Hurricane Rita

Looks like the Gulf is in for it again. Good luck to folks on the coast. Let's hope that Hurricane Rita doesn't do much damage and that we don't run out of the alphabet this year before hurricane season ends!

This Blog Was Never Meant to Be Political ...

it evolved that way due to circumstances that could not be ignored. The effects of Hurricane Katrina are still being felt on many levels. It was the tipping over of public outrage at the lack of adequate response to Katrina that resulted in Mr. Bush's admitting to some responsibility for the debacle. Accountability -- we can have it if we, as citizens, will only hold our leaders to it. It is not an issue of red states or blue states. It is not an issue of liberalism or conservatism. It is ultimately an issue of survival of the united states.

Looks like less than 10,000 deaths

The good news is that it looks like the death rate in New Orleans will be less than predicted. But still, too many lives were lost and so many people lost everything due to gross negligence and incompetence. Goodbye to Michael Brown. "Brownie, you did do a heck of a job" -- not. Hopefully, we will be seeing more officials being held accountable for their actions and/or inactions very soon. One can hope.

Mayor Nagin: 10,000 Deaths Possible

Here is a quote from an open letter published in The Times-Picayune (Louisiana's largest newspaper) to President Bush:

"We're angry, Mr. President, and we'll be angry long after our beloved city and surrounding parishes have been pumped dry," the editorial said. "Our people deserved rescuing. Many who could have been were not. That's to the government's shame."

"Every official at the Federal Emergency Management Agency should be fired, Director Michael Brown especially," the letter said. "No expense should have been spared. No excuses should have been voiced."

Add my vote to that. Add also my disgust at President Bush and other officials for their inadequate and slow response to this disaster. Leadership at the highest levels? Mumbo-jumbo contradicted by tv footage. Spin and photo ops presented as leadership. If this is what we can expect (and I don't see any indication that anyone in the administration learned anything from what happened), then God help us when the next disaster happens. FEMA, Homeland Security, and the President can't/won't admit any mistakes - just spin, spin, spin. Look for them to shift the blame to the state level -- onto the very people who actually were there exhibiting leadership.

How many people have to die at home and abroad before the sheer imcompetence of the current administration sinks in. Hold our leaders accountable!

Nero Fiddled While Rome Burned

Bush finally left his ranch, turned his gaze from his base to the state of Louisiana; Condi attended a Broadway show and shopped for shoes; and Cheney is not to be seen. Meanwhile, grandmothers were left stranded in wheelchairs (and some died) in and outside the New Orleans Superdome and Convention Center. People 'live' on overpasses still waiting to be evacuated. The heads of FEMA and Home Land Security knew less about what was happening than the tv audiences watching CNN. This is the United States of America and we have no leadership. CYA and spin are the order of the day from the top man down. Photo ops imitating leadership have replaced timely responses to catastrophe. Demand better of our so-called leaders. It's time to clean house and kick these clowns out. This is beyond 'red state', blue state'; this is a wake up call for the United States.