[Katrina] Exactly how much trouble is the US government in? (edited)

[meglamaniac]

Quite a lot.
First of all, the media has finally turned against the administration - something the BBC haven't passed up the chance to comment on, in an unusually harsh and stinging article.
Then we have sites like this one, which many Americans are coming to see have a valid point.

Amid reports that the government squandered a staggering 3 days arguing over who was in charge in the area (hint: a good guess would have been your commander in chief?), and with even the last bastion of Republican support Fox News finding a spine and heavily critisising events, it's hard to see how a crisis of confidence in the current administration and in republican politics in general can now be avoided.
To make matters worse, when there is time and the situation has been stabalised, there will have to be an inquiry into this whole mess - and I expect the press to be picking holes in it before it's even started.

[edit]
Here is an article I was refering to earlier in #forums. To quote:

Originally Posted by New Orleans Crisis Shames US

At the end of an unforgettable week, one broadcaster on Friday bitterly encapsulated the sense of burning shame and anger that many American citizens are feeling.
The only difference between the chaos of New Orleans and a Third World disaster operation, he said, was that a foreign dictator would have responded better.

Hmm.

[CrashTester]

Apart from who is to blame, etc, why is the rest of the world not donating huge sums of money to help the victims like the did with the asian Tsunami? I havent seen disaster relief fund for this despite the severity of the damage caused and the amount of people who's lives/livelihood have been wiped out.

Even though the US is a rich country surely it is still deserving of a little charity at such a terrible time?

[MrL_JaKiri]

Originally Posted by CrashTester

Apart from who is to blame, etc, why is the rest of the world not donating huge sums of money to help the victims like the did with the asian Tsunami? I havent seen disaster relief fund for this despite the severity of the damage caused and the amount of people who's lives/livelihood have been wiped out.

Just because you don't know about something doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/03/kat...aid/index.html

[CrashTester]

OK, I'll refrain from throwing abuse your way as I originally intended because after re-reading my post I can see didnt make myself clear.

I meant to say that I havent seen a relief fund number on any news programme asking ordinary people for contributions as it was for the asian Tsumami. Now have I seen people out on the streets rattling tins.

I know that countries have offered help, even Iran, but I was referring to the man on the street in this instance.

[Knight Theamion]

If you **** up yourselves, you pay yourselves, if you think you can save the world, you can also save yourselves.

[the_dastardley_chihuahua]

im not sure if bush is in a lot of trouble, we could very well see nagin (mayor of NO) and blanco (governer of LA) taking most of the rap for this. bush is very good at getting away with things.

[Texan]

It is a perfect recipe for a timid and self-censoring journalistic culture that is no match for the masterfully aggressive spin-surgeons of the Bush administration.

Well, it's good to know that the BBC believes the Bush administration is able to do something well. Not that the administartion is able to fool the BBC of course.

[Remy]

Originally Posted by CrashTester

Apart from who is to blame, etc, why is the rest of the world not donating huge sums of money to help the victims like the did with the asian Tsunami? I havent seen disaster relief fund for this despite the severity of the damage caused and the amount of people who's lives/livelihood have been wiped out.

Even though the US is a rich country surely it is still deserving of a little charity at such a terrible time?

The netherlands is sending a frigate to the area and has offered help. The USA hasnt told th edutch that they need the help.

More countries offered help, but the government hasnt accepted it yet. Maybe they think they can handle it?

[All Systems Go]

Originally Posted by CrashTester

I meant to say that I havent seen a relief fund number on any news programme asking ordinary people for contributions as it was for the asian Tsumami. Now have I seen people out on the streets rattling tins.

through Sky News, for example you can donate by pressing the red button. It even says so in the corner of the screen.

[All Systems Go]

Originally Posted by Remy

The netherlands is sending a frigate to the area and has offered help. The USA hasnt told th edutch that they need the help.

More countries offered help, but the government hasnt accepted it yet. Maybe they think they can handle it?

Maybe they are embaressed?

[JammyJim]

you have to press it NOW tho....
at least thats what the news reader says 'sky digital viewers can press their red button now to donate to the katrina hurricane fund...;

[JammyJim]

Alot of people are comparing this in scale to the September 11th attacks....except this time there is no scapegoat. There is noone to unite against...except one man...Bush..

[Dante Hicks]

Originally Posted by CrashTester

Apart from who is to blame, etc, why is the rest of the world not donating huge sums of money to help the victims like the did with the asian Tsunami?

