« Freedom of the Press means...? | Main | Five Minutes Past Midnight »
Katrina Comes to the White House
If I were to characterize today’s gathering outside the White House, by identifying one single cause, one single thing that has made these Americans angry, I’d be hard pressed to do so. There are a lot of different people here today, and they are here for a lot of different reasons.
Many of them are motivated by the massive governmental failure that the world witnessed with the Katrina disaster.
The crowd gathers
It’s clear that some people here also see the Katrina debacle as yet another blow to the already reeling masses of American “have-nots.” It has been a banner year for the have-nots. They have taken hit after hit from the haves and have-mores that are the President’s self-identified base.
“SHAME ON BUSH,” the crowd screams. “FIRE BROWN!” “IMPEACH BUSH”
Signs ask “Where Does the Buck Stop?” Good question, that…
According to Defense Secretary Rumsfeld and Richard Myers, the ineptitude of our government’s response to Katrina can be blamed mostly on the fact that FEMA members knew the hurricane was coming, but were forced to scan regional headlines for up to date information. When one headline claimed that the brunt of the storm missed New Orleans, well, they all went back to their vacations.
Signs everywhere say simply, “SHAME.”
Tom speaks truth to media
But this is not the only reason people are here.
Karen and I talk with two ladies from D.C., Beverly and Gael. Beverly is 76 years old and has never been politically active before, but tells us “I was never involved before, but the Bush administration’s ineptitude has motivated me.” She talks about the bankruptcy laws, social security, the war in Iraq, and now Katrina… she’s got issues.
Gael and Beverly march
There are signs about Darfur, about Iraq, about poverty, about all the disasters, small and immeasurably large, that have characterized the Bush administration.
What strikes me is that this is not a homogenous crowd bearing a unified message about one issue. The point here is that even people who aren’t inclined to carry a sign in front of the White House have come here today to say, “I’ve had enough. This is it. I’ve got to do something.”
There are events planned for virtually every day in September, culminating in United for Peace and Justice’s Mobilization against the war on the 24th.
It took Beverly 76 years to stand up and say something.
If she can stand in the sweltering heat, carrying a sign and chanting, what's our excuse to be?
Don't wait til you're 76. Stand up today.
One of the victims speaks her truth quietly and clearly
People who have ebdured this great natural catastrophe and the ensuing incompetence of the Bush Adminisrtation are not refugees or victims...
They are Survivors!
Destiny's Child
Survivor
Now that you are out of my life,
I'm so much better,
You thought that I'd be weak without ya,
But I'm stronger,
You thought that I'd be broke without ya,
But I'm richer,
You thought that I'd be sad without ya,
I laugh harder,
You thought I wouldn't grow without ya,
Now I'm wiser,
You thought that I'd be helpless without ya,
But I'm smarter,
You thought that I'd be stressed without ya,
But I'm chillin'
You thought I wouldn't sell without ya,
Sold nine million.
[Chorus]
I'm a survivor (what),
I'm not gonna give up (what),
I'm not gon' stop (what),
I'm gonna work harder (what),
I'm a survivor (what),
I'm gonna make it (what),
I will survive (what),
Keep on survivin' (what),
I'm a survivor (what),
I'm not gonna give up (what),
I'm not gon' stop (what),
I'm gonna work harder (what),
I'm a survivor (what),
I'm gonna make it (what),
I will survive (what),
Keep on survivin' (what).
(Verse 2)
Thought I couldn't breathe without you,
I'm inhalin'
You thought I couldn't see without you,
Perfect vision,
You thought I couldn't last without ya,
But I'm lastin'
You thought that I would die without ya,
But I'm livin'
Thought that I would fail without ya,
But I'm on top,
Though it would be over by now,
But it won't stop,
You thought that I would self-destruct,
But I'm still here,
Even in my years to come,
I'm still gon' be here.
[Chorus repeat]
(Bridge)
I'm wishin' you the best,
Pray that you are blessed,
Much success, no stress, and lots of happiness,
(I'm better than that)
I'm not gonna blast you on the radio,
(I'm better than that)
I'm not gonna lie on you or your family, yo,
(I'm better than that)
I'm not gonna hate you in the magazine,
(I'm better than that)
I'm not gonna compromise my Christianity,
(I'm better than that)
You know I'm not gonna diss you on the Internet
Cause my momma told me better than that.
[Chorus repeat]
Oh
(Oh)
Oh
(Oh)
Oh
(Oh)
After all of the darkness and sadness,
Still comes happiness,
If I surround myself with positive things,
I'll gain prosperity.
[Chorus repeat twice]
I'm a survivor (what),
I'm not gonna give up (what),
I'm not gon' stop (what),
I'm gonna work harder (what),
I'm a survivor (what),
I'm gonna make it (what),
I will survive (what),
Keep on survivin' (what),
I'm a survivor (what),
I'm not gonna give up (what),
I'm not gon' stop (what)(Don't stop me now)
I'm gonna work harder (what),
I'm a survivor (what),
I'm gonna make it (what),
I will survive (what),
Keep on survivin' (what).
I think I am going to cry.
Someone might want to correct the folks at dailyKos who are claiming that this is a group of Katrina survivors.
How so anonymous?
