OLD General Discussion Thread 8:42 PM
Go Wesconsin in 2008
People might want to post a comment to Wes's new post at TMPCafe. There are only 3 so far.
Unfortunately, my login doesn't work.
I second that! We have so many smart, talented writers. Let's see some posts. Unfortunately, I do not have a good excuse like a login problem. But, as I've said before I prefer to humiliate myself with my stupid posts over here at CCN. :).
For others, the two posts he did today are here:
haha, thank you Dell! I will say anything on my mind over there! And, maybe a few things that barely qualify for my mind. haha.
I am probably slightly intimated by TPM because I have never posted there before, and well, I don't want to say something stupid to General Clark. He deserves better than me wasting his time with a forced post.
He's only replying to some, that provide a platform for his follow-on points.
On TPM, 'talk' in paragraphs, unlike Kos, where usually smoldering works best...
Judy, he will be there through Friday. Maybe worth trying again so you can post on another day? Do you have a 2nd email address you could use to sign up for another one? Or, if you have all the time in the world, you could sign up for a new email, and reregister. I wonder why your login is not working.
I've tried my e-mail with several new passwords and it still doesn't work. I even tried at work, but the firewall there wouldn't let the e-mail through. I have to let my kids show me how to get a new e-mail address. LOL
I'm really sorry you had trouble. The Web is not that new anymore; it should not be made that difficult for people. Well, you still have 3 days!
I know when I tried to sign up for our new CCN blog, it told me my email was already in use! Ha, of course it was.
I'll have to see what subjects Wes posts on later in the week. But, I just don't want to force myself if it is not a topic I feel like posting on, or something I am slightly up on. It will end up stupid and forced. So, I really apologize for not contributing. I am trying to help here on CCN to make up for it. :)
I've seen a 5 point rebuttal/dismissal of Clarks op ed on Iraq floating around some sites. I have tried to reply to these points and have made a blog entry here looking for help on prefecting them
So please read and comment. I hope I have Clarks positions right, I've read several things he's written here and at TPM and I think I do, but you never know.
At least three days before hurricane Katrina landed a variety of people were voicing dire warnings of what was going to happen.
Apparently, the poorest of the poor live in the areas devastated by Katrina and this was well know by the authorities beforehand. Families with five children who were too poor to own a vehicle and even if they owned a vehicle, would not have been able to afford to stay in a hotel. Many elderly people and disabled who were scratching to get by.
in George Bush's America they just don't count do they?
You can't do but so much, guys. I think the local authorities did as well as you can expect. Look, you're trying to get over half a million people out of town. They got all but about 20K out of there, right?
If you are one of the 20K, it sucks. But I think they did a pretty good job overall.
And I've got absolutely zero respect for the looters. May they go and loot a store that is full of poisonous snakes.
now speaking on Larry King Live are there because their flights were cancelled on Sunday morning and the airlines would not send planes in to bring them out even though ther weather was OK. She says there needs to be an enquiry into this.
I don't know if you can ask the airlines to put $100 million assets and hundreds of lives at risk when you've got a tremendous storm like Katrina bearing down on New Orleans.
What happened is horrible, but if you had a 757 full of passengers and crew that got caught up in the storm...
What value do you put on human beings?
What about the satelite weather forecasts - they're pretty darned accurate these days
You just can't leave people stranded
Remember, Katrina was supposed to hit New Orleans dead on. It missed by about 50 miles.
Look, the Air Force pulled its aircraft out of there. The control tower at both of the major New Orleans airports closed down.
And let's say they did load a 757 up with hundreds of passengers and it got caught up in the storm and crashed. Then what?
People may be suffering but they are still alive.
Besides, say you had 50 flights take people out. Fine. You've got a few thousand more out. You still can't get everyone out.
All in all, I think the authorities did a pretty good job. You simply cannot move over half a million people out of the city of New Orleans and what, a million more in the suburbs out without problems and yes, some people will get left behind.
How long did it take to deploy our troops over to the Persian Gulf, for example? Months, and that was for 150K people.
It's only just begun.
New Orleans...looting, prisoners trying to escape-taking hostages...not verified on the prison, but they've got pictures of the looters. What is wrong with these people?
Jeebus!
but maybe when you ain't got nothin' you got nothin' to lose...
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest places if you look at it right.
--Hunter/Garcia
I have really missed the news on this, so I am not sure. Without a link or pictures, hard to say. But, many so-called looters may just be grabbing food and water and items like that because they have just lost everything. Many may just be trying to survive and take care of their families.
