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What is your opinion of the president’s response to the Hurricane Katrina emergency?
Asked at Massachusetts Street on September 8, 2005
“I’m disappointed. He didn’t convey the gravity of the situation. All he had to offer was his typical smile and saying everything will be better tomorrow. I think people wanted a clear explanation of what would be done to help.”
“It was slow. I think the blame goes much further than the president, but he’s the boss.”
“It was a little late. I think the president grossly miscalculated the situation. I don’t think there is anything he can do to redeem himself.”
“I feel like his response was not adequate, and he deserves the criticism that he has been dealt.”
8 September 2005
at 4:25 a.m.
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GreenEyedBlues (Anonymous) says…
Darwin is SO right!
I think it goes a lot farther than the president; there's lot of 'splaining to do.
But as a malevolent grasshopper voiced by Kevin Spacey once said:
“First rule of leadership - everything is your fault”.
Ever the Disney Whore, GEB*
8 September 2005
at 5:28 a.m.
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enochville (Anonymous) says…
I am not particularly fond of Bush as president; I even voted for Kerry, but honestly, I don't think we can rightfully blame the late response on Bush. The mayor of New Orleans in interviews after his initial exasperation has blamed the slow response on bureacratic red tape where jurisdictional arguments and laws got in the way. The mayor didn't care about the legality of who can help when, he just wanted help now. Now, maybe we can blame the red tape on the legislative branch of both the federal and state gov'ts. Evidently, the states and major cities wanted some of the homeland security moneys, so they agreed to have first response responsibilities in cases of emergency, but they were quickly overwhelmed. Bush said he was disappointed with the results of the government's intervention and I am sure he has let FEMA and others know it.
And as far as this being a race issue, I think that is ridiculous. The only race issue remotely related to the government's response is that there is a large proportion of blacks that are poor. That is something we as a society need to try to correct, but the Hurricane response had nothing to do with race and it frustrates me when people use the race card when it has nothing to do with the situation. Poverty and attachment to their homes is why people stayed or got stuck in New Orleans. The bureacratic red tape would have slowed the response no matter what race the survivors were.
I have survived a major flood before back in 1994 and it took a few days before we got help as well. Should there have been a plan in place to evacuate New Orleans and jurisdictional issues pre-sorted out before disaster struck? Yes. Is that Bush's fault? No more so than the rest of the legislatures in the country. National guard deployment has had nothing to do with it either.
8 September 2005
at 5:36 a.m.
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KsjKC (Anonymous) says…
I think maybe people assume that the Bush administration was slow to to act in this crisis…
They assume correctly.
However, the White House is working hard to overcome this perception—and I for one am thrilled and proud to know that they are presently working on a strategy to deal with the terrible fire in Chicago, including a full-scale investigation into possible Al-Queda connections to Mrs O'Leary and her cow.
8 September 2005
at 5:44 a.m.
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daddax98 (Anonymous) says…
now that was funny!
8 September 2005
at 6:26 a.m.
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GreenEyedBlues (Anonymous) says…
Nice. That was a pure gem of comedic genius.
Thanks for the morning chuckles, KSjKC.
8 September 2005
at 6:34 a.m.
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merrill (Anonymous) says…
There is plenty of active duty and national guard within the USA. It appears as though Pres. Bush was not paying close attention thus unacceptable response. City,State and top federal officials should have been in communication immediately once the news of the levee being compromised was out… vacationing or not.
One example:
Pentagon: USS Bataan Waited Days For Orders to Help Out
Criticism of the federal government's response is also coming from some
unlikely sources including the Pentagon. Lt. Commander Sean Kelly, a
Pentagon spokesman for Northern Command, revealed on the BBC that
NorthCom was prepared to send in search and rescue helicopters from the
USS Bataan almost immediately after the hurricane hit. He said, “We had
things ready. The only caveat is: we have to wait until the president authorizes
us to do so.” That authorization didn't happen for days even though the ship
was docked just outside New Orleans. On board the ship had doctors,
hospital beds, food and the ability to make up to 100,000 gallons of water a
day.
This ship also is equipped with a state of the art communication system with the ability to keep local police mobile phones charged up and working.
–––––––––––––––––—
Homeland Security is way too big to be an efficient/effective responder. It is likely a money hole.
8 September 2005
at 6:38 a.m.
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Bowhunter99 (Anonymous) says…
If you're blaming the President, then you're just another sore loser Democrat trying to blame Bush for everything - including weather related acts.
It has been clearly stated: The response system is supposed to work from the bottom up. Which means, the local government would deal with it, then the state, and the the federal.
Had it been a problem with 500 people and it had taken 4-5 days to get them aid, then we would have had a problem.
Ladies and Gentlemen…. there were Hundreds of Thousands of victims. I'm sure thousands of them were helped on day 1. You just can't help Hundreds of Thousands of them on Day 1.
