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Guard Belongs in New Orleans, Not Baghdad

By Norman Solomon, AlterNet. Posted August 31, 2005.


Bring the National Guard home now, where they're needed.
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The men and women of the National Guard shouldn't be killing in Iraq. They should be helping in New Orleans and Biloxi.

The catastrophic hurricane was an act of God. But the U.S. war effort in Iraq is a continuing act of the president. And now, that effort is hampering the capacity of the National Guard to save lives at home.

Before the flooding of New Orleans drastically escalated on Tuesday, the White House tried to disarm questions that could be politically explosive. "To those of you who are concerned about whether or not we're prepared to help, don't be, we are," President Bush said. "We're in place, we've got equipment in place, supplies in place, and once the -- once we're able to assess the damage, we'll be able to move in and help those good folks in the affected areas."

Echoing the official assurances, CBS News reported: "Even though more than a third of Mississippi's and Louisiana's National Guard troops are either in Iraq or supporting the war effort, the National Guard says there are more than enough at home to do the job."

But after New Orleans levees collapsed and the scope of the catastrophe became more clear, such reassuring claims lost credibility. The Washington Post reported on Wednesday: "With thousands of their citizen-soldiers away fighting in Iraq, states hit hard by Hurricane Katrina scrambled to muster forces for rescue and security missions yesterday -- calling up Army bands and water-purification teams, among other units, and requesting help from distant states and the active-duty military."

The back-page Post story added: "National Guard officials in the states acknowledged that the scale of the destruction is stretching the limits of available manpower while placing another extraordinary demand on their troops -- most of whom have already served tours in Iraq or Afghanistan or in homeland defense missions since 2001."

Speaking for the Mississippi National Guard, Lt. Andy Thaggard said: "Missing the personnel is the big thing in this particular event. We need our people." According to the Washington Post, the Mississippi National Guard "has a brigade of more than 4,000 troops in central Iraq" while "Louisiana also has about 3,000 Guard troops in Baghdad."

National Guard troops don't belong in Iraq. They should be rescuing and protecting in Louisiana and Mississippi, not patrolling and killing in a country that was invaded on the basis of presidential deception. They should be fighting the effects of flood waters at home -- helping people in the communities they know best -- not battling Iraqi people who want them to go away.

Let's use the Internet today to forward and post this demand so widely that the politicians in Washington can no longer ignore it:

Bring the National Guard home. Immediately.

Digg!

Norman Solomon is the author of the new book, "War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death."

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Staying the Course... (AWOL again)
Posted by: GreyHawk on Aug 31, 2005 11:54 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
During the Vietnam War, George W. Bush was "absent withoutout official leave" - AWOL.

We've now seen his stubborn resolution and determination to "stay the course" in action one more time.

One time too many.

By failing to end his vacation earlier and take on the mantle of responsbility that is the role, responsibility, and mark of a true leader, George W. Bush was once again AWOL in a time of crisis.

Worse yet, due to his personal ambitions and the PNAC's private designs on America, he's effectively undermined the ability of the nation to deal with this disaster because the necessary personnel and equipment in the National Guard is also, effectively, "AWOL". And I'm sure that those Guardsmen are none too happy about this revolting development.

Pass it on. Two words - "AWOL again". They fit perfectly with "Worst. President. Ever."

If you haven't seen the DailyKOS thread on "Accountability", check it out. The DailyKOS diarist gfactor reports that George cut essential funds which may have helped mitigate the damages and tremendous losses. Do not ever forget that this mess may not have been this bad...and don't let anyone else ever forget.

And while you're at it, share this too: The Battle for America

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» Perfectly prepared & right on track Posted by: Bic Pentameter
Patronik
Posted by: MPatronik on Aug 31, 2005 12:42 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I thought of this yesterday and was glad to see someone tackle the question. I'm from Biloxi, which no longer exists for the most part, and I know we need the National Guard down along the coast to help the police keep order and prevent looting and violence from stress and chaos.
Strange as it is to say, I believe that this disaster can be a catalyst for some positive change in Southern politics. Maybe we'll start voting for someone based more on their economic policies and social platforms, and less about if they're Evangelicals. Haley Barbour was elected for the same reasons Bush was, but we're starting to figure out he's only hurting MS by cutting back on education and health care.
After this, I think people will ask more about what a candidate can do for us in tough times instead of how God is guiding him or her.