I just spoke with Karen again by phone and she said that there were 12 survivors that spoke. They all were very clear that they wanted to tell their stories and make sure they were heard. One speaker was a teacher who said that she didn't know if any of her students were alive or dead and was very concerned about them. Karen said each of the speakers was surrounded by reporters as soon as each finished speaking. She does not know if any of them are from the group of survivors who are staying at the DC armory.
There's some amazing pictures at americablog...
http://americablog.blogspot.com/
warning... one is kinda rough... if you're on overload, be warned
Looks like Kos is corrected, but the idea that these are ENTIRELY survivors persists at DU:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4698410
It isn't going to help their cause very much if the report gets spread that "200 Katrina survivors protested in front of the White House" when in fact only 12 were there. That kind of discrepancy costs legitimacy.
September 7, 2005
Barbara Bush Calls Evacuees Better Off
By THE NEW YORK TIMES
WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 - As President Bush battled criticism over the response to Hurricane Katrina, his mother declared it a success for evacuees who "were underprivileged anyway," saying on Monday that many of the poor people she had seen while touring a Houston relocation site were faring better than before the storm hit.
"What I'm hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas," Barbara Bush said in an interview on Monday with the radio program "Marketplace." "Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality."
"And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway," she said, "so this is working very well for them."
Mrs. Bush toured the Astrodome complex with her husband, former President George Bush, as part of an administration campaign throughout the Gulf Coast region to counter criticism of the response to the storm. Former President Bush and former President Bill Clinton are helping raise money for the rebuilding effort.
White House officials did not respond on Tuesday to calls for comment on Mrs. Bush's remarks.
anonymous:
Is it THEIR cause or OUR cause that the Federal Government has blundered during one of the most potent natural disasters our country has faced this century?
Regardless whether or not 200 or 12 showed up, the fact remains: TOO MANY PEOPLE DIED ON THE WATCH OF A PRESIDENT WHO PRIDED HIMSELF ON KEEPING THIS COUNTRY SAFE.
Maybe, we can stop trying to nitpick on non-essential points and get to the real issue at hand.
God, or at least Shiva, truly works in mysterious ways.
Posted by: anonymous at September 8, 2005 04:00 PM
Anon,
If you are worried about credibility, let me call up my IMMEDIATE family...
There would be over 200 there to hang the bastard.
Lighten' up!
Bush and his pals pissed off the wrong city!!!
Ease up guys... Anon was just trying to help out...
Accuracy (as opposed to extravagant exaggeration) is important.
Thanks...
Posted by: dwahzon at September 8, 2005 04:33 PM
Go referee a lawn bowling tourney DW...
There are over 1 million displaced from this and hundreds of thousands who survived days in New Orleans without assistance...
You want numbers...
You'll be seeing them real soon.
And the Outpouring just keeps coming...
And it is NOT of good will...it is of OUTRAGE!
Victims feel forgotten in southeastern Louisiana
'St. Bernard Parish and Plaquemines was ground zero'
Thursday, September 8, 2005; Posted: 1:37 p.m. EDT (17:37 GMT)
CHALMETTE, Louisana (AP) -- The cars were swallowed, the homes shattered and the people left clinging for life. Survivors waited for help, but it seemed like so little, so late.
More than a week since Hurricane Katrina cut its swath along the Gulf Coast, word is only now starting to trickle out from this outlying area of some 66,000 people on Louisiana's southeastern edge.
What's said is filled with anger -- residents feeling even more abandoned than hard-hit New Orleans -- and disbelief. (See video of a largely submerged parish -- 2:35 )
"If you dropped a bomb on this place, it couldn't be any worse than this," said Ron Silva, a district fire chief in St. Bernard Parish. "It's Day 8, guys. Everything was diverted first to New Orleans, we understand that. But do you realize we got 18 to 20 feet of water from the storm, and we've still got 7 to 8 feet of water?"
In the working-class parishes of St. Bernard and Plaquemines, the heavy rain and levee break brought a wall of water up to 20 feet high. Local officials expect the number of deaths to be in the hundreds.
In one wrenching case, 30 residents in a nursing home died and 30 others were evacuated, said Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, who has been working with search and rescue.
Full Story vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/08/katrina.forgottentown.ap/index.html
Please notice all the KEY WORDS used to describe New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish.
New Orleans survived the hurricane...if was the levee break that destroyed the city and her people.
When the Levee breaks got no place to stay...
Bush is SO toasted!
THAT levee was being reinforced when BUSH cancelled the funding and took the 80% of the money left and used it for Iraq.
Cheney's getting not near enough of his due. Last year he said:"A vote for JK/JE and you'll be dead." Let's remind these bas@#&*,look who's dead now,and under your watch!!
Arrogance and ignorance=INCOMPETENCE.Hail to the
HELL-ACIOUS!
Posted by: Patti Ferschke at September 8, 2005 05:32 PM
Not only that, but Kerry was supposed to add a 50-cent gasoline tax. Look now - the gas prices have gone up more like a dollar, and instead of the money coming back to improve transportation infrastructure, it's going to the oilmen.
Moreover, the government is going to be so obsessed now with cleaning up the aftermath that other vital programs may be cut. And as a government contractor, I may get the axe.
The wonders of tax cuts!
Let's remind these bas@#&*,look who's dead now, and under your watch!!
