I haven't said anything up to this point because I haven't had the words...I still don't, really. I'm heartsick at the devastation that has been wrought over Mississippi and Louisiana and Florida. All those people, all those buildings, all that history...I've never seen anything like it in my life. In case anyone needs them, here are the websites of Catholic Charities, the Red Cross, and the Salvation Army. The Big Three, so to speak!
Oh, and for all the idiots out there deciding to blame President Bush and the Iraq war for Katrina's damage and saying that he isn't doing or saying anything, here are two press releases with video clips, one from Sunday the 28th in which he describes signing flood disaster relief legislation, and one from today with a synopsis of everything that has happened and what we need to do to help. Let me be very clear about this. Pointing fingers will not help the poor people that have been devastated in this natural disaster. Spouting should-have-beens and I-told-you-sos will not rebuild anything productive. So shut up and help out, or get out.
- Mood:
melancholy - Music:"Wish You Were Here", Pink Floyd
Page Summary
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oulangi : (no subject) [+14] - (Anonymous) : *eyeroll* [+1]
- megotelek : (no subject) [+0]
Comments
Ever hear the saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"?
The gutting of the Hurricane preparedness budget, the levee maintenance budget, and the National Guard in favor of funding the war in Iraq has been well documented *prior* to this disaster. No, Bush didn't cause the Hurricane, but his policies have directly contributed to this disaster, and if you're too caught up in your partisan tunnel vision to see that, I feel sorry for you.
Nobody knew how destructive this particular storm would be. NOBODY. And the president of a country has a responsibility to all of its citizens, not just a small portion of them. What about the millions of dollars that the casinos in that area were bringing in prior to the disaster? What about the local and state governments? It was not solely the responsibility of the federal government to help fortify those areas.
That isn't true.
A Cat5 direct hit on New Orleans - which is what people thought we were getting until the storm thankfully slowed down - has been exaustively researched as one of the top ten threats to this country. The lack of preparation for that, the fact that this administration has defunded preparation in order to fund a war in Iraq is directly responsible for the fact that this tragedy will claim thousands of lives instead of dozens, but your lack of concern for your fellow man is duly noted.
What about the millions of dollars that the casinos in that area were bringing in prior to the disaster?
I'm not really sure what your point - I'm guessing that it's something along the lines of "Mississippi should have used it's casino taxes to build New Orleans's disaster preparedness instead of funding things like schools"? If that was your point, besides being a woeful display of the the failure of high-schools to teach basic geography and social studies, it is very silly and ignorant - I'm guessing you're one of those small federal Gov't (except when it comes to military and pork barrel that benefits YOU) people. Reality check - even those most rabid anti gov't people recognize that there are basic needs that are the responsibility, among them roads, levees, disaster response etc. But hey, Next time Sacramento's is hit by a 9.5 earthquake I'll be sure note that you don't want the National Guards -or anyone elses not funded directly with Sacramentos taxes- to help dig your family out of the collapsed rubble that was their home.
What about the local and state governments?
You mean like the police and firemen who stayed on the ground and have been desperately trying to do a job they're simply not equipped for? You mean like the local Goverments who for the first 48 hours of this were the only people on the scene? Who did maintain the levees as best they could despite the huge slashes in budget? They've done a phenomenal job they are neither trained nor equipped for, thanks for asking.
And the president of a country has a responsibility to all of its citizens, not just a small portion of them.</i? Over a million people are homeless now. Thousands have already died. People are literally drowning in their homes, dying in hospitals, trapped behind flood waters: among them premeture babies left in incubators, the sick, the elderly, people too poor to evacuate on their own. The president had a responsibility to those people, which to this point has been sorely neglected. I'm not really sure who you think *needs* help more now, though I'm morbidly fascinated in your answer.
"The lack of preparation for that, the fact that this administration has defunded preparation in order to fund a war in Iraq is directly responsible for the fact that this tragedy will claim thousands of lives instead of dozens, but your lack of concern for your fellow man is duly noted."