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» Thank you for the positive spin Posted by: Olympiada
» RE: Patronik Posted by: AmericanVictim
» neo-con Posted by: Olympiada
» RE: neo-con Posted by: The Butcher
» Yeah George Bush! Posted by: Olympiada
» RE: neo-con Posted by: Samantha Vimes
» Thanks! Posted by: Olympiada
» RE: Patronik Posted by: Basenjis
» RE: Patronik Posted by: The Butcher
» May America develp some empathy Posted by: Olympiada
send the chicken-hawks to fight, bring the Guard home
Posted by: timg98376 on Aug 31, 2005 1:01 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Yep, the National Guard and the Army Reserves should be home, helping the disaster victims and their own families.

Send Cheney, Rumsfield, Wolfowitz, Perle and Feith over to slog through the streets of Fallujah. Oh yeah, send the little Bush boy also.

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I agree
Posted by: Olympiada on Aug 31, 2005 3:39 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Norman I agree and you look like my dad. What a trip. I will forward this.
Do you think this will make the country change its thinking? You would hope so.
BTW I like how you say "Act of God". That sure does put things in their proper place and that is oh so important. The War on Iraq is an "Act of Bush". The Hurricane is an "Act of God". Ok I understand. Gosh there sure is a lot going on right now. Is the world coming to an end?

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» RE: I agree Posted by: owleyes
» Our country's decline Posted by: Olympiada
Shock & awe
Posted by: Falang on Aug 31, 2005 4:59 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Where are the "Shock and awe" neocon?
People in those ravage states need a SHOCK & AWE operation to help them RIGHT NOW .
Bush and his neocon put more means to invade Iraq than they do at this time for rescue efforts.

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Will Bush Apologize to New Orleans?
Posted by: MThomson on Aug 31, 2005 6:35 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Where did the money go to repair New Orlean's levees last year? Guess.


Money To Repair Breached Levees Was Diverted to Iraq War

"It appears that the money has been moved in the president’s budget to handle homeland security and the war in Iraq, and I suppose that’s the price we pay. Nobody locally is happy that the levees can’t be finished, and we are doing everything we can to make the case that this is a security issue for us.
-- Walter Maestri, emergency management chief for Jefferson Parish, Louisiana; New Orleans Times-Picayune, June 8, 2004.


In early 2004, as the cost of the conflict in Iraq soared, President Bush proposed spending less than 20 percent of what the Corps said was needed for levees around Lake Pontchartrain. Those levees are now breached, and the city of New Orleans is inundated

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» RE: Will Bush Apologize to New Orleans? Posted by: AmericanVictim
» RE: Bush be damned. Posted by: berrygoldwater2004
Bush cut funds to repair levees
Posted by: overage on Aug 31, 2005 10:02 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It has been extensively reported on television tonight that the Clinton Administration released funding to repair and strengthen the levees in New Orleans in 1995. It was not a simple patchwork job and required time to do properly. However, in 2003 the money was diverted from the levee work to support the War in Iraq and rebuild that nation.

Iraq is costing this country dearly in lives, money, prestige, and now it is costing our infrastructure.

Those people in Louisianna and Mississippi should not have to bear the brunt of Bush's mismanagement of everything since he has been president.

He is the worst president ever. What are we waiting for? Why don't we impeach him now and his entire greedy, arrogant administration?

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» RE: Where are Students? Posted by: The Butcher
» RE: Where are Students? Posted by: berrygoldwater2004
» RE: Where are Students? Posted by: The Butcher
» RE: Where are Students? Posted by: berrygoldwater2004
» RE: Where are Students? Posted by: Olympiada
» RE: Where are Students? Posted by: Olympiada
They already did send in the National Guard
Posted by: Frumkinlovesmoney on Sep 1, 2005 3:18 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It was on CNN. What station are you watching?

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Hell, Yes! Bring Them Home!
Posted by: kww355 on Sep 1, 2005 4:18 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I consider myself fairly well informed on current events, but yesterday I heard a shocker. In a discussion about the availability of National Guard troops it was stated that fully * half * of the deployed forces consist of guard and reserve members. This is completely outrageous!

Hell, YES !!! Bring the Guard home to fight the war on Katrina!

And while you are at it...

BRING THE REST OF THE TROOPS HOME TOO !!!!!!!