Item 1: Search and Rescue. I'm thinking the people on a rooftop or stuck on a 150 degree attic needed more help than people on the convention center.
Item 2: Help. and help was there. The disaster didn't just hit the convention center or the dome… It hit a wide strip of land. I'm sure help got to some on day 1 and help has not arrived for others.
Is it Bush's fault if someone is XYZ, LA hasn't been helped? No. That's saying that every worker out there is not doing their job.
why aren't you out there helping? is that Bush's fault as well?
8 September 2005
at 6:38 a.m.
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KsjKC (Anonymous) says…
GreenEyedBlues—
Awwwwwwwwwww—Stop it some more…
Flattery will get you almost everywhere with me…
I have to admit I find it unsettling how many will gleefully jump on people at the state and local levels—but then when things look to land at the president's door, his frog-belly white flanks are just too sacrosanct for that kind of close scrutiny….
And the very idea of Bush launching his own investigation is akin to the crooked butler being put in charge of the search for the missing silver…
8 September 2005
at 6:42 a.m.
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GreenEyedBlues (Anonymous) says…
If you're trying to deflect blame off of the current administration to try and score points with the Big Jeez, then you're a cotton headed ninnymuggins.
8 September 2005
at 6:43 a.m.
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KsjKC (Anonymous) says…
Bowhunter—
What do you say to the people at the local level who asked the state who asked the White House for funds to keep the pumps running?
Not the the disaster pumps. The everyday keep New Orleans from being Waterworld pumps.
Or funding for the levees? Or improvements to the aforementioned levees only strong enough to withstand a Cat 3 storm?
If you are being a Bush apologist, then you are just another sore Republican trying to blame the president's lack of foresight on someone other than the president—something of a Washington cottage industry these days.
8 September 2005
at 6:53 a.m.
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rooga (Anonymous) says…
All I have to say is You get what you vote for. Would you expect anything less from Pres. Bush. I say to the American people who voted for Bush. thats what you get suckers!!!! Be upset at youselves, you re-elected that moron!!
8 September 2005
at 7:11 a.m.
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blue73harley (Anonymous) says…
Bush, FEMA, Homeland Security, local officials, etc most all were too slow to act. Some pompous General responded to a reporters question about this late response by trying to deflect it (ala bowhunter) - what were you doing!? Well sir, I've been here in Kansas, doing my job, paying my taxes (your wages). Now, General, just what the heck have you been doing to earn those wages!?
8 September 2005
at 7:34 a.m.
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KsjKC (Anonymous) says…
I swear—there are some Republicans in dire need of a new hobby:
Find a less-than-average governor able to trade on the family name, put him in the White House, slap a trainee badge on him and spend the next five years apologizing for his messes like he's a big dumb dog with a bladder-control problem…either that or blame it on the cat…
But it's not working—Have you seen the size of THIS puddle?
Where does the buck stop in this White House?
8 September 2005
at 7:35 a.m.
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jonas (Anonymous) says…
bowhunter: Have you considered the possibility that, in reality, you're a sore winner republican who can't let himself think that anything is the presidents fault, because one slip will knock the scales off of your eyes, and you'll see how much of an incompetent bungler he truly is?
Of course, as Darwin said, above, the blame truly extends much farther than just the president. However, as Darwin also said, life in it's natural state is survival of the fittest, and it seems that, at some point, we should see some accountability for the endless stream of screw-ups from the federal government over the past half of a decade.
Wonder when the head of FEMA's going to get his medal?
8 September 2005
at 7:35 a.m.
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Spoken1 (Anonymous) says…
Bowhunter:
“If you're blaming the President, then you're just another sore loser Democrat trying to blame Bush for everything”
How completely stupid.
8 September 2005
at 7:36 a.m.
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neopolss (Anonymous) says…
“We didn't learn that the convention center had people until today (Thursday)” - FEMA
“Don't you guys have television?”
“We didn't know factually until today.” - FEMA
“This guy's doing a great job.” - President Bush
Admitting that there were errors was probably the best step I have seen the president take, and quite refreshing among the other windbags in the upper echelon who refuse to answer a question without trailing off somewhere for five minutes.
Let's face it everyone. This looked like a cluster**** and we as Americans looked like the bumbling idiots that we are.
8 September 2005
at 7:41 a.m.
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merrill (Anonymous) says…
OMB: I am willing to take what I put out as the first real response and anything else as a effort for the Admiral not to be punished which is acceptable to me as well. This person
should not be the one taking crap from the White House for being forthcoming.
This ship weathered the hurricane and just happened to be there on a return trip from exercises in Peru.
As far as I am concerned once that levee broke all established protocol went out the window and the white house should have sent out a blanket order to all available military/navy personnel in the area to proceed to NO. The military do not need instruction from the White House on how to do their job. They know what to do in these situations. All they need is authorization. They know rescue.
