$96 billion was spent solely on disaster relief? That's a lot of money. Sounds like a scandal, too bad there's no one who cares enough to "cover" it.
I doubt conservative white America (the 51% who voted for Bush in 04) cares one whit about New Orleans. Its destruction is simply an historical fact to them now. They regularly get conservative email-tree mailings telling them that "rebuilding" isn't necessary, and will just involve more guv'mint waste of "their" money.
And the political strategists of the conservative "movement" are simply delighted that Democratic, black New Orleans has been destroyed, as that cements LA into the solid Red State camp in perpetuity. They like that---that's their kind of hurricane!
And both of LA's senators appear completely ineffective and feckless. End of story.
Posted by euzoius at August 29, 2007 10:12 AM$96 billion is a drop in the bucket for what was needed after this disaster. Five times that amount was and remains my estimate for what it would take to kick start a real recovery. That's a pittance compared to what our self made disaster in Iraq will cost.
Apparently Bush took advantage of the opportunity to talk about education in NO. The answer is privatized schools -- one voucher at a time.
Posted by Marie at August 29, 2007 11:04 AMBut that would require a real killer political instinct.
It would also require someone actually giving a sh*t about the poor and minorities.
I had read that in 2006 Rahm had told his candidates not to talk about NO. I assumed that was because he didn't want people making promises the leadership had no intntion of keeping.
This is not your father's democratic party.
Posted by soccerdad at August 29, 2007 12:53 PMNo Soccerdad, it isn't. It's nowhere near THAT Democratic Party. Progressives are messing the party up taking reprisals on anyone who disagrees or cross them. Doesn't sound like America, but it's the flavor of the day.
John Edward's firm was foreclosing while he's there talking about his anti-poverty program. Sure he says he's selling off his position in that firm and wants to help those 34 Katrina families that Fortress foreclosed on. We'll see. How about the $150K in contributions from his Fortress co-workers.
At least Gov. Blanco was there with our president. The teachers were thrilled that he came.
Posted by peter at August 29, 2007 01:09 PMYeah, Bush's 15th photo opportunity.
As someone said on NPR, more rhetoric, but no action. Bush is not being truthful to the people of NO about areas that are never going to be rebuilt, but he can't bring himself to be truthful to people who deserve the truth.
Posted by Judith at August 29, 2007 02:55 PM"No Soccerdad, it isn't. It's nowhere near THAT Democratic Party. Progressives are messing the party up taking reprisals on anyone who disagrees or cross them."
Peter, at least we don't have right-wing wacko fundies and perverts messing our Party up.
With Markos amongst others, fundies are completely outclassed in their berating others into lock step with what they want. Completely outclassed. The intention is clearly to stifle all dissent, and all debate. Whether one is a Democrat or not, and whether one is more progressive than conservative, and left-of-center is irrelevant to these people. Nor do they seem to care that the voters voted these people into office in the first place. They have decided that they are enemies of the Democratic Party (even though they are Democrats themselves) and therefore enemies of the people.
The most important issue according to the progressives? Iraq. It is all that matters. In this instance they decide not to go after someone for not being progressive enough on certain issues, because this person opposes the surge. In other words, one might argue that it is not so much about progressive vs. less progressive, but about anti-war vs. open-minded. Make no mistake about it however: once these people get their way regarding Iraq, they will target politicians who they deem not progressive enough on other issues.
And so, slowly but surely, these people are destroying the Democratic Party. The average American does not favor truly progressive policies nor does the average American think highly of the anti-war crowd (led by Kos and Stoller). They might have their fair share of groupies, but so did other totalitarians in the past. These people are totalitarians because they do not accept any dissent. It is not as if policies are up for debate: they have made up their minds about certain issues, everybody else must agree. If they do not, they have to be targeted.
I saw, Chris Bowers believes that "progressives are moving closer to Democratic Party control." What a shame to destroy the Party of FDR, Truman, Kennedy, LBJ, and Humphrey.
Posted by peter at August 29, 2007 03:49 PMyou can tell who the right fears whenever pants pissing peter slimes Edwards
and sorry, but Commander Kos doesn't command anyone, and no one is more dogmatic than the christofascists
After over 3000 Americans dying because of Bush's lies, and the 100s of $billions spent, you're damn straight it's the most important issue, you yellow elephant
and it's pretty funny hearing a right-winger moaning about party purity and marching in lockstep after you have driven the moderates out of the GOP (Grand Old Perverts)
and man are you STOOPID, Americans have utterly turned away from the right-wing because of its intellectual and moral bankruptcy, corruption, cronyism, and incompetence
Posted by gay veteran at August 29, 2007 04:11 PMWell said GV.
Posted by Judith at August 29, 2007 05:50 PMsome would say that in a SANE country that Dear Leader would have been met with a barrage of rotten tomatoes from the outraged citizenry of New Orleans
Posted by gay veteran at August 29, 2007 06:12 PMHey Mal, whatsya got against Oprah?
Today on Oprah's show she had a special on the two year anniversary of New Orleans. Among the guests were Anderson Cooper (who in my book is a man to be admired), Dr. Oz reporting on the crippling medical crisis in the Gulf Coast,
and Lisa Ling investigating New Orleans's recent crime wave and the culture of silence.
It broke my heart. People who have been approved for money to rebuild have not received those funds after two years of waiting. Waiting hours and hours to see a doctor. Children suffering from post dramatic syndrome. People getting sick from trailers with no other place to go. Random acts of violence. And no one gives a shit in this Government. I hope you all go to hell.
Yeah, let's make sure those big expensive homes for the rich are built, while the poor black man wanders the streets because he can't go back home. Mother F*ckers!
Posted by Judith at August 29, 2007 06:32 PMThe next time someone mentions Paris Hilton, they should be drawn and quartered in a public square.
These are the stories no one is talking about:
http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200708/tows_past_20070829.jhtml?promocode=HP21
http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200602/tows_past_20060221.jhtml
Posted by Judith at August 29, 2007 06:42 PMAnd so, slowly but surely, these people are destroying the Democratic Party.
Read what the Republicans are saying about you. Seems they have the idea that you and those like you have ruined the Republican party for the next generation. They'll take your money. They'll send you shit in the mail. But your input is no longer welcome.
So continue to do what the other republi-cons are doing. Hell, find yourself a toilet and tap your foot. And wait while the progressives steamroller you fucks into oblivion.
Posted by phidipides at August 30, 2007 09:12 AM