Anyone want to start a pool on how low GWB's approval rating will sink? I'm guessing at least mid- to upper-20s.
Posted by Ryan at September 1, 2005 08:20 AM"Anyone want to start a pool on how low GWB's approval rating will sink? I'm guessing at least mid- to upper-20s."
I wish it were so simple. I think it will take a couple more hurricanes, an earthquake and another attack before America wakes up to the fact that the emperor is wearing no clothes. That is the level of dupedom we are at.
Posted by Peaceandjoy at September 1, 2005 08:47 AMNewshour with Jim Lehrer, PBS Wed. Aug 18, 2004
JIM LEHRER: Let me be... I'm not -- I don't want to play word games here, but the bottom line is: Do you feel that the intelligence that your commanders received was wrong about what an insurgency might be, the intensity of an insurgency might be after major combat ended? Is that a concern of yours and to this day?
SEC. RUMSFELD: Sure. First of all, things are always different than anyone anticipates. And it is quite clear that the circumstances on the ground today represent a level of insurgency that had not been predicted.
JIM LEHRER: Okay. But you don't consider that an intelligence failure. It's just wrong?
SEC. RUMSFELD: I don't know, failure this, failure that.
I agree...failure this and failure that.
If nobody could have predicted these events (9/11, the insurgency, aftermath of Katrina)...then maybe nobody needs to be working for the administration.
Posted by the professor at September 1, 2005 08:54 AMi refer you to the New York Times editorial of 9/1/05
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/01/opinion/01thu1.html
Posted by distributorcap at September 1, 2005 08:56 AMIts not about prediction, its about foresight. Do we not have a right to expect that?
Posted by Peaceandjoy at September 1, 2005 09:02 AMFrankly, I think he'll get a bump in the polls. He'll show up for a few photo ops and hand out some water and people will think he's the second coming of Christ.
Posted by ann at September 1, 2005 09:04 AMI think Bush (the elder) and Clinton's approval numbers may improve, but not the President's.
Posted by the professor at September 1, 2005 09:08 AMhttp://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0410/feature5/
Posted by coral at September 1, 2005 09:24 AMI'm sure all of us, at one time or another, have worked with--or maybe even been--one of those people whose assignments just never seem to work out right.
Such people don't always face consequences immediately. Gladhanders and the well-connected can skate for a while.
The rapid succession of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, though unsuccessful, were dynamic. They kept people from realizing that Bush is nothing but excuses. But there's nothing preventing such a realization now. The excuses just get lamer and lamer with each passing day.
The 2002-2003 Bush could have gotten away with a repetition of the "nobody could have anticipated" routine. But in 2005, after so many times when Bush's dog ate his homework, that dog won't hunt.
This is going to be the lamest lame duck presidency ever. If I were a republican in Congress, I might have to stop returning Bush's calls.
Posted by dj moonbat at September 1, 2005 09:24 AMHurricane Katrina
I have given what I can ... but I have an idea ... people are starting Blog Swarms to get people to give where they can ... let's start one to get the upper 10% to give ... we could call it 105 from the 10% ... just think what could be done if say Bill Gates donated 10% of his personal fortune to getting MS, AL. and LA. fixed and people housed, fed and clothed ... the top 10% could take care of this and still be the top 10% we can add to that this plan ... every company that has given more that $100,000 in political contributions or paid a lobbying firm more than $100,000 in the last year needs to match that in a check to the Red Cross .... or maybe pledge the money they would have spent this year on that to the Red Cross ......
Posted by Al Hill at September 1, 2005 09:26 AMHere are some things we can anticipate:
We should immediately start evacuating California, because if an earthquake strikes the state could be underwater. How come Bush hasn't started the evacuation yet?
Hawaii should be evacuated. It's a flippin' volcano chain and could sink into the sea. Why isn't Bush ordering the evacuation?
All cities on the Eastern Seaboard should be evacuated. You never know when another hurricane or noreaster will come in and devastate the coast. Where are the evacuation orders? Why is Bush on vacation?