They know triage. They know how to set up emergency communication. The Navy has some of the best doctors on the planet. They know how to organize.
8 September 2005
at 7:41 a.m.
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crohan1978 (Anonymous) says…
FEMA guidelines specifically state that the local and state authorities should be prepared to operate on their own for 48-72 hours, they did not do that. The governor was slow in her request for help, the feds just can't go in and do what they want in a state. NO had an emergency plan, and did follow it. Why isn't anyone asking Mayor Nagin why the buses that were supposed to be used to evacuate the city in case of a disaster such as this, weren't used!! They didn't even bother to try to use the buses they had before the hurricane hit. Also, the superdome is supposed to be stocked and ready to go in case of an emergency, it wasn't. The Astrodome was prepared for this situation, because it is the shelter for when places like Galveston get hit. The Bottom Line is, NO did not follow their own emergency plan, and it contributed largely to what you are seeing now. Did the entire gov't system move slow, obviously, but you can't just keep throwing Bush under the table for this crap! If you go back to last Monday, and look at all the news reports out of NO, it was “we escaped the big one” “we faired alrighty, no problems here” Well, that is what FEMA and the rest of the feds were under the impression of, that everything in NO was fine!! Then all hell broke loose when the levees started giving way late that night and the next day, when the governor was slow in requesting federal help!
I am sick of Bush always getting blamed for everything, and now, according to all these black leaders, and then idiots like Kanye West, he is a racist!! look at your own damn mayor and ask why he did not follow their own emergency plan for getting the poor and unable out of new orleans!!! Also, why don't you look at the article on MSNBC about the agency in NO that is in charge of maintaining the levees, but instead have been focusing the money on attracting casinos, and a huge new island park in the middle of lake ponchartrain. It is very enlightening!!! I'd say those things seem a lot less important than fighting a war in Iraq, like everyone else seems to want to blame for the levees not being funded properly!
8 September 2005
at 7:50 a.m.
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KsjKC (Anonymous) says…
crohan1978—
After making a somewhat salient point, do you really want to foul up the works by bringing Iraq into this?
If you are tired of Bush getting blamed for everything, then ask him quite politely to remove his administrations head from its collective sphincters and get some actual work done…
8 September 2005
at 7:51 a.m.
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allateup2 (Anonymous) says…
What ever happened to personal responsibility in this country? It never has been a part of the Federal government's responsibility to bail the citizens out of natural or man made disasters. FEMA, another tax dollar sucking bureaucracy was created to plan and assist State and local governments in these times. If anyone would bother to check out FEMA's website or go to the library, county extension office etc. One would find plenty of information on disaster preparedness for any situation. Of course that would take some initiative on the public's part and tearing them away from reality TV shows. Furthermore where has the State and City been for the last 15 years that they knew the dikes would not withstand a category 3 hurricane. I suspect New Orleans generates more than enough tax revenue to have addressed the problem. Don't get me wrong I feel for the people of the Gulf Coast and have donated to the cause. My point is, where has the personal responsibility gone. I'm not a fan of the Federal government's mis-management either but this is not their fault.
8 September 2005
at 7:56 a.m.
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italianprincess (Anonymous) says…
Good morning…….
I can see that today's lovely question of the day is going to put people in a position to yell back and forth at eachother. Its going to be a Repub vs Dem day here for sure.
We should be leaving politics ( even though its very hard to I know ) out of this and be helping those who need us. If we were put into a situation where we would need help the states that have stepped up would be helping us.
I knew this was going to end up becoming the blame game from the start. Its crazy to think that a better plan wasn't in place before Katrina hit.
Plans for the benefit concert are going well and there is a meeting planned this coming Sunday evening. It would be great to have a few more people climb aboard if they want to also. As the days go by, the BIGGER the benefit concert grows. We are hoping for a HUGE turnout to help our fellow Americans in need right now.
Have a wonderful day everyone, and try not to argue to much over the question of the day even though it may be hard to avoid.
8 September 2005
at 8:02 a.m.
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italianprincess (Anonymous) says…
Oh……before I forget here.
I have emailed 11 bands to play that day and have only heard from a few so far. As you can see we are still looking for bands to play.
If anyone knows of a band can you please email me at……… ” ItalianPrincessinCali@hotmail.com “ .
Any and all input would be appreciated.
Thanks…………
8 September 2005
at 8:03 a.m.
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craigers (Anonymous) says…
Good Morning everybody. Boy the LJWorld knows how to pick their questions to up the hits on their website. It is going to be a long day. The Bush haters will be out today. I am predicting 160 posts by the end of the day.
8 September 2005
at 8:03 a.m.
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crohan1978 (Anonymous) says…
KsjKC- Actually, I didn't want to include Iraq in that at all, but the simple fact is, idiots trying to blame Bush for the levees are using Iraq as the reason why they weren't funded properly. If you haven't heard that one yet, you must have been hiding in a closet.
