Kerry, Edwards Blast Bush Over Relief Effort
Well, look who's at it again....The Dynamic Duo!! Good timing to boost their lil' political ambitions.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...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."
Kerry, Edwards Blast Bush Over Relief Effort
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?
Kerry, Edwards Blast Bush Over Relief Effort
Quote:
Originally Posted by 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?
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/s...275167,00.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.
Kerry, Edwards Blast Bush Over Relief Effort
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?
Kerry, Edwards Blast Bush Over Relief Effort
Quote:
Originally Posted by 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?
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
Kerry, Edwards Blast Bush Over Relief Effort
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.
Kerry, Edwards Blast Bush Over Relief Effort
Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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.
Kerry, Edwards Blast Bush Over Relief Effort
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.
Kerry, Edwards Blast Bush Over Relief Effort
Quote:
Originally Posted by bhallg2k
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!
Kerry, Edwards Blast Bush Over Relief Effort
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.
