http://www.washtimes.com/national/20050929-114710-8545r.htm
A comment from HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson is sure to raise some eyebrows. Here is the quote "New Orleans would not reach its pre-Katrina population of 500,000 people for a long time," and "it's not going to be as black as it was for a long time, if ever again."
I mean I realize with the handling of Katrina it's already a black eye for the Bush Administration but they really don't need their subordiants adding fuel to the fire. If Bush was smart (we all know that answer) this joker would be fired immediately.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Photos
I love guys like Bill O'Reilly. I really do. They get so pissed off when someone or something disagrees with their view I think sometimes they will have a heart attack right live on the air.
For instance, a judge yesterday ordered photos of the abuse at Guantanamo Bay released so the public, you know normal everyday people, can view them. So O'Reilly and his friends are so upset about it their faces turn red.
I guess they feel that we don't have a right to know what's going on even though we know the people there are being tortured to get information (clear violation of the Geneva Convention) and they feel anyone who attempts to get something called the truth aids terrorists(O'Reilly has said that many times regarding this).
Remember we have the right to truth. We have the right to know what our leaders and soldiers are doing. That is the only way a fair opinion can be formed. I know that there are those who supports this and there are those who are against this but we need all the information availible so we, as a people, can judge.
For instance, a judge yesterday ordered photos of the abuse at Guantanamo Bay released so the public, you know normal everyday people, can view them. So O'Reilly and his friends are so upset about it their faces turn red.
I guess they feel that we don't have a right to know what's going on even though we know the people there are being tortured to get information (clear violation of the Geneva Convention) and they feel anyone who attempts to get something called the truth aids terrorists(O'Reilly has said that many times regarding this).
Remember we have the right to truth. We have the right to know what our leaders and soldiers are doing. That is the only way a fair opinion can be formed. I know that there are those who supports this and there are those who are against this but we need all the information availible so we, as a people, can judge.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Roberts Confirmed
To my disapointment and the shock of no one I see where Roberts was confirmed for the Supreme Court. You know I hope I'm wrong about him. I hope he serves honorbly and he's not a yes man for Bush and the administration and if I am wrong as I've always said I'll be the first to apologize. Usually though in these cases I am right.
Fire
Right now we have a huge brushfire burning not far from my home. About 17,000 acres and 2 homes gone as of this post. The fire, currently called the Chatsworth fire cause that's where it started yesterday, has forced a few people I know to evacuate. As I type this I hear helicopters overhead but luckily for me anyway it is moving away so I don't think I will have to evacuate.
All those in Southern California beware it's going to be a long fire season.
All those in Southern California beware it's going to be a long fire season.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Fuel Conservation
So I see George is calling for fuel conservaion, nice sentiment but at least in the Los Angeles area it's hard to get around because our public transportation system, shall we say, sucks big time.
I do have a question: How much fuel does Air Force One and the Presidential motorcade cost taxpayers in fuel I mean wouldn't it be best if he sets the example??
I do have a question: How much fuel does Air Force One and the Presidential motorcade cost taxpayers in fuel I mean wouldn't it be best if he sets the example??
Taking a look
I'd like to take a scorecard now at current republicans and someone please if I am missing people off this list(include democrats as well)
Tom DeLay: Under indictment for Criminal Conspiracy
Bill Frist: Under investigation for insider trading
George Bush: Lied about Iraq war and many other things where you can take a look at my posts.
Yeah this is the party of integrity and morality isn't it??
Tom DeLay: Under indictment for Criminal Conspiracy
Bill Frist: Under investigation for insider trading
George Bush: Lied about Iraq war and many other things where you can take a look at my posts.
Yeah this is the party of integrity and morality isn't it??
You're Fired
I guess I owe Donald Trump some money but I found this little piece of news in today's California section of the LATimes:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-levees28sep28,1,671480.story?coll=
la-headlines-california&ctrack=1&cset=true
So our esteemed Governor fired all 6 members of the State Reclamation Board, who oversee flood control along the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers.
5 of the board members were appointed by Grey Davis and the other by Pete Wilson.
The reason they were fired was because they resisted big developments along those rivers due to potential levee breaks and Schwarzenegger's friends want to build along them.
The members that were fired were trying to make it harder for those developments to take place especially after what we saw in New Orleans. California also has a recent history of levee breaks as recently as 1997, where a break in a levee near Marysville flooded several homes.
I still would like to know what Arnie thinks a special interest is.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-levees28sep28,1,671480.story?coll=
la-headlines-california&ctrack=1&cset=true
So our esteemed Governor fired all 6 members of the State Reclamation Board, who oversee flood control along the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers.
5 of the board members were appointed by Grey Davis and the other by Pete Wilson.
The reason they were fired was because they resisted big developments along those rivers due to potential levee breaks and Schwarzenegger's friends want to build along them.
The members that were fired were trying to make it harder for those developments to take place especially after what we saw in New Orleans. California also has a recent history of levee breaks as recently as 1997, where a break in a levee near Marysville flooded several homes.
I still would like to know what Arnie thinks a special interest is.
Caught again
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=
/ap/20050928/ap_on_go_co/delay_investigation
So Tom "The Hammer" Delay has been indicted for criminal conspiracy and has to at least, temporarily, step down as House Majority Leader(I'd be for a rule change saying any member of the house under indictment would be forced to resign but that's me).
So here is a quote from our good friend Scott McClellan
At the White House, press secretary Scott McClellan said the president still considers DeLay "a good ally, a leader who we have worked closely with to get things done for the American people."
"I think the president's view is that we need to let the legal process work," McClellan said.
So here we have it. DeLay faces up to 2 years in Prison if convicted.
/ap/20050928/ap_on_go_co/delay_investigation
So Tom "The Hammer" Delay has been indicted for criminal conspiracy and has to at least, temporarily, step down as House Majority Leader(I'd be for a rule change saying any member of the house under indictment would be forced to resign but that's me).
So here is a quote from our good friend Scott McClellan
At the White House, press secretary Scott McClellan said the president still considers DeLay "a good ally, a leader who we have worked closely with to get things done for the American people."
"I think the president's view is that we need to let the legal process work," McClellan said.
So here we have it. DeLay faces up to 2 years in Prison if convicted.
Who is running the show??
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Post_reveals_Halliburton_
sponsored_summit_to_divide_Katrina_re_0927.html
Here is a copy of the story: Hallliburton sponsored a "Katrina Reconstruction Summit," hosted by Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL), aimed at offering the company and lobbyists a chance to push "private sector involvement" in the distribution of Katrina reconstruction funds.
The story, by Dana Milbank in Tuesday's Washington Post, was caught by Talking Points Memo's Josh Marshall. Excerpts from the Post.
#
As fiscal hawks surrendered, would-be government contractors were meeting in the Hart Senate Office Building to figure out how to get a share of the money. A "Katrina Reconstruction Summit," hosted by Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) and sponsored by Halliburton, among others, brought some 200 lobbyists, corporate representatives and government staffers to a room overlooking the Capitol for a five-hour conference that included time for a "networking break" and advice on "opportunities for private sector involvement."
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) sent his budget director, Bill Hoagland, who cautioned that federal Katrina spending might not exceed $100 billion. But John Clerici, from a law firm that helped sponsor the event, told the group that spending would "probably be larger" than $200 billion. "It's going to be spent in a fast and furious way," Clerici said.
Sipping coffee from china cups and munching on doughnuts, the corporate crowd heard Joe McInerney, president of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, predict: "I think we'll see Mardi Gras in New Orleans to some extent this year."
So Halliburton is really running the country. They seem to miracuously get all the contracts and for some reason nothing is wrong with that??
That's sick.
sponsored_summit_to_divide_Katrina_re_0927.html
Here is a copy of the story: Hallliburton sponsored a "Katrina Reconstruction Summit," hosted by Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL), aimed at offering the company and lobbyists a chance to push "private sector involvement" in the distribution of Katrina reconstruction funds.
The story, by Dana Milbank in Tuesday's Washington Post, was caught by Talking Points Memo's Josh Marshall. Excerpts from the Post.
#
As fiscal hawks surrendered, would-be government contractors were meeting in the Hart Senate Office Building to figure out how to get a share of the money. A "Katrina Reconstruction Summit," hosted by Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) and sponsored by Halliburton, among others, brought some 200 lobbyists, corporate representatives and government staffers to a room overlooking the Capitol for a five-hour conference that included time for a "networking break" and advice on "opportunities for private sector involvement."
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) sent his budget director, Bill Hoagland, who cautioned that federal Katrina spending might not exceed $100 billion. But John Clerici, from a law firm that helped sponsor the event, told the group that spending would "probably be larger" than $200 billion. "It's going to be spent in a fast and furious way," Clerici said.
Sipping coffee from china cups and munching on doughnuts, the corporate crowd heard Joe McInerney, president of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, predict: "I think we'll see Mardi Gras in New Orleans to some extent this year."
So Halliburton is really running the country. They seem to miracuously get all the contracts and for some reason nothing is wrong with that??
That's sick.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Caught in a lie
While testifying in congress today Brownie was caught red-handed commiting purgery. Here is his quote during an exchange between him and Rep. Steven Buyer courtesy of thinkprogress.org:
BUYER: So I’d like to know why did the president’s federal emergency assistance declaration of August 27th not include the parishes of Orleans, Jefferson and Plaquemines?
BROWN: …[I]f a governor does not request a particular county or a particular parish, that’s not included in the request.
BUYER: All right.
Orleans Parish is New Orleans. I was listening to my colleague, Mr. Jefferson’s, questions about when they talked about, you know, they asked for this assistance for three days and then president responded the very next day, not the day that it was made — the request — but the governor of Louisiana actually excluded New Orleans from the president’s federal emergency assistance declaration?
BROWN: Again, Congressman, we looked at the request.The governors make the request by…
BUYER: Let me ask this. Since you went through the exercise in Pam, was that not shocking to you that the governor would excluded New Orleans from the declaration?
BROWN: Yes.
BUYER: When that request came in excluding these three parishes, did you question it?
BROWN: We questioned it. But I made the decision that we were going to go ahead and move assets in regardless because we have the ability to add those parishes…
Now again hating to let facts get in the way of a good smear, here is the declaration:
First here is the link so you don't think I'm making this up
http://www.gov.state.la.us/Press_Release_detail.asp?id=976
Press Release
Date: 8/27/2005
Contact:Denise Bottcher or Roderick Hawkins at 225-342-9037
Governor Blanco asks President to Declare an Emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina
BATON ROUGE—Today Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco forwarded a letter to President Bush requesting that he declare an emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina. The full text of the letter follows:
August 27, 2005
The President
The White House
Washington, D. C.
Through:
Regional Director
FEMA Region VI
800 North Loop 288
Denton, Texas 76209
Dear Mr. President:
Under the provisions of Section 501 (a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5206 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR § 206.35, I request that you declare an emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina for the time period beginning August 26, 2005, and continuing. The affected areas are all the southeastern parishes including the New Orleans Metropolitan area and the mid state Interstate I-49 corridor and northern parishes along the I-20 corridor that are accepting the thousands of citizens evacuating from the areas expecting to be flooded as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
In response to the situation I have taken appropriate action under State law and directed the execution of the State Emergency Plan on August 26, 2005 in accordance with Section 501 (a) of the Stafford Act. A State of Emergency has been issued for the State in order to support the evacuations of the coastal areas in accordance with our State Evacuation Plan and the remainder of the state to support the State Special Needs and Sheltering Plan.
Pursuant to 44 CFR § 206.35, I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments, and that supplementary Federal assistance is necessary to save lives, protect property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster. I am specifically requesting emergency protective measures, direct Federal Assistance, Individual and Household Program (IHP) assistance, Special Needs Program assistance, and debris removal.
Preliminary estimates of the types and amount of emergency assistance needed under the Stafford Act, and emergency assistance from certain Federal agencies under other statutory authorities are tabulated in Enclosure A.
The following information is furnished on the nature and amount of State and local resources that have been or will be used to alleviate the conditions of this emergency:
• Department of Social Services (DSS): Opening (3) Special Need Shelters (SNS) and establishing (3) on Standby.
• Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH): Opening (3) Shelters and establishing (3) on Standby.
• Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP): Providing generators and support staff for SNS and Public Shelters.
• Louisiana State Police (LSP): Providing support for the phased evacuation of the coastal areas.
• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (WLF): Supporting the evacuation of the affected population and preparing for Search and Rescue Missions.
Mr. President
Page Two
August 27, 2005
• Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD): Coordinating traffic flow and management of the evacuations routes with local officials and the State of Mississippi.
The following information is furnished on efforts and resources of other Federal agencies, which have been or will be used in responding to this incident:
• FEMA ERT-A Team en-route.
I certify that for this emergency, the State and local governments will assume all applicable non-Federal share of costs required by the Stafford Act.
I request Direct Federal assistance for work and services to save lives and protect property.
(a) List any reasons State and local government cannot perform or contract for performance, (if applicable).
(b) Specify the type of assistance requested.
In accordance with 44 CFR § 206.208, the State of Louisiana agrees that it will, with respect to Direct Federal assistance:
1. Provide without cost to the United States all lands, easement, and rights-of-ways necessary to accomplish the approved work.
2. Hold and save the United States free from damages due to the requested work, and shall indemnify the Federal Government against any claims arising from such work;
3. Provide reimbursement to FEMA for the non-Federal share of the cost of such work in accordance with the provisions of the FEMA-State Agreement; and
4. Assist the performing Federal agency in all support and local jurisdictional matters.
In addition, I anticipate the need for debris removal, which poses an immediate threat to lives, public health, and safety.
Pursuant to Sections 502 and 407 of the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5192 & 5173, the State agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the United States of America for any claims arising from the removal of debris or wreckage for this disaster. The State agrees that debris removal from public and private property will not occur until the landowner signs an unconditional authorization for the removal of debris.
I have designated Mr. Art Jones as the State Coordinating Officer for this request. He will work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in damage assessments and may provide further information or justification on my behalf.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
Governor
Enclosure
ENCLOSURE A TO EMERGENCY REQUEST
Estimated requirements for other Federal agency programs:
• Department of Social Services (DSS): Opening (3) Special Need Shelters (SNS) and establishing (3) on Standby. Costs estimated at $500,000 per week for each in operation.
• Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH): Opening (3) Shelters and establishing (3) on Standby. Costs estimated at $500,000 per week for each in operation.
• Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP): Providing generators and support staff for SNS and Public Shelters. Costs estimated to range from $250,000-$500,000 to support (6) Shelter generator operations.
• Louisiana State Police (LSP): Costs to support evacuations - $300,000 for a non-direct landfall.
• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (WLF): Costs to support evacuations - $200,000 for a non-direct landfall.
• Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD): Costs to support evacuations - $2,000,000 for a non-direct landfall.
Totals: $ 9,000,000
Estimated Requirements for assistance under the Stafford Act:
Coordination: $0
Technical and advisory assistance: $0
Debris removal: $0
Emergency protective measures: $ 9,000,000
Individuals and Households Program (IHP): $0
Distribution of emergency supplies: $0
Other (specify): $0
Totals: $ 9,000,000
Grand Total: $ 9,000,000
Now I'd like to repeat part of the declaration: The affected areas are all the southeastern parishes including the New Orleans Metropolitan area and the mid state Interstate I-49 corridor and northern parishes along the I-20 corridor that are accepting the thousands of citizens evacuating from the areas expecting to be flooded as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
So since I showed New Orleans and the areas Brown said the Gov. of Louisiana did not include in the declaration. That is purgery and he needs to be put in jail!
BUYER: So I’d like to know why did the president’s federal emergency assistance declaration of August 27th not include the parishes of Orleans, Jefferson and Plaquemines?
BROWN: …[I]f a governor does not request a particular county or a particular parish, that’s not included in the request.
BUYER: All right.
Orleans Parish is New Orleans. I was listening to my colleague, Mr. Jefferson’s, questions about when they talked about, you know, they asked for this assistance for three days and then president responded the very next day, not the day that it was made — the request — but the governor of Louisiana actually excluded New Orleans from the president’s federal emergency assistance declaration?
BROWN: Again, Congressman, we looked at the request.The governors make the request by…
BUYER: Let me ask this. Since you went through the exercise in Pam, was that not shocking to you that the governor would excluded New Orleans from the declaration?
BROWN: Yes.
BUYER: When that request came in excluding these three parishes, did you question it?
BROWN: We questioned it. But I made the decision that we were going to go ahead and move assets in regardless because we have the ability to add those parishes…
Now again hating to let facts get in the way of a good smear, here is the declaration:
First here is the link so you don't think I'm making this up
http://www.gov.state.la.us/Press_Release_detail.asp?id=976
Press Release
Date: 8/27/2005
Contact:Denise Bottcher or Roderick Hawkins at 225-342-9037
Governor Blanco asks President to Declare an Emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina
BATON ROUGE—Today Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco forwarded a letter to President Bush requesting that he declare an emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina. The full text of the letter follows:
August 27, 2005
The President
The White House
Washington, D. C.
Through:
Regional Director
FEMA Region VI
800 North Loop 288
Denton, Texas 76209
Dear Mr. President:
Under the provisions of Section 501 (a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5206 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR § 206.35, I request that you declare an emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina for the time period beginning August 26, 2005, and continuing. The affected areas are all the southeastern parishes including the New Orleans Metropolitan area and the mid state Interstate I-49 corridor and northern parishes along the I-20 corridor that are accepting the thousands of citizens evacuating from the areas expecting to be flooded as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
In response to the situation I have taken appropriate action under State law and directed the execution of the State Emergency Plan on August 26, 2005 in accordance with Section 501 (a) of the Stafford Act. A State of Emergency has been issued for the State in order to support the evacuations of the coastal areas in accordance with our State Evacuation Plan and the remainder of the state to support the State Special Needs and Sheltering Plan.
Pursuant to 44 CFR § 206.35, I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments, and that supplementary Federal assistance is necessary to save lives, protect property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster. I am specifically requesting emergency protective measures, direct Federal Assistance, Individual and Household Program (IHP) assistance, Special Needs Program assistance, and debris removal.
Preliminary estimates of the types and amount of emergency assistance needed under the Stafford Act, and emergency assistance from certain Federal agencies under other statutory authorities are tabulated in Enclosure A.