8 September 2005
at 8:04 a.m.
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KsjKC (Anonymous) says…
When this is boiled down to its essential elements what we are left with is a growing section of the electorate looking for leadership and finding a vacuum.
It is becoming more and more disconcerting to have no faith whatsoever in one's elected officials.
8 September 2005
at 8:06 a.m.
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tell_it_like_it_is (Anonymous) says…
I think his response totally sucked. But hey he is getting in charge of the investigation (talk about the fox guarding the chicken coop) and got his people out in full force putting their spin on it so all will be well. Once a again he fell in a pile of s**t and will come out smelling like a rose.
8 September 2005
at 8:08 a.m.
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crohan1978 (Anonymous) says…
tell_it_like_it_is- wow, talk about a kool-aid drinker! You didn't here Bill Frist yesterday announce a bi-partisan investigation into what happened?? You obviously get your news directly from Howard Dean, the man who hasn't spoken a word of truth since the day he became a politician
8 September 2005
at 8:11 a.m.
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Fishman (Anonymous) says…
I don't care for Bush, don't think he's a real smart cookie. But to blame him for levees that have been there since I believe the 30's is ridiculous. Louisiana's ex-governor may be Republican, I don't know, but isn't he still in prison for stealing monies from the state?
In emergencies, aren't things supposed to be locally assessed, state assessed, and then FEMA brought in? I think FEMA normally doesn't come in for two days or so anyway.
This was such an unprecendented event, I'm not sure if God could have taken care of it correctly. Anytime something like this happens it gives people a chance to criticize. Just ask yourself what have you done to help? If you have, my hats off to you.
If you have extra room, you could do what Curt Schilling did, and open your home for someone displaced by visiting http://www.openyourhome.com, and giving someone a temporary place to live.
8 September 2005
at 8:16 a.m.
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Manson (Anonymous) says…
There is an element of the population that is making things harder on the rescue efforts. Many of the people I see on tv are the people that don't want to leave their homes yet are asking and demanding food. They can't have it both ways. Don't let the sympathies bleed over to the people you see on tv complaining about water yet are drinking a friggin 6 pack and 40oz's.
I am greatly dissapointed at the people that had the ability to leave yet choose to stay now hampering efforts to save lives. Their selfish decision to stay and ride out the storm has cost many lives and made the rescue efforts very difficult. The best preventative measure taken prior to the Hurricane was to tell people to leave. You can't ask the Government to take the blame for the thousands upon thousands that CHOOSE to stay of their own free will. I see babies and little children in the flood waters and it absolutely enrages me. I know as a parrent myself I would do anything to save the life of my family. If that ment walking on foot 15 miles away from the city I would do it without question. Simple as that. Any of this “too poor to get out of the way” is a load of BS. Money won't stop me from saving my life and the life of my children.
8 September 2005
at 8:16 a.m.
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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…
The blame? Wonderful. Still people to evacuate and dead folks to remove and we be playing the blame game.
Investigation? Superb. Millions of dollars and a number of years will be spent determining the obvious. Is that really important now? No, just another politicking move by politicians.
Of course, here's how the investigation will read….”The blame lays with local, state, and federal entities.” The End.
I will tell you what, I am sick of that fraud mayor. He's like a record that skips and is turned up real loud. He's a coward. Take some freaking responsibility. He's loving his Oprah, Geraldo, 60 Minutes, Primetime face time.
8 September 2005
at 8:21 a.m.
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christie (Anonymous) says…
disgrace!!!!
That's all I can say. Nobody is blaming our Dear One for the hurricane. But this response was horrible. I can't believe that the U.S. of A. couldn't muster up a few helicopters to drop water/supplies to those people within HOURS of this disaster.
The News Crews sure could land and get out and about.
Bush was on vacation while this was going on and our V.P., smelling more oil money, was in Wyoming looking at 3 million dollar houses, too busy to help coordinate any relief for the little people.
National Guard Troops all across the U.S. were poised to act but never got the go ahead. Firefighters were poised to go, but were tied up in 8 hour day classes on what to do, all FEMA related b.s.
What a CROCK.
8 September 2005
at 8:25 a.m.
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Liberty (Anonymous) says…
President Bush hugged a lot of kids on TV for public consumption. Great pictures to show he cares… After people have died because of their failure and Fema cutting communication lines.
The “National guard” should be de-federalized and should return to being the “State guard” (where the feds can't use their troops). If all of the guard were not involved in the Iraq war, they may have had some ability to do some good here where they are needed. Also, when they call for an evacuation of a city; some people need to stay to help others be able to leave. There were parking lots full of busses in parking lots that were in a pool of water. Where were the people assigned to drive them to help evacuate the people in nursing homes or those that didn't have transportation etc…? The fault is on both the feds and the State and the people for trusting government to this degree. This should tell you that you should not depend on either State or Federal government in an emergency. You must rely on your own resources or be at the mercy of the government whenever they decide to get around to doing something to help.