Posted by: Patti Ferschke at September 8, 2005 05:32 PM
Now now, everybody knows they were only referring to terrorists... Acts of God don't count.
On Your Ownership Society
Bush and his pals pissed off the wrong city!!!
Posted by: Indy at September 8, 2005 04:26 PM
I get the point, but NO may not be the only wrong city to piss off.
If an earthquake levels San Francisco, and the right wingers just sit still and blame the city's gay population, I am not sitting still either, as it will be the problem for MY STATE.
I know very clearly that nobody from the administration will ever come to visit San Francisco, while they will be in bleeding-red Orange County immediately if most of the damage happened there instead.
In fact, when the LA riots happened in '92 and black rioters burned bleeding-red Koreatown down, Poppy Bush AND Pat Buchanan were on the ground.
Now now, everybody knows they were only referring to terrorists... Acts of God don't count.
Posted by: monkey at September 8, 2005 05:38 PM
Exactly. You never mess with God's will. Especially when the God you believe in is a mean, judgmental father figure hell-bent on destroying his own creations. You please the hell out of him the best you can.
Bush suffers in polls post-Katrina
http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-09-08T214319Z_01_SPI878093_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-POLLS-DC.XML
President George W. Bush's image suffered in public opinion polls taken after Hurricane Katrina hit the U.S. Gulf Coast, with some finding growing doubts about his leadership and the country's direction.
After a week of criticism for a slow response to the devastation caused by Katrina, polls released on Thursday registered drops in Bush's approval ratings and in confidence in his leadership.
A Pew Research Center poll found 67 percent of Americans believed Bush could have done more to speed up relief efforts, and just 28 percent believed he did all he could. His approval rating slipped to 40 percent, down four points since July to the lowest point Pew has recorded.
The Pew poll also found a shift in public priorities after Katrina caused a jump in gasoline prices last week, with a majority saying for the first time since the September 11, 2001, attacks that it was more important for Bush to focus on domestic policy than the war on terrorism.
"Americans are depressed, angry and very worried about the economic consequences of the disaster," said Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew poll.
A WEEK OF CRITICISM
The new polls indicated a week of criticism and political finger-pointing over who is to blame for the disastrous response to Katrina could have taken a toll on the White House.
A CBS poll taken September 6-7 found 38 percent approved of Bush's handling of the storm's aftermath, while 58 percent disapproved. That was a dramatic shift from immediately after the storm last week, when 54 percent approved and 12 percent disapproved.
The CBS poll also found confidence in Bush during a crisis had fallen and only 48 percent now view him as a strong leader -- the lowest number ever for Bush in the poll. A year ago 64 percent of voters saw Bush as a strong leader.
Bush's approval rating fell to 41 percent in a new Zogby poll, with only 36 percent giving him a passing grade on his handling of the response to the storm.
The Zogby poll also found broad pessimism among a majority of Americans after the storm, with 53 percent saying the country is headed in the wrong direction and 42 percent saying it is on the right track.
A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll taken on September 5-6 found 42 percent believed Bush did a "bad" or "terrible" job handling the storm and subsequent flooding, while 35 percent thought he performed "great" or "good."
A Washington Post/ABC News poll taken September 2 offered more mixed results, with 46 percent approving of Bush's performance and 47 percent disapproving.
There was plenty of blame to go around for the slow response to Katrina, with local and state governments also taking a hit.
The Gallup poll found 13 percent blamed Bush for the problems in New Orleans, while 18 percent blamed federal agencies, 25 percent blamed state and local officials and 38 percent said no one was to blame.
In the Pew poll, 58 percent thought the federal government had done only a fair or poor job after the storm, but 51 percent also thought state and local governments in Louisiana and Mississippi had done just a fair or poor job.
from 05:57 PM post
The CBS poll also found confidence in Bush during a crisis had fallen and only 48 percent now view him as a strong leader -- the lowest number ever for Bush in the poll. A year ago 64 percent of voters saw Bush as a strong leader.
______________________
Surprised either set of numbers could be so high
aimzsz.... suprised isn't the word... SHOCKED is more like it!
If this doesn't wake people up, nothing will.
Prince Valium
Two-In-Three Critical Of Bush's Relief Efforts
Huge Racial Divide Over Katrina and Its Consequences
http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=255
The American public is highly critical of President Bush's handling of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Two-in-three Americans (67%) believe he could have done more to speed up relief efforts, while just 28% think he did all he could to get them going quickly. At the same time, Bush's overall job approval rating has slipped to 40% and his disapproval rating has climbed to 52%, among the highest for his presidency. Uncharacteristically, the president's ratings have slipped the most among his core constituents Republicans and conservatives
Indy,
When you talk of Chalmette, that's weird to me. It's my political nickname because my last name is Chalm, and knowing that cajuns of French origin were deported there, and that most of them came from Normandy and Brittany, while the last names kept evolving... I'm starting to wander if some of my poppies disn't land there some day... Which might explain why I decided to study the Old South culture. Tell me I'm crazy, I don't care.
In the meantime, though we were only allowed to bring in 1/4 of the aide (bad French paying for Irak), that we cannot get through the administration havoc, that we are kept far from the media together with international logistic teams... US asked for more help from NATO today. Where are they they going to hide us all?
Little drop in the sea. Orléans is sending aide directly to NO city (no one trusts the administration) and they offered 54 students to enter their university. until they finish graduating.
