, and damned if you . . .


Oh, never mind.

[tikkipoo]

Damned if you do, and damned if you . . .


Oh, never mind.

My thoughts exactly

[What the Heck]

There's plenty of blame to go around in this mess....starting with the Mayor of New Orleans, County officials, State officials, FEMA and the Federal Government. I don't think that anyone feels good about what has happened...including the President.

I believe that Federal response was 24 hours late...and that's awful. But remember, initially everyone thought that NO got a pass in this thing. It was almost a full 24 hours after the storm made landfall that the levees gave way.

However, the local response was *atrocious*. Positively atrocious. Yes, the Feds and FEMA knew that this exact scenario could happen, but you'd think that the officials in the state of Lousiana and the city of New Orleans would have been able to control the situation for 72 hours until the Feds rolled in. The Mayor lost control of his city within 24 hours....inexcusable. His police force....LEFT. Bye bye. Sorry folks, you're on your own. Awful. And even when *that* happened, the Governor, who literally looks like a deer caught in the headlights, should have had the National Guard (who *she* is in charge of) ready to move in to keep order. FEMA didn't even know about the people at the convention center because the Mayor didn't communicate that to them.

And yet, I'm not naive enough to think that this is *all* the local/state's fault. FEMA for one, supposedly had a "tabletop" exercise on this exact scenario two years ago. And so why the disjointed response. Some of it is moving in now, but it's not enough. I just don't think that anybody the sheer size of this disaster. I think that the head of FEMA will be gone...and probably the Director of Homeland Security.

But I think it's foolish to try and blame this whole thing on Bush. Bush was the one who authorized the funds for FEMA to run that tabletop exercise. And so, in his mind he's thinking...'okay, if that happens, we're ready.' I'm sure that Bush has been kicking some major tail in the last 48 hours to get things moving, and get them moving NOW. Ultimately, there are people on his team who will be gone over this. I just hope that the people of Lousiana remember their governor when election time rolls around.Now, now. I have seen the error of my ways. All of those who hate the President saying on post after post how it was his fault - they are right! He should have been there, single handedly holding up the Levees. He should have been there on Monday morning and huffed and puffed and blown the storm back out to see. He should have seized control of the State of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans and put in troops to run their offices on Friday before the hurricane hit. He should have had the Army use nuclear weapons to strike down the hurricane before it came to shore. He should have cloned himself so that he could drive all of the buses out of town with the poor in them (like Ping). He should have broken bread like Christ so that all of those in shelters would have food. Yet he's a complete and utter fool, totally incompetant. Wow, I must have it all wrong. Clinton was a great president, he didn't commit perjury. Carter was a great president. And George Bush really lost in 2000 and in 2004. He didn't have a majority.

[BuckNaked]

Damned if you do, and damned if you . . .


Oh, never mind.

Exactly. But at least it's good to know that in a time of national disaster, some things never change. ;)

[Danvers]

I'd like to see him helicopter in and try to hug someone down at the Superdome/Convention Center. They would eat him ALIVE!
::YES::

[babar]

Damned if you do, and damned if you . . .


Oh, never mind.


sorry, I've agreed with that statement in certain situations in the past, but not this one. Not this situation.

[jfulcer]

http://biology.clc.uc.edu/fankhauser/Cheese/Cheese_5_gallons/20_cut_curd_phase_2_P3120273.jpg

[Virgo10]

Now, now. I have seen the error of my ways. All of those who hate the President saying on post after post how it was his fault - they are right! He should have been there, single handedly holding up the Levees. He should have been there on Monday morning and huffed and puffed and blown the storm back out to see.


I don't think anyone in any post I've read has indicated those things. Your tone really sounds immature.

He should have seized control of the State of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans and put in troops to run their offices on Friday before the hurricane hit. He should have had the Army use nuclear weapons to strike down the hurricane before it came to shore. He should have cloned himself so that he could drive all of the buses out of town with the poor in them (like Ping). He should have broken bread like Christ so that all of those in shelters would have food. Yet he's a complete and utter fool, totally incompetant. Wow, I must have it all wrong. Clinton was a great president, he didn't commit perjury. Carter was a great president. And George Bush really lost in 2000 and in 2004. He didn't have a majority.

Eh, I was going to reply to your sarcasm but after reading it again, I don't see the point.

[babar]

http://biology.clc.uc.edu/fankhauser/Cheese/Cheese_5_gallons/20_cut_curd_phase_2_P3120273.jpg


I don't get it....is that cheese? :teacher:

[What the Heck]

I don't think anyone in any post I've read has indicated those things. Your tone really sounds immature.



Eh, I was going to reply to your sarcasm but after reading it again, I don't see the point.No, but he has been accused of not acting fast enough, that the Governor really did ask for federal troops long before she thought she would need them and he ignored her, that he should have put troops in harms way by just throwing them at the storm damage without any kind of plan for taking care of them or those they were to help.

The part about him taking over the governments of the State and the City was not sarcasm, that is exactly what those who have claimed he didn't move fast enough are saying. The only way he could have moved troops in quicker would have been to usurp the governments that were there.

[Virgo10]

I don't get it....is that cheese? :teacher:

Looks like clam chowder to me. Makes me hungry!

[MosMom]

I know I feel better now knowing that because Trent Lott's house will be okay, we'll all be okay. Kind of puts a warm fuzzy right in the pit of my stomach. Starving people? Where?

[Keli]

There's plenty of blame to go around in this mess....starting with the Mayor of New Orleans, County officials, State officials, FEMA and the Federal Government. I don't think that anyone feels good about what has happened...including the President.

I believe that Federal response was 24 hours late...and that's awful. But remember, initially everyone thought that NO got a pass in this thing. It was almost a full 24 hours after the storm made landfall that the levees gave way.