Both governments appear to operate on Murphy's law. “What ever can go wrong will go wrong”.
Government certainly does not deserve any more tax money, (in fact they should get less) for this performance and we as a people are stupid if we allow this 9-11 type of investigation/cover-up to tell us that they need more money and power to do a better job which is nothing more than another power grab like the Patriot Act after 9-11.
8 September 2005
at 8:32 a.m.
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KsjKC (Anonymous) says…
Did the 48-hour wait that people keep attributing to proper FEMA response apply to 9-11?
Just curious.
I'm not baiting—I lost a friend in the towers…I just want to know what makes a natural disaster subject to different rules of engagement than a man-made possibly politically charged one. I really want to know…
8 September 2005
at 8:40 a.m.
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Manson (Anonymous) says…
First of all the accessability to the towers was an entirely diffrent situation. Traversing hundreds of square miles of flooded land might slow things down a bit dont ya think?
8 September 2005
at 8:41 a.m.
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crohan1978 (Anonymous) says…
KsjKC- First off, sorry about your friend, but about your point, NY was much better prepared for a disaster, and Mayor Guiliani as well as Governor Pataki handled the disaster much better than the Louisiana Governor and Mayor Nagin of NO. They obviously had a plan. The fact is, the federal gov't cannot just come into a state and start aiding, it has to be requested by the governor, and getting those resources together takes a couple days.
8 September 2005
at 8:42 a.m.
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allateup2 (Anonymous) says…
How can you compare this to 9-11 ? 1st of all in 9-11 the first responders were the city Police and Fire. 2nd it was a very small disaster area compared to the the massive square miles of the Gulf States that were caught up in the hurricane.
If one room in your house is a mess you can concentrate your efforts on that room. If the whole house is in a disarray where do you begin?
8 September 2005
at 8:43 a.m.
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crohan1978 (Anonymous) says…
the National Guard is controlled by the state!! The louisiana national guard can only take orders from the governor. That is why you had issues yesterday where Mayor Nagin was ordering the use of force to get people out, and the National Guard said they would not be participating, because Governor Blanco said no. Only the police force, which Nagin controls, can take those orders. I think Blanco has since changed her mind, but I am not sure about that
8 September 2005
at 8:44 a.m.
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Liberty (Anonymous) says…
I think that Fema was in New York taking part in a drill/exercise on 9-11 of a practice run of possible terrorists crashing planes into the twin towers. Very convienent wouldn't you say to be performing a drill when the actual thing happened?
8 September 2005
at 8:44 a.m.
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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…
“Will Michael Moore turn his cameras on Katrina?
The controversial filmmaker is “seriously considering” turning the devastating storm and its aftermath into a documentary, says a source. “It has all the elements that made 'Fahrenheit 911' such a powerful film,” says a source. “The political outrage, the human suffering, and the incredible footage.”
Moore's rep didn't have a comment by press time, but Moore certainly isn't being silent about Katrina 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.” msnbc
dear holy goodness. hasn't this guy died of a heart attack yet? I don't even care for Bush but this is just ridiculous. I hate me some Mikey Moore.
8 September 2005
at 8:46 a.m.
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Spoken1 (Anonymous) says…
crohan1978:
Bill Frist doesn't have a bi-partisan bone in his body. What an amazingly short-sighted statement.
8 September 2005
at 8:47 a.m.
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KsjKC (Anonymous) says…
So you get more help if you plan better and execute better?
Does anyone remember the Berlin Airlift?
Does anyone recall how rapidly we deployed aid after the Tsunami?
Why do you continue to be an apologist for a failed protocol?
If we can come up with a law like the Patriot Act that gives civil liberties a t**ty twister, don't you think we can finesse a few hundred miles of FEMA red-tape when a major US city is under water?
Your answers may sound solid to you—but not to a lot of others.
In fact, while they may not be total chicken-s**t, they do have henhouse ways about them…
8 September 2005
at 8:50 a.m.
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crohan1978 (Anonymous) says…
I'm not making any excuses KsjKC, I'm just saying you can't keep blaming Bush for all this, it lies on all parts of the gov't, but not just Bush. Everyone seems to be feeling sorry for Mayor Nagin, when is one of the biggest, if not the biggest screw up of all this!
Spoken1- So if there are people from both sides of the aisle, performing the investigation, that is not a bi-partisan investigation? Whats your friggin point?? Most of the democrats don't have a bi-partisan bone in their body either, thats why we have all this stupid waste of time blame game going on right now, because of the partisan politics they spout off!! Its a friggin sham, and I am so sick of all politicians!
8 September 2005
at 8:53 a.m.
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crohan1978 (Anonymous) says…
KsjKC- all I can say in regards to your comment about a bunch of other people don't understand my “solid answers” you can't fix stupid
stop being such a kool-aid drinker, and get off your bush knocking. you people look for any opportunity to blast bush and it is getting old.