The following information is furnished on the nature and amount of State and local resources that have been or will be used to alleviate the conditions of this emergency:
• Department of Social Services (DSS): Opening (3) Special Need Shelters (SNS) and establishing (3) on Standby.
• Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH): Opening (3) Shelters and establishing (3) on Standby.
• Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP): Providing generators and support staff for SNS and Public Shelters.
• Louisiana State Police (LSP): Providing support for the phased evacuation of the coastal areas.
• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (WLF): Supporting the evacuation of the affected population and preparing for Search and Rescue Missions.
Mr. President
Page Two
August 27, 2005
• Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD): Coordinating traffic flow and management of the evacuations routes with local officials and the State of Mississippi.
The following information is furnished on efforts and resources of other Federal agencies, which have been or will be used in responding to this incident:
• FEMA ERT-A Team en-route.
I certify that for this emergency, the State and local governments will assume all applicable non-Federal share of costs required by the Stafford Act.
I request Direct Federal assistance for work and services to save lives and protect property.
(a) List any reasons State and local government cannot perform or contract for performance, (if applicable).
(b) Specify the type of assistance requested.
In accordance with 44 CFR § 206.208, the State of Louisiana agrees that it will, with respect to Direct Federal assistance:
1. Provide without cost to the United States all lands, easement, and rights-of-ways necessary to accomplish the approved work.
2. Hold and save the United States free from damages due to the requested work, and shall indemnify the Federal Government against any claims arising from such work;
3. Provide reimbursement to FEMA for the non-Federal share of the cost of such work in accordance with the provisions of the FEMA-State Agreement; and
4. Assist the performing Federal agency in all support and local jurisdictional matters.
In addition, I anticipate the need for debris removal, which poses an immediate threat to lives, public health, and safety.
Pursuant to Sections 502 and 407 of the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5192 & 5173, the State agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the United States of America for any claims arising from the removal of debris or wreckage for this disaster. The State agrees that debris removal from public and private property will not occur until the landowner signs an unconditional authorization for the removal of debris.
I have designated Mr. Art Jones as the State Coordinating Officer for this request. He will work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in damage assessments and may provide further information or justification on my behalf.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
Governor
Enclosure
ENCLOSURE A TO EMERGENCY REQUEST
Estimated requirements for other Federal agency programs:
• Department of Social Services (DSS): Opening (3) Special Need Shelters (SNS) and establishing (3) on Standby. Costs estimated at $500,000 per week for each in operation.
• Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH): Opening (3) Shelters and establishing (3) on Standby. Costs estimated at $500,000 per week for each in operation.
• Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP): Providing generators and support staff for SNS and Public Shelters. Costs estimated to range from $250,000-$500,000 to support (6) Shelter generator operations.
• Louisiana State Police (LSP): Costs to support evacuations - $300,000 for a non-direct landfall.
• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (WLF): Costs to support evacuations - $200,000 for a non-direct landfall.
• Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD): Costs to support evacuations - $2,000,000 for a non-direct landfall.
Totals: $ 9,000,000
Estimated Requirements for assistance under the Stafford Act:
Coordination: $0
Technical and advisory assistance: $0
Debris removal: $0
Emergency protective measures: $ 9,000,000
Individuals and Households Program (IHP): $0
Distribution of emergency supplies: $0
Other (specify): $0
Totals: $ 9,000,000
Grand Total: $ 9,000,000
Now I'd like to repeat part of the declaration: The affected areas are all the southeastern parishes including the New Orleans Metropolitan area and the mid state Interstate I-49 corridor and northern parishes along the I-20 corridor that are accepting the thousands of citizens evacuating from the areas expecting to be flooded as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
So since I showed New Orleans and the areas Brown said the Gov. of Louisiana did not include in the declaration. That is purgery and he needs to be put in jail!
Testify
I see Brownie is testifying in front of the Senate placing all blame on the democratic mayor of New Orleans and the Democratic Governor of Louisiana and while I agree they had pour planning ahead of the storm he failed to mention Bush's responsibility (or lack thereof). The cutting of the funds to the levee repairs, failure to send in the national guard(who is stretched thin due to the war in Iraq) if blame is placed it should be all around and not just in one party.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Perhaps they are right
After Katrina hit I wrote about how the right wing evangelists said we were being judged and at the time I laughed them off but thinking about it they might be right.
No I'm not saying they are right for saying homosexuals are sinners or abortion is wrong what I think we might be judged on right now is how we, as a planet, are destroying ourselves and our environment.
With the ozone layer shrinking, all the drilling and raping of the earth's natural resources (no I'm not blaming Bush cause this started decades ago) maybe we are being punished the only way we can be which is by increased storms here and throughout the world.
Just a thought.
No I'm not saying they are right for saying homosexuals are sinners or abortion is wrong what I think we might be judged on right now is how we, as a planet, are destroying ourselves and our environment.
With the ozone layer shrinking, all the drilling and raping of the earth's natural resources (no I'm not blaming Bush cause this started decades ago) maybe we are being punished the only way we can be which is by increased storms here and throughout the world.
Just a thought.
Friday
http://talkleft.com/new_archives/012512.html
So I guess George is going to say his new Supreme Court Justice nominee to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Conner. The report is it's going to either be a minority or a woman. I'm going to stick with my call in Albero Gonzales. The current Attorney General. He will no doubt find the most conservative judge out there (like with Roberts) that will further tilt the court toward the conservative side. More so then it is now.
I fear for our future.
So I guess George is going to say his new Supreme Court Justice nominee to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Conner. The report is it's going to either be a minority or a woman. I'm going to stick with my call in Albero Gonzales. The current Attorney General. He will no doubt find the most conservative judge out there (like with Roberts) that will further tilt the court toward the conservative side. More so then it is now.
I fear for our future.
Brownie
I see where FEMA has hired Mike Brown back to be a "consultant" of his own job during the Katrina disaster.
Yeah that will be a fair evaluation.
Yeah that will be a fair evaluation.
Some Common Sense
From Rawstory I see where SEC Commission Chairman Christopher Cox is recusing himself in the investigation of Bill Frist. It's not often you see common sense in Washington but that might be as close as possible as we get.
Cox has donated $1000 to Frist during the campaign and did not want to appear to show conflict of interest. Again props where it's due.
Cox has donated $1000 to Frist during the campaign and did not want to appear to show conflict of interest. Again props where it's due.
Unreported
Funny what went largely unreported over the weekend was huge anti-war protests in every city of the nation (possibly except Houston which was abandoned for obvious reasons). I mean when you get over 150,000 (as said by rawstory.com) in Washington D.C. doesn't that desrve a by the way mention on the news? Oh wait I forget the news media is right-wing so why would they let citizins know the actual news? Why would they hurt the president someone they have worked so hard to protect.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Pays to have connections
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/TIME_Sunday
_How_many_Mike_Browns_did_Bush_appo_0925.html
The reason why this is important ladies and gentlemen is it's always smart to surround yourself with the smartest most experienced people around you and not the people you are most comfortable with. Take a look at what Mike Brown did when Katrina hit. Here are a few others like Brown that are in the current administration.
FEDERAL PROCUREMENT: David Safavian didn't have much hands-on experience in government contracting when the Bush Administration tapped him in 2003 to be its chief procurement officer. A law-school internship helping the Pentagon buy helicopters was about the extent of it. Yet as administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Safavian, 38, was placed in charge of the $300 billion the government spends each year on everything from paper clips to nuclear submarines, as well as the $62 billion already earmarked for Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. It was his job to ensure that the government got the most for its money and that competition for federal contracts—among companies as well as between government workers and private contractors—was fair. It was his job until he resigned on Sept. 16 and was subsequently arrested and charged with lying and obstructing a criminal investigation into Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff's dealings with the Federal Government.
A dozen procurement experts interviewed by Time said he was the most unqualified person to hold the job since its creation in 1974. Nevertheless, Safavian's April 2004 confirmation hearing before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee (attended by only five of the panel's 17 members) lasted just 67 minutes, and not a single question was asked about his qualifications.
IMMIGRATION: The Administration nominated Myers, 36, currently a special assistant handling personnel issues for Bush. She has experience in law-enforcement management, including jobs in the White House and the Commerce, Justice and Treasury departments, but she barely meets the five-year minimum required by law. Her most significant responsibility has been as Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the Commerce Department, where, she told Senators, she supervised 170 employees and a $25 million budget.
Myers may appear short on qualifications, but she has plenty of connections. She worked briefly for Chertoff as his chief of staff at the Justice Department's criminal division, and two days after her hearing, she married Chertoff's current chief of staff, John Wood. Her uncle is Air Force General Richard Myers, the outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The only reason these people have jobs is they know Bush. Of course I know this will happen with any administration don't get me wrong but we right now have Bush in office so we need to be talking about that.
_How_many_Mike_Browns_did_Bush_appo_0925.html
The reason why this is important ladies and gentlemen is it's always smart to surround yourself with the smartest most experienced people around you and not the people you are most comfortable with. Take a look at what Mike Brown did when Katrina hit. Here are a few others like Brown that are in the current administration.
FEDERAL PROCUREMENT: David Safavian didn't have much hands-on experience in government contracting when the Bush Administration tapped him in 2003 to be its chief procurement officer. A law-school internship helping the Pentagon buy helicopters was about the extent of it. Yet as administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Safavian, 38, was placed in charge of the $300 billion the government spends each year on everything from paper clips to nuclear submarines, as well as the $62 billion already earmarked for Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. It was his job to ensure that the government got the most for its money and that competition for federal contracts—among companies as well as between government workers and private contractors—was fair. It was his job until he resigned on Sept. 16 and was subsequently arrested and charged with lying and obstructing a criminal investigation into Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff's dealings with the Federal Government.
A dozen procurement experts interviewed by Time said he was the most unqualified person to hold the job since its creation in 1974. Nevertheless, Safavian's April 2004 confirmation hearing before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee (attended by only five of the panel's 17 members) lasted just 67 minutes, and not a single question was asked about his qualifications.
IMMIGRATION: The Administration nominated Myers, 36, currently a special assistant handling personnel issues for Bush. She has experience in law-enforcement management, including jobs in the White House and the Commerce, Justice and Treasury departments, but she barely meets the five-year minimum required by law. Her most significant responsibility has been as Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the Commerce Department, where, she told Senators, she supervised 170 employees and a $25 million budget.
Myers may appear short on qualifications, but she has plenty of connections. She worked briefly for Chertoff as his chief of staff at the Justice Department's criminal division, and two days after her hearing, she married Chertoff's current chief of staff, John Wood. Her uncle is Air Force General Richard Myers, the outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The only reason these people have jobs is they know Bush. Of course I know this will happen with any administration don't get me wrong but we right now have Bush in office so we need to be talking about that.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Funny isn't it??
Isn't it funny how Texas, homestate of Pres. Bush, was already digging out, already getting aid, already had national guard troops even though Rita still hasn't disapated yet?? Isn't it funny how Bush is right nearby?? I was wondering since Texas is a redstate and Louisiana isn't. Texas is a rich state Louisiana isn't I hate to say it (actually I don't) but it's crystal clear to me that Bush really doesn't care about poor people.
Now as I said Texas had better planning at the local levels then Louisiana no doubt about that for that they deserve props but no doubt Texas is getting prefered treatment and that my friends is a crime.
Now as I said Texas had better planning at the local levels then Louisiana no doubt about that for that they deserve props but no doubt Texas is getting prefered treatment and that my friends is a crime.
Stupid
I read a letter in yesterdays Los Angeles Daily News. The letter writer was from Thousand Oaks and said how when hurricane Andrew slammed Florida in 1992 FEMA was slow to respond and no one blamed President Clinton. Yes she said President Clinton.
Well I realize the pure hatred republicans had for Bill Clinton but if the letter writer had a brain she would have realized that in August of 1992 Bill Clinton wasn't even President during that time. It was Bush Sr. and the fact that people said that FEMA being slow to respond to Andrew had a lot to do with him not being re-elected President.
If you want to make statments at least learn the correct history.
Well I realize the pure hatred republicans had for Bill Clinton but if the letter writer had a brain she would have realized that in August of 1992 Bill Clinton wasn't even President during that time. It was Bush Sr. and the fact that people said that FEMA being slow to respond to Andrew had a lot to do with him not being re-elected President.
If you want to make statments at least learn the correct history.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Odd
Isn't it funny how W. is already in Texas BEFORE Rita hits?? I guess Bush wasn't busy on vacation. How long did it take Bush to view the devastated areas of the south after Katrina hit??
Worst Fears
Even though Rita is not directly hitting New Orleans they had more levee breaks based on the outer bands of Rita. This is the worse case scenario. Anyone who is left in New Orleans is in trouble. I hope everyone in Rita's path who could evacuate did cause damage might be as bad as Katrina.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
My own demons
The other day I was trying to be honest with you all about my life. My demons. I was bashed cause I mentioned an article that suggested W. might be drinking again. My point was I was coming clean with my past and the mistakes I made. I was simply stating I can understand if W., a former alcholic and drug addtict, was drinking again I understand he quit cold turkey and without a support group it is easy to start again. All I was stating is it makes him look human. I disagree with him on pretty much everything but again that is a demon I can understand if he has a problem. Hopefully IF he is drinking he will get some help although it's probably hard in his position.
An Apology
From mediamaters
Brit Hume is more of a man then I thought. The other day he apologized for stating Bush Sr. never critisized Bill Clinton and I showed several examples when he did.
Now obviously he never went to my site but someone told him and he corrected his error. Now if only others on Fox would step up for obvious lies they speak not mentioning any names (Hannity,O'Reilly)
Brit Hume is more of a man then I thought. The other day he apologized for stating Bush Sr. never critisized Bill Clinton and I showed several examples when he did.
Now obviously he never went to my site but someone told him and he corrected his error. Now if only others on Fox would step up for obvious lies they speak not mentioning any names (Hannity,O'Reilly)
Another reason to dislike Bush
Looking at news as I like to do I'd like to go with this unreported (on the news networks) story.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2005/09/21/national/w184052D94.DTL
Basically the story states our "friends" Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were given a free pass by W. and not have any of our tax dollars sent to them cut for failing to do enough to stop the modern-day slave trade in prostitutes, child sex workers and forced laborers.
Isn't it funny how if you are an "ally" of the United States you can pretty much get away with anything.
For instance our "friends" Saudi Arabia was the home of all the hijackers on 9/11 and not one thing happened to them. Nothing. No invasion(which I would have supported as I said I support the war on terror I'm smart enough to know what it is compared to the dittoheads who think Iraq is part of the war on terror).
Just remember who our "friends" are.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2005/09/21/national/w184052D94.DTL
Basically the story states our "friends" Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were given a free pass by W. and not have any of our tax dollars sent to them cut for failing to do enough to stop the modern-day slave trade in prostitutes, child sex workers and forced laborers.
Isn't it funny how if you are an "ally" of the United States you can pretty much get away with anything.
For instance our "friends" Saudi Arabia was the home of all the hijackers on 9/11 and not one thing happened to them. Nothing. No invasion(which I would have supported as I said I support the war on terror I'm smart enough to know what it is compared to the dittoheads who think Iraq is part of the war on terror).
Just remember who our "friends" are.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Back to alcohol??
Here is the link and I realize the source but I'd like to talk about this tonight and believe it or not I won't bash Bush much on this if it's true.
http://www.nationalenquirer.com/celebrity/63426
Is Pres. Bush, an admitted alcoholic, back drinking?? That's the point of the story.
Now I am really not going to blame him if he is. President I would say is the most stressful jobs out there and the decisions he and his staff makes are not easy(unless they are pre-planned like Iraq) and I really couldn't and won't blame him if he is drinking.
This might be the only thing I can possibly relate to with Dubya. If I can take a trip back in time a couple of years. It was fall of 2003. Not even my friends know all of this one but I am discussing this with my readers on this site.
I had been working for a company that I will not name for 4 1/2 years. I got along with everyone everyone got along with me I was very well-respected in the company. I worked hard for my job didn't get upset when I was passed for promotions even though I was a better employee (this is not ego this is fact)the point is I was happy with my job. The company I worked for was bought out by a larger company. Enevitably layoffs were coming. They let go of 3 other departments but kept saying our department was fine at least for the short term. Mind you in my department I was the oldest person on the floor and when I asked they kept telling me my job was secure they gave me their word about that now to me, when someone gives me their word that is very important. I was advised since I was the oldest representative on the floor even if there ended up being layoffs I would be among the last to go. Again I took them for their word. Stupid me. I was the first person let go from my department because they said I was the oldest rep on the floor.
Now I had been working for pretty much 15 years straight to that point without any real time off so shortly after a friend of mine and myself took a trip to Las Vegas, which is one of my favorite cities to go to. We hang out at a bar there at a hotel that I hear is now going to be demolished which is a shame. I ask the bartender for a strong drink (I was upset about the job) which is not .151 rum (cause as far as I'm concerned that's poison) so I'm given this shot which I unfortunately take a liking too. I end up spending a lot of money there and for the first time in my life (being 33 at the time) I was drunk. I unfortunately liked it. So that whole trip I'm doing two of the worst combinations possible: Drinking and Gambling. I blew a lot of money obviously that trip but for me I figured it was a way to blow off a little steam cause I was upset about losing my job and thought that would relax me.
My mistake. When my friend and I came home from the trip I continued to drink. I would start tabs(and the bars I frequented let me start tabs) I would regularly spend $100 a night on shots and drinks and mind you I was not working and not yet collecting unemployment so I had little to no money to spend. I was at rock bottom I had never been so low and so sad and depressed in my life. It was hard for me to find a job and I was busting my butt off cause I wanted to work. I got frustrated and drank more. I was almost suicidal. I had to move out of the place I was living in and, at 33 back home with my parents cause I had no way to pay rent. Like I said I was at Rock Bottom of my life. At the bars I went to I would get so drunk I blacked out for a short period of time. Now the funny thing is at least whatever happened during that time I was still at the same place I arrived at so either they wouldn't let me go or I stayed but I still have no memory of the time I was at these places.
Two of the three places ended up 86ing me (throwing me out) I accept responsibility cause if I wasn't such an idiot I wouldn't have put myself in those situations.
I don't know what turned me around honestly. Around October of 2003 I decided to pretty much stop going out. I disappreared. Didn't think anyone would notice my abscense. I kept in touch with a few friends but mostly I was trying to find a job and when I was I stayed home even though I was collecting unemployment at the time.