However, the local response was *atrocious*. Positively atrocious. Yes, the Feds and FEMA knew that this exact scenario could happen, but you'd think that the officials in the state of Lousiana and the city of New Orleans would have been able to control the situation for 72 hours until the Feds rolled in. The Mayor lost control of his city within 24 hours....inexcusable. His police force....LEFT. Bye bye. Sorry folks, you're on your own. Awful. And even when *that* happened, the Governor, who literally looks like a deer caught in the headlights, should have had the National Guard (who *she* is in charge of) ready to move in to keep order. FEMA didn't even know about the people at the convention center because the Mayor didn't communicate that to them.

And yet, I'm not naive enough to think that this is *all* the local/state's fault. FEMA for one, supposedly had a "tabletop" exercise on this exact scenario two years ago. And so why the disjointed response. Some of it is moving in now, but it's not enough. I just don't think that anybody the sheer size of this disaster. I think that the head of FEMA will be gone...and probably the Director of Homeland Security.

But I think it's foolish to try and blame this whole thing on Bush. Bush was the one who authorized the funds for FEMA to run that tabletop exercise. And so, in his mind he's thinking...'okay, if that happens, we're ready.' I'm sure that Bush has been kicking some major tail in the last 48 hours to get things moving, and get them moving NOW. Ultimately, there are people on his team who will be gone over this. I just hope that the people of Lousiana remember their governor when election time rolls around.
::yes:: ::yes:: ::yes::

[momof2inPA]

I accidentally turned on the Rush Limbaugh show yesterday, and this seems to be the plan for the Republican spin. Blame the local officials.

And did everyone notice that the two black women he hugged in Mississippi had fresh hairdo's and their nails done? That couldn't have been a planned meeting, could it? I'm sure the Secret Service chased most people out of that area, yet a few remained, how convenient. A president worrying about PR at a time like this- he's a sick, selfish man.

[jfulcer]

I don't get it....is that cheese? :teacher:

Another post that's just stirrin the pot, just stirrin the pot.

(and yes, they're actually making cheese curds - figured it was a good analogy - stirring the pot and old fermented cheese.)

[TeresaNJ]

You all just about make me want to throw up right now.

[MosMom]

You all just about make me want to throw up right now.

Dying people makes me want to throw up. I think the president can take a little criticism.

[OceanAnnie]

There's plenty of blame to go around in this mess....starting with the Mayor of New Orleans, County officials, State officials, FEMA and the Federal Government. I don't think that anyone feels good about what has happened...including the President.

I believe that Federal response was 24 hours late...and that's awful. But remember, initially everyone thought that NO got a pass in this thing. It was almost a full 24 hours after the storm made landfall that the levees gave way.

However, the local response was *atrocious*. Positively atrocious. Yes, the Feds and FEMA knew that this exact scenario could happen, but you'd think that the officials in the state of Lousiana and the city of New Orleans would have been able to control the situation for 72 hours until the Feds rolled in. The Mayor lost control of his city within 24 hours....inexcusable. His police force....LEFT. Bye bye. Sorry folks, you're on your own. Awful. And even when *that* happened, the Governor, who literally looks like a deer caught in the headlights, should have had the National Guard (who *she* is in charge of) ready to move in to keep order. FEMA didn't even know about the people at the convention center because the Mayor didn't communicate that to them.

And yet, I'm not naive enough to think that this is *all* the local/state's fault. FEMA for one, supposedly had a "tabletop" exercise on this exact scenario two years ago. And so why the disjointed response. Some of it is moving in now, but it's not enough. I just don't think that anybody the sheer size of this disaster. I think that the head of FEMA will be gone...and probably the Director of Homeland Security.

But I think it's foolish to try and blame this whole thing on Bush. Bush was the one who authorized the funds for FEMA to run that tabletop exercise. And so, in his mind he's thinking...'okay, if that happens, we're ready.' I'm sure that Bush has been kicking some major tail in the last 48 hours to get things moving, and get them moving NOW. Ultimately, there are people on his team who will be gone over this. I just hope that the people of Lousiana remember their governor when election time rolls around.

::yes::

[babar]

You all just about make me want to throw up right now.

who all and why, be more specific please. :) and if it's because we are discussing this at all, i think you could tell from the title of the thread what this was going to be about.

[Tina]

I'm not saying Bush should have been there to save the world, but he should take responsibility for his actions. He needs to stop appointing his buddies to important positions, like the head of FEMA and start appointing QUALIFIED people - preferrably people who weren't FIRED from their previous job for poor performance. That man should be fired just for the words that came out of his mouth alone!

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

[Tina]

FEMA didn't even know about the people at the convention center because the Mayor didn't communicate that to them.

I guess they weren't watching the news with the rest of us, 'cuz I sure saw them down there. :confused3

[Free4Life11]

Dying people makes me want to throw up. I think the president can take a little criticism.

Exactly.

[Free4Life11]

I guess they weren't watching the news with the rest of us, 'cuz I sure saw them down there. :confused3

I heard that the Convention Center was not an "official" place and people started going there because of (a) rumors and (b) to break in to see if they could find food, water, ANYTHING in the center.

But like you said, all you had to do was watch the news!

I just find it scary that our news media had more of a grasp of the situation all along than our own government did.

[TeresaNJ]

I really don't consider this a discussion. A discussion would be stating one's constructive thoughts and criticisms about what happened, how we can ensure it doesn't happen again, whether that be by voting for who we think can better protect us, or having better evacuation plans in place, etc. I knew I shouldn't have opened this thread, but like being sickly drawn to viewing accident scenes, I did. It really upsets me to read these hateful words. That is what it is, pure hate. It is very scary. I did vote for President Bush, I don't know that I would do it again if there were that opportunity, not based on this disaster but on other issues that I now disagree with, but no matter how much I dislike a person or their policies, I can't fathom harboring such hatred, such dark thoughts and sentiments. It does wear on the body and mind you know, to constantly harbor such vengeful, resentful feelings. I should have said "your" words make me feel like throwing up, not "you". It does make me feel sick to my stomach.