8 September 2005
at 8:58 a.m.
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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…
Crohan - Lots of posts but just glad to see someone agrees with me on the mayor. Here's what I posted 8:15.
“I will tell you what, I am sick of that fraud mayor. He's like a record that skips and is turned up real loud. He's a coward. Take some freaking responsibility. He's loving his Oprah, Geraldo, 60 Minutes, Primetime face time.”
And if folks want to compare this to 9/11, which is idiotic, but let's play. Who were the first responders to that event? LOCAL firefighters, police, and EMTs. Not National Guard, Military, or Bush on a magic carpet.
8 September 2005
at 8:59 a.m.
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KsjKC (Anonymous) says…
Crohan—
Your all-caps ranting is getting old and abusive and not proving anything other than your ability to be rude and lose your head in a debate…
Is Kool-Aid drinker the dis of the moment? I've spent the last five years sipping this concoction, then…
You are right in one way—LA's governor and New Orleans mayor failed.
Now–embrace the fact that the federal branch did too. They failed to act with expedition.
Calling me or anyone else stupid fixes nothing and makes you a bully. Are you a bully Crohan?
8 September 2005
at 9:03 a.m.
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Liberty (Anonymous) says…
One should remeber that the feds did a study in 1995 about this very senario that occured in New Orleans. They knew that it was a disaster waiting to happen. The state government knew this too. If we learn anything from this, it should be that we need to be more self sufficent. Don't blindly trust government. In the words of President Reagan: “Trust but verify”.
8 September 2005
at 9:04 a.m.
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crohan1978 (Anonymous) says…
KsjKC- are you not reading my entire posts?? I said they were ALL to blame!!! But I was sick of the Bush bashers putting it all on Bush, and then calling him a racist! I'm glad you finally admitted that the governor and mayor have failed. good job!
8 September 2005
at 9:06 a.m.
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crohan1978 (Anonymous) says…
KsjKC- I'm not a bully, but I call them how I see them, and you are obviously playing the stupid game. You admitted as much when you said you've been drinking the kool-aid for several years.
8 September 2005
at 9:07 a.m.
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Bowhunter99 (Anonymous) says…
It wasn't a Tsunami. We ALL knew the hurricane was coming. Evacuation plans were put in place and the LOCAL government FAILED to follow thru with such plans. They failed to provide their people with a way out of town BEFORE the hurricane hit. They did nothing and now choose to blame the Federal Government for NOT doing what they were supposed to do before the hurricane hit.
Everything was designed for a level 3 hurricane. Levees, etc. It's been set that way for YEARS. It wasn't some right-wing conspiracy to kill the black man!.
Everyone in that city knew it was built below sea level. A city that under normal conditions requires PUMPs to be run to keep the city from filling up with water… How is this Bush's fault?
The NO mayor should resign. He was a complete failure. He failed to plan for it, he fail to execute the plan before the hurricane hit, and he failed to execute the plan afterwards.
8 September 2005
at 9:08 a.m.
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kulions (Anonymous) says…
I think that we should quit blaming anyone for what has gone wrong, work on doing everything we can to get NO back to some state of stability. Then work to fix whatever went wrong, in any branch of the Government to make sure it doesn't happen again.
As I stated a few days ago the KU Lions Club is raising money for the Hurricane victims. So far we have raised $300 and we appreciate anyone who donated. 100% of the proceeds go to the Red Cross. We are still willing to help in any way IP. Just let us know.
8 September 2005
at 9:09 a.m.
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KsjKC (Anonymous) says…
There has not been one time, not one time, when I have voiced support for the actions of Louisiana's Blanco and Nagin. Your condescending praise of my finally admitting that is quite unwarranted, unneccesary and unappreciated.
You seemed to be concerned about the Emperor and his clothes. This President Bush is not the man or the leader his father was. Don't call me a Bush - basher unless you have access to my voting records, which you do not. Unless you are former Attorney General Ashcroft, in which case I put nothing past you…
I don't think you grasp the essential point in all of this: Americans want to know that their president is aware and active in the lives of his people. There is a lack of faith in this president. Surely you must be aware of this.
8 September 2005
at 9:09 a.m.
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Libby (Anonymous) says…
WOW. I agree that it is horrifying to see people experience such devastation. It really is frightening. I try to be appreciative every day of the life that I have. BUT… Do you think any of us know what really went wrong with the relief effort? Do we each know the exact steps that are taken in a disaster? How do you know who was prepared and who wasn't? Is there anyway to know the true circumstances from the local level up? C'mon. The media pounced on this and dazzled you into unconsciousness. Most of us can't even fathom what a disaster of this size is like. You know it is difficult to get 3 people in the same room to find the same facts, have the same opinions, and come to an agreement under normal circumstances. Placing the blame here, especially in this circumstance, obviously doesn't change anything. If everyone feels so strongly about it…… Why is everyone is still here in Lawrence? Get down there. So, should YOU be blamed because you didn't send at least $25 to the Red Cross or because YOU didn't pack-up your life and volunteer your time to provide assistance?? It is so easy to have an opinion with a slice of pizza in one hand a cold Coke in the other….. I feel like I am listening to the teacher from “Charlie Brown.”