The scale is slightly different and as you say, the United States is a rich country. Obviously they "deserve" as much as the next guy but they have the resources to deal with much of the problem internally.

[meglamaniac]

To say the public isn't donating is wrong I feel.
Obviously many Americans have (and with a population of the size America has, that's a lot of money), and certainly a fair proportion of the British have - including myself. Just because we think your politics sucks doesn't mean we want your citizens to rot in the gutter.

[shanebratt]

Originally Posted by JammyJim

Alot of people are comparing this in scale to the September 11th attacks....except this time there is no scapegoat. There is noone to unite against...except one man...Bush..

I really don't see how you can blame Bush on this issue.

I'm not sure how things are run in Britian, but in the USA, the federal government can't just do what it wants. Help needs to be requested from the federal government. There are laws specifically designed to prohibit the federal government from interfering in state matters.

Was Bush supposed to say, for example "F*** the Posse Comitatus Act, I'm sending in the military, I don't care what anybody has to say." Imagine the cries of big brother then.

Also, immediately after the hurricane passed it looked like New Orleans had dodged a bullet. The levees were holding up and there was not a significant amount of flooding. It wasn't until Tuesday that things started to go to hell.

[Deepflow]

Originally Posted by Texan

Well, it's good to know that the BBC believes the Bush administration is able to do something well. Not that the administartion is able to fool the BBC of course.

yes, when i read that sentence i thought it was awfully partisan actually. Not like the bbc at all, for shame

[dda]

On the issue of international aid to the US. I hope that the US accepts all of the offers of aid. I am very proud of the people of the world who are being so kind. Even if we could deal with it all ourselves, it can only be seen as rude to turn down aid. If America wants to feel the affection of the world then they should not spurn it when it is offered.

[Yahwe]

Originally Posted by shanebratt

Was Bush supposed to say, for example "F*** the Posse Comitatus Act, I'm sending in the military, I don't care what anybody has to say." Imagine the cries of big brother then.

those cries would be so much worse than the cries of the dying.

[shanebratt]

Originally Posted by Yahwe

those cries would be so much worse than the cries of the dying.

Okay, so what mistake did Bush make?

[Yahwe]

you meant to say 'which mistake didn't he make'

but i respect your passion

[Phil^]

Originally Posted by shanebratt

Okay, so what mistake did Bush make?

Not declairing martial law immediately after the storm
Not sending the army in to handle the clean up as soon as was possible
Giving endless press conferences on the ground, given his inability to appear sincere without smirking like an idiot
Cutting funding for the maintainance of levees / not increasing it to required levels
etc etc

the list goes on.
Take your pick

[Nodrog]

He doesnt have the authority to declare martial law or send on the army.

[Phil^]

as 'commander in chief' im surprised that he doesnt tbh.
Plus, that was the opinion of some journalist panelists ( even those who supported bush ) late on a show last night on the bbc, that he should have declaired martial law there - so i presumed from that , that he had the ability to.

[the_dastardley_chihuahua]

i think i read he can if requested to by the governor? not sure on that tho and cant be arsed to look it up.

[Nodrog]

Originally Posted by the_dastardley_chihuahua

i think i read he can if requested to by the governor?.

I think that's right, yeah.

Originally Posted by Phil^

as 'commander in chief' im surprised that he doesnt tbh..

The US theoretically has a system in place which severely limits the ability of the federal government to meddle in state affairs, although in practice most of it is ignored.

[Yahwe]

Originally Posted by dda

On the issue of international aid to the US. I hope that the US accepts all of the offers of aid. I am very proud of the people of the world who are being so kind. Even if we could deal with it all ourselves, it can only be seen as rude to turn down aid. If America wants to feel the affection of the world then they should not spurn it when it is offered.

there go

[Phil^]

Originally Posted by article

France is flying tents, generators and water purifying plants from Martinique

Do you recon some americans will refuse to go in such tents, just because they're french ?
I mean if the 'freedom fries' debacle occurred, its not too hard to see this happening either

[pablissimo]

At that stage it becomes natural selection.

[the_dastardley_chihuahua]

Originally Posted by Phil^

Do you recon some americans will refuse to go in such tents, just because they're french ?
I mean if the 'freedom fries' debacle occurred, its not too hard to see this happening either

most of the people needing the tents would be poor, black, democrat voters from a city with a strong french connection, not stupid right wing american nutters. so i doubt it.

[Texan]

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- The mayor of New Orleans has ordered law enforcement agencies to remove from the city everyone who is not involved in cleaning up after Hurricane Katrina, whether they want to go or not.