In February of 2004 I decided to start going out again. As I said I had some income
coming in and I feel I know what my weakness was and could avoid drinking too much. Now what too much is depends on your view. I have mine and made my vow to stick with it. The nicest feeling I had when I walked into the one place where I like to sing karaoke for 10 years and everyone greeted me with open arms and all was forgiven. They saw me at my lowest and for all the people I knew to open up and welcome me back was a feeling I'll never forget cause I really didn't think I was going to get a warm reception there. I was wrong.
Now don't get me wrong I still like to drink. I'm nowhere near as out of control as I was I slowed down on the shots I was drinking and pretty much stick with beer (light beer at that). I never get out of control and the bartenders and waitresses there I've all instructed to stop serving me if I am ever close to that state.
Now like I said if W. is back to drinking I am the last person who will ever think he is wrong. Not being in his shoes I can never know what's going on in his head. (yeah I know that quote will come back to haunt me) so I will not pretend to understand. He is human and has the same flaws in us all.
http://www.nationalenquirer.com/celebrity/63426
Is Pres. Bush, an admitted alcoholic, back drinking?? That's the point of the story.
Now I am really not going to blame him if he is. President I would say is the most stressful jobs out there and the decisions he and his staff makes are not easy(unless they are pre-planned like Iraq) and I really couldn't and won't blame him if he is drinking.
This might be the only thing I can possibly relate to with Dubya. If I can take a trip back in time a couple of years. It was fall of 2003. Not even my friends know all of this one but I am discussing this with my readers on this site.
I had been working for a company that I will not name for 4 1/2 years. I got along with everyone everyone got along with me I was very well-respected in the company. I worked hard for my job didn't get upset when I was passed for promotions even though I was a better employee (this is not ego this is fact)the point is I was happy with my job. The company I worked for was bought out by a larger company. Enevitably layoffs were coming. They let go of 3 other departments but kept saying our department was fine at least for the short term. Mind you in my department I was the oldest person on the floor and when I asked they kept telling me my job was secure they gave me their word about that now to me, when someone gives me their word that is very important. I was advised since I was the oldest representative on the floor even if there ended up being layoffs I would be among the last to go. Again I took them for their word. Stupid me. I was the first person let go from my department because they said I was the oldest rep on the floor.
Now I had been working for pretty much 15 years straight to that point without any real time off so shortly after a friend of mine and myself took a trip to Las Vegas, which is one of my favorite cities to go to. We hang out at a bar there at a hotel that I hear is now going to be demolished which is a shame. I ask the bartender for a strong drink (I was upset about the job) which is not .151 rum (cause as far as I'm concerned that's poison) so I'm given this shot which I unfortunately take a liking too. I end up spending a lot of money there and for the first time in my life (being 33 at the time) I was drunk. I unfortunately liked it. So that whole trip I'm doing two of the worst combinations possible: Drinking and Gambling. I blew a lot of money obviously that trip but for me I figured it was a way to blow off a little steam cause I was upset about losing my job and thought that would relax me.
My mistake. When my friend and I came home from the trip I continued to drink. I would start tabs(and the bars I frequented let me start tabs) I would regularly spend $100 a night on shots and drinks and mind you I was not working and not yet collecting unemployment so I had little to no money to spend. I was at rock bottom I had never been so low and so sad and depressed in my life. It was hard for me to find a job and I was busting my butt off cause I wanted to work. I got frustrated and drank more. I was almost suicidal. I had to move out of the place I was living in and, at 33 back home with my parents cause I had no way to pay rent. Like I said I was at Rock Bottom of my life. At the bars I went to I would get so drunk I blacked out for a short period of time. Now the funny thing is at least whatever happened during that time I was still at the same place I arrived at so either they wouldn't let me go or I stayed but I still have no memory of the time I was at these places.
Two of the three places ended up 86ing me (throwing me out) I accept responsibility cause if I wasn't such an idiot I wouldn't have put myself in those situations.
I don't know what turned me around honestly. Around October of 2003 I decided to pretty much stop going out. I disappreared. Didn't think anyone would notice my abscense. I kept in touch with a few friends but mostly I was trying to find a job and when I was I stayed home even though I was collecting unemployment at the time.
In February of 2004 I decided to start going out again. As I said I had some income
coming in and I feel I know what my weakness was and could avoid drinking too much. Now what too much is depends on your view. I have mine and made my vow to stick with it. The nicest feeling I had when I walked into the one place where I like to sing karaoke for 10 years and everyone greeted me with open arms and all was forgiven. They saw me at my lowest and for all the people I knew to open up and welcome me back was a feeling I'll never forget cause I really didn't think I was going to get a warm reception there. I was wrong.
Now don't get me wrong I still like to drink. I'm nowhere near as out of control as I was I slowed down on the shots I was drinking and pretty much stick with beer (light beer at that). I never get out of control and the bartenders and waitresses there I've all instructed to stop serving me if I am ever close to that state.
Now like I said if W. is back to drinking I am the last person who will ever think he is wrong. Not being in his shoes I can never know what's going on in his head. (yeah I know that quote will come back to haunt me) so I will not pretend to understand. He is human and has the same flaws in us all.
Noticable Difference
Funny how much smoother the evacuation is going in Texas then it did in Louisiana. Aparently in Texas they do have a solid plan that is in effect and also it appears they didn't have any solid plan in Louisiana. I realize there will be people who stay in storms no matter what but the Mayor of New Orleans did not do enough to persuade people to leave.
Cat. 5
Rita now has winds at 165 M.P.H. I know it will probably weaken as Katrina did before it made landfall but again I implore you do get out while you still can. Please leave before what happened in Louisiana,Mississippi,Alabama and Florida happens to you!
Cat 4
Ladies and Gentlemen who, if any, are viewing this from the great state of Texas I am writing this to you. Specifically those on the Gulf Coast obviously.
Rita is now a catagory 4 hurricane with winds at 140 m.p.h. heading toward Galvaston, Texas (sorry if the spelling is wrong) with Houston also in its path. We all saw what Katrina did to Louisiana,Alabama,Mississippi and Florida DO NOT TAKE THIS STORM LIGHTLY!
Look at the destruction Katrina cause and ask yourself one question if you are considering staying: Is it worth it? Is it worth staying? You home can be replaced. Your belongings can be replaced. You can't. I beg you to get out before Rita hits.
Rita is now a catagory 4 hurricane with winds at 140 m.p.h. heading toward Galvaston, Texas (sorry if the spelling is wrong) with Houston also in its path. We all saw what Katrina did to Louisiana,Alabama,Mississippi and Florida DO NOT TAKE THIS STORM LIGHTLY!
Look at the destruction Katrina cause and ask yourself one question if you are considering staying: Is it worth it? Is it worth staying? You home can be replaced. Your belongings can be replaced. You can't. I beg you to get out before Rita hits.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
O'Reilly and Hume
Hey everyone sorry for lack of posts yesterday just had a ton of things to do.
A couple of tidbits from mediamaters I'd like to comment on.
The other day I posted where Bill O'Reilly on his show stating he wish Katrina would have flooded the United Nations adding he wouldn't rescue them. I noted how stupid he was for saying that and now it gets even better instead of a phony apology we usually get from everyone of importance, he goes on to bash media matters for reporting what he said. Here is the exact words he used.
O'REILLY: So, anyway, even though Bush is in trouble, the left can't make any inroads. Enter me. This is a riot. This is so funny. Now let me set it up. Every day The Radio Factor's on, there's this creepy, little group who listens to our program and tapes it, and then analyzes the tape. They're like the Rosemary's Baby people. Remember the scene in Rosemary's Baby, where the devil was born to Rosemary, and they had the little people around the crib, chanting? That's what these creepy, left-wing nuts are like. They're little gnomes. And they tape every show. And they go over it to see if they can find something to embarrass me or, you know, raise some hell or whatever. Now they succeeded one time last year. In the Christmas controversy, they found some nutty group that took their propaganda and ran with it. And you know, it was good for us, because we got six shows out of it and high TV ratings.
So this egomaniac is taking credit for deflecting the bush bashing?? Unbelievable he gives himself too much credit.
Now onto Brit Hume also from my friends at Fox. Now on his show Hume claimed that Bush Sr. never criticized Bill Clinton. I got something that says otherwise AND what he said about President Clinton actually applies to Iraq so I wonder if he asked these questions of his son.
First here is a list of things Bush. Sr. said about President Clinton.
* In an appearance at a San Antonio grade school on October 13, 1993, Bush expressed concern that the humanitarian mission to Somalia that he had launched nearly a year earlier was being "messed up" by the Clinton administration. "If you're going to put somebody else's son or daughter into harm's way, into battle, you've got to know the answer to three questions," Bush told the students. He said the president has to know what the mission is, "how they are going to do it," and "how they're going to get out of there." Several news reports noted that Bush's comments appeared to violate his earlier pledge not to publicly criticize Clinton during his first year in office. [The New York Times, 10/14/93; The Boston Globe, 10/23/93]
* In an interview published in the February 1994 issue of Washingtonian magazine, Bush criticized the Clinton administration's purported lack of a "general strategy" in the foreign policy arena and the "start-and-stop" failures it had exhibited. Bush pointed to the Clinton administration's handling of the situation in Haiti as an example and also criticized Clinton for his policy toward Bosnia:
The specific point of difference I'd make with the current administration, however, is that when you send a US ship loaded with military personnel to go ashore, you don't say, "They're going ashore" unless you mean it. And you don't get turned back by a group of thugs standing on the dock.
What that does -- starting and stopping -- is weaken the image of the United States as a strong, resolute leader. It was devastating, sent a horrible signal, when that troop ship was turned back -- a signal not just to Latin America, but to Europe and elsewhere. Where I find most fault in the Clinton foreign policy, the area where I find room for criticism, is this pattern of start-and-stop, start-and-stop.
[...]
The Clinton administration, you'll remember, began by attacking my administration and the Europeans for being weak and rewarding aggression, and they vowed to get tough. But a few months later, they were essentially where we were. They backed away from their bluster, but not without sending the unfortunate impression of a weak and inconsistent US leadership to the world.
* In a March 8, 1994, speech in Indian Wells, California, Bush repeated his criticism of Clinton's actions toward Haiti. According to a Riverside Press Enterprise article published the next day, Bush claimed "he did not want to be a carping critic, but said President Clinton must be more consistent in carrying out foreign policy. Bush criticized the president in particular for sending a shipload of troops to Haiti last year and then ordering them home when 'thugs' threatened them from the shore."
* On April 8, 1994, Bush gave a lecture at Carl Albert State College in Poteau, Oklahoma, during which he criticized Clinton's proposed health care reform legislation. "This may sound partisan," he told the audience, "but I don't believe it will pass and I don't believe it should pass." [Associated Press, 4/8/94]
* During a July 26, 1996, news conference with Bob Dole, then the Republican nominee for president, Bush "criticized Clinton for boasting of current economic stability," according to a Kansas City Star article published the following day. Bush argued that "he handed Clinton an economy that grew at about 5 percent in 1993." "That was not recession," he told reporters.
* While campaigning with Dole days before the 1996 presidential election, Bush suggested that Clinton had compromised the "integrity of the White House. "What matters to me now is the integrity of the White House," he said. "I believe in duty, honor, country," he continued. "I believe in service. I believe in keeping the White House above partisan politics, away from these puny, terrible disputes we're seeing." [Chicago Tribune, 11/1/96]
* In a letter released on April 23, 1998, Bush "criticized the White House and its allies for their continuing public campaign to criticize [independent counsel Kenneth] Starr and undermine his investigation," according to a New York Times article published that day. In the letter, Bush professed to hold Starr -- who at the time was investigating the Monica Lewinsky affair -- "in high regard."
Now to repeat this "If you're going to put somebody else's son or daughter into harm's way, into battle, you've got to know the answer to three questions," Bush told the students. He said the president has to know what the mission is, "how they are going to do it," and "how they're going to get out of there."
Now moving to our current mess: We have no apparent reason to have gone to Iraq so there is no specific reason. The how is kinda obvious: send our troops and pray they come home. And to, as of now, answer the third question there is no exit stragedy for Iraq.
I guess Bush Sr. is wise beyond his years.
A couple of tidbits from mediamaters I'd like to comment on.
The other day I posted where Bill O'Reilly on his show stating he wish Katrina would have flooded the United Nations adding he wouldn't rescue them. I noted how stupid he was for saying that and now it gets even better instead of a phony apology we usually get from everyone of importance, he goes on to bash media matters for reporting what he said. Here is the exact words he used.
O'REILLY: So, anyway, even though Bush is in trouble, the left can't make any inroads. Enter me. This is a riot. This is so funny. Now let me set it up. Every day The Radio Factor's on, there's this creepy, little group who listens to our program and tapes it, and then analyzes the tape. They're like the Rosemary's Baby people. Remember the scene in Rosemary's Baby, where the devil was born to Rosemary, and they had the little people around the crib, chanting? That's what these creepy, left-wing nuts are like. They're little gnomes. And they tape every show. And they go over it to see if they can find something to embarrass me or, you know, raise some hell or whatever. Now they succeeded one time last year. In the Christmas controversy, they found some nutty group that took their propaganda and ran with it. And you know, it was good for us, because we got six shows out of it and high TV ratings.
So this egomaniac is taking credit for deflecting the bush bashing?? Unbelievable he gives himself too much credit.
Now onto Brit Hume also from my friends at Fox. Now on his show Hume claimed that Bush Sr. never criticized Bill Clinton. I got something that says otherwise AND what he said about President Clinton actually applies to Iraq so I wonder if he asked these questions of his son.
First here is a list of things Bush. Sr. said about President Clinton.
* In an appearance at a San Antonio grade school on October 13, 1993, Bush expressed concern that the humanitarian mission to Somalia that he had launched nearly a year earlier was being "messed up" by the Clinton administration. "If you're going to put somebody else's son or daughter into harm's way, into battle, you've got to know the answer to three questions," Bush told the students. He said the president has to know what the mission is, "how they are going to do it," and "how they're going to get out of there." Several news reports noted that Bush's comments appeared to violate his earlier pledge not to publicly criticize Clinton during his first year in office. [The New York Times, 10/14/93; The Boston Globe, 10/23/93]
* In an interview published in the February 1994 issue of Washingtonian magazine, Bush criticized the Clinton administration's purported lack of a "general strategy" in the foreign policy arena and the "start-and-stop" failures it had exhibited. Bush pointed to the Clinton administration's handling of the situation in Haiti as an example and also criticized Clinton for his policy toward Bosnia:
The specific point of difference I'd make with the current administration, however, is that when you send a US ship loaded with military personnel to go ashore, you don't say, "They're going ashore" unless you mean it. And you don't get turned back by a group of thugs standing on the dock.
What that does -- starting and stopping -- is weaken the image of the United States as a strong, resolute leader. It was devastating, sent a horrible signal, when that troop ship was turned back -- a signal not just to Latin America, but to Europe and elsewhere. Where I find most fault in the Clinton foreign policy, the area where I find room for criticism, is this pattern of start-and-stop, start-and-stop.
[...]
The Clinton administration, you'll remember, began by attacking my administration and the Europeans for being weak and rewarding aggression, and they vowed to get tough. But a few months later, they were essentially where we were. They backed away from their bluster, but not without sending the unfortunate impression of a weak and inconsistent US leadership to the world.
* In a March 8, 1994, speech in Indian Wells, California, Bush repeated his criticism of Clinton's actions toward Haiti. According to a Riverside Press Enterprise article published the next day, Bush claimed "he did not want to be a carping critic, but said President Clinton must be more consistent in carrying out foreign policy. Bush criticized the president in particular for sending a shipload of troops to Haiti last year and then ordering them home when 'thugs' threatened them from the shore."
* On April 8, 1994, Bush gave a lecture at Carl Albert State College in Poteau, Oklahoma, during which he criticized Clinton's proposed health care reform legislation. "This may sound partisan," he told the audience, "but I don't believe it will pass and I don't believe it should pass." [Associated Press, 4/8/94]
* During a July 26, 1996, news conference with Bob Dole, then the Republican nominee for president, Bush "criticized Clinton for boasting of current economic stability," according to a Kansas City Star article published the following day. Bush argued that "he handed Clinton an economy that grew at about 5 percent in 1993." "That was not recession," he told reporters.
* While campaigning with Dole days before the 1996 presidential election, Bush suggested that Clinton had compromised the "integrity of the White House. "What matters to me now is the integrity of the White House," he said. "I believe in duty, honor, country," he continued. "I believe in service. I believe in keeping the White House above partisan politics, away from these puny, terrible disputes we're seeing." [Chicago Tribune, 11/1/96]
* In a letter released on April 23, 1998, Bush "criticized the White House and its allies for their continuing public campaign to criticize [independent counsel Kenneth] Starr and undermine his investigation," according to a New York Times article published that day. In the letter, Bush professed to hold Starr -- who at the time was investigating the Monica Lewinsky affair -- "in high regard."
Now to repeat this "If you're going to put somebody else's son or daughter into harm's way, into battle, you've got to know the answer to three questions," Bush told the students. He said the president has to know what the mission is, "how they are going to do it," and "how they're going to get out of there."
Now moving to our current mess: We have no apparent reason to have gone to Iraq so there is no specific reason. The how is kinda obvious: send our troops and pray they come home. And to, as of now, answer the third question there is no exit stragedy for Iraq.
I guess Bush Sr. is wise beyond his years.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Another Storm
I see where Tropical Storm Rita is again a big threat to eventually the Gulf Coast. Anyone have any doubts now this is a direct result of global warming??
Bush can ignore global warming all he wants and there will be more intense hurricanes hitting the United States.
I only hope whoever takes over in 2008 realizes what's going on cause this knucklehead is in denial.
Bush can ignore global warming all he wants and there will be more intense hurricanes hitting the United States.
I only hope whoever takes over in 2008 realizes what's going on cause this knucklehead is in denial.
O'Reilly's stupidity
From media maters
One of my favorite people Bill O'Reilly is at it again. He said if there are gay marriage laws passed that it will lead to people marrying 18 other people as well as people marrying animals. He has said things like that before.