You never know when a tornado will strike in the midwest; therefore, Bush should order the evacuation immediately. Anything else is pure negligence by his administration.
What about sandstorms in the desert, snowstorms in the north, and floods along the rivers? Evacuate, evacuate, and evacuate.
As a matter of fact, Bush should immediately order the evacuation of the United States. It's the responsible thing to do, if we want to anticipate all future tragedies. It's far too dangerous here.
Posted by muckdog at September 1, 2005 09:29 AMYou missed the whole quote:
"I don't think anyone anticipated the breach of the levees,........ and if they did, we weren't listening."
Posted by ds at September 1, 2005 09:33 AMdidnt anyone see the press conference with the New Orleans Mayor BEFORE landfall, where he said "the levee system will fail?" and if the system fails, what else could that mean besides massive flooding? New orleans is 20ft under sea level!!
Posted by at September 1, 2005 09:34 AMMuckdog,
Your analogy is flawed.
The impact to New Orleans (and the rest of the Gulf Coast) was imminent...not a "could" happen, but an "is happening".
Posted by the professor at September 1, 2005 09:36 AMThere goes good ole' Muck; excusing the budget decisions that Bush and the GOP congress have made in the face of FEMA's and the Corps' own conclusions the last 4+ years. See, to Muck, Bush means never having to say you're sorry....or responsible.
Thanks for your usual insight Muck.
Posted by Steve Soto at September 1, 2005 09:37 AMSpin all you want muck. The bottom line is that Bush cut levee funding that would have mitigated most of this.
And more than one scorce confirms this.
You have casted your lot with the most imcompetent and shortsighted administration in history.
Muck, you can start by evacuating yourself.
Really, we'll follow behind you.
Because, from what you just posted, it's obvious that you are that stupid.
Evacuation is a risk avoidance strategy; these opinions are taking the adminstration to task because of short-changing an obvious risk-migitation opportunity, and for handicapping FEMA and other national federal forces abilities to allivate the damage and suffering & keep order.
Posted by idiosynchronic at September 1, 2005 09:43 AMWhy is Bush on Good Morning America when he could be in the White House leading disaster relief?
Just "catapulting the propaganda," I guess.
Posted by Chris Charuhas at September 1, 2005 09:44 AMMuck,
How stupid can you be? From what I get from what you are saying is that this isn't Bushs fault. I have looked and read both of RLP's links, and knowing this for myself on other websites, Bush cut out of the budget to get the levees fixed.
Posted by at September 1, 2005 09:56 AMi suppose we are gonna start hearing from Limbaugh, Coulter etc how the media is making this whole tragedy worse "by only reporting the bad things" that are going on in New Orleans, and none of the good things that the Bush relief efforts are bringing to the people.
Coulter: the liberal media is only showing the looting, the wandering people, the dead bodies, the folks stranded on rooftops. Why arent they showing Condi handing out Evian water bottles, Don commanding the National Guard to protect, of the folks from Halliburton rushing in to rebuild the levees. Those liberals are nasty, defeatists who make everything worse in this country
the bush administration has NO defense on this one and i truly hope that the red-states are red enough mad to finally call for his head
This is the result of the last 4 years of our country's preparing for an inevitable we're told large scale emergency and evacuation??? WTF??!!??
They had more than 4 days after the hurricane grazed Fla. to prepare for what was expected to be a category V storm, and this was a category IV. This was no surprise what the hurricane has done to New Orleans, because we’ve been told for as long as I can remember that this could happen due to the city’s being below sea level.
What if terrorists had blown up the levees on a nice day with no notice whatsoever????
Why is there no organized plan already in place ready to go??!!??
This proves it. If we are ever attacked, we’re FUCKED!!!
We cannot afford to have this man as our leader in this post 9/11 world.
My letter to the editor. Links and all.
Please everyone write write write.