Why didn't Bush order the evacaution?

But U.S. active duty troops will not be involved, the general in charge of military relief efforts said on Wednesday. Lt. Gen. Russel Honore told CNN the task of removing people against their will was a law enforcement job and that the military would continue to deliver food and water to the survivors still in the city.

This is a crock of crap, the Army can do whatever it wants in the United States. I think it is clear that Bush/the Army just wants all the poor, black people to die.

Many residents have refused to leave New Orleans despite a mandatory evacuation and warnings from government officials that staying in the flooded city represents a health risk.

LIARS! The have not left because they are too poor, too old or too sick to leave. Bush obviously does not want to pay for the gas for buses to evacuate everyone.

[Phil^]

You know. Its scary when I agree with you Texan.

[Texan]

http://www.dumpalink.com/media/1125569775

[Texan]

Get Off His Back
By Ben Stein

A few truths, for those who have ears and eyes and care to know the truth:

1.) The hurricane that hit New Orleans and Mississippi and Alabama was an astonishing tragedy. The suffering and loss of life and peace of mind of the residents of those areas is acutely horrifying.

2.) George Bush did not cause the hurricane. Hurricanes have been happening for eons. George Bush did not create them or unleash this one.

3.) George Bush did not make this one worse than others. There have been far worse hurricanes than this before George Bush was born.

4.) There is no overwhelming evidence that global warming exists as a man-made phenomenon. There is no clear-cut evidence that global warming even exists. There is no clear evidence that if it does exist it makes hurricanes more powerful or makes them aim at cities with large numbers of poor people. If global warming is a real phenomenon, which it may well be, it started long before George Bush was inaugurated, and would not have been affected at all by the Kyoto treaty, considering that Kyoto does not cover the world's worst polluters -- China, India, and Brazil. In a word, George Bush had zero to do with causing this hurricane. To speculate otherwise is belief in sorcery.

5.) George Bush had nothing to do with the hurricane contingency plans for New Orleans. Those are drawn up by New Orleans and Louisiana. In any event, the plans were perfectly good: mandatory evacuation. It is in no way at all George Bush's fault that about 20 percent of New Orleans neglected to follow the plan. It is not his fault that many persons in New Orleans were too confused to realize how dangerous the hurricane would be. They were certainly warned. It's not George Bush's fault that there were sick people and old people and people without cars in New Orleans. His job description does not include making sure every adult in America has a car, is in good health, has good sense, and is mobile.

6.) George Bush did not cause gangsters to shoot at rescue helicopters taking people from rooftops, did not make gang bangers rape young girls in the Superdome, did not make looters steal hundreds of weapons, in short make New Orleans into a living hell.

7.) George Bush is the least racist President in mind and soul there has ever been and this is shown in his appointments over and over. To say otherwise is scandalously untrue.

8.) George Bush is rushing every bit of help he can to New Orleans and Mississippi and Alabama as soon as he can. He is not a magician. It takes time to organize huge convoys of food and now they are starting to arrive. That they get in at all considering the lawlessness of the city is a miracle of bravery and organization.

9.) There is not the slightest evidence at all that the war in Iraq has diminished the response of the government to the emergency. To say otherwise is pure slander.

10.) If the energy the news media puts into blaming Bush for an Act of God worsened by stupendous incompetence by the New Orleans city authorities and the malevolence of the criminals of the city were directed to helping the morale of the nation, we would all be a lot better off.

11.) New Orleans is a great city with many great people. It will recover and be greater than ever. Sticking pins into an effigy of George Bush that does not resemble him in the slightest will not speed the process by one day.

12.) The entire episode is a dramatic lesson in the breathtaking callousness of government officials at the ground level. Imagine if Hillary Clinton had gotten her way and they were in charge of your health care.

God bless all of those dear people who are suffering so much, and God bless those helping them, starting with George Bush.

****
More Mysteries of Katrina:

Why is it that the snipers who shot at emergency rescuers trying to save people in hospitals and shelters are never mentioned except in passing, and Mr. Bush, who is turning over heaven and earth to rescue the victims of the storm, is endlessly vilified?

What church does Rev. Al Sharpton belong to that believes in passing blame and singling out people by race for opprobrium and hate?

What special abilities does the media have for deciding how much blame goes to the federal government as opposed to the city government of New Orleans for the aftereffects of Katrina?

If able-bodied people refuse to obey a mandatory evacuation order for a city, have they not assumed the risk that ill effects will happen to them?

