Hurricane Katrina

[Skyblade]

You say yourself he is one of the "few". Few indicates that there are not that many. Which means that you are ignoring what the majority are saying in exchange for the opinions of a smaller group. Since you have no more idea what Bush is actually doing or trying to do, the only reason you have to believe the mayor of New Orleans over Bush is that you don't like Bush.

The only reason? I have been watching the news, I've been reading the articles, I've talked to people who are down there. The "only reason" why I believe the Mayor over Bush is for the same exact reasons that I'm my own MILF and ShunNakamura already posted.

I don't understand why you keep insisting that my entire argument is based on me not liking Bush. You know what I don't like? I don't like people dying. I don't like people shooting each other and beating each other up over a bag of ice. I have an abject hatred for those who are running around raping women who are too starved and exhausted to defend themselves.

Whether you love Bush, whether you hate Bush, how can anyone look at this situation and say, "hey, Bush and the government did everything they could." Because they didn't. And lives were lost because of the lack of action.

How the hell do you know? Have you tried to organize a nationwide attempt to help those people? Do you have any idea what problems he might be having? Do you think Bush likes to see people die? Has it ever once occured to you that it is possible that he is doing everything that he can? The President isn't omnipotent and omniscient, you know. Yes, looking back on the situation, you can see many things that could have been done better. Good for you. Hindsight's 20/20. There are undoubtedly things that he could have done better. But he's one man, and no one is perfect. Why don't we give him the benefit of the doubt that maybe he is doing the best he can? Until you do better, maybe you should cut the guy some slack.

Out of curiousity, what would you have him do? Order in the National Guard? Guess what, despite it's name, the National Guard is under the command of State Governors, and Bush can't order them in. Have all the looters shot? That might be a good idea, but it would just make people bitch about Bush being too extreme. The President has a lot to worry about. He has men over in Iraq, who he has a responsibility to take care of. He has people all over the south-eastern coast of the US (despite what your precious news reports have been telling you, New Orleans wasn't the only city completely decimated by the Hurricaine) who he has a responsibility to. He has a couple hundred miles of open border to worry about. He has to formulate long term plans to remove 20 inches of topsoil, demolish every building in the city, and decide how it would be best to rebuild (or even if it is worth rebuilding). He's got a hundred other things to do. Why can't we just assume that he's trying his best and that maybe it isn't as easy as you people think?

Besides, what good is bitching at him going to do? He has had half the world bitching at him for a long time now. If that approach was going to accomplish anything, it would've done so by now. If these people actually wanted to help, they'd be out there trying to help organize rescue missions, not holding press confrences blaming others.

[Shoeberto]

Our school did a charity drive today.

We earned quite a large sum of money in $27,000.

Our goal was $5000.

So i think we did ok.

That's astounding.

I'm hoping my school's drive does well, too. We need to keep it flowing.

I just listened to Nagin's interview, and he sounds like the only person who wants to take action rather than sit around and talking about what they want to do. Good for him.

[Skyblade]

Our school did a charity drive today.

We earned quite a large sum of money in $27,000.

Our goal was $5000.

So i think we did ok.

That's astounding.

I'm hoping my school's drive does well, too. We need to keep it flowing.

I just listened to Nagin's interview, and he sounds like the only person who wants to take action rather than sit around and talking about what they want to do. Good for him.

Funny, because sitting around talking is exactly what he was doing in that interview...

[Miriel]

How SHOULD a President Respond to Impending Disaster

In September 1999, Hurricane Floyd -- a category 3 -- was bearing down the Carolinas and Virginia.

President Clinton was in Christchurch, New Zealand - meeting with President Jiang of China (you know, actually working). He made the proclamation that only Presidents can make and declared the areas affected by Floyd "Federal Disaster Areas" so the National Guard and Military can begin to mobilize. Then he cut short his meetings overseas and flew home to coordinate the rescue efforts. This all one day BEFORE a Cat-3 hit the coast. That is how you do it.

President Bush (41) -- August, 1992 -- was in the midst of a brutal campaign for re-election. Yet, he cut off his campaigning the day before and went to Washington where he martialed the largest military operation on US soil in history. He sent in 7,000 National Guard and 22,000 regular military personnel, and all the gear to begin the clean up within hours after Andrew passed through Florida.

In August of 1969 when Cat-5 Hurricane Camille hit roughly the same area as Katrina, President Nixon had already readied the National Guard and ordered all Gulf rescue vessels and equipment from Tampa and Houston to follow the Hurricane in. There were over 1,000 regular military with two dozen helicopters to assist the Coast Guard and National Guard within hours after the skies cleared.