Someone commented earlier today that in the worst hit areas, the food in the stores will rot before the store can be opened for business again. It may as well feed someone.
One reporter today watched a guy he passed breaking a window of a shop to steal watches...some of the film showed tv's etc being taken.
Sadly the sterotype will be reinforced with these films.
"It's untidy, and freedom's untidy. Free people are free to make mistakes and commit crimes and do bad things. They're also free to live their lives and do wonderful things."
I remember it well because it was said in the leadup to that most infamous comment about the vases.
"The images you are seeing on television you are seeing over, and over, and over, and it's the same picture of some person walking out of some building with a vase, and you see it 20 times, and you think, 'My goodness, were there that many vases? Is it possible that there were that many vases in the whole country?'"
Maybe someone should try using a similar comment on the looting in hurricane affected areas and see how well it goes over. I'm sure the Iraqis who'd just been through Shock and Awe felt just as angry about the looting and they got no friggin' sympathy at all from Rumsfeld, who just blamed the media for making it look worse than it really was.
"Free to do bad things": The Guardian 12 Apr 03
You'd be taking them to the Better Business Bureau if you bought a washing machine the way we went into the war in Iraq. Wes Clark, CNN Aug 17 2003
Darn, I guess I should turn on the tv.
Should it be compared to the looting that went on in Iraq? Didn't Rummy say it was to be expected; just juvenile hi-jinks or something - - as Iraqi museum treasures were carried away?
Well, it's just such a shame. Seems it happens every time there is an emergency or disaster such as this. If people didn't need it for survival, you would think they would be more occuppied with helping their neighbors.
I do stand by my original thought that in many instances, I believe it may be food and water for survival.
Was there looting after the recent tsunami?
The pictures from the Wal-Mart were not of people looting food. If they were stealing food and water, that would be one thing.
They're not.
Sickos.
I don't think there was much left to loot. And a lot of the areas like Aceh, Sri Lanka and India didn't have that much to start with.
You'd be taking them to the Better Business Bureau if you bought a washing machine the way we went into the war in Iraq. Wes Clark, CNN Aug 17 2003
preying on the weak and defenseless.
Looters are just the ugly side of human nature rearing its head.
I hope they loot a store that's full of fire ants!
Well, there's some good news. People are looting a Wal-Mart.
could be a form of looting, Holly. I see your point about that one. I meant from the disaster region.
jai posted a comment on the first TPMCafe thread HERE, suggesting we go comment on the new blog post at the front page of TPM Cafe which is a critique of General Clark's blog from yesterday.
btw, the only way I found jai's post was because I often check "recent comments." When I went to find it to include the link in this post, it was gone. I got back to it by going "back" on my browser.
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest places if you look at it right.
--Hunter/Garcia
OLinda--here's your chance! Others who are signed up there, rally 'round!
Note: Kilgore ISN'T bashing Clark, and TPM isn't Kos, let alone DU. Its actually praising his consistency in the TPM intellectualized way.
Levees breach -- was suppose to sandbag the levee -- not done -- too late -- Algiers is going to be flooded with 9 feet of water!!
This is N.O. worst nightmare -- please pray for these people -- major of this folks are lower income and they will need our help.
Lord I pray for these people!!
Clark is DA MAN
Clark2008
WWL has just reported that the Mayor of New Orleans reported that a massive miscommunication has occurred. The choppers that were rescuing people were supposed to attempt to sandbag one of the levy breaches. Somewhere along the way, it was never communicated, night has fallen, and within 12-14 hours the entire city will flood.
Mayor Nagin: Unhappy that the helicopters slated to drop 3,000-pound bags into the levee never showed up to stop the flow of water. Too many chiefs calling shots he says.
Mr. President, there aren't enough military choppers in this country to both SAVE LIVES and try and mitigate DISASTER?
Total failure of leadership, and an entire city is now going to flood.
some sandbags, a city was lost.
When he loses an American city to a natural disaster that could have been alleviated by spending a few dollars, do you think the South will turn against Mr. Arrogance?
or does he think we don't have any? From his speech to the veterans today:
" Zarqawi and bin Laden gain control of Iraq, they would create a new training ground for future terrorist attacks," Bush said. "They'd seize oil fields to fund their ambitions. They could recruit more terrorists by claiming a historic victory over the United States and our coalition."