[ByTheSea]

If you mean the head of FEMA, I agree 100%.
Wonder if "Brownie"'s nickname has to do with the color of his nose? It sure wasn't his credentials that got him his job.

[babar]

I really don't consider this a discussion. A discussion would be stating one's constructive thoughts and criticisms about what happened, how we can ensure it doesn't happen again, whether that be by voting for who we think can better protect us, or having better evacuation plans in place, etc. I knew I shouldn't have opened this thread, but like being sickly drawn to viewing accident scenes, I did. It really upsets me to read these hateful words. That is what it is, pure hate. It is very scary. I did vote for President Bush, I don't know that I would do it again if there were that opportunity, not based on this disaster but on other issues that I now disagree with, but no matter how much I dislike a person or their policies, I can't fathom harboring such hatred, such dark thoughts and sentiments. It does wear on the body and mind you know, to constantly harbor such vengeful, resentful feelings. I should have said "your" words make me feel like throwing up, not "you". It does make me feel sick to my stomach.


I don't want the man dead. I just expected him to do his job. :)

[Free4Life11]

I'm just really getting tired of people saying that this is just hatred. You know what? It's called OUTRAGE. Not hate, outrage, anger, frustaration, confusion.

[Tina]

I think you've got something Aunt Polly! Doesn't the Bush family have lots of land over there in Texas? How many hurricane victims is he helping with the use of that land? I know tent-cities are not the answer, but they can provide temporary relief.

[catherine]

It's being reported that Bush was playing golf the day after Katrina hit, that can't be true, can it?

[Free4Life11]

It's being reported that Bush was playing golf the day after Katrina hit, that can't be true, can it?

No the day after Katrina hit he was addressed veterans at a VJ-Day thing. I'm sure he could have given them a raincheck. The day Katrina hit he was eating birthday cake with John McCain and talking about Medicare.

[peachgirl]

You all just about make me want to throw up right now.

One can only wonder what the site of starving and dehydrated children does to you....


At one point he made a statement of being satisfied with the relief efforts.

I'm still trying to figure that brilliant statement out..." I'm satisfied with the effort, I'm not satisfied with the results of that effort"...

Let me break it to you Mr. President, the quality of the results are directly linked to the quality of the efforts..:teacher:

You know, the garbage in, garbage out theory??

FEMA didn't even know about the people at the convention center because the Mayor didn't communicate that to them.

The mayor didn't communicate it to me either, and I knew. Everyone that knew there were people starving and dying at the convention center, raise your hand....

[Tina]

I'm not saying that's true, but like I mentioned on the Dick Cheney thread, we've been having some beautiful golf weather up here in DC this past week. ;)

[Free4Life11]

:wave:

[Tina]

The mayor didn't communicate it to me either, and I knew. Everyone that knew there were people starving and dying at the convention center, raise your hand....

:wave:

[TeresaNJ]

I have a question. Does this really make you guys feel better? For what bettter purpose does it serve to constantly look for reasons as to why you think George Bush is the devil incarnate? I guess I should just butt out of this thread because I am sure I am only going to alienate people, but I would really like to know why it never ends? For the record, my husband is as big a Bush hater as alot of you are, and it has caused endless heated discussions in our home. It's not that I love George Bush, but I just can't stand constant turmoil. Now I'm sure you all will say "then don't listen", but it's kind of impossible when every time something happens, or he is on tv making a speech, or whatever, that my husband has to make derogatory/inflammatory comments. He knows it upsets me, yet he can't help himself. Why? Why can't he just give his comment/opinion without it being reduced to hateful/spiteful/demeaning/belittling remarks?

[Lewski709]

I'm not saying Bush should have been there to save the world, but he should take responsibility for his actions. He needs to stop appointing his buddies to important positions, like the head of FEMA and start appointing QUALIFIED people - preferrably people who weren't FIRED from their previous job for poor performance. That man should be fired just for the words that came out of his mouth alone!

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/02/katrina.response/index.htmlI was waiting for someone to say this. BRAVO!

[ByTheSea]

I really don't consider this a discussion. A discussion would be stating one's constructive thoughts and criticisms about what happened, how we can ensure it doesn't happen again, whether that be by voting for who we think can better protect us, or having better evacuation plans in place, etc. I knew I shouldn't have opened this thread, but like being sickly drawn to viewing accident scenes, I did. It really upsets me to read these hateful words. That is what it is, pure hate. It is very scary. I did vote for President Bush, I don't know that I would do it again if there were that opportunity, not based on this disaster but on other issues that I now disagree with, but no matter how much I dislike a person or their policies, I can't fathom harboring such hatred, such dark thoughts and sentiments. It does wear on the body and mind you know, to constantly harbor such vengeful, resentful feelings. I should have said "your" words make me feel like throwing up, not "you". It does make me feel sick to my stomach.

Maybe if FEMA hadn't been slashed and was actually run by someone with the knowledge and skill set needed... maybe if it wasn't enveloped by the new Department of Homeland Security with a new mission aimed at responding to the attacks of al-Qaida, maybe they would have been better prepared to handle this disaster.

This year, FEMA was to design a plan to fix such unresolved problems as evacuating sick and injured people from the Superdome and housing tens of thousands of stranded citizens.
Funding for that planning was cut.


Maybe if budget cuts to improving the Levee system hasn't been made over the past 3 years (cut by 44% to pay for Iraq)...In 2004, the Bush administration cut funding requested by the New Orleans district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for holding back the waters of Lake Pontchartrain by more than 80 percent. Additional cuts at the beginning of this year (for a total reduction in funding of 44.2 percent since 2001) forced the New Orleans district of the Corps to impose a hiring freeze.

Maybe if A year ago when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed to study how New Orleans could be protected from a catastrophic hurricane, maybe if the Bush administration has not ordered that the research not be undertaken. ...