Just catching up here.
Posted by: dwahzon at September 8, 2005 05:54 PM
DW...I think that you sum it up well. Without the pictures from WWII how would we all learn from the suffering of others. It's a record and a memorial.
I remember once, going with a friend to the Chicago Art Museum and seeing their exhibit dedicated to the victims of the haulocaust. There was not dry eye in the room. Seeing is believing!
Ask all the people who have seen pictures at the Chicago Art Museum...does having the memorial help others or is it just gruesome and unwarrented.
Had I died in either, I'd pick the pictures, myself.
Posted by: aimzzz at September 8, 2005 06:02 PM
Posted by: monkey at September 8, 2005 06:09 PM
Aimzzz...
You shocked my Monkey!!!
"Shock The Monkey"
Shock the monkey to life
Shock the monkey to life
Cover me when I run
Cover me through the fire
Something knocked me out' the trees
Now I'm on my knees
Cover me, darling please
Monkey, monkey, monkey
Don't you know when you're going to shock the monkey
Fox the fox
Rat the rat
You can ape the ape
I know about that
There is one thing you must be sure of
I can't take any more
Darling, don't you monkey with the monkey
Monkey, monkey, monkey
Don't you know you're going to shock the monkey
Wheels keep turning
Something's burning
Don't like it but I guess I'm learning
Shock! - watch the monkey get hurt, monkey
Cover me, when I sleep
Cover me, when I breathe
You throw your pearls before the swine
Make the monkey blind
Cover me, darling please
Monkey, monkey, monkey
Don't you know you're going to shock the monkey
Too much at stake
Ground beneath me shake
And the news is breaking
Shock! - watch the monkey get hurt, monkey
Shock the monkey
Shock the monkey
Shock the monkey to life
Check this one out...
Former secretary of state Powell critical of US response to Katrina
27 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell had tough words for federal, state and local authorities on their response to Hurricane Katrina in a television interview to air Friday.
"I think there have been a lot of failures at a lot of levels --- local, state and federal," Powell said in an interview with the ABC News program "20/20," to air late Friday.
"There was more than enough warning over time about the dangers to New Orleans. Not enough was done. I don't think advantage was taken of the time that was available to us, and I just don't know why," he said.
Powell was asked if the slipshod government response to the disaster was due to racism, since the overwhelming majority of the victims are poor African-Americans.
"I don't think its racism, I think its economic," Powell said.
"When you look at those who werent able to get out, it should have been a blinding flash of the obvious to everybody that when you order a mandatory evacuation, you cant expect everybody to evacuate on their own.
"These are people who dont have credit cards; only one in ten families at that economic level in New Orleans have a car. So it wasn't a racial thing --- but poverty disproportionately affects African-Americans in this country. And it happened because they were poor," he said.
ABC interviewed Powell via telephone Thursday morning for his reaction to the government response to Katrina after the former top US diplomat visited shelters in Dallas, Texas.
read more here...
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050908/ts_alt_afp/usweatherpowell_050908223015
AND this one...
Powell Says U.N. Speech a 'Blot' on Record
By BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer
49 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday his prewar speech to the United Nations accusing Iraq of harboring weapons of mass destruction was a "blot" on his record.
"I'm the one who presented it to the world, and (it) will always be a part of my record. It was painful. It is painful now," Powell said in an interview with Barbara Walters on ABC-News.
read more here...
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050908/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/powell_iraq_1
"F..k you Mr Cheney."
This is the anwer he got today while visiting Louisiana.
In French "Allez vous faire foutre Monsieur Cheney", written in blue middle of the article.
http://news.tf1.fr/news/monde/0,,3243397,00.html?trk=100
Endgame near for Judith Miller? Remember Judith? She's safely in prison while she hides the source of the treason from Fitzgerald.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050908/ts_nm/bush_leak_dc
Anderson Cooper is the man. He's covering the hell out of this story.
So called "ownership"society should have been SPELLED out so these supporters of Bush actually understand what he meant. Now they "get it"! Just wait till the bills come in,eps when he asks more for Iraq.
Discussion On Lou Dobbs tonight about the "blame" game. Both sides doing it doesn't make sense anymore. Come on DEMS,point out the holes in the sysytem,get a PLAN and run with it...make it a home run!!
Indy at September 8, 2005 06:39 PM
I'll never hear that song the same way again...
Hey all, Back from work--this was a pretty amazing event. Vic and I talked to a number of people who are new to demonstrating but really angry at Bush et al.
The people from NO were the calmest people there--even tho the media was all over them; they told their stories without fanfare, and answered all questions honestly. I cannot help but think how different it must be for the media to listen to simple tales, without spin, or innuendo and blame.
If anyone reading wants to ask questions, I am going to the irc for a while. (For new people, go to the Discuss tab at the top of the page and click on "Live Chat". Follow instructions to download the java client.
Now now, everybody knows they were only referring to terrorists... Acts of God don't count.
On Your Ownership Society
Posted by: monkey at September 8, 2005 05:38 PM
YEAH, "private" accounts. So private you don't see them.
Alternet wire:
Now there's some rawmedia for you!
http://www.alternet.org/wire/#25232
Anderson Cooper is the man. He's covering the hell out of this story.