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» RE: Hell, Yes! Bring Them Home! - I agree Posted by: berrygoldwater2004
» George Bush is an alcoholic Posted by: Olympiada
I agree with you guys on this one.
Posted by: flatulence14 on Sep 1, 2005 4:38 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am a conservative, but on this issue I have to agree with you guys. Im from New Orleans originally and those people need help. I am so sad for those people. New Orleans is my home. Nevertheless, emotions aside. Our people need a hand. Its time to end all foreign aid and put America first. Bring the guard home. Help our people.
thank you

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» OECD countries Posted by: Olympiada
» RE: I agree with you guys on this one. Posted by: berrygoldwater2004
I agree on this one
Posted by: flatulence14 on Sep 1, 2005 4:44 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am a conservative, but I agree with you guys on this one. Our people need help. Im from New Orleans originally and Im so sad for those people. They need help. There is no room for partisan bickering on this one. We must help our people. They are Americans in need . Please consider the red cross. The Guard must return. Its time to end foreign aid. Our people need us.

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» RE: I agree on this one Posted by: Barbara
Ps
Posted by: flatulence14 on Sep 1, 2005 4:47 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thank you to all the people who are down there trying to make a differnce. This isnt about liberals or conservatives, its about our people in need.
thank you

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» RE: Ps Posted by: kww355
» RE: Ps Posted by: The Butcher
In Mississippi -lack of communications/gas/HELP
Posted by: fedupamerican on Sep 1, 2005 6:12 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I live in the northwest part of this state, we were lucky and only lost power for 12 hrs. Only a few trees were down here and there. No one died. No one was flooded out. 80 % of our state is still without power!!! 80% !!

I heard last evening that the Red Cross brought in some satelite phones...Now why in the world have the govt. agencies not done that? Why isn't there more communications capabilities being brought to people left on the ground here.

Some interviewed lastnite in the Gulfport/Biloxi area were in dire need of medicines, water, food. One man was living on potato chips for 3 days and he is a diabetic.

Where is the food and help???
Can the military not be called in to air-drop these items????

WHY was the help so slow in coming???

WHY did officials set around on there asses on t.v. interviews DISCUSSING WHO would be called in to help--whether the military should even be considered to help???

What is wrong w/those in charge of our country??????

Are they blind to the aerial photos and onsite reporters and the images being shown?????

I am truly baffled by the slow response to PEOPLE'S NEEDS HERE!!

The ONLY thing that got "dealt" with FAST was the RAISING OF GAS PRICES!!! It went up 12 cents in 30 min. here yesterday afternoon. My town of Oxford was supposed to OUT of GAS by 6 p.m. lastnight. This is ridiculous that our country is so slim to none on gas that it runs out in 2 days after a disaster.

This is truly yet another reason TO GET OUT OF IRAQ-NOW!!!

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Rob
Posted by: Rob on Sep 1, 2005 6:43 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It has never been more apparent that justification to impeach George Bush far and away exceeds the justification used against President Clinton. Diversion of funds to the unjust war in Iraq cannot be justified under any circumstances. I do not feel safer than I did pre-9/11.

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» RE: Impeachment Posted by: fedupamerican
» RE: Impeachment Posted by: Basenjis
» RE: ob Posted by: comic1
But WAIT !!!
Posted by: kww355 on Sep 1, 2005 8:36 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
Bush vacationed while New Orleans drowned.

Certainly, grounds for impeachment. But who do we get in place of "Our Glorious Leader" ?

Cheney ???

In the classic phrase, that's most certainly "between a rock and a hard place".

Or is it "between Iraq and a hard place" ?

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» RE: But WAIT !!! Posted by: Dunk
» RE: But WAIT !!! Posted by: comic1
Jorge
Posted by: coyocar on Sep 1, 2005 12:28 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A bird's eye view of mother nature's power:

http://www.digitalglobe.com/sample_imagery.shtml
http://www.digitalglobe.com/images/katrina
/new_orleans_msi_aug31_2005_dg.jpg

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Strap Bush to a Rite Aid pole in the 9th Ward
Posted by: revgus23 on Sep 1, 2005 12:48 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Random musings:
Didnt somebody say before that when empires overextend themselves this is the kind of thing that happens?
One can only hope that something positive comes of this, or any disaster our country faces--maybe starting with We The People developing more than a 20-sec, CNN-scrolling attention span and demanding real leadership.
If the American people elect another Republican president, then I guess they deserve to be stranded on their roofs.
"Nature can kiss my butt," John Bolton, U.S. minister of idiocy to the U.N.