Maybe if in 2004, the Corps didn't stop major work on the now-breached levee system that had protected New Orleans from flooding. (It was the first such stoppage in 37 years)

[TeresaNJ]

One can only wonder what the site of starving and dehydrated children does to you....

That is my point Peachgirl. Devoting every waking moment to blaming Bush, the government, FEMA, etc. doesn't change the plight of these suffering people. It just adds to the sick feelings. It makes me feel even more hopelessness. It certainly doesn't uplift me and put me in a frame of mind to try to figure out what I can do to help. It depresses me even more.

[babar]

I have a question. Does this really make you guys feel better? For what bettter purpose does it serve to constantly look for reasons as to why you think George Bush is the devil incarnate? I guess I should just butt out of this thread because I am sure I am only going to alienate people, but I would really like to know why it never ends? For the record, my husband is as big a Bush hater as alot of you are, and it has caused endless heated discussions in our home. It's not that I love George Bush, but I just can't stand constant turmoil. Now I'm sure you all will say "then don't listen", but it's kind of impossible when every time something happens, or he is on tv making a speech, or whatever, that my husband has to make derogatory/inflammatory comments. He knows it upsets me, yet he can't help himself. Why? Why can't he just give his comment/opinion without it being reduced to hateful/spiteful/demeaning/belittling remarks?

Because people have to say something or else nothing will ever change. Yes, some conversations end up in slinging insults at each other, but not all. :)

[peachgirl]

Why can't he just give his comment/opinion without it being reduced to hateful/spiteful/demeaning/belittling remarks?

Probably for the same reasons we can't...

[bubie2.5]

:wave:

[Tina]

I have a question. Does this really make you guys feel better? For what bettter purpose does it serve to constantly look for reasons as to why you think George Bush is the devil incarnate? I guess I should just butt out of this thread because I am sure I am only going to alienate people, but I would really like to know why it never ends? For the record, my husband is as big a Bush hater as alot of you are, and it has caused endless heated discussions in our home. It's not that I love George Bush, but I just can't stand constant turmoil. Now I'm sure you all will say "then don't listen", but it's kind of impossible when every time something happens, or he is on tv making a speech, or whatever, that my husband has to make derogatory/inflammatory comments. He knows it upsets me, yet he can't help himself. Why? Why can't he just give his comment/opinion without it being reduced to hateful/spiteful/demeaning/belittling remarks?

Yea, I guess you're right. Let's all turn off the news and just watch Friends reruns until this whole thing blows over. :rolleyes: Keep up the good work Georgie!! Would you like to appoint your daughters to the Supreme Court? They're going to need jobs soon. ;)

[rcyannacci]

Has this been posted? Did you read about how his buddies in Texas wouldn't accept as many people as they orginally said they would in tha Astrodome?And how they wouldn't let them into the loges? (Can't have those people stinkin' up the loges! THey haven't showered for days!)

just as an fyi...Texas is taking a huge # of refugees. Those that aren't staying in Houston are coming to Dallas, San Antonio, Austin and a number of smaller cities.

I just looked into the Austin area response, and I'm very impressed with the way the city has come together in such a short time to house, feed, cloth, school, and raise funds for those that will be living here. And, it has very little to do with the state legislature and Bush's buddies; it's all about local communities and city representatives coming together.

[LoraJ]

Yeah, I want to throw up every time I watch the news.


I want to throw up because there are still people making up excuses for our government. I just can't figure out where their breaking point with him will be. I am convinced that Bush could send off their own children to work in factories and fields and they would still worship the ground he walks on.

I voted for Clinton, but every time he did something that I didn't agree with, I sent an email voicing my concern. I refuse to be a blind sheep no matter what party the president represents.

On Real Time with Bill Maher last night he said Bill Maher said something about how in 2000 everyone was crying for a return of integrity in the whiet house, but wouldn't it be better to have ABILITY?

[dvcgirl]

Who thought that thinking that New Orleans would get a pass? My DH works for an insurance company, and they were prepared for Aramgedon on Saturday, bracing themselves for category 5 hitting dead on. For a few hours on Monday, maybe it looked like it wasn't quite as bad, but my DH told us all exactly what was going to happen over the weekend, and I don't think they had any knowledge that the white house didn't?

Everyone who was paying attention knew what could and probably would happen. My DH's company was very prepared, and they still have a big mess on their hands even still.

Yes, I know that everyone expected Armageddon, but many thought NO had escaped the worst when the storm went to the east of the city....

[belle_of_the_ball]

i would love to be the presidents speach writer...I would do some things

1)teach him the order that things should go its not terror than hurrican victims its the other way

2)teach him correct english

3)write DO NOT GIVE THAT STUPID SMIRK DURING A SAD PART across everything

4)make sure that he doesnt say material items (homes oil ect) are more valuble than a human life

5)mess around during the state of the union ("I use no correct english!" "buggida bugida bah!" "I look like a monkey and I smell like one too!")



My other dream job

[Pugdog007]

Has this been posted? Did you read about how his buddies in Texas wouldn't accept as many people as they orginally said they would in tha Astrodome?And how they wouldn't let them into the loges? (Can't have those people stinkin' up the loges! THey haven't showered for days!)

You're kidding right? You don't think Texas is doing enough??? They've taken on the brunt of this. Unbelievable. :sad2: We should all be thankful that Texas has it together and stepped up to the plate. They have been incredibly organized.

The Convention Center - I have watched the news every night since this happened, from about 7pm-1am. Having spent so many hours in that convention center, I've been watching for it and wondering if it was still standing. I did NOT see anything regarding the convention center until Thurs afternoon when a co-worker emailed me an article that had just posted on MSNBC. But I'm glad all of you recognized the convention center much earlier in this disaster. :sad2: Someone should have advised local authorities that they were there.

[LoraJ]

That is my point Peachgirl. Devoting every waking moment to blaming Bush, the government, FEMA, etc. doesn't change the plight of these suffering people. It just adds to the sick feelings. It makes me feel even more hopelessness. It certainly doesn't uplift me and put me in a frame of mind to try to figure out what I can do to help. It depresses me even more.