Bush 43 - August 2005 - Cat-5 Hurricane Katrina bears down on New Orleans and the Mississippi gulf. Both states are down nearly 8,000 National Guard troops because they are in Iraq -- with most of the rescue gear needed. Bush is on vacation. The day before Katrina makes landfall, Bush rides his bike for two hours. The day she hits, he goes to Johnnie McCain's birthday party; People are dying, the largest port of entry in the United States (and fifth largest in the World) is under attack. Troops and supplies are desperately needed. The levees are cracking and the emergency 1-1/2 ton sandbags are ready, but there aren't enough helicopters or pilots to set them before the levees fail. The mayor of New Orleans begs for Federal coordination, but there is none, and the sandbagging never gets done. So Bush -- naturally -- goes to San Diego to play guitar with country singer and lie to the military about how Iraq is just exactly like WWII. The levees give way, filling New Orleans with water, sewage, oil and chemicals. Ten percent of all US exports, and 50% of all agricultural exports ordinarly go through this port. It is totally destroyed. Bush decides he'll end his vacation a couple of days early -- TOMORROW -- BECAUSE HE HAS TICKETS TO A PADRES GAME! He goes back to the Fake Farm in Crawford, with every intention of doing something on WEDNESDAY about this disaster that happened starting last Sunday night.

[Skyblade]

How SHOULD a President Respond to Impending Disaster

In September 1999, Hurricane Floyd -- a category 3 -- was bearing down the Carolinas and Virginia.

President Clinton was in Christchurch, New Zealand - meeting with President Jiang of China (you know, actually working). He made the proclamation that only Presidents can make and declared the areas affected by Floyd "Federal Disaster Areas" so the National Guard and Military can begin to mobilize. Then he cut short his meetings overseas and flew home to coordinate the rescue efforts. This all one day BEFORE a Cat-3 hit the coast. That is how you do it.

President Bush (41) -- August, 1992 -- was in the midst of a brutal campaign for re-election. Yet, he cut off his campaigning the day before and went to Washington where he martialed the largest military operation on US soil in history. He sent in 7,000 National Guard and 22,000 regular military personnel, and all the gear to begin the clean up within hours after Andrew passed through Florida.

In August of 1969 when Cat-5 Hurricane Camille hit roughly the same area as Katrina, President Nixon had already readied the National Guard and ordered all Gulf rescue vessels and equipment from Tampa and Houston to follow the Hurricane in. There were over 1,000 regular military with two dozen helicopters to assist the Coast Guard and National Guard within hours after the skies cleared.

Bush 43 - August 2005 - Cat-5 Hurricane Katrina bears down on New Orleans and the Mississippi gulf. Both states are down nearly 8,000 National Guard troops because they are in Iraq -- with most of the rescue gear needed. Bush is on vacation. The day before Katrina makes landfall, Bush rides his bike for two hours. The day she hits, he goes to Johnnie McCain's birthday party; People are dying, the largest port of entry in the United States (and fifth largest in the World) is under attack. Troops and supplies are desperately needed. The levees are cracking and the emergency 1-1/2 ton sandbags are ready, but there aren't enough helicopters or pilots to set them before the levees fail. The mayor of New Orleans begs for Federal coordination, but there is none, and the sandbagging never gets done. So Bush -- naturally -- goes to San Diego to play guitar with country singer and lie to the military about how Iraq is just exactly like WWII. The levees give way, filling New Orleans with water, sewage, oil and chemicals. Ten percent of all US exports, and 50% of all agricultural exports ordinarly go through this port. It is totally destroyed. Bush decides he'll end his vacation a couple of days early -- TOMORROW -- BECAUSE HE HAS TICKETS TO A PADRES GAME! He goes back to the Fake Farm in Crawford, with every intention of doing something on WEDNESDAY about this disaster that happened starting last Sunday night.

Um, not to belabor the obvious, but Bush did declare the place a "Federal Disaster Area" before the hurricaine hit. Maybe you could include what Bush has tried to do to help instead of just bitching about what he's done wrong. Of course, while the bitching itself still doesn't help anything, you're welcome to continue as long as you like.

[nik0tine]

Um, not to belabor the obvious, but Bush did declare the place a "Federal Disaster Area" before the hurricaine hit. Maybe you could include what Bush has tried to do to help instead of just bitching about what he's done wrong. Of course, while the bitching itself still doesn't help anything, you're welcome to continue as long as you like.