Now I realize these right-wingers are ignorant and stupid but what is wrong with two people, same sex or different, sharing the rest of their lives together?? It will not lead to the disaster O'Reilly and most people think why is this so outrageous to except that people of the same sex can care and love each other as straight people like myself do?
And anyone who sites the bible is just plain wrong and is out of touch with today's society.
One of my favorite people Bill O'Reilly is at it again. He said if there are gay marriage laws passed that it will lead to people marrying 18 other people as well as people marrying animals. He has said things like that before.
Now I realize these right-wingers are ignorant and stupid but what is wrong with two people, same sex or different, sharing the rest of their lives together?? It will not lead to the disaster O'Reilly and most people think why is this so outrageous to except that people of the same sex can care and love each other as straight people like myself do?
And anyone who sites the bible is just plain wrong and is out of touch with today's society.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Why I dislike Bush
I guess one thing I should point out is I've never stated reasons why I dislike Bush so much so I figured since it's a slow news day at least so far why not tell you. Some of this I've said before but now you will get the whole list.
First off what he did with the surplus. Now I've stated many times before I know I am a hipocrite by taking the money but imagine with the war in Iraq (and I'm sorry if anyone thinks George wasn't planning to go to Iraq no matter what you are stupid) or social security or with Katrina(I know he couldn't have seen that coming but this is an example) how the money could have been spent more wisely and how we might not have had the huge deficit that we have now??
Second we have the Iraq war. As again I've stated before I am completely against it. Iraq had no WMD's, no ties to Al Queda, nothing to do with 9/11, the Iraqi people did not want us there and we have no reason to be there except for oil and to make companies like Halliburton rich. Now I've also said I support the war on terror but I know, contrary to what Bush says now, Iraq has nothing to do with that.
Third the patriot act. Basically that gives the government the right tap your phones,search your homes, start a file based on things like tips. For instance someone who has a beef with someone else calls the tip line(I forget the number) and a file will be started against that person. That's just wrong on so many levels.
Fourth the tax cuts for the wealthy. Trickle down economics didn't work under President Reagan and again imagine if the money was say, saved for things again like shoring up social security, the Iraq war, Katrina, etc.
Fifth the Department of Homeland Security. One of the things I hoped when Bush took over and one of the things that the republicans usually stand for is smaller government that is not the case with W. as President. He is doing the exact oposite of what again republicans stand for.
I can continue, No Child Left Behind which has failed as far as I can see, the record deficit, the approval to torture people, failure to even acknowledge global warming, kidnapping leaders(as he did in Haiti), stem cells, sticking his nose in the Terry Schaivo situation when no politition on either side of the isle needed to get involved, John Bolton. So many reasons why.
And to remind you all Congress,Senate,and the White House are all controlled by the republicans so if I hear any blame on this toward democrats you are wrong although I guess democrats can be blamed for not doing anything to stop it.
First off what he did with the surplus. Now I've stated many times before I know I am a hipocrite by taking the money but imagine with the war in Iraq (and I'm sorry if anyone thinks George wasn't planning to go to Iraq no matter what you are stupid) or social security or with Katrina(I know he couldn't have seen that coming but this is an example) how the money could have been spent more wisely and how we might not have had the huge deficit that we have now??
Second we have the Iraq war. As again I've stated before I am completely against it. Iraq had no WMD's, no ties to Al Queda, nothing to do with 9/11, the Iraqi people did not want us there and we have no reason to be there except for oil and to make companies like Halliburton rich. Now I've also said I support the war on terror but I know, contrary to what Bush says now, Iraq has nothing to do with that.
Third the patriot act. Basically that gives the government the right tap your phones,search your homes, start a file based on things like tips. For instance someone who has a beef with someone else calls the tip line(I forget the number) and a file will be started against that person. That's just wrong on so many levels.
Fourth the tax cuts for the wealthy. Trickle down economics didn't work under President Reagan and again imagine if the money was say, saved for things again like shoring up social security, the Iraq war, Katrina, etc.
Fifth the Department of Homeland Security. One of the things I hoped when Bush took over and one of the things that the republicans usually stand for is smaller government that is not the case with W. as President. He is doing the exact oposite of what again republicans stand for.
I can continue, No Child Left Behind which has failed as far as I can see, the record deficit, the approval to torture people, failure to even acknowledge global warming, kidnapping leaders(as he did in Haiti), stem cells, sticking his nose in the Terry Schaivo situation when no politition on either side of the isle needed to get involved, John Bolton. So many reasons why.
And to remind you all Congress,Senate,and the White House are all controlled by the republicans so if I hear any blame on this toward democrats you are wrong although I guess democrats can be blamed for not doing anything to stop it.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Cheney
From Raw Story.com
Remember when I said how Vice President Cheney has been conspicuously absent lately guess we may have a reason why.
Turns out he has an aneurysm in an atery behind the right knee. He will have surgery on Saturday to have the problem taken care of.
Everyone knows how I hate these people however I wish no harm to them physically and hope he has a fast recovery.
Remember when I said how Vice President Cheney has been conspicuously absent lately guess we may have a reason why.
Turns out he has an aneurysm in an atery behind the right knee. He will have surgery on Saturday to have the problem taken care of.
Everyone knows how I hate these people however I wish no harm to them physically and hope he has a fast recovery.
Judith Miller
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn
/content/article/2005/09/16/AR2005091601646_pf.html
Perhaps the biggest celebrity in prison these days is Judith Miller. Remember her she is in prison for failing to reveal that Karl Rove is the leak in the Valerie Plame case. Mind you she is in prison while Robert Novak is not.
Among those who visited her are Bob Dole,Christopher Dodd,Arlen Specter,Tom Brokov,Richard Clarke and perhaps the most interesting name is all of this is John Bolton. You know the guy Bush snuck into the United Nations.
I wonder, his(Bolton) name has been been mentioned as being involved with the case and I would have loved to have a fly on the wall during that meeting.
/content/article/2005/09/16/AR2005091601646_pf.html
Perhaps the biggest celebrity in prison these days is Judith Miller. Remember her she is in prison for failing to reveal that Karl Rove is the leak in the Valerie Plame case. Mind you she is in prison while Robert Novak is not.
Among those who visited her are Bob Dole,Christopher Dodd,Arlen Specter,Tom Brokov,Richard Clarke and perhaps the most interesting name is all of this is John Bolton. You know the guy Bush snuck into the United Nations.
I wonder, his(Bolton) name has been been mentioned as being involved with the case and I would have loved to have a fly on the wall during that meeting.
Friday, September 16, 2005
A new site
If you are looking for a site with a view usually different then mine but still a good friend of mine check out Robert Wilson's site http://purdrivel.blogspot.com
Please support him as you do me. Thanks
Erik
Please support him as you do me. Thanks
Erik
Arnie
I see where are "esteemed" gov. is going to run again. I'd love to say I'm suprised but I'm not. He has been such a bomb he has been as bad as Gov as Bush has as Pres. If anyone can tell me something good he's done that our state has benefited and I will shut up regarding him. I can't think of any.
An idea for the money for Katrina rebuilding
First off to give a little bit of credit to W. to give at least some of the responsibility to habitat for humanity to rebuild New Orleans last night. I've always said when he deserves it he will get credit from me.
I have posted this previously that I think one possible idea to help instead of just passing this on to our already huge deficit would be to remove the pork that was passed in the highway and energy bills. That would bring in close to $500,000,000 which would be a lot toward the rebuilding of the area devastated by the hurricane.
Just an idea
I have posted this previously that I think one possible idea to help instead of just passing this on to our already huge deficit would be to remove the pork that was passed in the highway and energy bills. That would bring in close to $500,000,000 which would be a lot toward the rebuilding of the area devastated by the hurricane.
Just an idea
Thursday, September 15, 2005
A speech tonight
I see Bush is going to give a speech on the disaster in the south tonight. I wonder if we are going to hear "stay the course" as we are in Iraq or "we are doing fine" as we are in Iraq. Knowing W., like most pollititions it won't mean nothing.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Rediculous
I was just at cnn.com and they had a video clip from a professor at LSU saying they "weren't warned" how severe the storm would be. Now I'm not sure about the coverage in the south but just watching the weather channel,cnn,msnbc,fox they were all saying how severe Katrina was. We had the mayor of New Orleans saying this was a "once in a lifetime" storm ordering madatory evacuations of the city so again I wonder what was the professor watching??
Unconstitutional
It's not often I'm suprised but wow. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050914/ap_on_re_us/pledge_of_allegiance
School Pledge is ruled unconstitutional at least the part that says "under god" because it violates seperation of church and state.
The case will be appealed to the supreme court which would be interesting because they already rejected it once.
School Pledge is ruled unconstitutional at least the part that says "under god" because it violates seperation of church and state.
The case will be appealed to the supreme court which would be interesting because they already rejected it once.
What I was waiting for
Remember when I was waiting for Pat Robertson or someone (who I have made a few quotes from). This is from my friends at media maters
Pat Robertson: Katrina linked to legalized abortion
On the September 12 broadcast of the Christian Broadcasting Network's The 700 Club, host Rev. Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition of America and a former Republican presidential candidate, linked Hurricane Katrina and terrorist attacks to legalized abortion:
ROBERTSON: You know, it's just amazing, though, that people say the litmus test for [Supreme Court nominee John G.] Roberts [Jr.] is whether or not he supports the wholesale slaughter of unborn children. We have killed over 40 million unborn babies in America. I was reading, yesterday, a book that was very interesting about what God has to say in the Old Testament about those who shed innocent blood. And he used the term that those who do this, "the land will vomit you out." That -- you look at your -- you look at the book of Leviticus and see what it says there. And this author of this said, "well 'vomit out' means you are not able to defend yourself." But have we found we are unable somehow to defend ourselves against some of the attacks that are coming against us, either by terrorists or now by natural disaster? Could they be connected in some way? And he goes down the list of the things that God says will cause a nation to lose its possession, and to be vomited out. And the amazing thing is, a judge has now got to say, "I will support the wholesale slaughter of innocent children" in order to get confirmed to the bench. And I am sure Judge Roberts is not going to say any such thing. But nevertheless, that's the litmus test that's being put on, the very thing that could endanger our nation. And it's very interesting. Read the bible, read Leviticus, see what it says there.
On the September 1 broadcast of The 700 Club, Robertson also claimed that, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Roberts can "be thankful that a tragedy has brought him some good," inasmuch as Democratic senators may be less likely to question him aggressively.
According to Robertson's website, The 700 Club "reaches an average of one million American viewers daily." But according to a Los Angeles Times report, The 700 Club "has drawn an average of 863,000 viewers a day during the 2004-2005 television season, Nielsen Media Research said."
Hal Lindsey: Katrina proof that "judgment of America has begun"
On the September 9 broadcast of the Trinity Broadcasting Network's International Intelligence Briefing, host Hal Lindsey stated:
LINDSEY: It seems clear that the prophetic times I have been expecting for decades have finally arrived. And even worse, it appears that the judgment of America has begun. I warn continually that the last days lineup of world powers does not include anything resembling the United States of America. Instead, a revived Roman Empire in Europe is to rule the West, and then the world.
Based in Santa Ana, California, and owned by Jan and Paul Crouch, TBN is the world's largest Christian television network. TBN's website claims its programming is carried by more than 5,000 stations around the world. Lindsey also writes a weekly column for the conservative website WorldNetDaily.com and is the author of several books on Biblical prophecy, including The Late Great Planet Earth.
Charles Colson: God allowed Katrina to happen to bring attention to lack of preparation for terrorist attack
On the September 12 broadcast of his BreakPoint radio program, former Nixon special counsel-turned-Christian radio commentator Charles Colson speculated that God allowed Hurricane Katrina as a reminder to the United States of the importance of winning the "war on terror":
COLSON: [O]ne lesson I learned from Katrina is that we had better win the war on terror and resolve to prevent another 9-11. Katrina exposed how easy it would be to take a city out.
[... ]
COLSON: Katrina gave us a preview of what America would look like if we fail to fight the war on terror. "Did God have anything to do with Katrina?," people ask. My answer is, he allowed it and perhaps he allowed it to get our attention so that we don't delude ourselves into thinking that all we have to do is put things back the way they were and life will be normal again.
I don't understand how these hateful people get shows. I really don't. They speak of hatred. They do not want freedom of choice. Their views are the only ones that matter and everyone else they think is wrong without looking at facts. They are sick sick people.
Pat Robertson: Katrina linked to legalized abortion
On the September 12 broadcast of the Christian Broadcasting Network's The 700 Club, host Rev. Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition of America and a former Republican presidential candidate, linked Hurricane Katrina and terrorist attacks to legalized abortion:
ROBERTSON: You know, it's just amazing, though, that people say the litmus test for [Supreme Court nominee John G.] Roberts [Jr.] is whether or not he supports the wholesale slaughter of unborn children. We have killed over 40 million unborn babies in America. I was reading, yesterday, a book that was very interesting about what God has to say in the Old Testament about those who shed innocent blood. And he used the term that those who do this, "the land will vomit you out." That -- you look at your -- you look at the book of Leviticus and see what it says there. And this author of this said, "well 'vomit out' means you are not able to defend yourself." But have we found we are unable somehow to defend ourselves against some of the attacks that are coming against us, either by terrorists or now by natural disaster? Could they be connected in some way? And he goes down the list of the things that God says will cause a nation to lose its possession, and to be vomited out. And the amazing thing is, a judge has now got to say, "I will support the wholesale slaughter of innocent children" in order to get confirmed to the bench. And I am sure Judge Roberts is not going to say any such thing. But nevertheless, that's the litmus test that's being put on, the very thing that could endanger our nation. And it's very interesting. Read the bible, read Leviticus, see what it says there.
On the September 1 broadcast of The 700 Club, Robertson also claimed that, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Roberts can "be thankful that a tragedy has brought him some good," inasmuch as Democratic senators may be less likely to question him aggressively.
According to Robertson's website, The 700 Club "reaches an average of one million American viewers daily." But according to a Los Angeles Times report, The 700 Club "has drawn an average of 863,000 viewers a day during the 2004-2005 television season, Nielsen Media Research said."
Hal Lindsey: Katrina proof that "judgment of America has begun"
On the September 9 broadcast of the Trinity Broadcasting Network's International Intelligence Briefing, host Hal Lindsey stated:
LINDSEY: It seems clear that the prophetic times I have been expecting for decades have finally arrived. And even worse, it appears that the judgment of America has begun. I warn continually that the last days lineup of world powers does not include anything resembling the United States of America. Instead, a revived Roman Empire in Europe is to rule the West, and then the world.
Based in Santa Ana, California, and owned by Jan and Paul Crouch, TBN is the world's largest Christian television network. TBN's website claims its programming is carried by more than 5,000 stations around the world. Lindsey also writes a weekly column for the conservative website WorldNetDaily.com and is the author of several books on Biblical prophecy, including The Late Great Planet Earth.
Charles Colson: God allowed Katrina to happen to bring attention to lack of preparation for terrorist attack
On the September 12 broadcast of his BreakPoint radio program, former Nixon special counsel-turned-Christian radio commentator Charles Colson speculated that God allowed Hurricane Katrina as a reminder to the United States of the importance of winning the "war on terror":
COLSON: [O]ne lesson I learned from Katrina is that we had better win the war on terror and resolve to prevent another 9-11. Katrina exposed how easy it would be to take a city out.
[... ]
COLSON: Katrina gave us a preview of what America would look like if we fail to fight the war on terror. "Did God have anything to do with Katrina?," people ask. My answer is, he allowed it and perhaps he allowed it to get our attention so that we don't delude ourselves into thinking that all we have to do is put things back the way they were and life will be normal again.
I don't understand how these hateful people get shows. I really don't. They speak of hatred. They do not want freedom of choice. Their views are the only ones that matter and everyone else they think is wrong without looking at facts. They are sick sick people.
Remember Osama??
Came across this story at http://www.rawstory.com.
KABUL, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Osama bin Laden was provided safe passage to Pakistan in 2001 by Afghan commanders paid by al Qaeda and sympathetic to its cause, a senior Afghan official told Reuters on Wednesday.
Lutfullah Mashal, Afghanistan's Interior Ministry spokesman, said commanders helped the al Qaeda leader escape from the Tora Bora mountains as U.S. warplanes and Afghan forces attacked his hideout near the Pakistan border in late 2001.
"The help was provided because of monetary aid availed by al Qaeda and also partly because of ideological issues," Mashal said.
"Osama along with other al Qaeda people managed to go to Parachinar (in Pakistan) at the time and then Pakistani forces battled the al Qaeda runaways, killing around 70 of them," Mashal added, referring to an area in Pakistan's Kurram tribal agency.
He said commanders loyal to Maulvi Yunus Khalis had helped the al Qaeda leader escape. The whereabouts of Khalis, a top mujahideen leader from the war against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, is unknown.
Mashal told private Pakistani television channel Geo on Tuesday that U.S. forces made a mistake in entrusting the capture of bin Laden to Afghan commanders.
Mashal said he was present in the Tora Bora mountains during the December 2001 operation, and that while U.S. forces were not there in uniform, green berets in plain clothes, some disguised in Uzbek style dress were present.
He said that while 800 or 900 Arabs fled Tora Bora for Pakistan's Khyber tribal agency, senior al Qaeda leaders trekked across to Parachinar on foot, mule and horseback with the help of some Sulemankheil tribal elders.
Mashal said bin Laden later re-crossed the border to Khost where Taliban leader Jalaluddin Haqqani gave him refuge, before returning to Pakistan, this time heading for Miranshah, the main town in another tribal agency, North Waziristan.
Mashal said he had gone to Pakistan himself, searching for bin Laden and his deputy Ayman al-Zawahri in camps of al Qaeda militants at Parachinar, Shawal, Daddakheil and Miranshah.
"I visited all the camps, where there were Chechens, Uzbeks, but I was not able to find clues about the whereabouts of Osama or al-Zawahri," he told Geo.
Mashal suspected the al Qaeda leader was still moving around Pakistan's tribal lands, guarded by Taliban and Arab fighters.
"His exact location is not clear for he changes his location and is on the move ... He is guarded by Haqqani's men and Yemenis."
U.S. officials have repeatedly said bin Laden, who has evaded a U.S.-led manhunt since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, is probably still hiding in the rugged mountains between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The United States invaded Afghanistan after the Taliban refused to hand over bin Laden, blamed for the attacks on U.S. cities, and overthrew the Taliban in late 2001.
