Baffling Bush Incompetence
Kari Chisholm
OK, so I don't usually re-post graphics from other blogs, but this one from BobHarris.com is simply astonishing.
That's right, folks, the presidential executive order - before the hurricane hit - authorized FEMA to provide services to all the landlocked dry parts of Louisiana. Not the coast. Not New Orleans.
From WhiteHouse.gov, dated August 27:
The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the parishes of Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Claiborne, Catahoula, Concordia, De Soto, East Baton Rouge, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Pointe Coupee, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, St. Helena, St. Landry, Tensas, Union, Vernon, Webster, West Carroll, West Feliciana, and Winn.
Unbelievable.
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Sep 19, '05
Kari,
This doesn't surprise me a bit. The question I have after seeing this is was it intentional or simply incompetence. Bush may have said he has taken responsiblity, but this is far from the truth. Bush's buddies are going all out to try to deflect the blame from him and put it on Ray Nagin and Kathleen Blanco. There are articles all over the web such as this:
http://www.theconservativevoice.com/articles/article.html?id=8238
Also note the ad from the Ad Council on the same page as this article. What a disgrace that an organization like that would advertise on a page full of trash.
Sep 19, '05
I heard, but have no idea if it's true, that the reason for this is because they cribbed off of a template from an earlier disaster which affected those red counties but not the more southern ones. Just something I skimmed across elsewhere on the web.
Sep 19, '05
Incompetence or something else? I'd like to see an overlay of party registration percentages.
Sep 19, '05
Kari, I ran across this last week and found that the "most effected" areas were covered under another, more powerful/useful order. Don't remember where I saw it now (although we discussed it on the air), and can't guarantee that it wasn't Republican butt-covering spin, but it makes sense. You may want to double-check this one out.
Thom
Sep 19, '05
Tom said: ncompetence or something else? I'd like to see an overlay of party registration percentages.
i was thinking the same thing. i'd like to see how the county votes came out in 2004.
Sep 19, '05
We don't need an impeachment, we need an INTERVENTION!
Sep 19, '05
RE Thom Hartmann's remarks, this press release was dated the 23rd. Its language is quite different from the document of the 26th, though. Not being a disaster response expert, I don't know the significance of that difference.
And, thanks, Thom, for addressing the Clackamas Dems on Saturday. FDR's words were both stirring and relevant.
3:13 p.m.
Sep 19, '05
Does anyone really believe this conversation occurred:
Rove: Well, there is a Category 5 Hurricane heading toward New Orleans. You know, we need to declare an emergency, but let's just help those counties that voted for us. Becuase you know, a botched hurricane recovery plan will sure look good electorally.
G Bush: You're right, Karl. Screw the Dems. Let them save themselves. The rest of Louisiana and the SE will thank us for abandoning New Orleans!
3:31 p.m.
Sep 19, '05
According to Bob Harris, who originally posted this:
Also, on the question of 'was there another order for the rest', Harris says no:
Head on over to his blog for lots of notes, updates, and other thoughts.
5:04 p.m.
Sep 19, '05
The alternatives are two: horrific politicalization of mass suffering or gross incompetence. I'd put my money on the second, but like Paul, wouldn't put it past the WH to make the former calculation. Terrible that I'd consider that a possibility of a US president.
10:24 a.m.
Sep 20, '05
Jeff, I forgot the "sarcasm=on" comment. I don't think there is any chance that the White House thought that way. Politically it is stupid. And I simply am not anywhere near ready to attribute that level of cynicism to our political leaders.
Say what you will about George Bush, but he does think (in his cockeyed way) that he's doing the right thing.
Sep 20, '05
Paul Gronke wrote:
"Say what you will about George Bush, but he does think (in his cockeyed way) that he's doing the right thing."
Of course, Paul, "the right thing" usually turns outs to be what enhances Republican political power and enriches Shrubbery cronies.
I will join Clackamas Democrats Ernie Delmazzo and Jean Matson to deconstruct the Bush administration tonight on Clackamas County Democrats Live - tonight at 8PM on cable channel 11. Should be lots of fun.
Sep 20, '05
Tom, You said, "I will join Clackamas Democrats Ernie Delmazzo and Jean Matson to deconstruct the Bush administration tonight"
You may want to consider addressing our numerous local issues.
In case you haven't heard they need addressing.
You could start with discussing the lack of wisdom in extending light rail to Milwaukie and Clackamas.