It's kinda hard to focus on the positive when someone like President Bush is in question. Maybe you could tell me what he did right.

[Miriel]

Um, not to belabor the obvious, but Bush did declare the place a "Federal Disaster Area" before the hurricaine hit. Maybe you could include what Bush has tried to do to help instead of just bitching about what he's done wrong. Of course, while the bitching itself still doesn't help anything, you're welcome to continue as long as you like.

You're bitching...about other people bitching. Funny.

It's important that people ask critical questions and reflect on the situation in an attempt to try and figure out how to not let it happen again. If you call that "bitching" then fine, whatever.

Did I ever say that Bush did absolutely nothing right during this whole situation? As of right now, I honestly do believe that the rescue and relief efforts have shaped up to the extent that things have actually begun look hopeful. Bush has signed in $10.5 billion aid package, the National Guard is in place, and supplies are being flown into the disaster area. But how on earth can anybody claim that this disaster was handled properly? It wasn't. Local, State, Federal, on every level it should have been handled better. It's unacceptable that Bush took so long to meet with city officials in the disaster areas. It's unacceptable that it took him days to even bother ending his vacation in order to visit NOLA. It's unacceptable that Congress took so long to convene for a special session to discuss Katrina, especially when they hopped right to it in a matter of hours for the case of Terri Schiavo. Some of Bush's actions after Katrina hit are inexcusable. Not only that, but completely and utterly shameful as well.

Everyone and their Mom knew that the levees in New Orleans would not be able to stand the power of Katrina. And when you have the President of the United States saying mind-boggling things like, "I don't think anyone anticipated the breach of the levees" then yes, we as a nation have every right to be critical of him and the rest of the government at the moment.

And hey, ever wonder that all these people bitching about Bush might actually have valid reasons for doing so?

[Channing]

Um, not to belabor the obvious, but Bush did declare the place a "Federal Disaster Area" before the hurricaine hit. Maybe you could include what Bush has tried to do to help instead of just bitching about what he's done wrong. Of course, while the bitching itself still doesn't help anything, you're welcome to continue as long as you like.

You're bitching...about other people bitching. Funny.

It's important that people ask critical questions and reflect on the situation in an attempt to try and figure out how to not let it happen again. If you call that "bitching" then fine, whatever.

Did I ever say that Bush did absolutely nothing right during this whole situation? As of right now, I honestly do believe that the rescue and relief efforts have shaped up to the extent that things have actually begun look hopeful. Bush has signed in $10.5 billion aid package, the National Guard is in place, and supplies are being flown into the disaster area. But how on earth can anybody claim that this disaster was handled properly?

How can you claim that it wasn't handled properly? Everyone has their own opinion. The effort is there but then again it's not just the rescue effort going through with ease. It's a challenge to save people whom shoot at your crafts and steal unecessary items. That is the kind of things we must overcome before getting to the roots. So how should it be handled? I'm positive he's done everything he can.

It wasn't. Local, State, Federal, on every level it should have been handled better. It's unacceptable that Bush took so long to meet with city officials in the disaster areas. It's unacceptable that it took him days to even bother ending his vacation in order to visit NOLA. It's unacceptable that Congress took so long to convene for a special session to discuss Katrina, especially when they hopped right to it in a matter of hours for the case of Terri Schiavo. Some of Bush's actions after Katrina hit are inexcusable. Not only that, but completely and utterly shameful as well.

Actually the government always tries to let the state handle it first. That's how it's been for a while. Regardless of the situation. A city 2 city's over from Atlanta went bankrupt. They have no police dept or rescue services period because the cityhall went bankrupt. The government refuses to offer money to help so they borrow money from another city revenue. It teaches a city to take precautions first. Some people have died here because the rescue efforts weren't made. And in their deaths that city learned a lesson. Smart spending and preperation.

Everyone and their Mom knew that the levees in New Orleans would not be able to stand the power of Katrina. And when you have the President of the United States saying mind-boggling things like, "I don't think anyone anticipated the breach of the levees" then yes, we as a nation have every right to be critical of him and the rest of the government at the moment.

And hey, ever wonder that all these people bitching about Bush might actually have valid reasons for doing so?

I don't dispute your reason for bitching. Just remember lots of people bitch about Bush and his spending yet the moment money is needed for something outside the U.S. concerning the U.N. and the world. It's not ok? Hmm, sort of makes us look selfish in a way. The knowledge about this level of hurricane has been around since the 60's. So to immediately blame this on Bush isn't really a "valid" reason to bitch. I hope you refer to the several presidents behind him. Atleast this situation is being taken care of.