The U.S. military in Afghanistan denied on Wednesday that one of its officers had told reporters that bin Laden was seeking medical attention.
The London-based Arabic newspaper al-Hayat, citing U.S. Colonel Don McGraw in a briefing with reporters in Kabul, had reported earlier in the day that the world's most wanted man was in poor health and was trying to obtain medical attention.
But a U.S. military spokeswoman in Kabul said McGraw had not said that, and had presented the reporters with no new report about the fugitive al Qaeda leader.
So these are the commanders Bush, instead of sending more of our own troops, decided are our "friends" and they let Bin Laden slip away.
Nice going George.
KABUL, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Osama bin Laden was provided safe passage to Pakistan in 2001 by Afghan commanders paid by al Qaeda and sympathetic to its cause, a senior Afghan official told Reuters on Wednesday.
Lutfullah Mashal, Afghanistan's Interior Ministry spokesman, said commanders helped the al Qaeda leader escape from the Tora Bora mountains as U.S. warplanes and Afghan forces attacked his hideout near the Pakistan border in late 2001.
"The help was provided because of monetary aid availed by al Qaeda and also partly because of ideological issues," Mashal said.
"Osama along with other al Qaeda people managed to go to Parachinar (in Pakistan) at the time and then Pakistani forces battled the al Qaeda runaways, killing around 70 of them," Mashal added, referring to an area in Pakistan's Kurram tribal agency.
He said commanders loyal to Maulvi Yunus Khalis had helped the al Qaeda leader escape. The whereabouts of Khalis, a top mujahideen leader from the war against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, is unknown.
Mashal told private Pakistani television channel Geo on Tuesday that U.S. forces made a mistake in entrusting the capture of bin Laden to Afghan commanders.
Mashal said he was present in the Tora Bora mountains during the December 2001 operation, and that while U.S. forces were not there in uniform, green berets in plain clothes, some disguised in Uzbek style dress were present.
He said that while 800 or 900 Arabs fled Tora Bora for Pakistan's Khyber tribal agency, senior al Qaeda leaders trekked across to Parachinar on foot, mule and horseback with the help of some Sulemankheil tribal elders.
Mashal said bin Laden later re-crossed the border to Khost where Taliban leader Jalaluddin Haqqani gave him refuge, before returning to Pakistan, this time heading for Miranshah, the main town in another tribal agency, North Waziristan.
Mashal said he had gone to Pakistan himself, searching for bin Laden and his deputy Ayman al-Zawahri in camps of al Qaeda militants at Parachinar, Shawal, Daddakheil and Miranshah.
"I visited all the camps, where there were Chechens, Uzbeks, but I was not able to find clues about the whereabouts of Osama or al-Zawahri," he told Geo.
Mashal suspected the al Qaeda leader was still moving around Pakistan's tribal lands, guarded by Taliban and Arab fighters.
"His exact location is not clear for he changes his location and is on the move ... He is guarded by Haqqani's men and Yemenis."
U.S. officials have repeatedly said bin Laden, who has evaded a U.S.-led manhunt since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, is probably still hiding in the rugged mountains between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The United States invaded Afghanistan after the Taliban refused to hand over bin Laden, blamed for the attacks on U.S. cities, and overthrew the Taliban in late 2001.
The U.S. military in Afghanistan denied on Wednesday that one of its officers had told reporters that bin Laden was seeking medical attention.
The London-based Arabic newspaper al-Hayat, citing U.S. Colonel Don McGraw in a briefing with reporters in Kabul, had reported earlier in the day that the world's most wanted man was in poor health and was trying to obtain medical attention.
But a U.S. military spokeswoman in Kabul said McGraw had not said that, and had presented the reporters with no new report about the fugitive al Qaeda leader.
So these are the commanders Bush, instead of sending more of our own troops, decided are our "friends" and they let Bin Laden slip away.
Nice going George.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Priorities
From http://www.thinkprogress.org
What I would like to do real quick look at a memo that was sent by Attorney General Gonzales back in June.
When FBI supervisors in Miami met with new interim U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta last month, they wondered what the top enforcement priority for Acosta and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales would be.
Would it be terrorism? Organized crime? Narcotics trafficking? Immigration? Or maybe public corruption?
The agents were stunned to learn that a top prosecutorial priority of Acosta and the Department of Justice was none of the above. Instead, Acosta told them, it’s obscenity. Not pornography involving children, but pornographic material featuring consenting adults.
His own prosecutors have warned Acosta that prioritizing adult porn would reduce resources for prosecuting other crimes, including porn involving children. According to high-level sources who did not want to be identified, Acosta has assigned prosecutors porn cases over their objections. … Acosta [said] that this was Attorney General Gonzales’ mandate.
So terrorism isn't a priority for the Department of Justice??? And we have an imaginery forgotton war on terror (sorry dispite Bush and the right wing echo machine the war in Iraq has nothing to do with the war on terror) I do have a question: Are we any safer now then before 9/11??
What I would like to do real quick look at a memo that was sent by Attorney General Gonzales back in June.
When FBI supervisors in Miami met with new interim U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta last month, they wondered what the top enforcement priority for Acosta and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales would be.
Would it be terrorism? Organized crime? Narcotics trafficking? Immigration? Or maybe public corruption?
The agents were stunned to learn that a top prosecutorial priority of Acosta and the Department of Justice was none of the above. Instead, Acosta told them, it’s obscenity. Not pornography involving children, but pornographic material featuring consenting adults.
His own prosecutors have warned Acosta that prioritizing adult porn would reduce resources for prosecuting other crimes, including porn involving children. According to high-level sources who did not want to be identified, Acosta has assigned prosecutors porn cases over their objections. … Acosta [said] that this was Attorney General Gonzales’ mandate.
So terrorism isn't a priority for the Department of Justice??? And we have an imaginery forgotton war on terror (sorry dispite Bush and the right wing echo machine the war in Iraq has nothing to do with the war on terror) I do have a question: Are we any safer now then before 9/11??
More Friends
Again it's who you know. The head of the Red Cross, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, is a big donor for George Bush.
From http://www.rawstory.com
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter Chairman of the board for the Red Cross, and Marsha J. Evans the President and CEO of the Red Cross have donated large amounts of money to the republican party and so-called president George W. Bush.
McElveen-Hunter donated $25,000 to the Republican National Committee in April 2004 and $100,000 in July 2000. In May 2000, she gave $1000 to "Bush for President, Inc." and as a reward Bush appointed her head of the Red Cross and Evans donated a measly $500.
And I'm not naive enough to say that hasn't happened in every administration in the past I'm sure it has but again we look at the conflicts of interest in the current administration and the fact instead of appointing trained professionals he hires his friends.
From http://www.rawstory.com
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter Chairman of the board for the Red Cross, and Marsha J. Evans the President and CEO of the Red Cross have donated large amounts of money to the republican party and so-called president George W. Bush.
McElveen-Hunter donated $25,000 to the Republican National Committee in April 2004 and $100,000 in July 2000. In May 2000, she gave $1000 to "Bush for President, Inc." and as a reward Bush appointed her head of the Red Cross and Evans donated a measly $500.
And I'm not naive enough to say that hasn't happened in every administration in the past I'm sure it has but again we look at the conflicts of interest in the current administration and the fact instead of appointing trained professionals he hires his friends.
More Revisionist History from the Right
First, every time we hear why we went to war with Iraq changes depending on the day. Now this from Media Maters and my friend the drug-addict Rush while interviewing Louisiana Senator Landrieu and the surplus left by the Clinton Administration.
ANDRIEU: Bill Clinton was running the largest deficit created by the Reagan administration before him and the Bush administration before him. President Bush was running a surplus. Yet, when he had a surplus, he didn't invest it in levees and flood protection for people from Miami to Orlando to New Orleans to Biloxi [Mississippi] or to Mobile [Alabama].
LIMBAUGH: This is sad. This is what [a previous caller] was talking about. But it's just patently sad that somebody with this limited amount of understanding and knowledge is actually in the U.S. Senate. The '90s were the greatest decade, uh, for economic activity in recent years, I thought. When was the peace dividend and all the surplus? The sur -- well, that came after, uh, the Soviet Union and the -- and the, uh, and the [Berlin] Wall fell. And the Clinton administration got rid of all those big deficits. This surplus that she's talking about, there never was a surplus. It was 10-year economic forecasts. But anybody with half a brain can tell you, folks, that two things are going to happen when a government report says there's a huge surplus in the, uh, in the out years: A) Government is going to suggest raising taxes, not cutting them; and B) They're gonna spend it. And this is precisely what happened. There never was a surplus. This is a Democrat [sic] mantra talking point about how the Bush administration squandered this giant surplus left by the Clinton administration.
So if I might ask why did everyone receive $300 after George Bush took over?? Whle I know I'm somewhat of a hippocrite cause I took it but NEVER a suruplus?? These "people" mistake you for morons. Everyone with 1/3 a brain will remember President Clinton AND (to give credit where it's due)the Republican congress and Senate turned the deficet left by the first President Bush and President Reagan into the surplus that this President Bush squandered so we have the current deficet. Now what some people were asking that Bush (and again the Republican Congress and Senate) do things like shore up Social Security with the surplus but Bush at the time decided to try to be popular and give the money back to the people. Now if he decided to even just let the money sit we would have had money to spare in the war in Iraq AND to help what's going on in the south.
I guess hindsight is 20/20.
ANDRIEU: Bill Clinton was running the largest deficit created by the Reagan administration before him and the Bush administration before him. President Bush was running a surplus. Yet, when he had a surplus, he didn't invest it in levees and flood protection for people from Miami to Orlando to New Orleans to Biloxi [Mississippi] or to Mobile [Alabama].
LIMBAUGH: This is sad. This is what [a previous caller] was talking about. But it's just patently sad that somebody with this limited amount of understanding and knowledge is actually in the U.S. Senate. The '90s were the greatest decade, uh, for economic activity in recent years, I thought. When was the peace dividend and all the surplus? The sur -- well, that came after, uh, the Soviet Union and the -- and the, uh, and the [Berlin] Wall fell. And the Clinton administration got rid of all those big deficits. This surplus that she's talking about, there never was a surplus. It was 10-year economic forecasts. But anybody with half a brain can tell you, folks, that two things are going to happen when a government report says there's a huge surplus in the, uh, in the out years: A) Government is going to suggest raising taxes, not cutting them; and B) They're gonna spend it. And this is precisely what happened. There never was a surplus. This is a Democrat [sic] mantra talking point about how the Bush administration squandered this giant surplus left by the Clinton administration.
So if I might ask why did everyone receive $300 after George Bush took over?? Whle I know I'm somewhat of a hippocrite cause I took it but NEVER a suruplus?? These "people" mistake you for morons. Everyone with 1/3 a brain will remember President Clinton AND (to give credit where it's due)the Republican congress and Senate turned the deficet left by the first President Bush and President Reagan into the surplus that this President Bush squandered so we have the current deficet. Now what some people were asking that Bush (and again the Republican Congress and Senate) do things like shore up Social Security with the surplus but Bush at the time decided to try to be popular and give the money back to the people. Now if he decided to even just let the money sit we would have had money to spare in the war in Iraq AND to help what's going on in the south.
I guess hindsight is 20/20.
Conflict of Interest
Robert just to give you an example I'd like to talk about a case Roberts ruled on recently. This is in today's Los Angeles Times. The case, Hamdan vs. Rumsfeld, was a case where Rumsfeld was sued due to the fact he IS violating the Geneva Convention, which guarentees basic human rights, by holding the detainees at Guantanamo Bay without access to lawyers and holding "secret" military tribunals.
Judge Roberts ruled in Rumsfeld's favor. That is on the record but what stinks about this is while hearing the case, Judge Roberts was interviewing for the seat on the Supreme Court vacated by Sandra Day O'Connor's leaving.
And if you are telling me that there was not a conflict of interest I'd like to know the meaning of the word.
Judge Roberts ruled in Rumsfeld's favor. That is on the record but what stinks about this is while hearing the case, Judge Roberts was interviewing for the seat on the Supreme Court vacated by Sandra Day O'Connor's leaving.
And if you are telling me that there was not a conflict of interest I'd like to know the meaning of the word.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Friends in High places
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,68829,00.html
Companies with ties to the Bush White House and the former head of FEMA are clinching some of the administration's first disaster relief and reconstruction contracts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
At least two major corporate clients of lobbyist Joe Allbaugh, President George W. Bush's former campaign manager and a former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have already been tapped to start recovery work along the battered Gulf Coast.
One is Shaw Group and the other is Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root. Vice President Dick Cheney is a former head of Halliburton.
Bechtel National, a unit of San Francisco's Bechtel, has also been selected by FEMA to provide short-term housing for people displaced by the hurricane. Bush named Bechtel's CEO to his Export Council and put the former CEO of Bechtel Energy in charge of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
Experts say it has been common practice in both Republican and Democratic administrations for policy makers to take lobbying jobs once they leave office, and many of the same companies seeking contracts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina have already received billions of dollars for work in Iraq.
Halliburton alone has earned more than $9 billion. Pentagon audits released by Democrats in June showed $1.03 billion in "questioned" costs and $422 million in "unsupported" costs for Halliburton's work in Iraq.
But the web of Bush administration connections is attracting renewed attention from watch dog groups in the post-Katrina reconstruction rush. Congress has already appropriated more than $60 billion in emergency funding as a down payment on recovery efforts projected to cost well over $100 billion.
"The government has got to stop stacking senior positions with people who are repeatedly cashing in on the public trust in order to further private commercial interests," said Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight.
Allbaugh formally registered as a lobbyist for Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root in February. In lobbying disclosure forms filed with the Senate, Allbaugh said his goal was to "educate the congressional and executive branch on defense, disaster relief and homeland security issues affecting Kellogg Brown and Root."
Melissa Norcross, a Halliburton spokeswoman, said Allbaugh has not, since he was hired, "consulted on any specific contracts that the company is considering pursuing, nor has he been tasked by the company with any lobbying responsibilities."
Allbaugh is also a friend of Michael Brown, director of FEMA who was removed as head of Katrina disaster relief and sent back to Washington amid allegations he had padded his resume.
A few months after Allbaugh was hired by Halliburton, the company retained another high-level Bush appointee, Kirk Van Tine. Van Tine registered as a lobbyist for Halliburton six months after resigning as deputy transportation secretary, a position he held from December 2003 to December 2004.
On Friday, Kellogg Brown & Root received $29.8 million in Pentagon contracts to begin rebuilding Navy bases in Louisiana and Mississippi. Norcross said the work was covered under a contract that the company negotiated before Allbaugh was hired.
Halliburton continues to be a source of income for Cheney, who served as its chief executive officer from 1995 until 2000 when he joined the Republican ticket for the White House. According to tax filings released in April, Cheney's income included $194,852 in deferred pay from the company, which has also won billion-dollar government contracts in Iraq.
Cheney's office said the amount of deferred compensation is fixed and is not affected by Halliburton's current economic performance or earnings.
Allbaugh's other major client, Baton Rouge-based Shaw Group, has updated its website to say: "Hurricane Recovery Projects -- Apply Here!"
Shaw said on Thursday it has received a $100 million emergency FEMA contract for housing management and construction. Shaw also clinched a $100 million order on Friday from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Shaw Group spokesman Chris Sammons said Allbaugh was providing the company with "general consulting on business matters," and would not say whether he played a direct role in any of the Katrina deals. "We don't comment on specific consulting activities," he said.
Now I realize this is long but the bottom line is Cheney still gets PAID by Halliburton,he and Bush makes sure Halliburton and other friends of his get the cushy jobs and cushy contracts and guys like Micahel Brown with little to no experience in important positions and expect the country to run well?? No wonder we are failing.
Companies with ties to the Bush White House and the former head of FEMA are clinching some of the administration's first disaster relief and reconstruction contracts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
At least two major corporate clients of lobbyist Joe Allbaugh, President George W. Bush's former campaign manager and a former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have already been tapped to start recovery work along the battered Gulf Coast.
One is Shaw Group and the other is Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root. Vice President Dick Cheney is a former head of Halliburton.
Bechtel National, a unit of San Francisco's Bechtel, has also been selected by FEMA to provide short-term housing for people displaced by the hurricane. Bush named Bechtel's CEO to his Export Council and put the former CEO of Bechtel Energy in charge of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
Experts say it has been common practice in both Republican and Democratic administrations for policy makers to take lobbying jobs once they leave office, and many of the same companies seeking contracts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina have already received billions of dollars for work in Iraq.
Halliburton alone has earned more than $9 billion. Pentagon audits released by Democrats in June showed $1.03 billion in "questioned" costs and $422 million in "unsupported" costs for Halliburton's work in Iraq.
But the web of Bush administration connections is attracting renewed attention from watch dog groups in the post-Katrina reconstruction rush. Congress has already appropriated more than $60 billion in emergency funding as a down payment on recovery efforts projected to cost well over $100 billion.
"The government has got to stop stacking senior positions with people who are repeatedly cashing in on the public trust in order to further private commercial interests," said Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight.
Allbaugh formally registered as a lobbyist for Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root in February. In lobbying disclosure forms filed with the Senate, Allbaugh said his goal was to "educate the congressional and executive branch on defense, disaster relief and homeland security issues affecting Kellogg Brown and Root."
Melissa Norcross, a Halliburton spokeswoman, said Allbaugh has not, since he was hired, "consulted on any specific contracts that the company is considering pursuing, nor has he been tasked by the company with any lobbying responsibilities."
Allbaugh is also a friend of Michael Brown, director of FEMA who was removed as head of Katrina disaster relief and sent back to Washington amid allegations he had padded his resume.
A few months after Allbaugh was hired by Halliburton, the company retained another high-level Bush appointee, Kirk Van Tine. Van Tine registered as a lobbyist for Halliburton six months after resigning as deputy transportation secretary, a position he held from December 2003 to December 2004.
On Friday, Kellogg Brown & Root received $29.8 million in Pentagon contracts to begin rebuilding Navy bases in Louisiana and Mississippi. Norcross said the work was covered under a contract that the company negotiated before Allbaugh was hired.