Posted by: Cyrano at September 8, 2005 07:37 PM
Cyrano,
Yes, he is. I just saw him. He said "We are NOT going to let this story go away. We are not going to bury these people and clean up the mess and let it go at that. This is a terrible disaster."
Just got home from almost two weeks in my home town visiting my friends and relatives.
My mom is so frail, she had surgery today and made it through it.
The best part of my visit (after seeing everyone I love)was our family reunion Sunday, and we discussed this inept administration.
My dad: "Hell, Bush doesn't care about these people, they are people 'of color'."
My sister-in-law: "Everyone who isn't rich is a person 'of color'."
My mom was in her usual form, and sat there yelling at the t.v. everytime she saw him.
~ ~ * * ~ ~
My parents don't have cable so we watched the evening news and news specials. Was so apparent that the newscasters and anchors were pi$$*d.
I am so glad Christy made it okay, and OTV4D's too.
** ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~
We now have FAUX news here, and on the way home from the airport my aunties were telling me how happy they are to be able to watch FAUX. I asked them "Wouldn't you like to know what is REALLY happening in the world?"
Of course, that led to another debate that lasted the solid hour home. The one who is the adamant one about "Pope Dubya" got her ire up and told me I am reading all propaganda, so I calmly debated her all the way home.
Want to know why I was able to remain calm, focused, and precise in my knowledge and claims (which I can back up in every case)? Knowledge.
Knowledge about information I received by studying and reading until it made sense and jelled.
This place is PRICELESS.
KNOWLEDGE of the truth is our most powerful weapon, because:
TRUTH SHALL PREVAIL.
BIGGG, big difference in my confidence level now that I know the FACTS.
Thank you, guys! :-)
P.S.
Auntie let out a little croak at the end. I won the debate.
TSP--we are on your team!
Wow...I'm really impressed by this:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/2757#comment
Let's keep working!
"I think there have been a lot of failures at a lot of levels --- local, state and federal," Powell said in an interview with the ABC News program "20/20," to air late Friday.
Thanks for posting that Dwahzon...hmm now I think I said that last week :)
Nancy Grace on CNN is totally ticked. She is a fiery little thing (I love her!) and I don't think she will back down and quiet down. She is focusing on the neglect by our government, and they are broadcasting a segment from her interview with a few young men down in New Orleans who just said "This is totally UNAMERICAN" what happened down here.
She is a fiery little delightful spitfire. Nobody owns her.
Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at September 8, 2005 08:44 PM
Great story, Truth...but truth be known; we learn from you too!
She is a fiery little delightful spitfire. Nobody owns her.
Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at September 8, 2005 08:51 PM
Excpet truth, I've heard her refered to as 'one of those propaganda..." kind of like Zahn.
TSP--we are on your team!
Posted by: Karen at September 8, 2005 08:48 PM
Thanks, Karen. I have quite a team, too! My dad and I sat there for hours talking about the state of the union. I was so proud of him! At 88 he has stayed abreast of the news, and is smart enough to read between the lines and wise enough to put it together. He blew me away - he knew much of what I had been studying this past year! We cried together as we watched the tragedy unfold on t.v., and shrieked and laughed together at "Mr. Mumbles", fumbling around trying to look like he knows what he's doing (and not even doing a good job at that). We pondered the future of America together, too. My dad said "Fifty years from now, history will tell the true story". That led me to tell him about Dubya saying "History? We'll all be dead."
~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~
Karen, it's more like "I'm (finally) TOTALLY on YOUR team!!!"
No more wavering moderate here! Once you put it all together and see the BIG picture, you see this whole thing is WAY beyond the splinter issues like abortion. That issue is like an annoying horsefly on the face of the universe!
I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! Gosh, I am so proud of all of you, me, ALL of US!!
I'M ON BOARD a trillion percent, gang.
Next week out of state at a seminar, but after that, it's time to roll up my sleeves and get back to work.
I hope I don't discuss issues here that have already been covered these past two weeks, I would hate to digress.
Just heard on t.v. they have ordered at least 25,000 body bags for New Orleans.
Truth has a power of it's own, eh?
I had hoped there wouldn't be a sequel, but after watching the timeline of this past week with the chameleon-in-chief, I think we have all the ingredients for an epic "Fahrenheit: Nawlins"
Just heard on t.v. they have ordered at least 25,000 body bags for New Orleans.
Truth has a power of it's own, eh?
Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at September 8, 2005 09:12 PM
there is a nationwide shortage/outage of body bags.
Veritas--are you in Norfolk?
Excpet truth, I've heard her refered to as 'one of those propaganda..." kind of like Zahn.
Posted by: sparrow at September 8, 2005 09:00 PM
Sparrow,
I know what you are saying! She may be evangelical, and she has sounded a bit swayed by the right a few times in the past.
But tonight, she is really mad about it, and wasn't pulling any punches about saying the government isn't doing what it should be doing. With a big G.
She might be one little gal worth keeping an eye on. She knows how to play to an audience, but I think she is honest, and won't shrink in the face of truth. Just my take.
that general area
there is a nationwide shortage/outage of body bags.
Posted by: Veritas at September 8, 2005 09:14 PM
Veritas,
I understand you have been informing the blog about realities of the New Orleans tragedy. I am sorry I haven't had a chance to catch up yet. I am looking forward to reading back threads.
