Like many Americans, I am overwhelmed by the scope of the catastrophe on the Gulf Coast. Let me follow up on pieces that Bruce and I have posted recently, encouraging you once again to support charities providing relief.
While many bloggers, on the left as well as the right, have similarly used their cyber soap boxes to encourage their readers to support relief efforts, others, bloggers as well as members of the MSM and other longtime opponents of President Bush have used this disaster as just another excuse to attack him. As the Anchoress puts in an excellent post detailing the disaster relief and reaction to the president’s efforts:
But it doesn’t really matter. No matter what the President did before disaster struck, no matter what he has done in the aftermath, no matter what actions he takes in the next three years, his actions will always be the wrong actions, they will always be politically motivated, and everything will always be his fault. That is just the way it is for some.
(Hat tip: Michelle Malkin.) I highly recommend both the Anchoress’s post (from which I quoted above) and Michelle‘s (which tipped me off to it). Read them both in their entirety.
Given the scope of the catastrophe, those providing relief at all levels are bound to make mistakes. The imperative now is to address those errors and provide relief. As my friend Lynda (no Republican she) “everybody screwed up big time, but they need to stop finger pointing and start getting stuff done.”
It provides little help when Ray Nagin, the Mayor of New Orleans, takes to the air waves to lash out at federal officials. He should be leading the efforts to save his city and provide specific requests for what the federal government can do. He should try to pattern his response to this disaster to that of New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. That good man did not whine, but projected and image of strength and confidence while detailing what he and his team were doing in the wake of this disaster.
Those who blame President Bush for the response to this disaster need to realize that local governments also have a responsibility to handle such events. But, since all too many are unwilling to consider how those officials slipped up, it seems that many of those criticizing the president are more interested in attacking him than in understanding the situation on the ground in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
The Anchoress has done an excellent job detailing all that the federal government has done in the wake of the hurricane, much of it likely directed by the president and his advisors — and much of done without the president making a public statement. (Had he made such statements, his critics would likely have faulted him for grandstanding.)
Let me conclude by returning to the comment of my friend Lynda. It’s time to stop finger-pointing and to get things done. So, I encourage y’all to help out. Bruce suggested that if you live near the disaster area and have space in your home, please register with “Homes for Katrina Victims.” If you can’t open your home, please support one of the charities listed here.
-Dan (AKA GayPatriotWest): GayPatriotWest@aol.com
ADDENDUM: I join other Republicans in encouraging the President to appoint former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani to take charge of the relief efforts in the Gulf.
Friend, its not just bloggers on the left…plenty of conservative ones. I’m a conservative too, and this is a shame for the Bush Administration. Criticisms are not always cheap attacks.
The only equivalently-insane conservative finger-pointing I’ve seen are some religious crazies who tried to claim that the hurricane looked like an aborted fetus, or that it had to do with homosexuality, etc.
Is that kind of finger-pointing crazy? Yeah. And everyone with an ounce of sense knows it for what it is. Unfortunately, not everyone with an ounce of sense recognizes some of the more extreme MSM finger-pointing (MSNBC was disgusting last night) and left-blogger finger-pointing for what it is – Equally crazy.
Now if you can find a conservative blogger who is seriously trying to blame it on Hillary Clinton or something (NOT as a mere response to the craziness of Bush-hating Left bloggers) I will certainly stand corrected. But either way, Dan is right to ask everybody to cut the crap and get back to helping the people of Louisiana (or the people who are helping them).
From the WASHINGTON TIMES Editorial
“We expected to see, many hours ago, the president we saw standing atop the ruin of the World Trade Center, rallying a dazed country to action. We’re pleased he finally caught a ride home from his vacation, but he risks losing the one trait his critics have never dented: His ability to lead, and be seen leading. ”
From JONAH GOLDBERG at NRO:
“We were supposed to be preparing –at the national level — for a major terrorist attack for the last four years. I just don’t see much evidence of that preparation… For supporters of the war, this spectacle is going to be particularly hard to accomodate because it is in the interests of the political classes to keep their pork and it is in the interests of the antiwar left to frame this as a choice between Baghdad and New Orleans. That should not be the choice. The choice should be between the highway bill, ag subsidies and the like. The Don Young Highway should at least be renamed to the “Go Suck Eggs New Orleans Highway.”