Halliburton continues to be a source of income for Cheney, who served as its chief executive officer from 1995 until 2000 when he joined the Republican ticket for the White House. According to tax filings released in April, Cheney's income included $194,852 in deferred pay from the company, which has also won billion-dollar government contracts in Iraq.
Cheney's office said the amount of deferred compensation is fixed and is not affected by Halliburton's current economic performance or earnings.
Allbaugh's other major client, Baton Rouge-based Shaw Group, has updated its website to say: "Hurricane Recovery Projects -- Apply Here!"
Shaw said on Thursday it has received a $100 million emergency FEMA contract for housing management and construction. Shaw also clinched a $100 million order on Friday from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Shaw Group spokesman Chris Sammons said Allbaugh was providing the company with "general consulting on business matters," and would not say whether he played a direct role in any of the Katrina deals. "We don't comment on specific consulting activities," he said.
Now I realize this is long but the bottom line is Cheney still gets PAID by Halliburton,he and Bush makes sure Halliburton and other friends of his get the cushy jobs and cushy contracts and guys like Micahel Brown with little to no experience in important positions and expect the country to run well?? No wonder we are failing.
"Brownie" Resigns
I see where George's pal Brownie resigned. Is anyone suprised?? If only the resignations can go up the ladder starting at the top.
Roberts
So the hearings for John Roberts begin. While I know he will get in I am asking, no begging for Democrats to try to get this guy to go on the record. I see where republicans offered the advice don't answer anything which really is not suprising. I mean though really with the republican controlled senate no matter what he says he would get in unfortunately.
Say goodbye to a lot of freedoms we have.
Say goodbye to a lot of freedoms we have.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
More Stupid comments
From media matters
You wonder why I hate the right so much. Clear Channel radio host Glenn Beck said the following on his September 9th radio show:
Let me be real honest with you. I don't think anybody on talk radio -- I don't think anybody in their right mind is going to say this out loud -- but I wonder if I'm the only one that feels this way. Yesterday, when I saw the ATM cards being handed out, the $2,000 ATM cards, and they were being handed out at the Astrodome. And they actually had to close the Astrodome and seal it off for a while because there was a near-riot trying to get to these ATM cards. My first thought was, it's not like they're going to run out of the $2,000 ATM cards. You can wait! You know, stand in line. Maybe it's because I'm the kind of guy, when I go to a buffet, I either have to be first in line, or I'm the very last. Because I know there's going to be extra food, and I just won't stand in the line. I'll wait until all the suckers go get their food, and then I'll go get mine. Or if I'm really hungry, I hate to admit this -- and really, I don't even have to be really hungry. If I'm really being a pig, I will kind of, like, hang out around the buffet table before the line is -- you know, chat with people right around the table: "Oh, they just opened the line! Let's go!" And then you're first in line.
When you are rioting for these tickets, or these ATM cards, the second thing that came to mind was -- and this is horrible to say, and I wonder if I'm alone in this -- you know it took me about a year to start hating the 9-11 victims' families? Took me about a year. And I had such compassion for them, and I really wanted to help them, and I was behind, you know, "Let's give them money, let's get this started." All of this stuff. And I really didn't -- of the 3,000 victims' families, I don't hate all of them. Probably about 10 of them. And when I see a 9-11 victim family on television, or whatever, I'm just like, "Oh shut up!" I'm so sick of them because they're always complaining. And we did our best for them. And, again, it's only about 10.
But the second thought I had when I saw these people and they had to shut down the Astrodome and lock it down, I thought: I didn't think I could hate victims faster than the 9-11 victims. These guys -- you know it's really sad. We're not hearing anything about Mississippi. We're not hearing anything about Alabama. We're hearing about the victims in New Orleans. This is a 90,000-square-mile disaster site, New Orleans is 181 square miles. A hundred and -- 0.2 percent of the disaster area is New Orleans! And that's all we're hearing about, are the people in New Orleans. Those are the only ones we're seeing on television are the scumbags -- and again, it's not all the people in New Orleans. Most of the people in New Orleans got out! It's just a small percentage of those who were left in New Orleans, or who decided to stay in New Orleans, and they're getting all the attention. It's exactly like the 9-11 victims' families. There's about 10 of them that are spoiling it for everybody.
Ladies and Gentlemen my god. I for the first time don't really know what to say. How do these HATE freaks get jobs? How do these people in glass houses live with themselves?? He HATES the families of 9/11?? HATES?? These are people who lost husbands,wives,sons,daughters he HATES them?? He thinks the victims of Katrina are SCUMBAGS?? And as I always always state you wonder why America is THE most hated nation in the world. Just so disgusting it's sad.
You wonder why I hate the right so much. Clear Channel radio host Glenn Beck said the following on his September 9th radio show:
Let me be real honest with you. I don't think anybody on talk radio -- I don't think anybody in their right mind is going to say this out loud -- but I wonder if I'm the only one that feels this way. Yesterday, when I saw the ATM cards being handed out, the $2,000 ATM cards, and they were being handed out at the Astrodome. And they actually had to close the Astrodome and seal it off for a while because there was a near-riot trying to get to these ATM cards. My first thought was, it's not like they're going to run out of the $2,000 ATM cards. You can wait! You know, stand in line. Maybe it's because I'm the kind of guy, when I go to a buffet, I either have to be first in line, or I'm the very last. Because I know there's going to be extra food, and I just won't stand in the line. I'll wait until all the suckers go get their food, and then I'll go get mine. Or if I'm really hungry, I hate to admit this -- and really, I don't even have to be really hungry. If I'm really being a pig, I will kind of, like, hang out around the buffet table before the line is -- you know, chat with people right around the table: "Oh, they just opened the line! Let's go!" And then you're first in line.
When you are rioting for these tickets, or these ATM cards, the second thing that came to mind was -- and this is horrible to say, and I wonder if I'm alone in this -- you know it took me about a year to start hating the 9-11 victims' families? Took me about a year. And I had such compassion for them, and I really wanted to help them, and I was behind, you know, "Let's give them money, let's get this started." All of this stuff. And I really didn't -- of the 3,000 victims' families, I don't hate all of them. Probably about 10 of them. And when I see a 9-11 victim family on television, or whatever, I'm just like, "Oh shut up!" I'm so sick of them because they're always complaining. And we did our best for them. And, again, it's only about 10.
But the second thought I had when I saw these people and they had to shut down the Astrodome and lock it down, I thought: I didn't think I could hate victims faster than the 9-11 victims. These guys -- you know it's really sad. We're not hearing anything about Mississippi. We're not hearing anything about Alabama. We're hearing about the victims in New Orleans. This is a 90,000-square-mile disaster site, New Orleans is 181 square miles. A hundred and -- 0.2 percent of the disaster area is New Orleans! And that's all we're hearing about, are the people in New Orleans. Those are the only ones we're seeing on television are the scumbags -- and again, it's not all the people in New Orleans. Most of the people in New Orleans got out! It's just a small percentage of those who were left in New Orleans, or who decided to stay in New Orleans, and they're getting all the attention. It's exactly like the 9-11 victims' families. There's about 10 of them that are spoiling it for everybody.
Ladies and Gentlemen my god. I for the first time don't really know what to say. How do these HATE freaks get jobs? How do these people in glass houses live with themselves?? He HATES the families of 9/11?? HATES?? These are people who lost husbands,wives,sons,daughters he HATES them?? He thinks the victims of Katrina are SCUMBAGS?? And as I always always state you wonder why America is THE most hated nation in the world. Just so disgusting it's sad.
Friday, September 09, 2005
More from the right
Here is a good one.
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/DeLay_to
_evacuees_Is_this_kind_of_f_0909.html
While on the tour with top administration officials from Washington, including U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and U.S. Treasury Secretary John W. Snow, DeLay stopped to chat with three young boys resting on cots.
The congressman likened their stay to being at camp and asked, "Now tell me the truth boys, is this kind of fun?"
FUN?? Ladies and gentlemen I would not call being away from your home,friends and family FUN. I wouldn't call thousands of dead bodies FUN.
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Congressman_Hurricane_finally
_cleaned_out__public_housing_in_N_0909.html
Here is another good one Rep. Baker of Baton Rouge is overheard telling lobbyists: "We finally cleaned up public housing in New Orleans. We couldn't do it, but God did."
These people are so nice
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/DeLay_to
_evacuees_Is_this_kind_of_f_0909.html
While on the tour with top administration officials from Washington, including U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and U.S. Treasury Secretary John W. Snow, DeLay stopped to chat with three young boys resting on cots.
The congressman likened their stay to being at camp and asked, "Now tell me the truth boys, is this kind of fun?"
FUN?? Ladies and gentlemen I would not call being away from your home,friends and family FUN. I wouldn't call thousands of dead bodies FUN.
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Congressman_Hurricane_finally
_cleaned_out__public_housing_in_N_0909.html
Here is another good one Rep. Baker of Baton Rouge is overheard telling lobbyists: "We finally cleaned up public housing in New Orleans. We couldn't do it, but God did."
These people are so nice
More Lies from Bush's people
Breaking news ladies and gentlemen head of FEMA Brown has been demoted. Now since Bush only hires his friends and buddies as appointees no matter what experience they have I found the following quite interesting.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1103003,00.html
Before joining FEMA, his only previous stint in emergency management, according to his bio posted on FEMA's website, was "serving as an assistant city manager with emergency services oversight." The White House press release from 2001 stated that Brown worked for the city of Edmond, Okla., from 1975 to 1978 "overseeing the emergency services division." In fact, according to Claudia Deakins, head of public relations for the city of Edmond, Brown was an "assistant to the city manager" from 1977 to 1980, not a manager himself, and had no authority over other employees. "The assistant is more like an intern," she told TIME. "Department heads did not report to him." Brown did do a good job at his humble position, however, according to his boss. "Yes. Mike Brown worked for me. He was my administrative assistant. He was a student at Central State University," recalls former city manager Bill Dashner. "Mike used to handle a lot of details. Every now and again I'd ask him to write me a speech. He was very loyal. He was always on time. He always had on a suit and a starched white shirt."
Another lie from both the White House and Brown
Brown's lack of experience in emergency management isn't the only apparent bit of padding on his resume, which raises questions about how rigorously the White House vetted him before putting him in charge of FEMA. Under the "honors and awards" section of his profile at FindLaw.com — which is information on the legal website provided by lawyers or their offices—he lists "Outstanding Political Science Professor, Central State University". However, Brown "wasn't a professor here, he was only a student here," says Charles Johnson, News Bureau Director in the University Relations office at the University of Central Oklahoma (formerly named Central State University). "He may have been an adjunct instructor," says Johnson, but that title is very different from that of "professor." Carl Reherman, a former political science professor at the University through the '70s and '80s, says that Brown "was not on the faculty." As for the honor of "Outstanding Political Science Professor," Johnson says, "I spoke with the department chair yesterday and he's not aware of it." Johnson could not confirm that Brown made the Dean's list or was an "Outstanding Political Science Senior," as is stated on his online profile.
I mean come on ladies and gentlemen this is another blatant lie and these so called moral people are disgusting
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1103003,00.html
Before joining FEMA, his only previous stint in emergency management, according to his bio posted on FEMA's website, was "serving as an assistant city manager with emergency services oversight." The White House press release from 2001 stated that Brown worked for the city of Edmond, Okla., from 1975 to 1978 "overseeing the emergency services division." In fact, according to Claudia Deakins, head of public relations for the city of Edmond, Brown was an "assistant to the city manager" from 1977 to 1980, not a manager himself, and had no authority over other employees. "The assistant is more like an intern," she told TIME. "Department heads did not report to him." Brown did do a good job at his humble position, however, according to his boss. "Yes. Mike Brown worked for me. He was my administrative assistant. He was a student at Central State University," recalls former city manager Bill Dashner. "Mike used to handle a lot of details. Every now and again I'd ask him to write me a speech. He was very loyal. He was always on time. He always had on a suit and a starched white shirt."
Another lie from both the White House and Brown
Brown's lack of experience in emergency management isn't the only apparent bit of padding on his resume, which raises questions about how rigorously the White House vetted him before putting him in charge of FEMA. Under the "honors and awards" section of his profile at FindLaw.com — which is information on the legal website provided by lawyers or their offices—he lists "Outstanding Political Science Professor, Central State University". However, Brown "wasn't a professor here, he was only a student here," says Charles Johnson, News Bureau Director in the University Relations office at the University of Central Oklahoma (formerly named Central State University). "He may have been an adjunct instructor," says Johnson, but that title is very different from that of "professor." Carl Reherman, a former political science professor at the University through the '70s and '80s, says that Brown "was not on the faculty." As for the honor of "Outstanding Political Science Professor," Johnson says, "I spoke with the department chair yesterday and he's not aware of it." Johnson could not confirm that Brown made the Dean's list or was an "Outstanding Political Science Senior," as is stated on his online profile.
I mean come on ladies and gentlemen this is another blatant lie and these so called moral people are disgusting
Gov. Arnie
So Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed the Gay Marriage bill passed by our state congress and senate. He said that judges and the people should decide.
Judges huh?? Activist Judges?? The same people who Republicans loathe if they don't share their views?
The reason Arnie says he vetoed the bill was it would contradict a law passed here in 2000 which did not recognize out of state gay marriages. So that is just something Arnie says to get out of it.
I think you should know what's going on in Ca.
Judges huh?? Activist Judges?? The same people who Republicans loathe if they don't share their views?
The reason Arnie says he vetoed the bill was it would contradict a law passed here in 2000 which did not recognize out of state gay marriages. So that is just something Arnie says to get out of it.
I think you should know what's going on in Ca.
Slave Wages
Check this out http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/08/news/economy/katrina_wages.reut
/index.htm
Bush signed an executive order tonight stating federal contractors rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to pay below the prevailing wage. This applies to the states of Florida,Louisiana,Alabama and Mississippi
The executive order waives the 1931 Davis-Bacon Act which states federal contractors to pay workers at least the prevailing wages in the area where the work is conducted. It applies to federally funded construction projects such as highways and bridges.
So now companies, not mentioning any names (Halliburton) can go in, charge slave wages(below minimum wage). And yet you wonder why poverty is on the rise every year since Bush took over
/index.htm
Bush signed an executive order tonight stating federal contractors rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to pay below the prevailing wage. This applies to the states of Florida,Louisiana,Alabama and Mississippi
The executive order waives the 1931 Davis-Bacon Act which states federal contractors to pay workers at least the prevailing wages in the area where the work is conducted. It applies to federally funded construction projects such as highways and bridges.
So now companies, not mentioning any names (Halliburton) can go in, charge slave wages(below minimum wage). And yet you wonder why poverty is on the rise every year since Bush took over
Thursday, September 08, 2005
What me Worry?
George Bush is often defined as the "what me worry" President. Here are a few sayings from Bush and the administration courtesy of the Los Angeles Daily News.
Global Warming is not a problem
What melting polar cap
We need faith, not science
Invading Iraq will be a cakewalk
Insurgents? Bring 'em on
The lord will protect New Orleans from a flood
Who needs barrier islands
Or beefed-up levees
Those folds can manage without our help so why ask the government to do what folks can do for themselves
We can spend all we want to AND give tax breaks to the wealthy
Why worry about a budget
Scary huh??
Global Warming is not a problem
What melting polar cap
We need faith, not science
Invading Iraq will be a cakewalk
Insurgents? Bring 'em on
The lord will protect New Orleans from a flood
Who needs barrier islands
Or beefed-up levees
Those folds can manage without our help so why ask the government to do what folks can do for themselves
We can spend all we want to AND give tax breaks to the wealthy
Why worry about a budget
Scary huh??
Photos
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/
article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001057161
So now FEMA isn't allowing photographs of the dead bodies in New Orleans. This is just like the military not allowing photographs of the dead soldiers coming home from Iraq.
Sounds like censorship to me.
article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001057161
So now FEMA isn't allowing photographs of the dead bodies in New Orleans. This is just like the military not allowing photographs of the dead soldiers coming home from Iraq.
Sounds like censorship to me.
Thank you
As we approch the 1000th hit on this website I, as always, want to thank you for your support and continuing to come here and visit. Whether you agree with me and my views or disagree that's fine. If you can clip on the ads and support me through those I'd also appreciate it if not that's fine too. So again thank you and come as often as you can.
Barbara Bush
I've been meaning to write about this for a couple of days now but I saw where former first lady Barbara Bush made the following comment regarding the evacuees in the Houston Astrodome "This is working very well for them." and "What I’m hearing which is sort of scary is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is
so overwhelmed by the hospitality." and "And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this (she chuckles slightly) is working very well for them."
So what she meant by that is it's better to be sleeping on a cot in an arena is better then sleeping in a home where you can be comfortable. They might not have had a privileged life like she has. Not had a mansion or anything like the fact to say that they are better away from their homes, their lives, thier friends and family is the most stupid comment I've heard regarding Katrina along a line of very stupid insensitive comments.
This was from http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news
/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001054719
so overwhelmed by the hospitality." and "And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this (she chuckles slightly) is working very well for them."
So what she meant by that is it's better to be sleeping on a cot in an arena is better then sleeping in a home where you can be comfortable. They might not have had a privileged life like she has. Not had a mansion or anything like the fact to say that they are better away from their homes, their lives, thier friends and family is the most stupid comment I've heard regarding Katrina along a line of very stupid insensitive comments.
This was from http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news
/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001054719
Katrina Timeline
In the wake of the blatant lie Bush said that the Gov. of Louisiana never asked to have a federal emergency declared I have courtesy of thinkprogress.org a timeline of the events from Katrina and who said what and when. I posted this originally last night but somehow the dates weren't there so I am re-posting this now.