Veritas,
I understand you have been informing the blog about realities of the New Orleans tragedy. I am sorry I haven't had a chance to catch up yet. I am looking forward to reading back threads.
Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at September 8, 2005 09:24 PM
I have only been posting part of the truth...other people have truth too, those who have visited with family members in the impact area, those who have cared for evacuees, those who have taken evacuees into their homes, etc. That is all truth too.
I have been appreciating hearing the variety of personal experiences that others have shared because it takes some of the edge off of what I've done all day...
I know I am very lucky coming from high and dry IL, but I have been in absolute despair about what has happened to our country until today. One diehard republican that works with me said she no longer supports the Bush administration. I cannot see how anyone could, and am sick over the polls wherein many seem to be saying his actions were just fine, but that one convert perked me up. What is it when something so major and dramatic happens and I have to be happy with my one convert? Seeing the Forest says we are still only talking to each other. Do you think that's true?
A nationwide shortage of body bags, isn't that lovely? Just think about that.
Welcome to Bush Country
Next time you hear a Republican Bush apologist repeat the drivel that there was no way that he or FEMA could have predicted such a devestating hurricane, ask them what they know about Hurricane Pam.
CNN reported that last summer a professor at LSU ran a 5 day hurricane simulation seminar with graphic projections and models of a category 3 hurricane striking N.O. and her setting out in detail the exact same devestation to N.O. with the levees breaking, folks stuck in the Superdome and on roof tops. CNN reports that there were several high ranking officials at this simulation they called Hurricane Pam. I guess that Brown and FEMA must have slept through that 5 day class.
Cyrano is exactly right about Anderson Cooper. It is rare to see such passion from the media any more. Cooper deserves the highest acholades and awards for his thorough and humane hurricane coverage from the News Media Association. His reporting means a whole lot more than just watching a bunch of morons with microphone in hand and 100 mile an hour winds battering them around.
Did anyone here contact their Congressman today regarding the Conyers/Nadler/Lee Bankruptcy amendment, written to exculde hurricane victims?
Ira--you mean the amendment is to correct a wrong, not create one, right?
Did I hear this incorrectly? Newt was saying that it was a national disgrace for Americans to see bodies floating in an American city due to total incompitence and management by our govt. and FEMA.
that is not an exact quote and I don't recall him specifically blaming the federal govt for this disaster, but it sure sounded like that to me.
Sounds like another left winger attacking our federal govt response team.
"Fahrenheit: Nawlins"
Posted by: monkey at September 8, 2005 09:13 PM
And that ain't all..........
My dad just shook his head and said "But there are still doe does that believe in him and think he's wonderful." I thought "how dumb, how could they after this week?"
My ride home brought me back into the surreal world of "The Twilight Zone".
Haven't got time to worry about them. I laughed today and told them to enjoy FAUX. AFTER I preached a twenty five minute sermon (Man, I love those rides home! lol) on the bible telling Christians it is their responsibility to judge phoney Christians, and people who use the name of Christ to hide their corrupt MURDERS, THIEVERY, GREED, and CORRUPTION. I also told them the President of the United States is entrusted with stewardship of the people of one of the most powerful and rich nations in the world, and therefore entrusted with the stewardship of the people of the world, and the BUCK STOPS AT THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, and HE HAS NO BUSINESS BEING AN EMPTY SUIT WHO IS ON THE END OF A LEASH BEING HELD BY CORRUPT MASTERS. I told them their "Christian President" HAS NO BUSINESS HAVING A SLANDERING PERSON DEVOID OF MORAL INTEGRITY SETTING POLICIES FOR HIM.
That's when my aunt croaked. Told ya I won the debate.
P.S. I have been campaigning for dems this past month by sending fundies information on the good deeds of some of my favorite Dem senators.) Since some still view me as a pious little person some have written to say thank you.
whoa Truth...
I guess your name says it all...
Truth Shall Prevail
And the TRUTH, shall set you free!
Send more please.
Karen Al Franken on Air America was asking us to call our Congresspeople and ask them, no demand that they support this Bankruptcy Amendment.He had a Harvard lawschool professor who teaches bankrutcy and the UCC on the air this a.m. Our sorry Houston Congressmen Coulberson and DeLay did not know and didn't care about it. The Houston Chronicle who should care about such things since up to 80,000 evacuees plan on staying in Houston didn't seem to care when I called them. We should shame every gulf coast Congressman and Senator that doesn't support this bill.
I then called and emailed Sheila Jackson Lee's office and spoke with her legislative asst. They want help. What I was told was that the amendment would exempt everyone living in the hurricane vicinity from the Oct. 18 deadline under the new Bankruptcy bill. The Chronicle claims it will delay the effecive date for 'everyone' filing for 1 year and that its toast. Lee's office says that is bs and that they need our help and are going forward with this Amendment tomorrow.
My concern: If they wait till monday the Roberts Supreme Ct. hearings will start up and drown out any momentum of this amendment. I know others here have bitched about the whole bill but this would at least give some releief to those most unfortunately effected by the hurricane who have lost everything and may have creditors or medical bills or car payments and no jobs from the hurricane to pay for them. I think this is a good project.