But speaking up and complaining about it CAN change things so that this does not happen again in the future. If we weren't complaining about what was going on there now and the way the leaders from local to Feds were failing these people, the action to help them may have been even slower.

Complacency in this situation will only cause problems in the future.

[babar]

I was having dinner with friends last night and one of them said that he thought that if Bush went on a murderous rampage, people would defend him saying that he'd been under a lot of stress and "Hey, you try being head of the free world and see if you can keep from going on murderous rampages!!!!"


well, it is a tough job being the President. :teeth:

[Free4Life11]

Yes, I know that everyone expected Armageddon, but many thought NO had escaped the worst when the storm went to the east of the city....

That's not what I got from watching the news coverage when the storm hit.
What I got from the news was that this was a catastophic. And it could have been worse, as hard as it may be to imagine. And I'm not talking about days later, I'm takling about hours into the storm and after the storm.

As of 8:40 a.m. on MONDAY, WLLTV in New Orleans was reported that there was a levee breach near the Industrial Canal and Tennessee Street and that the 9th ward was in danger. Fox News was reporting that as on 9 a.m. on Monday, homes were flooded up to the ceilings.

[rcyannacci]

Oh, I know for a fact that the Texans have been great! I'm referring specifically to the Astrodome story.

...and I'm certainly not giving TX politicians or Bush cronies a pass...in fact, I think it's down right irresponsible for the president to be coming down on local governments when they are the ones currently providing the most effective response to the situation.

If you want your faith restored in democracy, just start surfing some of the city websites who are taking in refugees. Citizens are ready to do their part and getting involved in record numbers.

Let Bush sit in his White House and mumble about Iraq and lost material possessions. The rest of us are going to be too busy to listen to him for a long time.

[peachgirl]

well, it is a tough job being the President. :teeth:

As we've all been told many times...It's a really hard job...really, really hard.:crazy2:

[rcyannacci]

I love it when people don't read what other people have posted before spounting out! It's so cute!


oops...my fault...I probably started that w/ my post.

[TCPluto]

The responsibility for calling in federal troops lies with the state and local authorities, who have performed horribly in this crisis. The request is made, then the federal government responds, which it did!

It's called soverignity, states have it. The federal government can't go in and take any state over, for any reason They have to wait for a request, which is exactly what happened.

The fault lies with the tardiness of the request to the federal government. The casue of the problem lies with the state and local officials, like it or not.

This is just a very convenient way of Bush haters trying to assign blame to him and his administration.

While many of those stranded in the city could not have gotten out when warned to evacuate, many could have and chose not to. How can we possibly make the federal government responsible for these poor personal choices?

[DebbieB]

I saw some footage of his visits this morning. It looked to me that he was "going through the motions". Just stood there nodding most of the time.....with the stupid smirk on his face. I looked at it as basically a photo op.

Someone needed to take charge on Saturday, when it appeared it was coming their way and approaching category 5. As someone on CNN said, the local and state government was "amateur hour".

[TeresaNJ]

I was having dinner with friends last night and one of them said that he thought that if Bush went on a murderous rampage, people would defend him saying that he'd been under a lot of stress and "Hey, you try being head of the free world and see if you can keep from going on murderous rampages!!!!"

I'm not defending anything. I'm saying that I am sick over what has happened on the Gulf coast, and I am sick of hearing that help wasn't sent sooner because the affected were mainly African-Americans, which to my dying day I will never believe to be true; I'm sick of the USA being portrayed as callous and uncaring, I'm sick of hearing reporters trying to inflame the public and the rest of the world. I swear I believe these reporters are the biggest bs'ers I've ever had the displeasure of watching. See, there you go, I'm now slinging mud too. THIS IS WHAT I MEAN. Nothing constructive comes out of these types of "discussions". We're all reduced to the very thing we profess to hate. I'm going back to my scrapbooking. :wave2:

[What the Heck]

...and I'm certainly not giving TX politicians or Bush cronies a pass...in fact, I think it's down right irresponsible for the president to be coming down on local governments when they are the ones currently providing the most effective response to the situation.Actually, their response was the first 48 hours. It has been federal since either the 1st or 2nd of September, and it is the federal response that is getting them out and getting them fed. It was the local and state response that allowed the gangs to get control, it was the federal response that is taking back the streets.

[Free4Life11]

The federal government ISN'T responsible! Of course they aren't responsible for everything that happen. But it's NOT just about that...I am getting so sick of saying it.

ITS ABOUT LEADERSHIP. Bush showed NO leadership this week! He spent more time talking about how the Cabinet is getting together and YADA YADA YADA, meanwhile peope in NOLA were DYING IN THE STREETS....and he never said a word about it. It wasn't until Friday morning that I even heard him say that the relief effort was taking too long.

[peachgirl]

Here's the thing TeresaNJ...

Threads like this aren't really intended to cure any problems or to even discuss how to fix them.

Much like the conservative thread where everyone bows and scrapes to the President and totally ignores anything he does wrong, these kind of threads are meant to blow off steam, and to post junk that makes us laugh about the very things that drive us crazy.

If we didn't laugh about Bu$h sometimes, we'd all blow a gasket...you don't want that to happen, do you?;)

There are plenty of threads here where we are discussing what happened, why and how to fix it. This ain't one of 'em...