8 September 2005
at 9:11 a.m.
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Ceallach (Anonymous) says…
Perhaps people would be better served if they spent more time researching facts regarding Homeland Security, FEMA, state and local guidelines, etc., instead of turning on the TV and believing everything they hear. There are websites available that outline how the structure is set up. We should not continue to hammer the “set up” when obviously many people do not know the facts. btw, quoting sites that are obviously political on either side is not productive.
Rail if you must, there is certainly a high level of frustration, anger and pain in our country at this time. I find it sad that our politicians cannot work together to meet the challenges presented to our nation by this disaster and save the blame-game for later.
As a secondary site, Lawrencians may have the opportunity to actually “put their time and money where their mouths are.”
Hats off to IP and omb, people who put forth themselves to help without using that effort to promote a political agenda.
8 September 2005
at 9:13 a.m.
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Redneckgal (Anonymous) says…
I think Bush is the most inept corrupt president we've ever had. The local officials may share a little of the blame. But ask yourself this: If this would have happened in LA Miami or New York or anyplace else with a more wealthy population would he have let it go on for so long without some kind of intervention? Even if local officials hadn't requested assistance? I really doubt it!
8 September 2005
at 9:13 a.m.
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merrill (Anonymous) says…
The administration is putting out so much spin that it is obvious they know they screwed up. The bottom line is when a levee breaks you don't sit around and wait for someone to ask for help. You make sure help is on the way.
It doesn't matter what rating a storm is given once a levee breaks the water is coming deep and fast into a city that is below sea level. No evacuation plan can possibly cover that situation. The FEMA head does not know his job.
Arminius, Here is more information from the same ABC news report.
Nonetheless, some experts argue that the federal government should have been more proactive.
“If the city and the state are stumbling or in over their head, then it's FEMA's [Federal Emergency Management Agency's] responsibility to show some leadership,” said Jerry Hauer, director of public health preparedness at the Department of Health and Human Services.
8 September 2005
at 9:13 a.m.
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craigers (Anonymous) says…
While I agree that Bush shouldn't have been on vacation once we knew that New Orleans was going to be in the center of the storm and then with the city being a bowl, the ensuring doom that it would suffer was evident. However, first in line would be the mayor, but the president should of had his ducks in a row waiting for the word from the governor. I know that they money and aid isn't just in a checking account so that the president can write a check and call things good, so blaming him isn't going to get us anywhere.
I would like to up my estimate for the posts today: 230.
8 September 2005
at 9:14 a.m.
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lunacydetector (Anonymous) says…
the mayor had 375 buses to use to get people out. he didn't use any of them and they ended up being flooded. he didn't want to dip into the city reserve funds to pay for the costs. the mayor and the governor should've requested assistance and followed the proper procedures in order to get the federal govt. involved.
why can other states get hit with hurricanes and federal assistance is prompt? obviously something got screwed up on a local & state level first.
but of course, the people who decided to stay should get a lot of the blame as well. why didn't they leave before the storm hit? heck, some don't want to leave even today - with the dangerous waste and rotting bodies. how screwy is that?
8 September 2005
at 9:20 a.m.
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hawkrew (Anonymous) says…
First off…Drop the kool-aid bit. It's been said, it's been used, and now it's old.
Second off…I don't know about the study in 1995, which is completely possible, but I know there was a study done last year and it predicted the exact scenario unfolding as we speak. The blame lies on all levels of government here, all should have been more prepared to act on this more quickly.
8 September 2005
at 9:21 a.m.
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crohan1978 (Anonymous) says…
The same people that spout off saying they hate the Patriot Act, are the same ones that want the Feds to move into the state, pre-emptively, without being requested to do so? It is unconstitutional for the Federal authorities to come in and take over a situation like this without the request of the state authorities!!! This is something the founding fathers fought for, state sovereignty!! This is so typical of the democratic party, wanting a mommy government, where no personal responsibility is required of the general public. We want less government, not more!
Face it, the local and state authorities, failed big time!! FEMA is also to blame, but only for their slow response after it was requested, which was delayed to being with! There is so much red tape and beauracracy, its not even funny, but that doesn't fall on Bush, that is all government period! It always has existed, and always will!!
8 September 2005
at 9:39 a.m.