Posted by: Ellen Beth at September 8, 2005 09:28 PM
The forest may take a long time to grow, but it does grow with light & nourishment. And sometimes we just have to be happy when one or two saplings start to grow. Feed them & show them the light.
(I never was any good at metaphors...need to go back & read more Lakoff...)
Three FEMA contractors arrested for looting in Plaquemines Parish
Three Texas truck drivers under contract with the federal government to bring in storm relief supplies for Plaquemines Parish have been arrested for allegedly looting toys, dolls, women’s lingerie and other merchandise from a Belle Chasse Family Dollar store, authorities said.
Booked late Wednesday night with one count each of looting were Gerald W. Thomas, 47, of Tyler, Texas; Thomas Sherman, 39, also of Tyler; and Lasharon Lemons, 36, of Dallas, said Major John Marie with the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Marie said that since the relief effort began, drivers for the Federal Emergency Management Agency had been allowed to take drinks, personal grooming supplies and other small items from the Family Dollar store at 7902 Louisiana 23.
But he said the three suspects went much further, loading the cabs of their trucks with toys such as Barbie dolls, kitchen appliances, telephones, answering machines, waste paper baskets and other goods.
“When we arrested them, they had enough stolen stuff to fill five grocery carts full of property,” Marie said.
http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times-Picayune/archives/2005_09.html#078200
p.s. HEY! Wasn't that pastor who compared New Orleans to Sodom & Gamorrah from Tyler, Texas???
WOOPS!
BTW, Ellen et al...Camp Casey Bring Them Home Now Bus Tour stopped in Highland Park today for a dedication ceremony at our Eyes Wide Open display. Sadly, the bus tour members read the names of those killed since our initial dedication ceremony and we added the names & roses to the display. Each member gave another moving speech about why it's important for all of us to carry the message about demanding from our Congress people -- our employees! -- what they're going to do about ending the war, bringing the troops home, & supporting the vets that are home. We must call/write them tomorrow, call/write them the next day, and keep calling/writing until we get answers!
The bus tour members had just heard that recruiters were in the Astrodome and were appalled. If anyone has any more info about that, please post it so we can get it to them.
LOS ANGELES, CA, United States (UPI) -- Filmmaker Michael Moore is considering a documentary critical of the U.S. government`s handling of hurricane Katrina, MSNBC reports.
'It has all the elements that made `Fahrenheit 911` such a powerful film,' a source told MSNBC`s 'The Scoop.' 'The political outrage, the human suffering and the incredible footage.'
Although there was no official comment from the Moore camp, MSNBC noted the filmmaker has been a vocal critic of government culpability on his Web site.
'There is much to be said and done about the manmade annihilation of New Orleans, caused NOT by a hurricane but by the very specific decisions made by the Bush administration in the past four and a half years,' he wrote. 'Do not listen to anyone who says we can discuss all this later. No, we can`t. Our country is in an immediate state of vulnerability. More hurricanes, wars, and other disasters are on the way and a lazy bunch of self-satisfied lunatics are still running the show.'
Copyright 2005 by United Press International
Posted by: Ira at September 8, 2005 09:50 PM
Ira,
This is more than a good project. It is an imperitive that the general public be made more aware of this amendmnet to the bankruptcy bill. After seeing what has happened to the people devestated by the hurricane, I can't imagine people of good will-which I believe is most Americans-allow this amendment to be buried under the rug.
I think it was Bill Clinton who said (paraphrasing) There is nothing that is wrong with this country that can't be fixed by what is right with this country. We are seeing that this week.
I think one impt point is altho local,state & natl fell short- natl is the one in denial...(what didn't go right? said king george to nancy peolosi)
John Breaux should be selected to head an Independent Commission to investigate FEMA and hurricane preparedness. He is the most respected gulf coast and La. political figure, known for his independence, judgement and acceptable to both sides of the aisle.
Lets call it The Breaux Commission.
Totally OT
If Hilary ran in '08, could Bill run as V.P. as her running mate?
Truth Shall Prevail
Welcome back!
DiAnne!
Thanks! I thought you were in Europe! Oh, that's right, not yet!
Will y'all shut up!
Hilary is no better than the rest of them...
Like New Orleans is being sterilized...so must the People's House!
HON. RON PAUL OF TEXAS
BEFORE THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 8, 2005
Why We Fight
Many reasons have been given for why we fight and our youth must die in Iraq. The reasons now given for why we must continue this war bear no resemblance to the reasons given to gain the support of the American people and the United States Congress prior to our invasion in March of 2003. Before the war, we were told we faced an imminent threat to our national security from Saddam Hussein. This rationale, now proven grossly mistaken, has been changed. Now we’re told we must honor the fallen by “completing the mission.” To do otherwise would demean the sacrifice of those who have died or been wounded. Any lack of support for “completing the mission” is said, by the promoters of the war, to be unpatriotic, un-American, and detrimental to the troops. They insist the only way one can support the troops is to never waver on the policy of nation building, no matter how ill-founded that policy may be. The obvious flaw in this argument is that the mission, of which they so reverently speak, has changed constantly from the very beginning.
more...http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2005/cr090805.htm
Will y'all shut up!
Hilary is no better than the rest of them...
Like New Orleans is being sterilized...so must the People's House!