Hello?!? The oil fields are deep in Shiite and Kurdish territory.
Today I received an email response from Arlen Specter. I had emailed my concerns about the lack of respect John Roberts appeared to have for women in his early professional life. I asked Mr. Specter to be sure to address whether those comments that have been reported are the product of a much younger and more foolish man, or whether they actually represent what John Roberts feels about women.
I got back a response that included Mr. Roberts qualifications and the fact that Mr. Specter takes judicial hearings seriously.
I didn't get an answer to my question.
In the mail today, I received a bogus survey from the Democratic National Committee. Under the guise of finding out what "Local Party leaders" are thinking (I have the honor of being the Local Leader apparently), the DNC want $$.
Is Anybody Listening?
Did you fill some role last year? Involved with caucus or primary work?
I'm curious. I got one as well, but several other people I know that were involved with 04 run did not. So I'm curious if it's the fact that I was a caucus coordinator or delegate nominee put me on the list or did the others just get lucky some how.
Nope - my efforts last year were to convince and marshal my co-workers to the polls. Partially successful that everyone went - not so successful because a couple renegade co-workers voted for W = Worst President. Ever.
I made a donation to the DNC or DLC about the time of the Convention and I'm sure that's why my name is on the list.
Hi guys
I'm not lurking. I just can't think of anything to say. . . unless you wouldn't mind an OT comment. Today was a milestone in my life. For the very first time neighbors welcomed me to the neighborhood and I got a good taste of being part of a small town. They knew that I had four cats, that I bought the house without seeing it, that I was alone, and that my grand parents lived here a while back. *giggle* I like it! I like it! (The house looked pretty too when they came)
but don't talk about it for awhile....subliminal message will creep in becuz people stop looking at the same thing in the same place over time. Then sneak in a Mass poster if that's appropriate to your district......you can make friends and still be making your statement. Who knows, after awhile they may be begging for more. haha
"Some of us are still eating hotdogs...and that's an astonishing thing." -- Wes Clark
And I asked about Eric Massa today and they said he came from Geneva which is one town over. . about 17 miles away. . They seemed to know his family and asked if I wanted to find out how to get in touch with him. . . uhhhh. . . I think I'm going to have to develop some diplomacy skills.
That didn't take long did it? That's so funny they knew all that about you! I guess that's small town life, eh? LOL!! Do you know any of them from when your grandparents lived there?
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest places if you look at it right.
--Hunter/Garcia
of the old timers left, I haven't found any. There are grandkids who are running the old businesses that began three generations ago, but I don't know them. Today, the ladies told me that our Democratic mayor house hops. That is, she visits the residents and tries to include everyone. That's unusual.
according to what has just been said on King Live. The emergency services are having problems inter-agency and also with their helpers.
Gov. Kathleen Blanco said, in response to King's question about the levee breach and the threat of water rising tonight, that only recommendation she could give people was to go to as high ground as possible.
I have a friend who works for a communications company (cellular) who had a crew in the area. He had called them before the storm and told them all to retreat to a safe nearby locations ( he was talking about different states). I don't think he realized how badly they might be needed.
Hmmm, Wes has been talking at those Nextel Meetings about inter-agency communications and how extremely important it is during emergencies. He's right again, as always! :)
as many of you know I've been concerned all along that Australia tends to follow down whatever path the US is on. Well, we seem to be striding out at an increasing pace right now.
Last night on the main national current affairs show the top story ws "Intelligent Design" and whether it should be taught in our schools (aaarghhh!!! the story was critical, but can't believe it's even getting a mention here!).
Next story debated whether there should be tax cuts for the top 3% of the population. The Prime Minister says that's what he'd like to deliver -- the Treasurer is offering some resistance so far -- but again, the story seems awfully familiar.
Finally in an especially ugly and awful development the conservative party in my state suddenly has a new leader from the right wing of the party. They're not in power -- thankfully -- but the way the new leader took power seems almost Rovian.
The more moderate conservative leader, John Brogden, was brought undone by a nasty scandal involving women and a racist comment. (Deserved to go for his stupidity, sure). But it was Murdoch's paper that led the charge that embarrassed him into standing down -- then even after he resigned on Monday they kept up the mudslinging -- saying they had more scandalous revelations in the pipeline about him and that his marriage was in trouble.