[Hermosa11]

I was listening to the Mayor of San Antonio saying how he was welcoming the refugees.......that the city just decided to open their checkbooks and take care of the issue at hand and will deal with the FEMA payback, etc. I felt more comforted for the refugees than listening to ANYTHING Bush has got to say. His smirk annoys me too! (glad to hear others notice that stupid smirk of his).....
I was just thinking,,,,if it was Jimmy Carter as Pres. (younger age) I just "know" that he would be also viewing the situation at hand but his "photo ops" just would be sooooo much more natural looking! I just know that his heart would be saddened and we all would SEE it in how he dealt with it all. Bush is just so phony it makes me sick. Yep, those two young females he was discussing the issues with did indeed look like they were "organized" to have a nice heart to heart talk. Bless their hearts. Heck no, Bush ain't gonna do a walk-a-bout in the ravaged areas! He needs to pick "safe" areas where their are no people!!!
('cept for planted people! :rotfl: )

Detracting from Bush.....did anyone see on CNN Geraldo Rivera? OMG, what a freak. He is soooo a phony too. He is a crazy guy. He goes out there just to be "seen". He has only been there a day he said and he is acting like he had seen it all. All ranting and raving how the people were locked inside and could not leave. (that may be true....but the way he expressed himself...geesh :confused3 ---what a dope ---- he is so not a professional journalist.

[rcyannacci]

Even if state and local governments weren't prepared and performed poorly, in the age of Homeland Security, doesn't that still reflect back to a larger federal failure? We are only as strong as our weakest link, and we rely on thousands of local governments to protect national security everyday.

Somebody needs to show some leadership and say, "this is where we screwed up, and I take responsibility. Now that we know the problem, I will fix it."

Leadership isn't arrogance; it's humility.

[Free4Life11]

Why do we pay most of our taxes to the federal government if we are supposed to reply on our local and state governments in an emergency? If that's the case I'd rather give my money to the state than the feds.

[TeresaNJ]

If we didn't laugh about Bu$h sometimes, we'd all blow a gasket...you don't want that to happen, do you?

Okay then, if this is what gets you through it I'll back off. :earsgirl:

[What the Heck]

Even if state and local governments weren't prepared and performed poorly, in the age of Homeland Security, doesn't that still reflect back to a larger federal failure? We are only as strong as our weakest link, and we rely on thousands of local governments to protect national security everyday.

Somebody needs to show some leadership and say, "this is where we screwed up, and I take responsibility. Now that we know the problem, I will fix it."

Leadership isn't arrogance; it's humility.Very nice last line - and very true.

However, the Department of Homeland Security does not replace the Constitution. It is funny that most of those who are screaming that Bush should have done more sooner are the same ones who scream that the Patriot Act is taking away our freedoms because the government might find out what book you checked out. Let's compare now: A book I read vs. the federal government rescinding our Constitution and taking over for the States. Hmmm.

You can call it sarcasm, but that is the only way the federal government could have gone in sooner, to take over the State government. Do we really want that to happen? At what point does a crisis require the federal government to go in? Who do we want to decide that? Currently it's decided by the State government. It's funny that the ones who claim the most that Bush is incompetant are the ones who want him to take more power than he is allowed, just for a chance to bash him.

Some have talked about his smirk - gets on my nerves too (and his sense of humor, or lack of). Others have mentioned his lack of leadership - ok, that is their opinion, they are entitled to it. I disagree, but I see their point. However, it is when people say he should have gone in earlier - that is not a matter of opinion, but a matter of law. They absolve the Governor of her responsibilities (even though she held the authority) and put the responsiblity on the President and the federal government.

[C.Ann]

You all just about make me want to throw up right now.
----------------------

Consider yourself lucky that you CAN throw up.. Those people haven't HAD anything they can throw up!!

[What the Heck]

Someone needed to take charge on Saturday, when it appeared it was coming their way and approaching category 5. As someone on CNN said, the local and state government was "amateur hour".But who was that someone? I believe it should have been the Governor and her office. That is one of the reasons she was elected, to take care of her people. She had the authority, the federal government did not at that point. Why is the President's responsibility when he did not have the authority?

[reeeoga]

Hi from sunny Lafayette La. (2 hours west of N.O.)

From news reports from the local news people who have direct reports from the frontline and the evac areas (actually have people they have worked with for 5 or more years in these areas:

Astrodome: 26,000 inside
Dallas: 25,000 in various shelters
Other major cities in Texas are taking in 10 to 20 thousand each.

Lafayette: 6,000 in the Cajundome
Monroe: 4 to 6 thousand
Alanxandria: 5,000

Arkansas: 25 to 30 thousand

As far as the response: The person who's JOB it is to develop and maintain and PRACTICE emergency response for a city is the MAYOR. What has the mayor done: complain and then get his buddies out BEFORE the REfugees from the SuperDome. There has not been an evacuation drill in La. ever. I have lived here all my life. When the Weather Services says Hurrican Cat 3 or above, we leave. The local Government does not help.

Next in line for Emergency response is the Governor: What has she done: Let the 7,000 La. National Guard sit in their stagging areas without orders. She has not been a leader like the Mayor and Governor of New York after 9-11.

Last in Line: the Federal Government: Slow, Slow, Slow. It is finally comming after FEMA and the National Guard of other states have started communicating with the local volientiers.

The Job of the President in a situation like this is to lead. He is doing that. He cannot stop that stupid smirk anymore than I can stop being a SmartAss (ask my wife :rotfl: )

The underlying problem with the New Orleans area is that the local government, for 70 years, has paid people to be stupid, poor and have babies as long as they vote for the correct people. On election day busses are provided for them to get to the polls. For the days leading up to the Hurricane those busses where sitting doing nothing. They are still sitting in water doing nothing. The local and state government have been run by democrates for 70 years (Mike Foster was an idiot and a Republican in name only).

The Army Core had no plans to strengthen the levee that broke. It was not a Hurrican control levee. It was not considered to be in danger. The levees that did hold (most of them) where never upgraded in the past 40 years becouse it was too expensive.

As far as the War on Terror: I want that fight over there, not in New York, LA., La., Dallas, or your Schools. It has been 1 year sense over 300 children where killed by terrorist in Russia.

To those who are sending help Thank you :banana: :love: .