There are no words suitable for print to describe my utter disgust after seeing pictures of President Bush smiling and strumming a guitar at a VJ Day event he used to try and draw a line between WWII and his war `for what I don't know' in Iraq, knowing that at that very moment there are Americans drowning due to National Guard shortages because of it.
There are A LOT more similarities between Nero and George W. Bush than there ever will be between the war in Iraq and WWII.
If this isn't an impeachable offense, nothing is.
AP Photo "President Bush plays a guitar... Naval Base Coronado, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005. Bush visited the base to deliver remarks on V-J Commemoration Day. "
http://tinyurl.com/dcmkn
"Bush likens situation in Iraq to WWII..." VJ Day speech Aug 30
SF Chronicle
http://tinyurl.com/e2uqz
"...National Guard officials in the states acknowledged that the scale of the destruction is stretching the limits of available manpower..." Washington Post
http://tinyurl.com/ad3xw
And if that aint bad enough...
In this photo of bush with the guitar I noticed that Mark Wills hasn't gotten back from obviously placing Bush's fingers in position for him to appear like he knows how to play for the camera.
http://tinyurl.com/dcmkn
Tell me I'm wrong.
His fingers say G chord, but he's on the wrong fret!!!
Bush can't play no damn guitar!
Lying is his only talent I know of, and damn he's good.
Bush doesn't even need to speak to lie!! This picture proves that!
Bush must go!!!
What a trifling fraud he is.
Muck,
How stupid can you be?
It's a question he asks himself every morning in the mirror. Twice.
Posted by dj moonbat at September 1, 2005 10:13 AMWhere did I see yesterday that Bush's new name is:
Presididn't Bush.
Posted by iamcoyote at September 1, 2005 10:32 AMprofessor, don't worry, nobody will be fired from the bush administration!
Posted by Duckman GR at September 1, 2005 10:37 AMHow stupid can Muckdog be? How big is the galaxy is an easier question.
Posted by sf at September 1, 2005 10:39 AMMuckdog,
How stupid can you be? Did you finish grade school?
Posted by muckbat at September 1, 2005 10:58 AMMuck,
I got a question for you. Are you still chaseing your tail?
Posted by jimmy at September 1, 2005 11:01 AMMuckdog,
The next time you want to run off at the mouth, bring your kneepads!
Posted by Wise To Muck at September 1, 2005 11:05 AMso why is levy not being strong enough bush's fault? they built it before his term and I don't think the president at the time would really have much input on that decision making process i know you want to make bush the bad guy in every situation but blaming him for natural disasters is a stretch
Posted by at September 1, 2005 11:12 AMThey show this play that Bo Jackson made one time when he was on the Raiders. Truly incredible. He literally bowled over 4 or 5 different guys, just knocked 'em flat, on his way to a long touchdown run. Speed and power, the only way he could score on the play, was to completely break the defenders in the process.
We aren't going to score any touchdowns in this country until we break george w bush. Make him cry and go crawling on his belly for his precious mommy. Break him completely and utterly, like he's doing to our military, our economy, our Constitution, our lives.
Posted by Duckman GR at September 1, 2005 11:13 AMdon't worry, nobody will be fired from the bush administration!
correct, in fact i bet somone gets promoted for acting "so quickly"
they will also get the freedom medal and a raise for a job well done.... no matter how many bodies line bourbon st.
Condi spotted buying shoes in NYC: she's on vacation, still.
Posted by iamcoyote at September 1, 2005 11:24 AMKids, Bush won't fall until the bimbo shows up...and what bim would blow him?