Friday, August 26
GOV. KATHLEEN BLANCO DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN LOUISIANA: [Office of the Governor]
GULF COAST STATES REQUEST TROOP ASSISTANCE FROM PENTAGON: At a 9/1 press conference, Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, commander, Joint Task Force Katrina, said that the Gulf States began the process of requesting additional forces on Friday, 8/26. [DOD]
Saturday, August 27
5AM — KATRINA UPGRADED TO CATEGORY 3 HURRICANE [CNN]
GOV. BLANCO ASKS BUSH TO DECLARE FEDERAL STATE OF EMERGENCY IN LOUISIANA: “I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments, and that supplementary Federal assistance is necessary to save lives, protect property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster.” [Office of the Governor]
FEDERAL EMERGENCY DECLARED, DHS AND FEMA GIVEN FULL AUTHORITY TO RESPOND TO KATRINA: “Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.” [White House]
Sunday, August 28
2AM – KATRINA UPGRADED TO CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE [CNN]
7AM – KATRINA UPGRADED TO CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE [CNN]
MORNING — LOUISIANA NEWSPAPER SIGNALS LEVEES MAY GIVE: “Forecasters Fear Levees Won’t Hold Katrina”: “Forecasters feared Sunday afternoon that storm driven waters will lap over the New Orleans levees when monster Hurricane Katrina pushes past the Crescent City tomorrow.” [Lafayette Daily Advertiser]
9:30 AM — MAYOR NAGIN ISSUES FIRST EVER MANDATORY EVACUATION OF NEW ORLEANS: “We’re facing the storm most of us have feared,” said Nagin. “This is going to be an unprecedented event.” [Times-Picayune]
4PM – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUES SPECIAL HURRICANE WARNING: In the event of a category 4 or 5 hit, “Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks, perhaps longer. … At least one-half of well-constructed homes will have roof and wall failure. All gabled roofs will fail, leaving those homes severely damaged or destroyed. … Power outages will last for weeks. … Water shortages will make human suffering incredible by modern standards.” [National Weather Service]
AFTERNOON — BUSH, BROWN, CHERTOFF WARNED OF LEVEE FAILURE BY NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER DIRECTOR: Dr. Max Mayfield, director of the National Hurricane Center: “‘We were briefing them way before landfall. … It’s not like this was a surprise. We had in the advisories that the levee could be topped.’” [Times-Picayune; St. Petersburg Times]
LATE PM – REPORTS OF WATER TOPPLING OVER LEVEE: “Waves crashed atop the exercise path on the Lake Pontchartrain levee in Kenner early Monday as Katrina churned closer.” [Times-Picayune]
APPROXIMATELY 30,000 EVACUEES GATHER AT SUPERDOME WITH ROUGHLY 36 HOURS WORTH OF FOOD [Times-Picayune]
Monday, August 29
7AM – KATRINA MAKES LANDFALL AS A CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE [CNN]
8AM – MAYOR NAGIN REPORTS THAT WATER IS FLOWING OVER LEVEE: “I’ve gotten reports this morning that there is already water coming over some of the levee systems. In the lower ninth ward, we’ve had one of our pumping stations to stop operating, so we will have significant flooding, it is just a matter of how much.” [NBC’s “Today Show”]
MORNING — BUSH CALLS SECRETARY CHERTOFF TO DISCUSS IMMIGRATION: “I spoke to Mike Chertoff today — he’s the head of the Department of Homeland Security. I knew people would want me to discuss this issue [immigration], so we got us an airplane on — a telephone on Air Force One, so I called him. I said, are you working with the governor? He said, you bet we are.” [White House]
MORNING – BUSH SHARES BIRTHDAY CAKE PHOTO-OP WITH SEN. JOHN MCCAIN [White House]
10AM — BUSH VISITS ARIZONA RESORT TO PROMOTE MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT: “This new bill I signed says, if you’re a senior and you like the way things are today, you’re in good shape, don’t change. But, by the way, there’s a lot of different options for you. And we’re here to talk about what that means to our seniors.” [White House]
LATE MORNING – LEVEE BREACHED: “A large section of the vital 17th Street Canal levee, where it connects to the brand new ‘hurricane proof’ Old Hammond Highway bridge, gave way late Monday morning in Bucktown after Katrina’s fiercest winds were well north.” [Times-Picayune]
11:30AM — MICHAEL BROWN FINALLY REQUESTS THAT DHS DISPATCH 1,000 EMPLOYEES TO REGION, GIVES THEM TWO DAYS TO ARRIVE: “Brown’s memo to Chertoff described Katrina as ‘this near catastrophic event’ but otherwise lacked any urgent language. The memo politely ended, ‘Thank you for your consideration in helping us to meet our responsibilities.’” [AP]
2PM — BUSH TRAVELS TO CALIFORNIA SENIOR CENTER TO DISCUSS MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT: “We’ve got some folks up here who are concerned about their Social Security or Medicare. Joan Geist is with us. … I could tell — she was looking at me when I first walked in the room to meet her, she was wondering whether or not old George W. is going to take away her Social Security check.” [White House]
9PM — RUMSFELD ATTENDS SAN DIEGO PADRES BASEBALL GAME: Rumsfeld “joined Padres President John Moores in the owner’s box…at Petco Park.” [Editor & Publisher]
Tuesday, August 30
9AM – BUSH SPEAKS ON IRAQ AT NAVAL BASE CORONADO [White House]
MIDDAY – CHERTOFF FINALLY BECOMES AWARE THAT LEVEE HAS FAILED: “It was on Tuesday that the levee–may have been overnight Monday to Tuesday–that the levee started to break. And it was midday Tuesday that I became aware of the fact that there was no possibility of plugging the gap and that essentially the lake was going to start to drain into the city.” [Meet the Press, 9/4/05]
PENTAGON CLAIMS THERE ARE ENOUGH NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS IN REGION: “Pentagon spokesman Lawrence Di Rita said the states have adequate National Guard units to handle the hurricane needs.” [WWL-TV]
MASS LOOTING REPORTED, SECURITY SHORTAGE CITED: “The looting is out of control. The French Quarter has been attacked,” Councilwoman Jackie Clarkson said. “We’re using exhausted, scarce police to control looting when they should be used for search and rescue while we still have people on rooftops.” [AP]
U.S.S. BATAAN SITS OFF SHORE, VIRTUALLY UNUSED: “The USS Bataan, a 844-foot ship designed to dispatch Marines in amphibious assaults, has helicopters, doctors, hospital beds, food and water. It also can make its own water, up to 100,000 gallons a day. And it just happened to be in the Gulf of Mexico when Katrina came roaring ashore. The Bataan rode out the storm and then followed it toward shore, awaiting relief orders. Helicopter pilots flying from its deck were some of the first to begin plucking stranded New Orleans residents. But now the Bataan’s hospital facilities, including six operating rooms and beds for 600 patients, are empty.” [Chicago Tribune]
3PM – PRESIDENT BUSH PLAYS GUITAR WITH COUNTRY SINGER MARK WILLIS [AP]
BUSH RETURNS TO CRAWFORD FOR FINAL NIGHT OF VACATION [AP]
Wednesday, August 31
TENS OF THOUSANDS TRAPPED IN SUPERDOME; CONDITIONS DETERIORATE: “A 2-year-old girl slept in a pool of urine. Crack vials littered a restroom. Blood stained the walls next to vending machines smashed by teenagers. ‘We pee on the floor. We are like animals,’ said Taffany Smith, 25, as she cradled her 3-week-old son, Terry. … By Wednesday, it had degenerated into horror. … At least two people, including a child, have been raped. At least three people have died, including one man who jumped 50 feet to his death, saying he had nothing left to live for. There is no sanitation. The stench is overwhelming.”" [Los Angeles Times, 9/1/05]
PRESIDENT BUSH FINALLY ORGANIZES TASK FORCE TO COORDINATE FEDERAL RESPONSE: Bush says on Tuesday he will “fly to Washington to begin work…with a task force that will coordinate the work of 14 federal agencies involved in the relief effort.” [New York Times, 8/31/05]
JEFFERSON PARISH EMERGENCY DIRECTOR SAYS FOOD AND WATER SUPPLY GONE: “Director Walter Maestri: FEMA and national agencies not delivering the help nearly as fast as it is needed.” [WWL-TV]
80,000 BELIEVED STRANDED IN NEW ORLEANS: Former Mayor Sidney Barthelemy “estimated 80,000 were trapped in the flooded city and urged President Bush to send more troops.” [Reuters]
3,000 STRANDED AT CONVENTION CENTER WITHOUT FOOD OR WATER: “With 3,000 or more evacuees stranded at the convention center — and with no apparent contingency plan or authority to deal with them — collecting a body was no one’s priority. … Some had been at the convention center since Tuesday morning but had received no food, water or instructions.” [Times-Picayune]
5PM — BUSH GIVES FIRST MAJOR ADDRESS ON KATRINA: “Nothing about the president’s demeanor… — which seemed casual to the point of carelessness — suggested that he understood the depth of the current crisis.” [New York Times]
8:00PM – CONDOLEEZZA RICE TAKES IN A BROADWAY SHOW: “On Wednesday night, Secretary Rice was booed by some audience members at ‘Spamalot!, the Monty Python musical at the Shubert, when the lights went up after the performance.” [New York Post, 9/2/05]
9PM — FEMA DIRECTOR BROWN CLAIMS SURPRISE OVER SIZE OF STORM: “I must say, this storm is much much bigger than anyone expected.” [CNN]
Thursday, September 1
8AM — BUSH CLAIMS NO ONE EXPECTED LEVEES TO BREAK: “I don’t think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees.” [Washington Post]
CONDOLEEZZA RICE VISITS U.S. OPEN: “Rice, [in New York] on three days’ vacation to shop and see the U.S. Open, hitting some balls with retired champ Monica Seles at the Indoor Tennis Club at Grand Central.” [New York Post]
STILL NO COMMAND AND CONTROL ESTABLISHED: Terry Ebbert, New Orleans Homeland Security Director: “This is a national emergency. This is a national disgrace. FEMA has been here three days, yet there is no command and control. We can send massive amounts of aid to tsunami victims, but we can’t bail out the city of New Orleans.” [Fox News]
2PM — MAYOR NAGIN ISSUES “DESPERATE SOS” TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: “This is a desperate SOS. Right now we are out of resources at the convention centre and don’t anticipate enough buses. We need buses. Currently the convention centre is unsanitary and unsafe and we’re running out of supplies.” [Guardian, 9/2/05]
2PM — MICHAEL BROWN CLAIMS NOT TO HAVE HEARD OF REPORTS OF VIOLENCE: “I’ve had no reports of unrest, if the connotation of the word unrest means that people are beginning to riot, or you know, they’re banging on walls and screaming and hollering or burning tires or whatever. I’ve had no reports of that.” [CNN]
NEW ORLEANS “DESCEND[S] INTO ANARCHY”: “Storm victims were raped and beaten, fights and fires broke out, corpses lay out in the open, and rescue helicopters and law enforcement officers were shot at as flooded-out New Orleans descended into anarchy Thursday. ‘This is a desperate SOS,’ the mayor said.” [AP]
CONDOLEEZZA RICE GOES SHOE SHOPPING: “Just moments ago at the Ferragamo on 5th Avenue, Condoleeza Rice was seen spending several thousands of dollars on some nice, new shoes (we’ve confirmed this, so her new heels will surely get coverage from the WaPo’s Robin Givhan). A fellow shopper, unable to fathom the absurdity of Rice’s timing, went up to the Secretary and reportedly shouted, ‘How dare you shop for shoes while thousands are dying and homeless!’” [Gawker]
MICHAEL BROWN FINALLY LEARNS OF EVACUEES IN CONVENTION CENTER: “We learned about that (Thursday), so I have directed that we have all available resources to get that convention center to make sure that they have the food and water and medical care that they need.” [CNN]
Friday, September 2
ROVE-LED CAMPAIGN TO BLAME LOCAL OFFICIALS BEGINS: “Under the command of President Bush’s two senior political advisers, the White House rolled out a plan…to contain the political damage from the administration’s response to Hurricane Katrina.” President Bush’s comments from the Rose Garden Friday morning formed “the start of this campaign.” [New York Times, 9/5/05]
9:35AM — BUSH PRAISES MICHAEL BROWN: “Brownie, you’re doing a heck of a job.” [White House, 9/2/05]
10 AM — PRESIDENT BUSH STAGES PHOTO-OP “BRIEFING”: Coast Guard helicopters and crew diverted to act as backdrop for President Bush’s photo-op.
BUSH VISIT GROUNDS FOOD AID: “Three tons of food ready for delivery by air to refugees in St. Bernard Parish and on Algiers Point sat on the Crescent City Connection bridge Friday afternoon as air traffic was halted because of President Bush’s visit to New Orleans, officials said.” [Times-Picayune]
LEVEE REPAIR WORK ORCHESTRATED FOR PRESIDENT’S VISIT: Sen. Mary Landrieu, 9/3: “Touring this critical site yesterday with the President, I saw what I believed to be a real and significant effort to get a handle on a major cause of this catastrophe. Flying over this critical spot again this morning, less than 24 hours later, it became apparent that yesterday we witnessed a hastily prepared stage set for a Presidential photo opportunity; and the desperately needed resources we saw were this morning reduced to a single, lonely piece of equipment.” [Sen. Mary Landrieu]
BUSH USES 50 FIREFIGHTERS AS PROPS IN DISASTER AREA PHOTO-OP: A group of 1,000 firefighters convened in Atlanta to volunteer with the Katrina relief efforts. Of those, “a team of 50 Monday morning quickly was ushered onto a flight headed for Louisiana. The crew’s first assignment: to stand beside President Bush as he tours devastated areas.” [Salt Lake Tribune; Reuters]
3PM — BUSH “SATISFIED WITH THE RESPONSE”: “I am satisfied with the response. I am not satisfied with all the results.” [AP]
Saturday, September 3
SENIOR BUSH ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL LIES TO WASHINGTON POST, CLAIMS GOV. BLANCO NEVER DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY: The Post reported in their Sunday edition “As of Saturday, Blanco still had not declared a state of emergency, the senior Bush official said.” They were forced to issue a correction hours later. [Washington Post, 9/4/05]
9AM — BUSH BLAMES STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS: “[T]he magnitude of responding to a crisis over a disaster area that is larger than the size of Great Britain has created tremendous problems that have strained state and local capabilities. The result is that many of our citizens simply are not getting the help they need.” [White House, 9/3/05]
Friday, August 26
GOV. KATHLEEN BLANCO DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN LOUISIANA: [Office of the Governor]
GULF COAST STATES REQUEST TROOP ASSISTANCE FROM PENTAGON: At a 9/1 press conference, Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, commander, Joint Task Force Katrina, said that the Gulf States began the process of requesting additional forces on Friday, 8/26. [DOD]
Saturday, August 27
5AM — KATRINA UPGRADED TO CATEGORY 3 HURRICANE [CNN]
GOV. BLANCO ASKS BUSH TO DECLARE FEDERAL STATE OF EMERGENCY IN LOUISIANA: “I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments, and that supplementary Federal assistance is necessary to save lives, protect property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster.” [Office of the Governor]
FEDERAL EMERGENCY DECLARED, DHS AND FEMA GIVEN FULL AUTHORITY TO RESPOND TO KATRINA: “Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.” [White House]
Sunday, August 28
2AM – KATRINA UPGRADED TO CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE [CNN]
7AM – KATRINA UPGRADED TO CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE [CNN]
MORNING — LOUISIANA NEWSPAPER SIGNALS LEVEES MAY GIVE: “Forecasters Fear Levees Won’t Hold Katrina”: “Forecasters feared Sunday afternoon that storm driven waters will lap over the New Orleans levees when monster Hurricane Katrina pushes past the Crescent City tomorrow.” [Lafayette Daily Advertiser]
9:30 AM — MAYOR NAGIN ISSUES FIRST EVER MANDATORY EVACUATION OF NEW ORLEANS: “We’re facing the storm most of us have feared,” said Nagin. “This is going to be an unprecedented event.” [Times-Picayune]
4PM – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUES SPECIAL HURRICANE WARNING: In the event of a category 4 or 5 hit, “Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks, perhaps longer. … At least one-half of well-constructed homes will have roof and wall failure. All gabled roofs will fail, leaving those homes severely damaged or destroyed. … Power outages will last for weeks. … Water shortages will make human suffering incredible by modern standards.” [National Weather Service]
AFTERNOON — BUSH, BROWN, CHERTOFF WARNED OF LEVEE FAILURE BY NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER DIRECTOR: Dr. Max Mayfield, director of the National Hurricane Center: “‘We were briefing them way before landfall. … It’s not like this was a surprise. We had in the advisories that the levee could be topped.’” [Times-Picayune; St. Petersburg Times]
LATE PM – REPORTS OF WATER TOPPLING OVER LEVEE: “Waves crashed atop the exercise path on the Lake Pontchartrain levee in Kenner early Monday as Katrina churned closer.” [Times-Picayune]
APPROXIMATELY 30,000 EVACUEES GATHER AT SUPERDOME WITH ROUGHLY 36 HOURS WORTH OF FOOD [Times-Picayune]
Monday, August 29
7AM – KATRINA MAKES LANDFALL AS A CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE [CNN]
8AM – MAYOR NAGIN REPORTS THAT WATER IS FLOWING OVER LEVEE: “I’ve gotten reports this morning that there is already water coming over some of the levee systems. In the lower ninth ward, we’ve had one of our pumping stations to stop operating, so we will have significant flooding, it is just a matter of how much.” [NBC’s “Today Show”]
MORNING — BUSH CALLS SECRETARY CHERTOFF TO DISCUSS IMMIGRATION: “I spoke to Mike Chertoff today — he’s the head of the Department of Homeland Security. I knew people would want me to discuss this issue [immigration], so we got us an airplane on — a telephone on Air Force One, so I called him. I said, are you working with the governor? He said, you bet we are.” [White House]
MORNING – BUSH SHARES BIRTHDAY CAKE PHOTO-OP WITH SEN. JOHN MCCAIN [White House]
10AM — BUSH VISITS ARIZONA RESORT TO PROMOTE MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT: “This new bill I signed says, if you’re a senior and you like the way things are today, you’re in good shape, don’t change. But, by the way, there’s a lot of different options for you. And we’re here to talk about what that means to our seniors.” [White House]
LATE MORNING – LEVEE BREACHED: “A large section of the vital 17th Street Canal levee, where it connects to the brand new ‘hurricane proof’ Old Hammond Highway bridge, gave way late Monday morning in Bucktown after Katrina’s fiercest winds were well north.” [Times-Picayune]
11:30AM — MICHAEL BROWN FINALLY REQUESTS THAT DHS DISPATCH 1,000 EMPLOYEES TO REGION, GIVES THEM TWO DAYS TO ARRIVE: “Brown’s memo to Chertoff described Katrina as ‘this near catastrophic event’ but otherwise lacked any urgent language. The memo politely ended, ‘Thank you for your consideration in helping us to meet our responsibilities.’” [AP]
2PM — BUSH TRAVELS TO CALIFORNIA SENIOR CENTER TO DISCUSS MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT: “We’ve got some folks up here who are concerned about their Social Security or Medicare. Joan Geist is with us. … I could tell — she was looking at me when I first walked in the room to meet her, she was wondering whether or not old George W. is going to take away her Social Security check.” [White House]
9PM — RUMSFELD ATTENDS SAN DIEGO PADRES BASEBALL GAME: Rumsfeld “joined Padres President John Moores in the owner’s box…at Petco Park.” [Editor & Publisher]
Tuesday, August 30
9AM – BUSH SPEAKS ON IRAQ AT NAVAL BASE CORONADO [White House]