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wrongtom
Posted by: wrongtomorrow on Sep 1, 2005 12:51 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Is it just me or does it almost seem like nobody is in control and this situation is becoming out of control. People are walking around with no direction, no order. The president seems more involved in anything but this tradegy. This is the same guy who bullhorned a crowd into a frenzy but can't even rally the desperate into order. No leadership is bad leadership!

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» RE: wrongtom Posted by: berrygoldwater2004
» RE: wrongtom Posted by: Falang
» RE: wrongtom Posted by: Basenjis
Where's congress and Bush?
Posted by: harpy on Sep 1, 2005 3:15 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Interesting that Congress could convene on Sunday night when one woman in a vegetative state was in danger, but when thousands of citizens who are moving, breathing, and starving are in danger, it takes Bush and congress 5 days to act!

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» RE: Where's congress and Bush? Posted by: FastEddy
» RE: Where's congress and Bush? Posted by: chailover111
Pissed off!
Posted by: errandchild on Sep 1, 2005 6:09 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am shocked and horrified by the events esculating in New Orleans. Fereal human dog packs roam the streets looting and shooting. The police are shorthanded while innocent civillians suffer due to these dogs. The Army is out of town fighting a crock of a war while more people suffer. Bush is responsible for this. These people would have gained much more relief by now had our military been at full force, not to mention at home. The oil companies greedily jack up their gas prices, all the while rubbing their hands together in greedy delight. Bush sits on his ass watching while chanting in his head, "Don't mess with Texas."

How many more innocents must suffer and die before we all realize how much shit our government is full of. Government was created to create order; look at the order our government is allowing. People are dying dammit! People are suffering dammit! Bush, get off your ass and do something before the people realize just what a lazy slob you are!

Our government has become useless, it must be changed!

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What is happening in New Orleans?
Posted by: HermannHaller on Sep 1, 2005 7:10 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What is happening is beyond belief. How can this situation remain so stagnant after four days? One of the surprising things I learned was the fact that the Police Officers in New Orleans have apparently fled the city. I can understand the looting that is going on because it is not in their intention of enriching themselves, this is pure survival at this point. True, this may not be about liberals and conservatives but it is imperative to look at what has happened, what is going on, and question policy decisions of the government in terms of shifting funding for levee reparations and its misuse of the National Guard. If what was said earlier was true, that budget cuts have lead to less funding for levee reparations, the government owes an apology and is partly responsible for what has happened. I believe that a few hundred more lives will be lost because of the governments delayed action to step in.

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CMBRN
Posted by: CMBRN on Sep 1, 2005 10:43 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As a weary nurse with an empty gas tank in the middle of the Mississippi chaos, I beg you to donate $ to help these desperate survivors. All arguments aside.....HELP US!!!! PLEASE!!!!! Words can't express/cameras can't capture the depth of this devistation. I have family fighting for survial both in Iraq and all along the dessimated South.....any blood shed belongs on the hands for the Bush administration.

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Bush's Press Conference
Posted by: Dunk on Sep 2, 2005 3:09 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I watched Bush's Press Conference upon his return to Washington D.C. where he assured the public he was heading up efforts to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina. I was appalled. Rather than a focus on the needs of these three states and its residents, the focus was on him. Where is the compassion in his voice? Rather, Bush's words and actions are Rove inspired, "I'm in charge" behavior that is shameful. Every action and every move is politically inspired aimed at boosting his pitifully low poll numbers. I am sick and tired of it.

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What's the Dough Boy Afraid Of?
Posted by: Dunk on Sep 2, 2005 3:33 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
With $3.00 per gallon gas price and gas lines in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, doesn't it make you REALLY wonder who was sitting at the table with Dick Cheney as he and others developed a national energy policy in our name??

Certainly nobody is blaming Bush, Cheney & Rove for a hurricane. What is very interesting to explore, however, is the role of creating international uncertainty and instability in the Middle East as a means of driving up the price of oil. Any interuption in the oil supply now results in $70 bbl oil and $3.00 per gallon gas. Hmmmm. How far we've come in only a few years.

Just as Bush, Cheney & Rove sat silently when Enron ravaged California making hundreds of millions, they are doing the same as gas prices head to ever higher levels.

So, doesn't it really make you wonder who was at the table helping to draft OUR energy policy? And why won't Cheney divulge who contributed to this policy?