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hawkrew (Anonymous) says…
A lot of people didn't leave before because they couldn't. They don't have the money to pay for hotels (especially ones that up there prices in cases like this) or have family or friends to go to. Also, as been discussed, there is a lot of poor areas where people didn't have the accesibility or knowledge of what could truly happen. Some have been through hurricanes before and figured it would be more of the same. Imagine telling everybody in Kansas City that they have to evacuate in a week because something they have been through before is coming again. Everyone wouldn't, it's not as simple as saying why didn't you leave? Some people have lost everything…family, friends, homes, businesses…they have nothing left. Where do they go? It's not safe for them to be there, but I can see why they are lost as what to do.
8 September 2005
at 9:39 a.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
The policy under the last two presidents was for FEMA to get involved under the president's direct leadership before disasters such as this hit, not days afterward.
Under Bush, FEMA has been downgraded as an institution, and the top three people “running” it right now are purely political patronage appointees with zero experience in managing disaster relief. What we see now are predictable results of such actions (or inactions.)
If the Bush administration or anyone “running” FEMA had been paying attention, they would have known that neither Lousiana nor New Orleans was in a position to deal with the disaster about to hit.
But we know that the only thing BushCo pay attention to is their pet ideological projects, such as tax cuts for the wealthy, and colonization of Iraq for Exxon and Haliburton. The outrage over this fact is reaching a boiling point, and that's why the blame game is in full force.
8 September 2005
at 9:42 a.m.
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Larry (Anonymous) says…
I'm sure that if Bush had the power to divert the hurricane and make it powerless, he would have done so. Unlike Clinton did when he had numerous chances to catch OBL but didn't. He probably could have stopped the bombing of the WTB's had he acted on OBL, saving thousands of lives. Hummmmmmm! Let's bash Bush because the State of LA and New Orleans failed big time, yet ignore Clinton's responsibilities to capture a terrorist who repeatedly stated that he was going to get us. Now - who is it that truly failed in his responsibilities.
Granted, I believe things could have been handled better but it sure seems to me that the city of New Orleans and the state of LA wasn't prepared and should share the majority of the blame. The federal government can't be responsible for preparing every town and state for situations like this. That would be an impossible task. The responsibility lies on a bunch of people outside the federal government. Of course, the liberal LJW doesn't form the question in terms of the federal governments responsibilities, it forms it as another direct hit on President Bush. Ditto to crohan1978 above. Good post!
8 September 2005
at 9:44 a.m.
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Manson (Anonymous) says…
I'd like to address the response time issue. In the begining the nature of the flood waters hampered response time. You have 100k people that need to be rescued but when the infrastructure is impassable and nothing short of 8 man flat bottom boats are able to traverse the flooded landscape kinda makes it difficult to evacuate that many people swiftly. Lets not forget the accessability aspect in the first 5 days. Can't drive in. can't fly in. Small boats and helicopters thats it. The nature of the disaster itself complicated rescue efforts. All of the preperation in the world could not expidite rescue efforts. The primary blame rests on the govenor for not using the resources before hand to evacuate. The rest of the blame can be attributed to those that didn't leave and finaly blame the hurricane.
8 September 2005
at 9:47 a.m.
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hawkrew (Anonymous) says…
I don't know if Bush deserves all of the blame, however, the federal government deserves some and he is the head of the federal government, hence, some blame goes to Bush. Same scenario as a business…business loses money, CEO takes the biggest hit.
But not all of the blame lies on the federal government. A lot of people failed in this disaster.
8 September 2005
at 9:47 a.m.
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Libby (Anonymous) says…
Thanks Larry and Crohan1978 for your posts. You saved my day. I can't read this anymore.
8 September 2005
at 9:49 a.m.
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Adam (Anonymous) says…
I love how Bush can invade a foreign country without approval from the UN or Congress, but can't send aid to a US city, becuase the Governor and Mayor didn't specify exactly what was needed.
8 September 2005
at 9:50 a.m.
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hawkrew (Anonymous) says…
I blame Lyndon Johnson….
8 September 2005
at 9:55 a.m.
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rhd99 (Anonymous) says…
If anything NICE can be said about Bush's handling of this catastrophe, he chose a Coast Guard Vice Admiral to assist that incompetent nut who heads FEMA. Otherwise, the government's response time needs work!
8 September 2005
at 9:55 a.m.
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beatrice (Anonymous) says…
Bush wasn't slow in responding, he was just too busy “My Pet Goat, part II” to get right to it.
8 September 2005
at 9:58 a.m.
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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…
OMB -
How is the delousing of the sleestaks going? In case you didn't want to read though all this drivel, here's synopsis of today's penis-waiving…
“I'm right, you're an idiot.”
“Blame Bush.”
“Blame local/state.”
“I'm wonderful.”
“Here me roar.”
“Have some ice cold kool-aid.” (Repeatedly.)
“I'm a self-righteous lord of knowledge.”
Wait, that last one was merely implied. I'm going to pull ticks off stray dogs. Better than reading this tripe.
8 September 2005
at 9:59 a.m.
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whosaid (Anonymous) says&h