Posted by Mal Feasance at September 1, 2005 11:36 AMhere is the answer:
2004 Election Results - Presidential
by county (parrish)
Orleans Parrish
Kerry, John 151,686
Bush, George W. 42,760
so why is levy not being strong enough bush's fault? they built it before his term and I don't think the president at the time would really have much input on that decision making process
The Army corps of engineers warned that the levees needed to be strenghtened. The Bush administration chose to ignore the warning and not fund levee improvements.
i know you want to make bush the bad guy in every situation but blaming him for natural disasters is a stretch
No, but responsability should be taken where it is due. Being pennywise and poundfoolish has led to unneeded misery in this disaster. It's going to cost a lot more to re-build New Orleans than improving the levees would have cost. A question you might want to ask is what other likely disasters are we risking becoming worse by not taking wise precautions. Remember pennywise and poundfoolish.
Posted by rlp at September 1, 2005 11:50 AMfuck off muckdog..
Posted by headxray at September 1, 2005 11:58 AMso why is levy not being strong enough bush's fault? they built it before his term and I don't think the president at the time would really have much input on that decision making process i know you want to make bush the bad guy in every situation but blaming him for natural disasters is a stretch
I've got RLP's back on this. Bush Was warned this could happen. And what did he do? Not a Damn thing. Pardon my English. But Bush is to blame. If he hadn't of cut the levee funding out of the budget to save money then this proably wouldn't be a problem. Like RLP said, " It's going to cost a lot more to re-build New Orleans than improving the levees would have cost." Bush was a idoit to cut the funding. I'm not sure who it was who said this but Homeland Security didn't let Canada send supplies and food to the people of New Orleans. They said it was a National Threat. This country has gone mad i rest my case.
Posted by muckbat at September 1, 2005 12:05 PMthe thing that got me was when a FOX reporter on the ground/water in NO was interviewing people who could barely stand due to lack of food and water...IF FOX could get in, where the hell was the US Government with food and water?? Bush really sucks.
Posted by T2 at September 1, 2005 12:13 PMDidn't 9/11 change everything? Wasn't one of the high priorities of of the war on terrorism to protect the homeland? Wasn't blowing up a levee in a place like New Orleans, or dam above a city, blowing Manhattan tunnels, attacking a nuclear power plant obsessed over as big threats to the country? Wasn't protecting populations at risk from these kinds of threats a high priority. Wasn't a lot of money to be spent on preparation for emergencies of just this kind? And they had at least a day's warning. With a terror attack there would be no warning.
Where's the preparation?
Bush talked like a fool on the TV today, and at points did not even seem to know some basic facts on the ground, that anyone who read a paper or looked at TV fifteen minutes could see. Are we supposed to excuse that fool when everything he is charge of turns into a mess?
And then the Homeland security guy blames the people who could not get out. I guess if I'm poor or sick and I can't evacuate, it's my damn fault and I should just sit there and die and thank GWB.
Posted by bush can't hide now at September 1, 2005 12:29 PMWasn't one of the high priorities of of the war on terrorism to protect the homeland?
Good point. I was just thinking today that if bin Laden was planning another attack, with this kind of national disaster going on, he could truly cripple us if he wanted.
Posted by ann at September 1, 2005 12:31 PM"if I'm poor or sick and I can't evacuate, it's my damn fault"
Yep...survival of the fittest/richest...it's called social Darwinism...the Right loves it. But when it comes to biological Darwinism, that's just crazy talk.
Posted by the professor at September 1, 2005 01:01 PMHey folks, why didn't that nice Democratic administration in NO mobilize every bus in the city to carry thru on the Democratic Mayors proclamation to evacuate the city. Doesn't he know how many of the poor and infirm are there? Or is he so out to lunch, when it comes to his voters not to know what his city needed to do. BTW, where is that vaunted Democratic GOTV, you care to get them to vote for you, but thats all it seems. You've got a Democratic Governor and three past Democratic Mayors, and yet you want to blame W for all these problems. Where is the plan? Funds were provided to plan for something like this. Where is the plan?
Your wonders are beginning to sound like the Germans. W is the cause for the hurricanes. W caused the drout in Arizona. W caused the tsunami. W caused the 115 digree temps in Scottsdale on July 15th.