Last night the guy slit his wrists. He's going to survive but the drama has rocked the party so much that they're not going to have a ballot for the leadership now -- they're just going to hand over the reins to the most right wing of the candidates "in the interests of unity". There are strong rumours that the Prime Minister, John Howard, played a behind the scenes role in pushing out Brogden and pushing in the new guy.
Maybe what I've seen of US politics makes me read too much into these developments, but I feel the extremists are starting to flex their muscle in my country.
You'd be taking them to the Better Business Bureau if you bought a washing machine the way we went into the war in Iraq. Wes Clark, CNN Aug 17 2003
Is Rove hiring out his services internationally now? What troubling developments... :(
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest places if you look at it right.
--Hunter/Garcia
Which story is right? This version from Reuters.
"WASHINGTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. military plans to drop giant sandbags loaded with gravel to repair a major break in a protective levee that caused the flooding of most of New Orleans, a spokesman for the Army Corps of Engineers said on Tuesday.
"We hope to start tonight by dropping 'super bags' from CH-53 National Guard helicopters," Jim Pogue, a spokesman for the corps, told Reuters from Memphis, Tennessee. "That appears to be the most viable solution right now."
He said the bags would weigh about 3,000 pounds (1360 kg) each and would be dropped into an opening of the 17th Street Canal floodwall from the twin-rotor helicopters to try to fill a big break caused by Hurricane Katrina."
Wow. Those chopper pilots have some stones. Flying low at night over one of those levies, and holding it steady enough for the loadmaster to drop those bags?
That takes guts.
Absolutely.
Seeing how the Air Force pulled its assets out of the affected area, it is a little much to be asking civilian airlines to risk theirs, don't you think?
from Wesconsin. Met Wes, along with bloggers Dormaphaea, 4Star and CathyLeeB and maybe 100 more people at the American Table restaurant. Wes gave a short talk which re-iterated his thinking on Iraq, etc. (Nothing new.) and then threw open the floor for questions. Mine was, please give us your take on the real war on Terror - not the one in Iraq - and his assessment; we're not doing too badly, but still haven't captured the big guys and have a long way to go. Another question on how to defeat media bias: guess what - we're doing it right here on the internet and that has to be expanded.
Didn't go to the big $ lunch (wasn't invited, anyway) but got to stand in the row of vets during Wes's news conference. He congratulated WI on its programs to help the vets and said the country needed to fall in line with our (WI) way of thinking. And, of course, BushCo isn't doing enough. I got interviewed briefly by WPR about what I thought of Feingolds deadline - I basically reiterated Wes's position, that it's good to get people talking about getting out, but setting a deadline has waaaaay to many disadvantages over advantages. We have to get out with some semblance or order and apology to the Iraqi's for messing up their country. (My statement, Not Wes's) Side note; as we were standing in a line behind the podium, waiting for Wes to appear, I was on the far end and was talking to the guy next to me and was making a big swoooshing motion with my right arm, just at the moment Wes stepped out from behind me and I nearly took his head off. (Not really.) I automatically said, excuse me, and then noticed it was Wes. I though WHOOOAAH, Really Excuse me! (That's teach him to walk behind people!) BUt he laughed and took it in stride.
Another side note: WE REALLY NEED TO GET MORE MONEY INTO WESPAC. This is the only money Wes gets to travel around the country and spread his message and it's expensive. It's scary to realize how much all this costs.
After the press conference, I had the honor of showing Dorm and 4Star some of the more attractive parts of our fair city. We then went to the Union Terrace for food and drink; was rather disappointed that not to many people showed up there, but that's the way it goes, I guess.
Why?
but you are so right. How in the world do we do that? Wow!
I know we are all giving what we can to WesPAC, but you are so right that he needs money to travel around. I am extending myself in emails trying to get others around me to give to him, and some are. We all can do what we can to help.
Thanks Donjo!
http://tinyurl.com/dhrbm
for photos of the WESPAC fundraiser. Several bloggers to be seen.
Sandy...I too enjoy listening to what eveyone else has to say...get most of my information from the blog! I'm glad that you have received a warm welcome from your new community. The transition will be much easier for you.
I can hardly believe what is happening to New Orleans. My co-worker was there visiting her 80 year old parents. She left a voicemail yesterday that they had evacuated to Hope, Arkansas on Sunday and staying at Econo lodge there. I called tonight to ask for her room number...and desk clerk said..."Oh, hon...she's not in her room now...she's with the other evacuees at the local church...the people have prepared supper for them." I had to smile to think that this desk clerk would know the name of a stranger from New Orleans without checking the registry...but I guess that is small towns for you. I feel better knowing that they are safe...but since the parents home was downtown...close to Tulane University...probably won't have a home to go back to?? :(
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 - Even as the economy was growing, income stagnated last year and the poverty rate rose, the Census Bureau reported today. This is the first time on record that household income has failed to increase for five straight years.