I'm sorry, "lack of concern"? I am donating to the relief effort and so is everyone I can get information to. I am absolutely horrified that you think I don't care about those poor people. But...my POINT was that nobody could have prevented this disaster. And trying to find "someone to blame" is counterproductive. Did you also blame President Bush for the tsunami? Or global warming?
But I think it is wrong, and selfish, and short-sighted, to try to point a finger of blame at someone for not doing something that in all likelihood, would not have changed the outcome much.
"I'm not really sure what your point - I'm guessing that it's something along the lines of "Mississippi should have used it's casino taxes to build New Orleans's disaster preparedness instead of funding things like schools"?"
There's that pesky phrase, "instead of". When did I say "instead of"? Funds can now only be earmarked for one thing? Oh, I'm sorry, it's either schools or disaster preparedness?? I said no such thing. But I do believe that the majority of the responsibility for preparing for localized disasters, especially in areas that have seasonal disasters like hurricanes, should fall on local and state governments.
"But hey, Next time Sacramento's is hit by a 9.5 earthquake I'll be sure note that you don't want the National Guards -or anyone elses not funded directly with Sacramentos taxes- to help dig your family out of the collapsed rubble that was their home."
Again, putting words in my mouth. I didn't say the federal government shouldn't fund any disaster preparedness -- I said it shouldn't be the PRIMARY funder. And, by the way, do a little more research on California. We don't have "earthquake season" or any sort of "constant" earthquakes. The last earthquake that did any real damage was probably the '89 earthquake. Do the math -- that was 16 years ago. Whereas areas like the southeast United States have hurricanes EVERY SINGLE YEAR. There is no comparison.
"What about the local and state governments?
You mean like the police and firemen who stayed on the ground and have been desperately trying to do a job they're simply not equipped for? You mean like the local Goverments who for the first 48 hours of this were the only people on the scene? Who did maintain the levees as best they could despite the huge slashes in budget? They've done a phenomenal job they are neither trained nor equipped for, thanks for asking."
Ah, taking my question out of context. Another classic move. My question was asked in the context of funding PREPARATORY measures. It was in response to the argument that since the federal government diverted funds from the levee maintenance in Louisiana, it's Bush's fault the destruction was so great. As far as now, after the disaster, I have immense respect, gratitude and admiration for all who are working to salvage what they can and help whoever they can. I am doing everything in my power to help, including praying nightly for the victims, rescue workers, and officials involved in the crisis, and I am sorry I can't go myself and help.
I really have nothing more to say, except that I feel deeply sorry for you, and I will pray for you and others like you, because I am a foolish optimist.
There is more than one disaster here.
1. Hurricane Katrina - a Cat4/5 hurricane hitting the Gulf Region. This was and unavoidable tragedy. Everyone I know watched that monster creep towards the coast with horror.
2. The flooding of New Orleans - this did *not* have to happen. There were many contributing factors; including poor maintenance of the levees(Bush cut the budget requested by the Army Corps. of Engineers by 80% in 2004), the erosion of the wet-lands(Bush declared only wet-lands related to interstate commerce would be preserved in 2003)
3. The human disaster in New Orleans / Baton Rouge - New Orleans is as close to hell on earth as any place on earth. Baton Rouge is following suit. It didn't start like that, even immediately after the hurricane. It has disintegrated into this because those organizations that we pay our taxes to do respond to *exactly* this sort of thing have been ineffectual, slow and inadequate. The list of horror caused by incompetence to huge to contemplate right now, but it does need to be answered for.
The school of thought that has aggravated this disaster is still in play and STILL making this catastrophe worse. It is the *duty* of every American to question their leaders, especially in times of crisis when they have demonstrated faulty judgement that is costing people their lives. They aren't infallible, and glossing over legitimate questions about the lack of preparedness in favor of pretending everyone's doing a great job does a grave disservice to the people still dying from this.