Posted by peter at September 1, 2005 01:10 PMAre others struck by the fact that this administration is still trying to blame Clinton everytime something goes wrong, but that W now has to go to Clinton and his Daddy for them to come and do his job for him.
Posted by Philip at September 1, 2005 01:51 PMI think poor peter's gone on cognitive dissonance overload, kinda like mucky. They know this is Bush's monica moment, but can't stop defending him.
But at this point, fuck bushco, can we just get some food and water to those people? The lack of true relief and aid is beginning to look deliberate.
Posted by iamcoyote at September 1, 2005 01:58 PMI heard the "no one could have foreseen" comment on the radio driving my kids to school and actually had to yell at the radio that Bush is an ass. Sometimes, you just gotta let the kids hear that stuff.
Posted by CG at September 1, 2005 02:07 PMIm sorry but i've heard allmy life about how bad it was going to be if a hurricane ever hit New Orleans. Lets face it Saturday they were talking about it hitting New Orleans. This is thursday.
Posted by bgirl at September 1, 2005 02:17 PMthey ordered a hospital ship from Norfolk. It only took 3 days to ask for it. The picture of freakin' efficiency
Posted by benjoya at September 1, 2005 02:18 PMI hate to rain on everyone's parade (no pun intended) but it seems that Clinton was just as guilty of shortchanging flood control for New Orleans as Bush is.
Better be prepared. It's gonna be the rights response.
Posted by snark at September 1, 2005 02:24 PMThis fema guy on tv has a answer for everything, they are doing all they can. Then he goes bad to his air condition office. Air drop these people food and water already. I live in north Louisiana and you cant get gas long lines every gas station people filling cars and gas cans.This is getting scarey.
Peter said W caused the 115 digree temps in Scottsdale on July 15th.
Yes, Peter. And Bush has weather people that probably kept him informed of the heat in Scottsdale in mid-July; yet, Bush did nothing. He didn't evacuate the city. He didn't order in the clouds. Instead of squandering money in Iraq, Bush could've been buying and installing air conditioners in Scottsdale. He could've had FEMA send in fans. I bet Condi Rice was in some nice air conditioning on July 15th while Scottsdale was 115, too. This is a failure in leadership. I'm surprised that the GOP didn't fold-up completely after that Scottsdale snafu.
Snark said I hate to rain on everyone's parade (no pun intended) but it seems that Clinton was just as guilty of shortchanging flood control for New Orleans as Bush is.
And Bush I did nothing. And Reagan did nothing. And Carter did nothing. And Ford did nothing. And Nixon, well he did something but it was the wrong something and totally unrelated. OR WAS IT??? Maybe if Nixon was shoring up the levees instead of Watergate, none of this would've ever happened!
Posted by muckdog at September 1, 2005 02:42 PMAnd Bush I did nothing…. Posted by muckdog
You illustrate a descent into Bushshit lunacy trying to defend the indefensible. People are dying from neglect in front of TV cameras, and Bushevic lickspittles like you and peter are twisting your panties into knots to justify him. Where is the aid? Where is the food? Where is the National Guard to restore order, do search and rescue, and provide safety? Why is there no airlift of food and medical supplies? It was known for days that a Category 5 hurricane was developing. It has been days since it struck. This is incompetence that is criminal and racist.
Laugh it up, muckdog. Poor people dying must be a hoot for you.
Posted by dj moonbat at September 1, 2005 03:30 PMMike, perhaps you should be signing your posts as the "moonbat." At least DJ Moonbat is being honest about his background.
For the record, I'll restate that the political rhetoric coming from this blog and others over this American tragedy is extremely sad. Instead of compassion and uniting in the face of a tremendous disaster, you're dishing out ridiculous accusations.
Shame on you.
Posted by muckdog at September 1, 2005 03:48 PMdoes anybody have a link/info on last year's National Security Report? If I remember correctly, the gist of it was that a natural disaster would be on par, if not a greater threat to our national security than terrorism...
just another 'Bin Laden Determined to Attack US' moment...who actually reads those reports anyways?