[shelby_36]

I did not read all of the post, I read enough and gave up. I think some people will attaack Bush no matter what he did. This started as a city issue (NO the other areas have not really had an issue getting aid right away) Bush probably assumed(I say probably b/c i wasn't with him on Monday) that the city had plans in place. As soon as he saw that the LA authorities lacked all semblence of leadership he flew right back to Washington via LA and immediately secured additional monies(rememebred he did this before the hurricane hit as well) and now everything is falling into place quickly. The calvary has arrived. The federal govt does not jump in at every storm..AT FIRST...... it was probably left to let the local authorities do what they needed and then ask for additional help if they needed it.
there were mistakes but I don't think they were Bush's but telling many here that is pointless. You would find fault with Bush if he went there and handed out water personally. I mean look bush went and visited the area and he is being criticized for hugging a black family. If he wouldn't have he would be criticized for that. The man is not going to win in some people eyes. Lucky for him(and us) it doesn't really matter he is prez and will be for several years.

[What the Heck]

Why do we pay most of our taxes to the federal government if we are supposed to reply on our local and state governments in an emergency? If that's the case I'd rather give my money to the state than the feds.Because under normal circumstances/emergencies, the local and state government are better able to respond to them. For instance, emergencies happen all the time. That is why we have 911. Should 911 be held out of DC? Of course not, and I don't think you believe it should either.

Our local and state governments were given the powers they were because the Founding Fathers did not want to have a King, or for the federal government to hold those powers. It would also have been impractical. Imagine a hurricane in the 1800's - no TV, no phones. Who was quicker to respond? The Governors, they called out their militia's (the National Guard). We are not in the 1800's anymore, but the theory's still apply, and I believe the reasons behind them are still valid.

[C.Ann]

I don't want the man dead. I just expected him to do his job. :)
----------------------

Not to mention he owes the entire nation an apology.. He failed miserably and accepts NO responsibility whatsoever..

[C.Ann]

I have a question. Does this really make you guys feel better? For what bettter purpose does it serve to constantly look for reasons as to why you think George Bush is the devil incarnate? I guess I should just butt out of this thread because I am sure I am only going to alienate people, but I would really like to know why it never ends? For the record, my husband is as big a Bush hater as alot of you are, and it has caused endless heated discussions in our home. It's not that I love George Bush, but I just can't stand constant turmoil. Now I'm sure you all will say "then don't listen", but it's kind of impossible when every time something happens, or he is on tv making a speech, or whatever, that my husband has to make derogatory/inflammatory comments. He knows it upsets me, yet he can't help himself. Why? Why can't he just give his comment/opinion without it being reduced to hateful/spiteful/demeaning/belittling remarks?
--------------------------------------

When he apologizes for his lack of interest and response - and accepts responsibility for his dismal failure as the leader of this country, I'll back off.. Until then - I will continue to be OUTRAGED at HIM specifically..

[bimshire]

It's being reported that Bush was playing golf the day after Katrina hit, that can't be true, can it?

And he also attended a funraiser. That's why his name is bu$h.

[C.Ann]

That is my point Peachgirl. Devoting every waking moment to blaming Bush, the government, FEMA, etc. doesn't change the plight of these suffering people. It just adds to the sick feelings. It makes me feel even more hopelessness. It certainly doesn't uplift me and put me in a frame of mind to try to figure out what I can do to help. It depresses me even more.
-------------------

Constant criticism and total outrage is the ONLY thing that got his sorry butt moving.. Without it, he would have continued on with his vacation - in nice clean clothes, eating like a King and knocking back his favorite beverages.. Then he would have climbed into his nice comfy bed, in his nice comfy a/c and drifted off to sleep in his delusional state of assuming that "someone else" was dealing with that nasty "little" storm..

[Virgo10]

That is my point Peachgirl. Devoting every waking moment to blaming Bush, the government, FEMA, etc. doesn't change the plight of these suffering people. It just adds to the sick feelings. It makes me feel even more hopelessness. It certainly doesn't uplift me and put me in a frame of mind to try to figure out what I can do to help. It depresses me even more.

Jumping in on this (sorry Peachgirl). No it doesn't change anything that's happening now. Perhaps if the president, the government, FEMA, etc. is held accountable now, this won't happen to you or me or others in this country at some future date.

[DisDuck]

To chime in on who has responsibility.. On another storm thread it was mentioned that Bush declared a State of Emergency for the Gulf Coast prior to land-fall. This was done so that 'aid' could be started 'as soon as'. If this is true then the Fed's have the primary responsibility and blame since with the State of Emergency being declared there was no need to wait for local requests.

Futhermore, The Senate came back on Thursday night to vote on the special appropriation of 10.5 billion (why just 10.5 since it was already known by then that more would be needed?) but the House did not meet until Friday at 1pm to vote on the measure. Why the wait? And Bush could have prodded the House Speaker, a Republican, to respond quicker.

As to FEMA that is Bush's total fault. He appointed the head. He placed it under Homeland. He changed its focus. Now some of this was done by executive order and some by legislation but Bush initiated the request. Even with AQ running around the world the odds of a natural disaster hitting the US is far greater than a terrorist attack. If not then we would have already had 1 or more followups to 9/11.

Finally, to the person who interjected terrorism and Iraq into this thread and to paraphrase seemed to imply that the focus of FEMA, etc. was correctly turned towards terror, ie. fight them over there not here. Well, just a thougth when was Iraq planning on invading the continental United States? When was Iraq planning on launching its ICBM's targeted for major US cities? Get real, without this misfocus on Iraq, etc. FEMA might actually been able to do its job better and the Army Core would have had the appropriate funding over the last 3-4 years to do more for NO.

What irks me is that Bush will not get any of this. He is like Alfred E. Newman (for you MAD fans) and spouts 'What me worry?' to anything and everything.