Did you also blame President Bush for the tsunami? Or global warming? HAHA you're kidding right? You do know the Bush administrations refusal to sign and ratify Kyoto *is* a policy that is adding to Global Warming? Not to mention at the G-8 meeting in Scotland this year Bush successfully stymied any common action on global warming.
Nobody said earthquakes are seasonal...
Whereas areas like the southeast United States have hurricanes EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
So.. you're advocating people move or suck it up?
New Orleans last major Hurricane was Hurricane Camille in 1969. The last major earthquake to hit California wasn't Loma Prieta '89, it was Northridge '94. You do the math, and take a peek at geography while you're there. And before you try and differentiate between Southern Cali and Northern, take a look at the size of the geography you swept into your "southeast US" statement. You may want to do a little research on this attitude of yours, because the idea that the victim are culpable because they chose to live in a "dangerous area" is what people say after earthquakes in California too. In point of fact the entire United States is vunerable to natural disaster be it from hurricane, earthquake, tidal wave, or tornado. Your attitude is so heartless and contrary to christian teachings to make your comment in my journal laughable.
And I never said victims are culpable because they live in dangerous areas. I said, and what I meant, is that the government in those "dangerous areas" is just as responsible for preparing for disasters, if not more so, than the federal government. There's plenty of blame to go around if you want to find it, but it does not all point at one man. Nor is it a good idea to waste precious energy trying to find it.
And I was not aware that an attitude of focusing on relief and help for suffering victims rather than petty blame and finger-pointing was anti-Christian. Forgive me. That must be in the other catechism.
Try to understand local governments do not have an infinite amount of money. That half-million a day tax revenue from the riverboats sounds like a lot, but it really isn't. These are the poorest states in the union. There is wide spread unemployment, bad schools and all the tag-a-longs that abject poverty brings with it. Believe it or not, you can't run a state on $180 million a year, and the price tag for a complete overhaul of the Bayou to repair the damage done by shoddy environmental policy, building and lack of foresight is estimated at $15b.
Ah, taking my question out of context. Another classic move. My question was asked in the context of funding PREPARATORY measures.
What part of "these programs are the responsibility of the federal government" do you not understand? You keep arguing that the *shouldn't* be, which we can go-around in circles all day BUT that misses the point. The fact is that THEY ARE, and until THAT fact changes the Government, currently headed by the Bush administration had a responsibility to maintain them.
I really have nothing more to say, except that I feel deeply sorry for you, and I will pray for you and others like you, because I am a foolish optimist.
That's might white of you. I think you would do better examine the apparent gap between the christian values you extol verses the ones you actually practice.
But RIGHT NOW, blame does no one any good. As I said before, telling the victims that it's Bush's fault will not do them any good. Organizing relief efforts is, and has to be, our priority. Oh damn, there I go being un-Christian again. Sorry, I'll work on it. Now you stay out of my journal, and I'll stay out of yours. Deal?
Yes actually, you can. In fact that is *exactly* what every. single. expert. is saying.
The value of pointing these things out was demonstrated several times during this disaster. Because of criticism there have been several shifts in priorities; from sending *everyone* possible to rescue people from roofs, to deciding to push up the evacuation of the Superdome, to calling up more troops. That's whats happening RIGHT NOW.
Organizing relief efforts is, and has to be, our priority.
You do that. I'm perfectly capable of multi-tasking.
Now you stay out of my journal, and I'll stay out of yours. Deal?
Sounds like a plan.
Over a million people are homeless now. Thousands have already died. People are literally drowning in their homes, dying in hospitals, trapped behind flood waters: among them premeture babies left in incubators, the sick, the elderly, people too poor to evacuate on their own. The president had a responsibility to those people, which to this point has been sorely neglected. I'm not really sure who you think *needs* help more now, though I'm morbidly fascinated in your answer.
PRIOR to the disaster, years ago when the war in Iraq started, the president of this country had a choice. One (national security and the war on terror) was a national concern. The other (levee maintenance in New Orleans) was a very localized concern. At this point in time, no one had any idea Hurricane Katrina was coming, it was years away. And the city seemed to be doing fine holding up against the regular seasonal storms. So he made a decision and diverted funds into the national concern.