The portion of Americans without health insurance remained roughly steady at 16 percent, according to the bureau. A smaller percentage of people were covered by their employers, but two big government programs, Medicaid and military insurance, grew.
The Census Bureau's annual report card on the nation's economic well-being showed that the economic expansion of the last few years had still not done much to benefit many households. Median pretax household income, at $44,389 last year, was at its lowest point since 1997, after accounting for inflation.
Though the reasons are not wholly clear, economists say that technology and global trade appear to be holding down pay for many workers. The rising cost of health care benefits has also eaten into pay increases.
After the report's release, Bush administration officials noted that the job market had continued to improve since the end of 2004 and that they hoped incomes were now rising and poverty was falling. The poverty rate "is the last, lonely trailing indicator of the business cycle," said Elizabeth Anderson, chief of staff in Commerce Department's economics and statistics administration........more
But that is absolute Bush*t.
Yes, the job market is improving. However, the jobs that are available do not start to make up for the loss of income from the jobs that were lost. Many employees are being asked to give concessions.
Some guy who lost a factory job who is now working at Wal-Mart is making half what he made, with no benefits. Sure, he's employed, but there's no comparison between the two jobs.
According to the stats, he's employed. In reality, he's not.
Well, just got home and I’m working on the video. We arrived around 5:45 pm. Folks were already lined up and eating. There was brats and kraut, hotdogs, cheetos, chips and freetos, and of course corn……roasted on a grill. We picked out a strategic spot for the camera and sat down and ate, all the while searching out and sending vibes to any and all Clarkies. We saw quite a few, but no one who blogs on a regular basis or blogs at all. A young college student had a Clark 04 bumper sticker in her back pocket. Her name was Lara and I made sure to plug Securingarmerica.com. Also met an entire family of Clarkies, again, not much on blogging, but they said that they would check it out. I heard Wes was at another event which was to end at 6 pm, so it was unlikely he’d be there much before 6:30.
After I finished eating, I had an ArkySue moment……..I realized I had corn stuck in my teeth! ArkySue will understand this comment. I also had orange fingers from eating cheetos (natural Clarkie choice) and let’s not forget the butter fingers from holding crispy burnt corn stalks while filling in the gaps of my teeth. Of course, being the Clarkie that I am, I was prepared. I quickly returned to our car, opened the trunk, took bottled water and towel and washed my hands. Then, I flossed, yes, I flossed. I wasn’t about to flash a smile at Wes with corn bits stuck in my teeth. I returned to the building and then who should appear but Wes and Ron. Ron was being kept pretty busy, but Wes seemed all alone! Whoah……..great opportunity here. I ran in to tell my spouse to grab the cams and get outside. I got my picture taken with Wes, and then Ron took a pic of the three of us. I neglected to get a pic of Wes and my spouse when we were in LR and I was not about the let this opportunity escape me. I reminded Wes that we had met in LR at NCCM and he said that we would all be gathering again there next year. He’s really counting on it folks. Anyway, we made some small talk, can’t totally remember what we said and then others there started to take interest in him. I of course generously backed off and allowed others to speak to him. He looked very beat and my spouse was worried that he wasn’t being taken care of. Wes asked me was there anything besides corn to eat. I proceeded to rattle off the menu and offered to get him something, but he declined; even tho I know he was starving. He was kept busy chatting up until the time he entered the stage. There were a couple of news crews there and I set the dvr to record 2 channels while we were gone in case we didn’t get back in time. I’ll have to check them tomorrow to see what coverage he got.
Wes gave a very good speech. Some new things that I’d not heard him speak about before. I think you’ll enjoy the video. I think I’m leaving it in one hunk. I’ll see how long it is before I decide. I’ll blog the links a bit later.
We hung around a bit after the speeches and took some more pics, some digital and some on film. The pics may have to wait until tomorrow. He mingled and worked the crowd and then finally a guy came and asked him what he wanted on his brat, so by the time we left he did finally get a chance to eat. He sat with a bunch of young people who were volunteers for Ron Kind……..lucky kids!
