Kerry, Edwards Blast Bush Over Relief Effort

[Psycho4Bud]

Well, look who's at it again....The Dynamic Duo!! Good timing to boost their lil' political ambitions.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-091905dems_lat,0,3940508.story?coll=la-home-headlines
WASHINGTON -- Both members of the 2004 Democratic presidential ticket sharply criticized President Bush today in dueling speeches that highlighted the partisan conflict over Hurricane Katrina and the early start to the maneuvering for the 2008 White House race.

Speaking to a large crowd at Brown University in Rhode Island, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, delivered his most sweeping indictment of Bush's priorities and performance since last year's election.

The crisis surrounding the hurricane, Kerry charged, exposed a "pattern of incompetence and negligence" in the Bush administration and "beyond that, a truly systemic effort to distort and disable the people's government, and devote it to the interests of the privileged and the powerful."

Meanwhile, at a Washington think tank, former Sen. John Edwards, Kerry's vice presidential running mate, fired fewer rhetorical missiles but offered more new policy proposals in an address focused on combating poverty. Echoing Bill Clinton's famous campaign formulation about welfare, Edwards urged "a serious long-term effort to end poverty as we know it."

[bhallg2k]

I don't care who does it. Someone needs to loudly attack W's handling of Katrina in a very public forum. Even with everything that's been said and the sinking poll numbers, he's still getting off easy.

And on that note: most agreed Michael Brown had to go as director of FEMA, that much was obvious. But why in the hell did W. replace him with the duct tape man?

[Psycho4Bud]

I don't care who does it. Someone needs to loudly attack W's handling of Katrina in a very public forum. Even with everything that's been said and the sinking poll numbers, he's still getting off easy.

And on that note: most agreed Michael Brown had to go as director of FEMA, that much was obvious. But why in the hell did W. replace him with the duct tape man?

Well Howdy bhallg2k, .......(just had to!)

This was mismanaged from the Mayor, to the Governor, to FEMA...in that order. Unfortunately shit don't flow downhill in government the same way it does in buisiness.

Duct Tape Man??? First time I heard that one. Seems the man has some qualifications though:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-5275167,00.html
A Miami native who formerly was head of the U.S. Fire Administration, part of FEMA, Paulison was an emergency worker who responded to Hurricane Andrew when it raked South Florida in 1992.

[bhallg2k]

I seriously did a double take reading that "Howdy" bullshit.

But I think the shit flows to the White House, as you put it. Blanco declared two or three days before - can't remember the exact date - the storm hit that it was "beyond the capabilities of state and local governments" to handle the preparation and aftermath and pressed the federal gov't for assistance. Actually, she sent two letters on successive days to that effect. At which point DHS Sec. Chertoff did jack shit, when it was his job to authorize Mike Brown to do something.

There's enough blame to go around on this, I agree with that. Nagin and Blanco both should have had independent plans to at least attempt to deal with catastrophe. After all, how secure can anyone be with W at the helm?

At some point though, one must look at W as the final authority. It was his reorganization of departments that created the snafus when we're supposed to be ready for anything, his people that did it - or, spefically, didn't do it - and his lack of leadership and sense in the days immediately following. Not to mention his Corps of Engineers budget cuts.

That's just my take though. I'm frankly tired of it both ways. Just hearing the name Katrina makes me cringe now.

Oh, and about "Duct Tape Man." The new FEMA director, R. David Paulison, is the guy who told everyone that in the event of a chemical or nuclear attack, to use duct tape to seal doors and windows.

Nice, huh?

[Psycho4Bud]

I seriously did a double take reading that "Howdy" bullshit.

But I think the shit flows to the White House, as you put it. Blanco declared two or three days before - can't remember the exact date - the storm hit that it was "beyond the capabilities of state and local governments" to handle the preparation and aftermath and pressed the federal gov't for assistance. Actually, she sent two letters on successive days to that effect. At which point DHS Sec. Chertoff did jack shit, when it was his job to authorize Mike Brown to do something.

There's enough blame to go around on this, I agree with that. Nagin and Blanco both should have had independent plans to at least attempt to deal with catastrophe. After all, how secure can anyone be with W at the helm?

At some point though, one must look at W as the final authority. It was his reorganization of departments that created the snafus when we're supposed to be ready for anything, his people that did it - or, spefically, didn't do it - and his lack of leadership and sense in the days immediately following. Not to mention his Corps of Engineers budget cuts.

That's just my take though. I'm frankly tired of it both ways. Just hearing the name Katrina makes me cringe now.

Oh, and about "Duct Tape Man." The new FEMA director, R. David Paulison, is the guy who told everyone that in the event of a chemical or nuclear attack, to use duct tape to seal doors and windows.

Nice, huh?

The loss of life was definately uncalled for. Not here in America with all the recources at our finger tips.

The way I understand it, the Mayor and head of the Department of Transportation were the first on the line of attack for the emergency. If they felt it was beyond their capabilities, they were to inform the Governor. At that point she could have called up the National Guard to help the Mayor with the BUSES to get everybody out. We all watch this thing move for days on weatherchannel before it hit. What in the hell were these people thinking of?

From that point the Governor, if deemed necessary, is to contact FEMA for emergency relief. A LIL' TO LATE! Then we got FEMA dragging ass!

And on top all that I'll agree with ya on Bush. The buck stops there! To bad he can't fire Mayors and Governors though. How do ya cure that problem....Federal Baby Sitter? Call the FBS....dumbasses on the loose! :D

[andruejaysin]

And FEMA is run by a guy who's last job was putting on horse shows, from which he was fired for incompotence. Of course, he was a college roomate of a personal friend of GW's. Now, nepotisim is neither new, nor limited to the republicans, but in a post 9/11 world, you would think the director of FEMA would not be one of the jobs for sale to the highest bidder.