MIDDAY – CHERTOFF FINALLY BECOMES AWARE THAT LEVEE HAS FAILED: “It was on Tuesday that the levee–may have been overnight Monday to Tuesday–that the levee started to break. And it was midday Tuesday that I became aware of the fact that there was no possibility of plugging the gap and that essentially the lake was going to start to drain into the city.” [Meet the Press, 9/4/05]
PENTAGON CLAIMS THERE ARE ENOUGH NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS IN REGION: “Pentagon spokesman Lawrence Di Rita said the states have adequate National Guard units to handle the hurricane needs.” [WWL-TV]
MASS LOOTING REPORTED, SECURITY SHORTAGE CITED: “The looting is out of control. The French Quarter has been attacked,” Councilwoman Jackie Clarkson said. “We’re using exhausted, scarce police to control looting when they should be used for search and rescue while we still have people on rooftops.” [AP]
U.S.S. BATAAN SITS OFF SHORE, VIRTUALLY UNUSED: “The USS Bataan, a 844-foot ship designed to dispatch Marines in amphibious assaults, has helicopters, doctors, hospital beds, food and water. It also can make its own water, up to 100,000 gallons a day. And it just happened to be in the Gulf of Mexico when Katrina came roaring ashore. The Bataan rode out the storm and then followed it toward shore, awaiting relief orders. Helicopter pilots flying from its deck were some of the first to begin plucking stranded New Orleans residents. But now the Bataan’s hospital facilities, including six operating rooms and beds for 600 patients, are empty.” [Chicago Tribune]
3PM – PRESIDENT BUSH PLAYS GUITAR WITH COUNTRY SINGER MARK WILLIS [AP]
BUSH RETURNS TO CRAWFORD FOR FINAL NIGHT OF VACATION [AP]
Wednesday, August 31
TENS OF THOUSANDS TRAPPED IN SUPERDOME; CONDITIONS DETERIORATE: “A 2-year-old girl slept in a pool of urine. Crack vials littered a restroom. Blood stained the walls next to vending machines smashed by teenagers. ‘We pee on the floor. We are like animals,’ said Taffany Smith, 25, as she cradled her 3-week-old son, Terry. … By Wednesday, it had degenerated into horror. … At least two people, including a child, have been raped. At least three people have died, including one man who jumped 50 feet to his death, saying he had nothing left to live for. There is no sanitation. The stench is overwhelming.”" [Los Angeles Times, 9/1/05]
PRESIDENT BUSH FINALLY ORGANIZES TASK FORCE TO COORDINATE FEDERAL RESPONSE: Bush says on Tuesday he will “fly to Washington to begin work…with a task force that will coordinate the work of 14 federal agencies involved in the relief effort.” [New York Times, 8/31/05]
JEFFERSON PARISH EMERGENCY DIRECTOR SAYS FOOD AND WATER SUPPLY GONE: “Director Walter Maestri: FEMA and national agencies not delivering the help nearly as fast as it is needed.” [WWL-TV]
80,000 BELIEVED STRANDED IN NEW ORLEANS: Former Mayor Sidney Barthelemy “estimated 80,000 were trapped in the flooded city and urged President Bush to send more troops.” [Reuters]
3,000 STRANDED AT CONVENTION CENTER WITHOUT FOOD OR WATER: “With 3,000 or more evacuees stranded at the convention center — and with no apparent contingency plan or authority to deal with them — collecting a body was no one’s priority. … Some had been at the convention center since Tuesday morning but had received no food, water or instructions.” [Times-Picayune]
5PM — BUSH GIVES FIRST MAJOR ADDRESS ON KATRINA: “Nothing about the president’s demeanor… — which seemed casual to the point of carelessness — suggested that he understood the depth of the current crisis.” [New York Times]
8:00PM – CONDOLEEZZA RICE TAKES IN A BROADWAY SHOW: “On Wednesday night, Secretary Rice was booed by some audience members at ‘Spamalot!, the Monty Python musical at the Shubert, when the lights went up after the performance.” [New York Post, 9/2/05]
9PM — FEMA DIRECTOR BROWN CLAIMS SURPRISE OVER SIZE OF STORM: “I must say, this storm is much much bigger than anyone expected.” [CNN]
Thursday, September 1
8AM — BUSH CLAIMS NO ONE EXPECTED LEVEES TO BREAK: “I don’t think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees.” [Washington Post]
CONDOLEEZZA RICE VISITS U.S. OPEN: “Rice, [in New York] on three days’ vacation to shop and see the U.S. Open, hitting some balls with retired champ Monica Seles at the Indoor Tennis Club at Grand Central.” [New York Post]
STILL NO COMMAND AND CONTROL ESTABLISHED: Terry Ebbert, New Orleans Homeland Security Director: “This is a national emergency. This is a national disgrace. FEMA has been here three days, yet there is no command and control. We can send massive amounts of aid to tsunami victims, but we can’t bail out the city of New Orleans.” [Fox News]
2PM — MAYOR NAGIN ISSUES “DESPERATE SOS” TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: “This is a desperate SOS. Right now we are out of resources at the convention centre and don’t anticipate enough buses. We need buses. Currently the convention centre is unsanitary and unsafe and we’re running out of supplies.” [Guardian, 9/2/05]
2PM — MICHAEL BROWN CLAIMS NOT TO HAVE HEARD OF REPORTS OF VIOLENCE: “I’ve had no reports of unrest, if the connotation of the word unrest means that people are beginning to riot, or you know, they’re banging on walls and screaming and hollering or burning tires or whatever. I’ve had no reports of that.” [CNN]
NEW ORLEANS “DESCEND[S] INTO ANARCHY”: “Storm victims were raped and beaten, fights and fires broke out, corpses lay out in the open, and rescue helicopters and law enforcement officers were shot at as flooded-out New Orleans descended into anarchy Thursday. ‘This is a desperate SOS,’ the mayor said.” [AP]
CONDOLEEZZA RICE GOES SHOE SHOPPING: “Just moments ago at the Ferragamo on 5th Avenue, Condoleeza Rice was seen spending several thousands of dollars on some nice, new shoes (we’ve confirmed this, so her new heels will surely get coverage from the WaPo’s Robin Givhan). A fellow shopper, unable to fathom the absurdity of Rice’s timing, went up to the Secretary and reportedly shouted, ‘How dare you shop for shoes while thousands are dying and homeless!’” [Gawker]
MICHAEL BROWN FINALLY LEARNS OF EVACUEES IN CONVENTION CENTER: “We learned about that (Thursday), so I have directed that we have all available resources to get that convention center to make sure that they have the food and water and medical care that they need.” [CNN]
Friday, September 2
ROVE-LED CAMPAIGN TO BLAME LOCAL OFFICIALS BEGINS: “Under the command of President Bush’s two senior political advisers, the White House rolled out a plan…to contain the political damage from the administration’s response to Hurricane Katrina.” President Bush’s comments from the Rose Garden Friday morning formed “the start of this campaign.” [New York Times, 9/5/05]
9:35AM — BUSH PRAISES MICHAEL BROWN: “Brownie, you’re doing a heck of a job.” [White House, 9/2/05]
10 AM — PRESIDENT BUSH STAGES PHOTO-OP “BRIEFING”: Coast Guard helicopters and crew diverted to act as backdrop for President Bush’s photo-op.
BUSH VISIT GROUNDS FOOD AID: “Three tons of food ready for delivery by air to refugees in St. Bernard Parish and on Algiers Point sat on the Crescent City Connection bridge Friday afternoon as air traffic was halted because of President Bush’s visit to New Orleans, officials said.” [Times-Picayune]
LEVEE REPAIR WORK ORCHESTRATED FOR PRESIDENT’S VISIT: Sen. Mary Landrieu, 9/3: “Touring this critical site yesterday with the President, I saw what I believed to be a real and significant effort to get a handle on a major cause of this catastrophe. Flying over this critical spot again this morning, less than 24 hours later, it became apparent that yesterday we witnessed a hastily prepared stage set for a Presidential photo opportunity; and the desperately needed resources we saw were this morning reduced to a single, lonely piece of equipment.” [Sen. Mary Landrieu]
BUSH USES 50 FIREFIGHTERS AS PROPS IN DISASTER AREA PHOTO-OP: A group of 1,000 firefighters convened in Atlanta to volunteer with the Katrina relief efforts. Of those, “a team of 50 Monday morning quickly was ushered onto a flight headed for Louisiana. The crew’s first assignment: to stand beside President Bush as he tours devastated areas.” [Salt Lake Tribune; Reuters]
3PM — BUSH “SATISFIED WITH THE RESPONSE”: “I am satisfied with the response. I am not satisfied with all the results.” [AP]
Saturday, September 3
SENIOR BUSH ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL LIES TO WASHINGTON POST, CLAIMS GOV. BLANCO NEVER DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY: The Post reported in their Sunday edition “As of Saturday, Blanco still had not declared a state of emergency, the senior Bush official said.” They were forced to issue a correction hours later. [Washington Post, 9/4/05]
9AM — BUSH BLAMES STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS: “[T]he magnitude of responding to a crisis over a disaster area that is larger than the size of Great Britain has created tremendous problems that have strained state and local capabilities. The result is that many of our citizens simply are not getting the help they need.” [White House, 9/3/05]
Conspicuous
I was wondering during the disaster where Dick Cheney has been? You would think with a disaster of this size he would be among the leaders who would help lead the charge but I guess not. I wonder actually if he is not in the hospital and they are not saying remember he has a bad heart.
A New Rule
It's not a big deal and it won't really stop anyone but I have decided since anonymous is plugging all of his goods on my website to institude 1 rule on my website: You do have to register to post.
As I said it's not a huge deal but it's the only thing I can think of to hold off the spam he or she does.
Thanks all and as always I appreciate your support.
As I said it's not a huge deal but it's the only thing I can think of to hold off the spam he or she does.
Thanks all and as always I appreciate your support.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Missed Rescues
One of the things that was not widely reported is when Bush visited the disaster zone they stopped all hellicopter rescues and relief efforts.
I posted earlier that this was another photo-op for the president just like all disasters are for all presidents and because all traffic had to stop cause Bush was there I wonder how many people died cause of this. I wonder how many people parrished cause the hellicopters were not flying to make rescues cause the president had to be there.
Just another thing to wonder.
I posted earlier that this was another photo-op for the president just like all disasters are for all presidents and because all traffic had to stop cause Bush was there I wonder how many people died cause of this. I wonder how many people parrished cause the hellicopters were not flying to make rescues cause the president had to be there.
Just another thing to wonder.
Max Boot
Max Boot has a weekly column in the Los Angeles Times. Basically the theme of his column is this slow response was not Bush's fault and there is no such thing as global warming and the reason why the response was slow was cause New Orleans is a mostly black city.
Now let's take a look. Louisiana has a democratic Gov. and a Democratic mayor in New Orleans. New Orleans because in part of Bush has to be abandoned. The response was slow to get in and is very slow in responding to resue people who are trapped in their homes.
Now with Global Warming he says Katrina has nothing to do with it. The fact is we have been considerably more hurricane's and storms. We just had Ophellia which correct me if I'm wrong is the 15th named storm of the year. Storms are becomming more intense and more frequent and that is a direct result of global warming.
And more proof of Boot's ignorance and failure to produce facts is in Mississippi, a red state, they already have power back as well as water.
Let the facts speak for themselves.
Now let's take a look. Louisiana has a democratic Gov. and a Democratic mayor in New Orleans. New Orleans because in part of Bush has to be abandoned. The response was slow to get in and is very slow in responding to resue people who are trapped in their homes.
Now with Global Warming he says Katrina has nothing to do with it. The fact is we have been considerably more hurricane's and storms. We just had Ophellia which correct me if I'm wrong is the 15th named storm of the year. Storms are becomming more intense and more frequent and that is a direct result of global warming.
And more proof of Boot's ignorance and failure to produce facts is in Mississippi, a red state, they already have power back as well as water.
Let the facts speak for themselves.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
LA Times
So a couple of people who sent letters to the Los Angeles Times today say nothing at all ever is Bush's fault. I've posted earlier facts stating otherwise. They state that we have the audacity to complain that instead of doing his duty as President he chose to take a 5-week vacation(longest in presidential history).
Again I won't get into how Bush failed in this disaster in the South as well as Iraq. I've stated that plenty over the time I've had with this blog but remember the old saying the buck stops here? Bush is the man in charge he deserves credit when it's deserved and he deserves blame when it's deserved.
This is again why Bush is in charge. He takes advantage of people like these who just blindly support him.
Again I won't get into how Bush failed in this disaster in the South as well as Iraq. I've stated that plenty over the time I've had with this blog but remember the old saying the buck stops here? Bush is the man in charge he deserves credit when it's deserved and he deserves blame when it's deserved.
This is again why Bush is in charge. He takes advantage of people like these who just blindly support him.
What Went Wrong
They are talking about what went wrong on CNN with the disaster in the south. I'd like about that.
As posted earlier from the long-term Bush failed cause instead of helping out projects at home such fixing the levees but instead Bush had to have his war in Iraq and the money went there. Bush also decided to put FEMA in the Department of Homeland Security and that was obviously an error both of which ended up costing lives. Bush also has a lot of National Guard troops in the war in Iraq and the fact that they were not availible immediately caused a lot of the looting that went on.
Now as far as responsibility at a local level what should have been done is since there was warning of Katrina the Mayor of New Orleans should have got every bus availible every Greyhound everything availible to him so they could evacuate the city. I know in every hurricane there are idiots who think they can ride it out and won't leave but remember the ones who would get out a lot of them were unable to due to no transportation.
Let's take a look at the recovery though. I also saw on CNN that Mississippi,a red state, has pretty much all the power restored and Louisiana has not. Remember that on bias and funding.
As posted earlier from the long-term Bush failed cause instead of helping out projects at home such fixing the levees but instead Bush had to have his war in Iraq and the money went there. Bush also decided to put FEMA in the Department of Homeland Security and that was obviously an error both of which ended up costing lives. Bush also has a lot of National Guard troops in the war in Iraq and the fact that they were not availible immediately caused a lot of the looting that went on.
Now as far as responsibility at a local level what should have been done is since there was warning of Katrina the Mayor of New Orleans should have got every bus availible every Greyhound everything availible to him so they could evacuate the city. I know in every hurricane there are idiots who think they can ride it out and won't leave but remember the ones who would get out a lot of them were unable to due to no transportation.
Let's take a look at the recovery though. I also saw on CNN that Mississippi,a red state, has pretty much all the power restored and Louisiana has not. Remember that on bias and funding.
Pat Robertson
I knew this was going to happen. Here is a quote courtesy of media maters from my good friend Pat Robertson.
"Well, in a sense, they say it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good. Out of this tragedy, the focus of America is going to be on these victims, and inflamed rhetoric in the United States Senate is just not going to play well now because this is a time of healing and compassion and reaching out to people, and if they start going on a vendetta against Roberts in the Senate, it's just going to hurt them. And I think they know that, so, I mean, Judge Roberts can, maybe, you know, be thankful that a tragedy has brought him some good."
So he thinks the hearings will go smoothly for Roberts cause we are watching the devastation from Louisiana,Mississippi and Alabama. Again a member of the republican party who mistakes us for fools.
I'm suprised he hasn't yet said how New Orleans got what they deserved cause they are sinners or something like he has said in the past.
This bullying,distracting tactics by the right need to stop. Period. As I said no wonder we are the most hated country in the world.
"Well, in a sense, they say it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good. Out of this tragedy, the focus of America is going to be on these victims, and inflamed rhetoric in the United States Senate is just not going to play well now because this is a time of healing and compassion and reaching out to people, and if they start going on a vendetta against Roberts in the Senate, it's just going to hurt them. And I think they know that, so, I mean, Judge Roberts can, maybe, you know, be thankful that a tragedy has brought him some good."
So he thinks the hearings will go smoothly for Roberts cause we are watching the devastation from Louisiana,Mississippi and Alabama. Again a member of the republican party who mistakes us for fools.
I'm suprised he hasn't yet said how New Orleans got what they deserved cause they are sinners or something like he has said in the past.
This bullying,distracting tactics by the right need to stop. Period. As I said no wonder we are the most hated country in the world.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Roberts
So now Bush has nominated Roberts to be the new Chief Supreme Court Justice. I'd love to say how suprised I am. From what I've posted in the past he's Bush's type of guy. Very conservative. I fear for things like Roe V. Wade. I fear our civil rights will be lessened even more.
Now I could be proven wrong and if so I will be the first to apologize if I am but Bush has proven me right everything I've said about him and I don't think that will change.
Now I could be proven wrong and if so I will be the first to apologize if I am but Bush has proven me right everything I've said about him and I don't think that will change.
Nobody Saw the Potential For A Levee Break
That's what Bush said. Now not saying that he's wrong BUT I've reported on my site how FEMA said that was possible in 2001, I've said how due to the funding cuts by the Bush administration how that created the potential for disaster which ended up happening.
George Bush thinks you are all fools. He revises history as he sees fit. (RE Iraq War) and he expects you to go along with it. We should not. Everyone warned this was coming Bush, as always, failed to listen and again cut funding to shore the levees. Bush has failed again in a time of need.
Remember that.
George Bush thinks you are all fools. He revises history as he sees fit. (RE Iraq War) and he expects you to go along with it. We should not. Everyone warned this was coming Bush, as always, failed to listen and again cut funding to shore the levees. Bush has failed again in a time of need.
Remember that.
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