Many we spoke too while waiting for his arrival had come specifically to hear him, others knew of him and thought very highly of him and expressed their opinions on the last election and that he should have been on the ticket. They all whined and complained about W and wondered how we could possibly get out of this mess. I’d say there were 300 or more there. So, that’s about all I can think of at the moment. Now, back to finishing the video……oh, yeah, Ron gives him a few souvenirs at the end……you’re gonna love it………..
You should copy this onto your personal blog so we can all vote it up the Best of Blogs. It shouldn't just sink when this GD thread slips out of view.
You'd be taking them to the Better Business Bureau if you bought a washing machine the way we went into the war in Iraq. Wes Clark, CNN Aug 17 2003
So great ICE! Thank you for going, filming, cleaning the corn from your teeth (heehee) reporting back and now doing whatever it is you do that allows us to actually see and hear the event!! Thank you thankyou did I tell you lately how hard you ROCK!! :D
Little Rock it is!! I so hope and pray there's someone there taking care of that man. He's working so hard... for all of us.
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest places if you look at it right.
--Hunter/Garcia
I love the ArkySue moment story. LMAO!
Thank God he gets to meet with a good sized group. I am very excited to see your video and photos! Thank you so much! Oh, and happy you had a fine day with Wesley Clark! ;)
Bush took New Orleans disaster funds and used them for the Iraq war and for his tax cuts
by John in DC - 8/30/2005 09:57:00 PM
An amazing late-breaking article from Editor & Publisher. Bottom line: Experts knew this was coming, and all the preparations ground to a halt because Bush stole New Orleans' disaster preparation money so he could use it for his Iraq debacle:
New Orleans had long known it was highly vulnerable to flooding and a direct hit from a hurricane. In fact, the federal government has been working with state and local officials in the region since the late 1960s on major hurricane and flood relief efforts. When flooding from a massive rainstorm in May 1995 killed six people, Congress authorized the Southeast Louisiana Urban Flood Control Project, or SELA.
...after 2003, the flow of federal dollars toward SELA dropped to a trickle. The Corps never tried to hide the fact that the spending pressures of the war in Iraq, as well as homeland security -- coming at the same time as federal tax cuts -- was the reason for the strain. At least nine articles in the Times-Picayune from 2004 and 2005 specifically cite the cost of Iraq as a reason for the lack of hurricane- and flood-control dollars.
Newhouse News Service, in an article posted late Tuesday night at The Times-Picayune web site, reported: "No one can say they didn't see it coming....Now in the wake of one of the worst storms ever, serious questions are being asked about the lack of preparation."
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 Lake Pontchartrain, according to a Feb. 16, 2004, article, in New Orleans CityBusiness.
On June 8, 2004, Walter Maestri, emergency management chief for Jefferson Parish, Louisiana; told the Times-Picayune: “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.”
Also that June, with the 2004 hurricane season starting, the Corps' project manager Al Naomi went before a local agency, the East Jefferson Levee Authority, and essentially begged for $2 million for urgent work that Washington was now unable to pay for. From the June 18, 2004 Times-Picayune:
"The system is in great shape, but the levees are sinking. Everything is sinking, and if we don’t get the money fast enough to raise them, then we can’t stay ahead of the settlement," he said. "The problem that we have isn’t that the levee is low, but that the federal funds have dried up so that we can’t raise them."...
About $300,000 in federal money was proposed for the 2005 fiscal-year budget, and the state had agreed to match that amount. But the cost of the Iraq war forced the Bush administration to order the New Orleans district office not to begin any new studies, and the 2005 budget no longer includes the needed money, he said.”
The Senate was seeking to restore some of the SELA funding cuts for 2006. But now it's too late.
They own the Times-Picayune and some of the family lived in New Orleans, so Bush better have something to answer for all this and I hope they keep holding his feet to the fire. I like the Newhouses. I got to know some of that family.
This is futher evidence against his "Intelligent Design" notions, because this proves beyond a shadow of doubt that Bush is an Imbecile!
No body armor for the troops, no armored Humvees, and no levees for New Orleans.
If you tried to sell this story to liberal Hollywood, they'd have laughed at you.
My husband and I had a big fight. I've currently secluded myself in the master bathroom.
He seems to think that Bush and Clark have similar plans for Iraq. What do I do?
Bush is building bases. Clark says give them up.
Bush won't talk to Iran. Clark says talk to all the region.
What did he cite as similarities?
....and the world!!