[bhallg2k]

And FEMA is run by a guy who's last job was putting on horse shows, from which he was fired for incompotence. Of course, he was a college roomate of a personal friend of GW's. Now, nepotisim is neither new, nor limited to the republicans, but in a post 9/11 world, you would think the director of FEMA would not be one of the jobs for sale to the highest bidder.

Joe Allbaugh was director of FEMA before Mike Brown. Joe Allbaugh was W's campaign manager. Mike Brown was Joe Allbaugh's college roommate. That's how Brown got the job.

The new FEMA guy, Paulison, has a helluva lot better credentials than Brown. I just can't get over the fact that he actually told people to protect themselves from biological and nuclear attacks with fuckin' duct tape.

[andruejaysin]

Again, we find ourselves dangerously close to agreement, Paulison is a much better choice, and a good thing to, another hurricane is headed their way.

[Psycho4Bud]

I just can't get over the fact that he actually told people to protect themselves from biological and nuclear attacks with fuckin' duct tape.

Kind of like Hospital tactics. The only thing missing is the HEPA filters with a sealed enviroment....you know....little things missing. :rolleyes:


Looks like this huricaine is heading towards Houston/ Galveston. Damn near like it's chasing the poor bastards from New Orleans. Besides that, I really don't believe the levies can take another hit!

[andruejaysin]

Cruel to say probably, but that might be the best place for it to hit. Not much left to destroy. Texas on the other hand, that would mean pretty much the whole US gulf coast in ruins. Saw a show on TV about a hurricane that hit Galveston 100 years ago, hope they've learned something from watching TV the last couple of weeks. I've been to Houston lots of times, and I'm sure it's far enough inland not to be in to much danger, not form the storm surge, anyway.

[Psycho4Bud]

September 8, 2000 marks the 100-year anniversary of the deadliest natural disaster in the history of the United States. On that day back in 1900, a Category 4 hurricane with winds roaring at close to 145 mph slammed into Galveston, Texas.

The low-lying three-mile wide barrier island offered no protection against the fierce winds and powerful waves and surge. At least 8,000 people were swept to their deaths, along with several thousand homes. But with the destruction came an invaluable lesson in vulnerability.

After the storm, Galveston began one of the most monumental engineering feats in history - a 16-foot high, 17-foot wide seawall was erected in 1904. Since then, it has been extended several times, and now forms a protective barrier across 10 miles of shoreline. Behind the wall, 2,200 structures were raised an average of five feet.

But was it enough? Today city managers and emergency officials ponder the possibility of another severe hurricane strike. The last major hurricane to hit Galveston and its neighbor to the north, Houston, was Hurricane Alicia back in 1983. The storm virtually cut off communication to Galveston Island and left Houston with close to $1 billion in damage.

Galveston, Texas
Hurricane Strikes
1900 Galveston Hurricane
- Category 4
- Winds near 145 mph
- At least 8,000 deaths
1959 Hurricane Debra
- Category 1

1963 Hurricane Cindy
- Category 4

1983 Hurricane Alicia
- Category 3
- $2 billion in damage

1989 Hurricane Jerry
- Category 1


Since Alicia, the population in Galveston County has grown considerably. Most residents have never lived through a major hurricane, and have no idea of the damage one can cause.

The greatest danger to low-lying Galveston Island, says Steve Lyons, Hurricane Expert at The Weather Channel, is the surge. "The reason for that is a very gentle slope of the beach under water that causes the water level to rise dramatically when onshore winds occur," Lyons explains.

Many of the island's beaches are eroding at a rate of 10-15 feet per year, shortening the distance from the sea to beachfront properties. Flooding from a hurricane surge becomes a frighteningly real scenario.

"Our biggest concerns are evacuation before the event (hurricane)," says Tesa Duffey, Emergency Manager for Galveston County. "Getting people notified and warned in time so they can secure their properties and evacuate mainly from low-lying areas. Most importantly, there is an early evacuation time that has to be determined in order to get those folks out before the tides and water come in and cut off their evacuation route."

New building codes, and beach restoration efforts such as an experimental project to construct artificial sand dunes, are all attempts to re-nourish the beaches before the next hurricane can hit.

In addition, local emergency officials and meteorologists in Galveston and neighboring Houston have launched a massive counterattack in the form of public information. They infiltrate town meetings and stage workshops, disseminate brochures and pamphlets, and encourage the media to get the word out about preparedness at the beginning of every hurricane season.

"We need to go out there and we need to re-educate the public almost on a daily basis," says Corina Love, Emergency Manager for the city of Houston. "We have to do this once a year at the start of hurricane season and make sure we have a very aggressive campaign to educate our citizens that this is a major threat to our area."
http://www.weather.com/newscenter/specialreports/hurricanes/vulnerablecities/galveston.html

Last time I looked at weather channel Galveston looked to be in the center of the path. I hope these people follow some sort of plan....just in case!

[F L E S H]

Bush ADMITS responsibility himself, in public, and yet you still defend him... Incredible!

[Psycho4Bud]

Bush ADMITS responsibility himself, in public, and yet you still defend him... Incredible!

What do you expect? Every damn dem. in the country is stating about where the buck stops. Sure he took responsibility. And it STILL pissed people off!
As for myself, I'm a forgiving sort of guy. :D

Unless your French of course!!! :D