When the city government simply ignores its own sick and hospitalized and elderly people in its evacuation order, is Mr. Bush to blame for that?

Is there any problem in the world that is not Mr. Bush's fault, or have we reverted to a belief in a sort of witchcraft where we credit a mortal man with the ability to create terrifying storms and every other kind of ill wind?

Where did the idea come from that salvation comes from hatred and criticism and mockery instead of love and co-operation?

Ben Stein is a writer, actor, economist, and lawyer living in Beverly Hills and Malibu. He also writes "Ben Stein's Diary" in every issue of The American Spectator.

[Phil^]

First 3 points i have no problems with.

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

4.) There is no overwhelming evidence that global warming exists as a man-made phenomenon. There is no clear-cut evidence that global warming even exists.

Burying ones head in the sand doesnt make it go away. Theres evidence alright, but there are people in the states that refuse to listen to it.

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

There is no clear evidence that if it does exist it makes hurricanes more powerful

Greater heat = More energy vapourising water in the sea = More energy + mass in the weather. Its not too hard to follow

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

If global warming is a real phenomenon, which it may well be, it started long before George Bush was inaugurated, and would not have been affected at all by the Kyoto treaty

No-one ( except perhaps the loonie greens ) is SAYING that if the states had signed up to Kyoto, that this hurricane wouldnt have happened.

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

5.) George Bush had nothing to do with the hurricane contingency plans for New Orleans. Those are drawn up by New Orleans and Louisiana. In any event, the plans were perfectly good: mandatory evacuation. It is in no way at all George Bush's fault that about 20 percent of New Orleans neglected to follow the plan.

Blaming the residents who were unable to get out of the city isnt terribly enlightened.
"its their own fault, there wasnt anything available to move these people"
By that same reasoning :- " its the american troops's fault if they get killed in iraq, for standing next to a car bomb"

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

It is not his fault that many persons in New Orleans were too confused to realize how dangerous the hurricane would be.

See previous point about them being physically unable to get out

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

They were certainly warned. It's not George Bush's fault that there were sick people and old people and people without cars in New Orleans. His job description does not include making sure every adult in America has a car, is in good health, has good sense, and is mobile.

What suddenly prevented him ordering that coaches be sent in to collect those who couldnt get out on their own?

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

6.) George Bush did not cause gangsters to shoot at rescue helicopters taking people from rooftops, did not make gang bangers rape young girls in the Superdome, did not make looters steal hundreds of weapons, in short make New Orleans into a living hell.

He failed to send the army in quickly enough to PREVENT this happening

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

7.) George Bush is the least racist President in mind and soul there has ever been and this is shown in his appointments over and over. To say otherwise is scandalously untrue.

he sure failed to help democratic black people when he had the ability to.
wonder why.... republican.... from the deep south ... hmmmmmm

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

8.) George Bush is rushing every bit of help he can to New Orleans and Mississippi and Alabama as soon as he can. He is not a magician.

He is now after he got his arse handed to him in the press

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

It takes time to organize huge convoys of food and now they are starting to arrive.

They were available and could have been made ready before the storm hit

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

That they get in at all considering the lawlessness of the city is a miracle of bravery and organization.

Should have sent the army in faster then, and it wouldnt BE anarchy would it?

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

9.) There is not the slightest evidence at all that the war in Iraq has diminished the response of the government to the emergency. To say otherwise is pure slander.

less troops available is as close to that as people could get. There were apparently enough troops in reserve too, so people linking soldiers in iraq to this isnt too justifiable.
Linking the poor planning for the aftermath of Iraq, and the poor planning for the aftermath of this hurricane however....

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

10.) If the energy the news media puts into blaming Bush for an Act of God worsened by stupendous incompetence by the New Orleans city authorities and the malevolence of the criminals of the city were directed to helping the morale of the nation, we would all be a lot better off.

Pot, Kettle, Black. Instead of trying to cover bush's ass, why dont you go out there and help as well?

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

11.) New Orleans is a great city with many great people. It will recover and be greater than ever. Sticking pins into an effigy of George Bush that does not resemble him in the slightest will not speed the process by one day.

it makes people feel better about themselves though. If he has to take the hit to make the american people feel better, what is wrong with that.

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

12.) The entire episode is a dramatic lesson in the breathtaking callousness of government officials at the ground level. Imagine if Hillary Clinton had gotten her way and they were in charge of your health care.