I suppose we have a ton of other things to blame him for which are results from other presidents inactions.

I mean lets be mature and grown about this. Just because Bush wasn't at attention during the meaty portion of this catastrophe doesn't mean that rescue efforts weren't being made. I love how some people just dramatize situations like if the president doesn't bless it with his money and good spirit that nothing's being done.

[Mirage]

I think it's silly comparing a city going bankrupt to one of the biggest natural disasters in the US over the past I don't know how many years.

[Fire_Emblem776]

this is so sad. The rich better help out.

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THiS MAN iS DEAD





THiS WOMAN iS DEAD












*sigh*

[Miriel]

How can you claim that it wasn't handled properly? Everyone has their own opinion. The effort is there but then again it's not just the rescue effort going through with ease. It's a challenge to save people whom shoot at your crafts and steal unecessary items. That is the kind of things we must overcome before getting to the roots. So how should it be handled? I'm positive he's done everything he can.

I gave several reasons in my multiple posts as to why I think the situation was not handled in the best way. Can you give any evidence otherwise? Bush has done everything he can? I don't even think Bush himself would admit that he's done everything he can. Do you think he was doing everything he could while he was eating cake at a birthday party and canoodling with Country singers?

Actually the government always tries to let the state handle it first. That's how it's been for a while. Regardless of the situation. A city 2 city's over from Atlanta went bankrupt. They have no police dept or rescue services period because the cityhall went bankrupt. The government refuses to offer money to help so they borrow money from another city revenue. It teaches a city to take precautions first. Some people have died here because the rescue efforts weren't made. And in their deaths that city learned a lesson. Smart spending and preperation.

And even Bush agrees that this was a federal issue. Skyblade is correct in that Bush declared it a Federal Disaster Area even before Katrina hit. So...I really don't understand your arugement here.

I don't dispute your reason for bitching. Just remember lots of people bitch about Bush and his spending yet the moment money is needed for something outside the U.S. concerning the U.N. and the world. It's not ok? Hmm, sort of makes us look selfish in a way. The knowledge about this level of hurricane has been around since the 60's. So to immediately blame this on Bush isn't really a "valid" reason to bitch. I hope you refer to the several presidents behind him. Atleast this situation is being taken care of.

Huh? The U.N. did what now?

No one is blaming the hurricane on Bush. And you're right, there was plenty of warning about a hurricane of this magnitude, which only makes worse the fact that there was so little preparation for Katrina.

I mean lets be mature and grown about this. Just because Bush wasn't at attention during the meaty portion of this catastrophe doesn't mean that rescue efforts weren't being made. I love how some people just dramatize situations like if the president doesn't bless it with his money and good spirit that nothing's being done.

WHAT? He is the President of the United States, and the nation looks to him to lead the people through the crisis. And he didn't do that. Even FEMA admits that they weren't ready to handle a disaster on such an immense scale as this one, so yes, the rescue and relief efforts were very much stunted during the first few critical days.

I am thoroughly confused by your entire post.

[Fire_Emblem776]

WHAT? He is the President of the United States, and the nation looks to him to lead the people through the crisis. And he didn't do that. Even FEMA admits that they weren't ready to handle a disaster on such an immense scale as this one, so yes, the rescue and relief efforts were very much stunted during the first few critical days.

yea their is a surprise. And since people had a lot of time in advance it was coming why didint they just leave? Since it is a hurrucane state, they should know better than to stick around just to loot.

[Big D]

A lot of people simply can't afford to pack up and leave town.

[Shoden]

Britain have volunteered to help out all because Bush is too much of a dick to do it himself.

I just hope the people get the help they need, If there is enough then one part can focus on clearing the water and the other helping the survivors.

[Madame Adequate]

A lot of people simply can't afford to pack up and leave town.

This doesn't apply to the infirm, ill, old, and young, but you can damn well walk if you have to.

No one is blaming the hurricane on Bush. And you're right, there was plenty of warning about a hurricane of this magnitude, which only makes worse the fact that there was so little preparation for Katrina.

So why is the beloved President Clinton not being criticised? This was noted as a problem a long time ago - and more recently it was noted in 1991 as a very severe risk. He spent a good 8 years in his Presidency doing, well, bugger all about the Gulf of Mexico's vulnerability to hurricanes.