Posted by David W at September 1, 2005 03:49 PMI'm sorry to have to be the one to bring mucktroll back to planet earth, but, troll, George W. Bush has been presidunt for 4.5 years. In that time, the levee work could have, was recommended to be done. It wasn't done because the funds were diverted to search for WMD in Iraq. Spin how you like, but you cannot escape the fact that Bush is a *Second Term* presidunt....it's on his watch. He is responsible for governing this country, not his dad, and not Bill Clinton.
Posted by T2 at September 1, 2005 04:29 PMABC News this evening DID bring up the cutting of levee repair funds. But they also made a point of saying that it was to be a multi-year project, the timeline of which would not have been complete yet. They then made the (I think impermissible) inference that because unfinished, the project would not have helped with this monstrous flooding.
Posted by dj moonbat at September 1, 2005 05:04 PMI bet he wishes he had Cindy Sheehan to worry about! 3 days to respond to the tsunami, 3 days to respond to Katrina, 7 minutes on "My Pet Goat"? Get a clue muckdog and peter!
Posted by bushblowsturdblossom at September 1, 2005 05:59 PMThe United States of America cannot fly water and simple food to one of its largest cities and implement a distribution......no wonder our "rebuilding" Iraq is such a failure....this Administration can't even help citizens in its own cities. Wait, maybe the "focus" has been on the wrong priorities???
Posted by T2 at September 1, 2005 06:23 PMMuckdog,
Sit boy. Stay. Know listen.
Can you get it through your goldfish sized brain. Bush cut the levee repair funds out of the budget. So it is atleast, atleast partly his fault. If he had of listen to the warning, atleast it might not have been so bad. When i watch the news and i'm not making a joke, and i'm sorry for the people but it is so deep it looks like a maria. Cause the rooftops look like a dock or a house boat.
Now that was a good boy you listened and didn't move. Heres your treat now u can go out.
I take into consederation what Dj Moonbat says. Yes, the levee repairs could have took to long, but for all we know that is just them covering up President Bushs ass, so might i say. For all we know they're just saying that so it won't look so bad on Bush
Posted by john 2 moonbat at September 1, 2005 06:38 PM(Read my cold dead lips)
I'm glad this administration wasn't in charge at the time of the Berlin airlift. The Soviets would have won the cold war.
I heard an interesting comment on CNN just now: would we be asking the same questions of the Administration if the President's name was Clinton?
Of course we would. And the blame would be flying his way as well. So don't be surprised that Bush is getting taken out to the woodshed. Maybe a good whipping will do him some good.
Posted by ann at September 1, 2005 08:49 PMSo, how come the mayor of New Orleans and the Governor of Louisiana didn't prioritize repairing the levees?
Posted by muckdog at September 1, 2005 10:04 PMNo, we didn't blame Clinton for everything. Events like this would have only recieved our encouragement to do better. Certainly not the type of "encouragement" you folks like to offer. We would have been more positive, not the negativity we read from you folks.
Posted by peter at September 2, 2005 03:44 AMmuck, a political jab at the Dem mayor and governor? Shame on you for politicizing this tragedy.
Posted by ann at September 2, 2005 05:42 AMoh, peter, please. when you lie to yourself, can't you tell?
Posted by ann at September 2, 2005 05:48 AMpuppyboy, since when is the Army Corps of Engineers, (you know the guys that mangage and maintain the levee system) under the purview of the state and local officials? Yes, why did the federal gov't not make this a priority for Halliburton to fix and repair? Oh yeah Halliburton was too tied up getting tax cuts for their CEO's (and former CEO's)and too busy getting No bid contracts to build schools and levees in IRaq.
Posted by emal at September 2, 2005 06:09 AMguys, even Mr. Bill knew the levees wouldn't hold. But the !@#$%^&* president of the United States didn't.
Posted by at September 2, 2005 09:22 AM