Couldnt resist a bit of slander yourself i see.
This whoooole article is little more then a republican press release , and has nothing to do with the hurricane and everything to do with republican vs democrats.
its a bit like pissing in the wind on this issue too.

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

Why is it that the snipers who shot at emergency rescuers trying to save people in hospitals and shelters are never mentioned except in passing, and Mr. Bush, who is turning over heaven and earth to rescue the victims of the storm, is endlessly vilified?

because his administations incompetance directly led to the anarchy which followed in the streets

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

What church does Rev. Al Sharpton belong to that believes in passing blame and singling out people by race for opprobrium and hate?

Probably the same one as yourself. The Churches are hardly a moral sanctuary when you consider their history and what they tell people do to.

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

What special abilities does the media have for deciding how much blame goes to the federal government as opposed to the city government of New Orleans for the aftereffects of Katrina?

They are americans yes? each american is supposed to have the right of Free speech. if you dont like it fine - dont listen to it but they are entitled to say what they think.

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

If able-bodied people refuse to obey a mandatory evacuation order for a city, have they not assumed the risk that ill effects will happen to them?

They werent all able-bodied were they now.

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

When the city government simply ignores its own sick and hospitalized and elderly people in its evacuation order, is Mr. Bush to blame for that?

For not having the officials evacuate said people, yes.

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

Is there any problem in the world that is not Mr. Bush's fault

There probably are. crying about people blaming your idol isnt going to help matters

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

or have we reverted to a belief in a sort of witchcraft where we credit a mortal man with the ability to create terrifying storms and every other kind of ill wind?

Welcome to america, land of the lawsuit. where everything is someone elses fault.

Originally Posted by Texan's Article

Where did the idea come from that salvation comes from hatred and criticism and mockery instead of love and co-operation?

History probably. prejudices dont go away that fast. republicans vs democrats for a lovely example

[meglamaniac]

Originally Posted by Texan

Ben Stein is a stereotypical Republican apologist.

Fixed.

[Texan]

Originally Posted by Phil^

First 3 points i have no problems with.

Burying ones head in the sand doesnt make it go away. Theres evidence alright, but there are people in the states that refuse to listen to it.

The article said overwhelming evidence.

Originally Posted by Phil^

Greater heat = More energy vapourising water in the sea = More energy + mass in the weather. Its not too hard to follow

The article said clear evidence. Not theory.

Originally Posted by Phil^

No-one ( except perhaps the loonie greens ) is SAYING that if the states had signed up to Kyoto, that this hurricane wouldnt have happened.

I believe a few non-greens have made the claim as well. Al Sharpton and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., for example. And Kennedy is not a green or he would not oppose wind power in Nantuckett.

Originally Posted by Phil^

Blaming the residents who were unable to get out of the city isnt terribly enlightened.
"its their own fault, there wasnt anything available to move these people"

The city of New Orleans owns 2,000 buses. Using those would have been a good start. The mayor could have used those buses. George Bush could not.[/quote]

Originally Posted by Phil^

See previous point about them being physically unable to get out

2,000 buses at 40 people each is about 80k people. A good start.

Originally Posted by Phil^

What suddenly prevented him ordering that coaches be sent in to collect those who couldnt get out on their own?

The coaches belonged to the city of New Orleans.

Originally Posted by Phil^

He failed to send the army in quickly enough to PREVENT this happening

That is the National Guard's job. The National Guard belongs to the states. If they were federalized, then they would fall under the Posse Comitatus Act.

Originally Posted by Phil^

he sure failed to help democratic black people when he had the ability to.
wonder why.... republican.... from the deep south ... hmmmmmm

I would say the Democratic mayor of New Orleans and the Democratic governor of Louisiana, the people with primary and secondary responsibility for the safety of the people of New Orleans failed to help the democratic black people.

Originally Posted by Phil^

He is now after he got his arse handed to him in the press

The federal government takes some time to mobilize. Also, the fact that a hurricane had just hit New Orleans and the surrounding area makes logistics a bit difficult.

Originally Posted by Phil^

They were available and could have been made ready before the storm hit

No one knew exactly what would happen. However, there were 20 or 30 FEMA teams standing by before the hurricane hit.

Originally Posted by Phil^

Should have sent the army in faster then, and it wouldnt BE anarchy would it?

National Guard -- Posse comitatus Act

Originally Posted by Phil^

less troops available is as close to that as people could get. There were apparently enough troops in reserve too, so people linking soldiers in iraq to this isnt too justifiable.
Linking the poor planning for the aftermath of Iraq, and the poor planning for the aftermath of this hurricane however....