What's the dough boy afraid of?

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» You wouldn't believe Posted by: nakis
puppet proposal
Posted by: The Butcher on Sep 2, 2005 5:26 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Could we all agree on a name for Puppet?
This is my suggestion but puppet has conotations of glass eyes,plastic, universal looks.
My suggestion is that instead of referring to whatshisname as a moron, idiot of the village,brainchallenged and all other expletives... we had a term for him. A kind of universal term for the puppet fried brain in charge.
Puppet may not be right. This is a competition here girls?
The pen will win over the sword anytime. Got better ideas?
Just remember.
Sleep well Puppet while Laura watches Desperate Wives!

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» The Alcoholic? Posted by: Olympiada
Hypcrits all of you
Posted by: The Butcher on Sep 2, 2005 6:43 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Why is it that looters are blacks?
Why is it that waiting mothers'Pics are of black Women?
Now we shoot and kill. We are offended at the looting.
I am black, male, unemployed,Muslim. I don't even have to be a muslim
Just shoot. We are in Amefuckingrica.

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» RE: Hypcrits all of you Posted by: nakis
» RE: Hypcrits all of you Posted by: Olympiada
» RE: Hypcrits all of you Posted by: comic1
Quelle Coinky-dink?
Posted by: paxhumana on Sep 2, 2005 9:22 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Not to be completely suspiscious of the motivations of our leaders, but, outside of the fact that the folks dying down south are poor, this particular group of folks is also the most likely to vote non-Republican in those red state strongholds. Is it a coincidence that they're being allowed to die in these appalling circumstances when our rescue workers and military somehow managed to make their way into the maze of islands affected by December's tsunami in a more efficient fashion?

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One Thing Not Posted Here
Posted by: nakis on Sep 2, 2005 9:29 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What about the guardsmen in Iraq?

I would like to know the prevelant feeling of those guardsmen who are serving in Iraq, Afghanastan, wherever, right now about this.
How would I feel if I'm fighting a war thousands a miles from home while the state I am supposed to be protecting and helping is suffering this disaster. My home, my family, my friends, my state, and you can't do a thing about it.

Well, not till election time anyway.

What about them?

We want them home. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think they want to be home even more so than we can truly imagine.

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» I think you are right Posted by: Olympiada
Chai
Posted by: chailover111 on Sep 2, 2005 5:11 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
When Bush was taking his photo ops with the woman and her daughter in MS and she told him all she had were the clothes on her back - BUSH TOLD HER THE SALVATION ARMY WOULD GET HER SOME CLOTHES AND THAT IT WAS JUST DOWN THE STREET - Someone had to tell the idiot, that had just spent most of the morning with the head of the Salvation Army, that there WAS NOTHING THERE - IT WAS GONE. They quickly switched off the mike from the photo op and he wandered down the road with the poor woman and her daughter cameras clicking in a frenzy to make sure the idiot had lots of pictures of how much he cares.

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» RE: Chai Posted by: comic1
The Savation Army
Posted by: chailover111 on Sep 2, 2005 5:26 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Had canteens and meals set up in many areas before FEMA or anyone else. If they can be prepared why can't the "Army" - I guess they are too involved rebuilding and protecting citizens over seas.

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» RE: The Savation Army Posted by: comic1
Where were the first responders?
Posted by: g77 on Sep 2, 2005 9:42 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There's plenty of blame to go around. Let's not forget the local government, the so-called first responders. Where were they?

There was no command center set up in the city of New Orleans. There was no authority. Our so-called leaders were no where to be found. Mayor Nagin left us for the comfort of Baton Rouge.

The declared State of Emergency gave Governor Blanco the authority to commandeer any vehicle or building she saw fit. Did she send the busses to aid in the MANDATORY evacuation? Did she seize helicopters and boats to aid in the search and recovery efforts? Southern Louisiana is a swamp, there must be a million swamp-craft and ATVs. Where were they?

The mayor suggested that there was an emergency plan in place but yet there was no action by emergency personnel. What is the plan? Call FEMA and sit back and wait? That's what they did.

The FEDs and the White House do have their share of blame, but let's start at the bottom - at ground zero - when we begin assigning blame. The mayor and the governor shoulder more blame than anyone. They do NOT deserve our votes come election time.

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» RE: Where were the first responders? Posted by: glennMScoast