Posted by: Indy at September 8, 2005 10:58 PM
** ~~ ** ~~ **
So, is that my answer? LOL. I didn't say I wanted her to run. I would mostly like an answer to my question of "can Bill run on the V.P. ticket"?
madame:
http://www.operationflashlight.com/?p=22
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=comment/reply/2811
there is something wrong with the phone lines in North Louisiana
at first I thought it was just interference from the hurricane damage but it seems to be local..ALL of our phones keep cutting out
Christy-maybe FEMA's trying to help....
Cnn right now Brown BUSTED
Fema...help
@#$%^&*(#$%^&*(@#$%^&*()@#$%*(&)&^%$#@!#$%^&*()_)(*&^%$#@$%^&*()P(*&^%$#@#$%^&*()_(*&^%$#$%^&*()(*&^%$#
Damnit
Bush CNN!!!!!!!Bush suspends Davis Bacon Act allowing Halburton to pay workers below the prevailing wage
More profits to Halliburton and Cheney, Bush, and
more devastation for the families trying to survive
Hurrican Katrina and rebuild their lives. When the
hell do the people of America wake up
Posted by: rossiann at September 9, 2005 12:17 AM
YAWN! Sorry Rossi...did you say something?
I was sleeping...
Cindy Sheehan receives Spine Award from Backbone Campaign:
http://backbonecampaign.org/storydetail.cfm?id=98
Great post! I linked to it here - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=474
Customs Tells Workers to Stop Helping FEMA
Thursday September 8, 2005 2:46 AM
By TED BRIDIS
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency told its employees Wednesday to stop volunteering for hurricane relief duty with the government's primary disaster agency so they can focus on helping New Orleans police instead.
In an internal memorandum distributed to Customs Enforcement employees, the agency's director of human resources, Christine M. Greco, directed workers to withdraw offers to volunteer with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Both agencies are under the Department of Homeland Security, and immigration and customs employees have been helping FEMA in rescue support roles such as helping hurricane victims fill out paper work and so on.
``We want to be careful we're not stretched too thin,'' said a spokesman for Customs Enforcement, Dean Boyd. ``It's a daunting task helping ... local police.''
Boyd said the decision was made with FEMA's approval. The disaster agency last week solicited more than 1,000 volunteers from elsewhere in the Homeland Security Department to support rescue operations and inform victims where to seek help.
Greco's memo, obtained by The Associated Press, told Customs Enforcement employees who volunteered that, ``You will instead be part of the ICE effort to support law enforcement activities.''
Greco praised the hundreds of employees who already had volunteered to work under FEMA, calling them ``valiant and considerate.'' She said any Customs Enforcement employees unhappy with the new volunteer arrangement ``may make their desires known through their chain of command.''
Boyd said the immigration and customs agency already has deployed more than 700 law enforcement and support workers to the Gulf Coast, plus equipment that includes detention buses and mobile command centers.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0%2C1280%2C-5263174%2C00.html
Truth Shall Prevail
Andree, Amy & myself are planning a democracy cell meeting!
YOu awake yet Indy,
Truth Shall Prevail
Andree, Amy & myself are planning a democracy cell meeting!
Posted by: DiAnne at September 9, 2005 12:36 AM
DiAnne,
Should be a good meeting! Have fun!
LOL-Scott McClellan trying to control speculation about investigations: RealPlayer video link
rtsp://video.c-span.org/60days/whpb090805.rm?mode=compact
One question was about how a Congressional investigation could be bipartisan if there aren't any Democrats... :p
Does the President's definition of bipartisan include the Democrats?
Q: How are we going to pay for all this?
A: Keep in mind these are one-time costs...
Starts talking about faith-based & community groups
Q: How is it morally justified to have tax cuts now?
A: We must keep our economy growing [[logical fallacy- answer based on assumption that tax cuts are responsible for economic growth]]
:p
shrub trying an end run, saying he will lead investigation... as though hs could lead his way out of a paper bag.
Nausea blossoms
2 days to Sept 11th anniversary, McClellan says shrub plans to do something (they won't say what) in commemoration. Seems like BushCo would be ashamed to highlight that 4 years later, this regime is incapable of dealing with any kind of disaster.
not to sound stupid..but is there a way to get them to call off all OFFICIAL 9/11 commemorations...??
osama is still at large no one has been held responsible and we have upwards of 40,000 dead being eaten by dogs on the streets of whats left of one of our greatest cities..
THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR THEM TO CELEBRATE THIER FAILURES OR THE DEATH IT BROUGHT
You're talking about a regime that has never let being inappropriate get in the way of its propaganda
Time magazine reports that Michael Brown lied on his resume regarding his previous job history of acting as asst city manager for emergency preparedness. Reportedly he only served as a lowly intern.
What do you think our bosses would be saying to us this morning if they found out that their CFO lied on his/her job application. In this administration that is usually grounds for lateral promotion. It should be grounds for potential criminal prosecution.
I wish I were right there with those protestors! For now, I'll just offer this prayer of strength:
"O Source of Mercy, give us the grace to show forbearance to those who offend against us. When the wrongs and injustices of others wound us, may our hearts not despair of human good. May no trial, however severe, embitter our souls and destroy our trust. When beset by trouble and sorrow, our mothers and fathers put on the armour of faith and fortitude. May we too find strength to meet adversity with quiet courage and unshaken will."
We will get through this, and justice will be served.
Peace.