Conservatives believe in limiting government except in the areas where we need it. THIS IS THAT AREA. Bush has failed. He’s not the only one, but he has failed at this. I’m a conservative, thats what I believe. Now, I’ve donated and volunteered by home as a shelter. Lets all do the same.
No, John, the president did not fail. He may have slipped up a bit, but he did not fail. I think his efforts today prove his leadership.
People continue to die in New Orleans. He is failing. Sorry. I voted for him twice, and I regret it.
Yes, his efforts today…four days later. Like any other leader of this country would have not done at the VERY least what Bush has done the last four days. I’ve never seen a President not react to a disaster in this country. To react by showing compassion is the very least we should expect of him, or hell, anyone in this country. I’ve yet to see him do much in the way of leadership. But in his defense, he is not the only one responsible for leadership. Congress waited way too long to come vote on relief funds…should have been back day one. I’m disappointed all around.
Frankly, I would rather Bush had been in his office today, coordinating aid with his staff. Unfortunately, there are too many idiots in this country who assume that if they don’t see the president on TV with his lower lip trembling, he isn’t doing anything. But that’s politics, I guess.
And frankly, I think a lot of the bashing is being done by people who are incredibly ignorant of the facts on the ground. The media are hyping the worst and most sensationalist aspects of the operation. There’s probably a lot of good work being unreported… kind of like Iraq.
Perhaps during the next mandatory evacuation the Mayor of Orleans will be certain to send buses to the large housing projects all over the city rather than he and the city council running for their own lives and leaving everyone else behind. Its not like poverty is a new problem for this ultra-Democrat city. He had to know thousands of people could not simply drive off. Yet he gets to castigate everyone else to do something about the people he was elected to care for.
If Bush is going to have to wipe the ass of every individual citizen in this country, why do we invest so much money in Mayors, city councils and governors? What is their purpose exactly? Do we really need to pay mayors to curse and governors to cry? Can’t anyone do that?
The Left has found its new Cindy Sheehan – hurricane Katrina. Katrina will serve them about as well.
There is always something annoying about a President’s speech during these events. Its always late and redundant. He probably had to do this but I’m certain it will accomplish nothing for anyone.
Well when I see several tens of thousands of people having been at the superdome for three days and who are obviously famished and thirsty and I see buses are able to get in to help them get out, yet little federal presence, I don’t need the media to hype anything. I don’t think Bush needs to be there on the ground. He can’t do a damn thing there. In fact, I’m watching him speak now. He needs to get out of the south because his accent has gotten crazy southern.
And I disagree it will do nothing. A lot of those people, particularly in communities in Alabama and Mississippi were Bush supporters. They want to know their President cares, that he sees first hand what has happened to them. If nothing else, it’s an emotional crutch to maybe make them realize people will help them. That people care. If he can do his job anywhere, as has been argued, what is wrong with him going there to see what has turned out to be the worst natural disaster this country has faced in a century. I would hope that any President would do that.
Oh and just FYI – Lou Dobbs is questioning how this can be an issue of race when teh mayor and most of the government of new orleans is comprised of african americans and they should bear the brunt of the blame for not getting people out of their city. I’m not saying I agree or disagree, but merely trying to point out that sometimes the MSM does raise questions that are not unequivocally leftist.
As more and more facts emerge, it appears that the people who have really dropped the ball here are local officials. As Matthew J. Peterson comments on the Claremont Institute’s web-site, “The MainStream Media is already questioning the feds and the President rather than putting the hard questions to those actually responsible on the ground in New Orleans.”
Simply put, neither the City of New Orleans nor the state of Louisiana was prepared for this and now some local leaders are passing the buck, blaming the president and the federal government for their own mistakes. At least, he has admitted his own errors in this.
To blame the president for this is to miss the even greater errors of local officials.
Quote from this web article.
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BUSH_KATRINA?SITE=1010WINS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-09-02-14-10-02
Even Republicans were criticizing Bush and his administration for the sluggish relief effort. “I think it puts into question all of the Homeland Security and Northern Command planning for the last four years, because if we can’t respond faster than this to an event we saw coming across the Gulf for days, then why do we think we’re prepared to respond to a nuclear or biological attack?” said former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
The best point either side could make about this travesty!
Fair point, indeed, excellent point, MarkP.