The plan was fine. The execution by the mayor was not.

Originally Posted by Phil^

Pot, Kettle, Black. Instead of trying to cover bush's ass, why dont you go out there and help as well?

I'm in Germany now. If I was still in Alabama working for the Corps of engineers, I would be there helping out or one of my co-workers would be while I held down the shop,

Originally Posted by Phil^

it makes people feel better about themselves though. If he has to take the hit to make the american people feel better, what is wrong with that.

Would it not make more since to stick pins the people who are actually at fault, the mayor and governor?

Originally Posted by Phil^

Couldnt resist a bit of slander yourself i see.
This whoooole article is little more then a republican press release , and has nothing to do with the hurricane and everything to do with republican vs democrats.
its a bit like pissing in the wind on this issue too.

And most of the information that is being spouted on these forums by Europeans perfectly matches the Democratic party line.

Originally Posted by Phil^

because his administations incompetance directly led to the anarchy which followed in the streets.

Mayor and governor.

Originally Posted by Phil^

Probably the same one as yourself. The Churches are hardly a moral sanctuary when you consider their history and what they tell people do to.

I'm not sure what religion or religions Ben Stein and Al Sharpton belong to.

Originally Posted by Phil^

They are americans yes? each american is supposed to have the right of Free speech. if you dont like it fine - dont listen to it but they are entitled to say what they think.

The news media are supposed to report the news.

Originally Posted by Phil^

They werent all able-bodied were they now.

Many able-bodied people did not evacuate. Also see above about the city's school buses.

Originally Posted by Phil^

For not having the officials evacuate said people, yes.

The mayor of New Orleans does not answer to the president. That is not the way the United States functions.

Originally Posted by Phil^

There probably are. crying about people blaming your idol isnt going to help matters

I assume you mean Ben Stein's idol. I did not vote for Bush.

Originally Posted by Phil^

Welcome to america, land of the lawsuit. where everything is someone elses fault.

Exactly, The mayor and governor, who have primary and secondary responsibility for the people of New Orleans, want to push the blame away from themselves.

Originally Posted by Phil^

History probably. prejudices dont go away that fast. republicans vs democrats for a lovely example

Or even better, Europeans.

[Phil^]

Originally Posted by Meglamaniac

Fixed.

ass-kisser would have fitted better....

[Phil^]

Originally Posted by Texan

The article said overwhelming evidence.

Thats the point, its entirely subjective. One persons overwhelming evidence is another persons coincidence.

Originally Posted by Texan

The article said clear evidence. Not theory.

Ever heard of "Conservation of Energy" ?
Energy is neither created nor destroyed - merely converted from one form into another
in this case, from Heat energy to Kinetic Energy

Originally Posted by Texan

The federal government takes some time to mobilize. Also, the fact that a hurricane had just hit New Orleans and the surrounding area makes logistics a bit difficult.

They had the time before the storm hit to mobilise. The damn thing was being tracked days beforehand.

Originally Posted by Texan

No one knew exactly what would happen. However, there were 20 or 30 FEMA teams standing by before the hurricane hit.

It sure doesnt show. What were they doing - playing cards?

Originally Posted by Texan

I'm in Germany now. If I was still in Alabama working for the Corps of engineers, I would be there helping out or one of my co-workers would be while I held down the shop,

I wasnt referring to you, rather the writer of the article

Originally Posted by Texan

Would it not make more since to stick pins the people who are actually at fault, the mayor and governor?

Its up to the people to blame who they want to blame.

Originally Posted by Texan

And most of the information that is being spouted on these forums by Europeans perfectly matches the Democratic party line.

Surprise! europeans arent strongly right-wing to the point of arrogance

Originally Posted by Texan

The news media are supposed to report the news.

Doesnt wave the right to free speech. news organisations can report the news any way they want to. hell fox news does it with a highly-right wing stance after all - and even they critisised bush on it.

Originally Posted by Texan

Exactly, The mayor and governor, who have primary and secondary responsibility for the people of New Orleans, want to push the blame away from themselves.

From what ive seen its more the people directly blaming bush rather then the major and governor

Originally Posted by Texan

Or even better, Europeans.

which parts? Theres things all over the place in europe. eg France-Britain, Scotland-England , Sweden-Norway etc etc etc
Im not saying europeans are perfect, im saying americans arent either.

[Yahwe]

Originally Posted by texan

all cats have four legs. my dog has four legs. therefore my dog is a cat