[spoon full of sugar]

Tens of millions of federal dollars (that's your's and mine) have been given to Lousiana over the last few years to improve their hurricane defenses and preparedness. The democratic politicians "apropriated" that money into political slush funds which they then used to bribe people to vote for them ( mayor porkbelly announces 500,000 to install new playground equipment in the towns poorest areas, the new parks will be open just in time for the elections, see what your mayor is doing for the little people,vote porkbelly!)
The devestation in NO wasn't directly caused by the hurricane, it came ashore Monday morning, the levees didn't break until Tuesday! OK? If the money given Lousiana was used as it should have been, this would never have happened. As for all the poor refugees, that's what they are poor. Most are welfare dependants or they live paycheck to paycheck. This suits their political representitives just fine. Here is my favorite quote on welfare: "It is my firm belief that in any decent society, in any civilization worth living in, the healthy and the fit have a moral obligation to render assistance to those in need. None of the people I consider friends and ideological companions cares to live in a country where children are starving on the streets. And we don’t, despite what the BBC or Pravda or The New York Times would have you believe. Actually, that comparison was unfair to Pravda.

Welfare, as envisioned, was designed to provide assistance to people who, through economic downturns or other swings of fate, were momentarily unable to care for themselves and their families. This is a noble idea, and one of many prerequisites for a decent and honorable society.

Furthermore, we must accept the fact that through disabilities of birth, or injury, or chronic illness, many people will be unable to make their own way in this world. And of those unfortunate people, there will be a significant number who lack the family and personal support networks available to others, and who will need to depend on public assistance for the rest of their lives. These, too, are deserving of our help, and it seems to me that a decent society has a moral obligation to provide care and comfort for those with such afflictions. A nation as successful and prosperous as we are can not only afford to assist these people; a people as decent and generous as Americans will insist upon it.

That was the plan.

The problems is, as I mentioned before, that we no longer have a safety net; we have created a safety hammock, where an entire subculture of millions of otherwise capable people have come to rely on public handouts for their livelihoods, with no intention whatsoever of assuming responsibility for their own lives.

I can truthfully state that I do not know the numbers, or proportions, of people on welfare who have no business being there, but they certainly appear to be significant.

If we are to speak frankly and intelligently about this issue, we must recognize that there are two sides of this coin of responsibility. The first is the obligation society has to the poor, outlined above.

What is not discussed is the reciprocal responsibility; namely: what obligation does the poor have to society?

I think there’s a simple answer for that, much simpler than most people realize. I think that if we have a moral obligation to help those in need, then those in need have a moral obligation to recover and stand on their own two feet as quickly as possible.

Let’s take a relative compassion test, shall we? Who is more compassionate: those that want to limit the helping hand in order to allow someone to get back on their feet, gain an education, recover their self-esteem, manifest their self-worth, and lift themselves from the crippling depths of poverty, or someone who wants to hand them an endless supply of meager checks, just enough to destroy their self-respect, hobble their motivation, and sentence them, and their children, and their grandchildren, and their children, to squalid and wasted lives?

I oppose the creation and maintenance of a class of people perpetually on the dole because we simply cannot afford it. And I’m not talking financially -– we have the money to do that until the end of time. We cannot afford the human cost. We cannot afford to squander entire generations of Einsteins and Sagans and Mozarts and Da Vincis by condemning them to a life that consists solely of pushing a lever and getting a food pellet. We need all the help we can get in this struggle toward a more perfect Union. Training people how to remain passive, dependent and miserable is not noble, it is not just, and it is least of all compassionate.

But being the person who brings those benefits home from Washington does, I have noticed, put a fair amount of power, prestige and money in the hands of those elites that call themselves “Champions of the Poor.”

If I were elected Champion of the Poor, my first goal would be the elimination of my job in as short a time as possible -– by teaching people how to care for themselves, how to succeed and thrive and prosper -– in other words, how to be poor no longer. Not by their own bootstraps -– I’m not that naïve. But we, together, should be able to provide the assistance to get this much-needed human potential out of the stagnant swamp that forty years of public assistance has put them in.

We have thrown a lot of money at this problem, for nearly half a century now, with no noticeable improvement. Maybe the answer is not to throw just money, but to throw attitudes. It seems worth a try. I don’t see how we could do much worse."

That quote is from an essay by Bill Whittle intitled RESPONSIBILITY you can find it at www.ejectejecteject.com

The people in other storm ravaged areas didn't react the way many in NO did, instead of looting they shared what little they had with those who had less,instead of raping and beating those weaker than themselves they risked their own lives trying to dig out those trapped, instead of rushing a helicopter trying to bring food and water to them so that it couldn't land :earseek:, they did the best they could with what they had and calmly waited for help to arrive. So much has been shown on the news about NO but there were many towns that rescue workers couldn't get to for days,that had actually been through the worst of the storm, that had it just as bad if not worse that those in NO, but they didn't pillage and rape. Why did these people band together and show the best parts of humanity while some in NO devolved into animals? Many people have been trying to play the race card, because most of the people left in NO were black ( oh my god did she just say that? i didn't notice i'm color blind :rolleyes: ) It has nothing to do with color, many people that stepped up to this challange with strength and dignity were black. It has to do with the welfare culture that many were raised in as were their parents and their parents, when you have been trained to be passive dependent and misirable as Mr.Whittle put it, by your OWN goverment(or at least those in the goverment that benefit from your dependence and ignorance) how then can you stand up in a crisis? You don't know how to take responsibility for yourself becuase you never have. And YES you are angry(though you blame it on the wrong things)because you have lived a shadowy half life, with no great suffering(the poorest people in America still live better that 90% of the world) but no great triumphs either. Nothing to point at and say I did that, I created that, I discovered that, I sacrificed to accomplish that! Because the welfare state and the democrates don't like the word I, don't like the individual, everyone should be part of the GROUP, if your not with us your against us, it takes a village, To quote the essay again if it takes a village than it also takes a village leader and who's that going to be? Hillary, Al Sharpton? To summarize, if the money given to LA had been used for it's intended purpose, NO wouldn't have flooded, if the people of NO weren't for the majority kept in poverty for the use of the libral politicians so many of them wouldn't have had to suffer.