One thing which continues to trouble me is the failure of most critics to say what specifically the president should have done as it became apparent how severe the catastrophe was.
At least this blogger shows how the City of New Orleans had the means, but failed to do anything, to evacuate the city’s poor. He notes a specific failure.
One thing which continues to trouble me is the failure of most critics to say what specifically the president should have done as it became apparent how severe the catastrophe was.
That’s true.
You don’t see Angelina Jolie, Keith Olbermann, RFK Jr, Jesse Jackson Jr. the NYT etc. running their happy a**es down there to show how it should be done.
Britton-
If I understand disaster response at all — three days later (Tuesday is when the levy broke, and the scope of the problem became apparent) is exactly when the Federal government is supposed to arrive en masse. The local and state governments are supposed to have plans in place to carry over while the massive Federal response gets moving.
This blog was set up to protect Bush and his clients.
Probably the last nail in the “Bush cut funding to the Levee” canard, but it just so happens… The New York Times Editorialized Against Funding for the Levees in April
I’m impressed with Bush’s performance today… I’m just wondering why he decided to not wear his traditional flight suit.
The really sad part is that #19 actually thought that was a clever comment.
One thing which continues to trouble me is the failure of most critics to say what specifically the president should have done as it became apparent how severe the catastrophe was.
At least this blogger shows how the City of New Orleans had the means, but failed to do anything, to evacuate the city’s poor. He notes a specific failure.
Comment by GayPatriotWest
================================
With all the post 9-11 outcries about protecting America from terrorism, with the creation of the vast Department of Homeland Securiyy, one would have thought that homeland security would have been a security priority.
If this administration actively prevented the levies from being reinforced by reducing their repair funding, leaving the third largest port of entry for the United States at risk to terrorosm and FORSEEN natural disaster, this administration has become America’s greatest terrorist. We don’t need radical Isalmists, we nee more people like George Bush.
He ran every business he was given into the ground and he is doing this to US.
Looks like Chandler is more interested in finger-pointing than in getting things done and in name-calling as well. And leveling accusations that have little basis in fact.
Looks like Chandler is more interested in finger-pointing than in getting things done and in name-calling as well. And leveling accusations that have little basis in fact.
Comment by GayPatriotWest
=======================
Wow Dan,
Now that this administration has screwed up you are all for being so freaking egalitarian, calling a truce to that bad name calling and evil finger pointing. My, my you have given me the vapors by the rough edge of your tongue.
You folks gave no pity for Clinton getting a blow job and now it’s no pity time for Bush blowing off the victims of this disaster.
Boo-f*****g-ho.
Clinton’s “I never had sexual relations with that woman” never contributed to the deaths of American citizens.
Anyone watch Bill O’Reilly Friday night?
His research points to Governor Blanco shouldering the majority of the blame. She had two days before the storm hit to Federalize the troops (some legal proccedure that has to be done) so that they cuould be mobilized.
According to O’Reilly if she had done this they could have had all the troops that they finally got Friday, in place the day after the storm. And they could have been centralizing supplies during the 2 days before Katrina hit.
God, I can’t believe I’m defending President Bush!
Mistakes? The mistakes are more legion than the catastrophe itself. The biggest mistake was to cut funding for levee rehab to finance the war in Iraq. The next biggest mistake was not to have EMS ready and able BEFORE Katrina hit; numerous reports put New Orleans levee system as the THIRD most vulnerable risk to disaster (terrorist or natural). The next biggest mistake was to allow FEMA to “coordinate” efforts; the horse-trainer obviously hasn’t a clue. But I suppose it wasn’t a mistake to continue golfing and avert one’s eyes after seeing that levee break? How could Gawd’s White House minion be culpable, when he was doing Gawd’s will? Gawd and GWB be praised!
For the benefit of Stephen, who appears to have trouble reading, I will repeat my earlier post:
In a telephone interview with reporters, Army Corps of Engineers officials said that although rehabilitation of portions of the flood-protection levees remain incomplete, the levees near Lake Pontchartrain that gave way–inundating much of the city–were completed and in good condition before the hurricane.
I don’t think Stephen is interested in the facts, but let’s reiterate yet again.
1. Even with full-funding, the Army COE was not planning on completing work on the levees until 2008.
2. The levees were only going to be upgraded to withstand a CAT3 hurricane. Katrina hit as a borderline CAT 4/5.
3. The part of the levee that breached was not included in the Army COE plan.
Stephen is also probably not interested in a couple of other less important, but still interesting facts.
A. GWB has never vetoed a spending bill. If Congress had put full funding into the budget, Bush would have signed it.
B. The New York Times editorialized against spending money on shoring up the levee system, because they said it was a waste of taxpayer dollars and environmentally incorrect.
Good point, V the K.
Bush hasn’t vetoed ANY bill.
The governor of LA had asked several times for Congress to invest in rebuilding the wetlands that have dried up (environmentally friendly solution) and was denied time and again because the money wasn’t there. The wetlands had until they had dried up assisted in controlling water surges that would put pressure on these levees. Now that they don’t exist any longer, the city has been more vulnerable. I dont’ just blame Bush. There is blame and criticism to go around. But don’t pretend that the leadership in Lousiana and New Orleans hasn’t tried to get more attention paid to the vulnerability of their city/state? They have.
I miss the old Britton, the one who sometimes made sense.
The governor of LA failed to do her job of mobilizing – or at least federalizing – the LA National Guard in time, which she normally commands. She and the mayor of N.O. utterly failed to keep any kind of order in the city. She also failed to adequately mobilize or contribute to levee construction (apparently leaving it all up to the feds) or, if she truly could do nothing about the levees in years past, to work with the media and federal Republican leaders to get more focus on N.O.’s vulnerability (which, if she had accomplished it, would be called “leadership”). Yet, in Britton’s world, a few restored wetlands would have effectively halted the overwhelming natural forces that caused the levee to break, and so prevented this whole gymkhana. Therefore…despite some lip service to “blame to go around”, the break is really Bush’s fault in the end – in Britton’s world – even though Bush never met a spending bill he didn’t like and the part of the levee that was overwhelmed was the best planned, funded and maintained part.
Britton, time for me to quote your favorite line: “Give us a break!”
Stephen-
It’s hard to take anything you write seriously — i.e. as though it were written in good faith — while your outrageous slander stands: that GWB is indifferent to the suffering in New Orleans.
You are blinded to basic facts by your anger and hatred.
Britton-
Can you point to any spending discussed or proposed since 2000 which would have upgraded the levees to withstand a category-4 storm by 2005?
To be clear: if you can’t, that whole line of complaint is ridiculous.
The primary failures here appear to have been in local planning for evacuation (no one thought to use the city’s hundreds of school buses?!?!?) and local laying in of supplies at designated shelters like the Superdome — for Christ’s sake, since its construction the plans had been that in the event of such a disaster, the Superdome would house tens of thousands of refugees for several days. And they didn’t keep supplies of food and water there?!?!?
These aren’t matters that President Bush should have been involved in.
#31 – What’s weird about Stephen with all his blind leftist rage, hate, etc. is that – unless I am confusing him with someone else (and I may be) – he actually claims to be a Goldwater Republican!!
Joe –
I think Stephen is the one who writes Sullivan’s
MobyE-mail Of The Day columns. 🙂President Bush had his press secretary provide us with a new phrase, “Blame Game.”
It was introduced at a press conference where it was repeated eight times.
In order to ensure that ‘No Child Is Left Behind’ (unlike the thousands of children left behind to drown in the Gulf Coast) here is a word game you can play with your children so that they can know and use the phrase.
First of all the purpose of the exercise is to ensure that children and you, as an adult, are able to repeat the phrase when it is needed.
As part of our Homeland Defense it should be repeated eight times whenever anyone says something like this, ‘Undersecretary of FEMA Michael D. Brown is apparently an incompetent whose inadequate preparations led to the needless death of thousands of Americans, the destruction of several towns and the loss of one American city.’
As soon as you hear something like that you should say, ‘Blame Game, Blame Game, Blame Game, Blame Game, Blame Game, Blame Game, Blame Game, Blame Game.’
Children should look at the ground and shuffle their feet.
Responsible bureaucrats would also like us all to practice this other word game.
When anyone says, ‘Michael D. Brown should be fired.’, you respond, ‘Why would I do that for?’
For full effect repeat, ‘Blame Game, Blame Game, Blame Game, Blame Game, Blame Game, Blame Game, Blame Game, Blame Game.’
Hopefully these instructions will be available soon on FEMA for kids :
http://www.fema.gov/kids/index.htm