Now, after the disaster, you can see what he and the federal government are doing to help. This link, which I also linked to above, is the official press release from yesterday as well as video, outlining what the federal government is doing as far as aid. NOW, his focus is, and should be, on the relief effort.
We can go around and around all day with what "might have been" if no money had ever been diverted and the levees were as strong as they could make them. Bottom line: there is no way of knowing what would have happened. We need to focus on the present and save who and what we can from this devastating situation. Placing blame and pointing fingers does no one any good at all. Do you think those million homeless people will feel better if they can say, "Oh, it's all Bush's fault!" No, they won't. They will feel better when they have a roof over their heads again, and basic necessities.
Yes we did. And choices have consequences. Bush decided to embark on a costly war this country couldn't afford with-out making us vunerable to other dangers. He had a choice not to defund the infrastructer when a direct hit hurricane was listed in the top 5 worst scenarios for this country. He had a choice not to send the regions National Guards emergengy preparedness equipment/Humvees etc. to Iraq. He gambled with the lives of people in this region and lost. He is responsible for that choice. Don't you even try and make some "in the interest greater good" argument. This war has *not* served any greater good as this disaster so graphically demonstrates, and it's very clear the only interests you're looking out for are your own.
I'm sorry, I have to respond to this. Last one, I promise. This is one of those "forest for the trees" things. Let's say Bush didn't divert any funds, the levees were maintained perfectly, and we didn't go to war in Iraq. No removal of Saddam, etc.
Fast forward. Katrina hits, the damage is still catastrophic, but preparations have been made and everything is handled as efficiently as possible. However, terrorists in other countries, seeing how we refuse to actually stand by what we say or defend our interests, seeing how we refuse to actually go to the mat, so to speak, on terror, launch more attacks against our home soil. More innocents die. The result: Hurricane devastation plus violations and attacks in our country. See, I can play the what-if game too!
Okay, done now. And you get on with that multi-tasking. Good luck with wasting all of that energy on vitriol and blame.
It may have escaped your notice, but Bush LIED about the connection between 9/11 and Saddam. He LIED about the imminent threat of weapons of mass destruction. These are facts on the public record you would no doubt be aware if if you turned off Fox news and turned to news services that actually report, well news.
The war in Iraq also has nothing to do with public safety, nothing to do with bringing democracy to Iraq, and even nothing to do with removing a dangerous dictator.
There has been *more* terrorism, *more* anti-americanism after we invaded Iraq than there was before. We are less safe now that we were before, meanwhile Osama Bin-Laden is more than likely merrily living in the countryside of our good pal Pakistan.
The so-called democratic process in Iraq simply isn't. The constitution we wrote guarantees our business access to their economy and oil.
There are several dictators with worse human rights records and who pose a more imminent threat to the US. They're still in power.
Try at least to base your argument on reality.
"Try at least to base your argument on reality."
Right back at you.
Obviously nothing I say will change your mind, so I'm going to stop trying. Oh, and a lie is deliberate. I'm not trying to say mistakes and miscommunication didn't happen. Oh, never mind. It's not worth it to try to explain the concept of truth and lies to you after that propaganda you just spouted.
"It may have escaped your notice, but Bush LIED about the connection between 9/11 and Saddam. He LIED about the imminent threat of weapons of mass destruction. These are facts on the public record you would no doubt be aware if if you turned off Fox news and turned to news services that actually report, well news."
Right. Sure. I'm not even going to try to argue with you, because you don't understand the difference between "facts" and "propaganda". Nothing I say will change your mind. So let's just end this now. Enjoy that freedom of speech you're exercising.
http://www.boingboing.net/2005/08/31/_a_
He is helping the hurricane victims. He has outlined his relief plans which include sending supplies and National Guardsmen and money to the affected areas.
In the meantime, click on one of the charity links above, or pick your own, and donate something to the relief effort. Have you? If not, you should. Otherwise, that makes you a...oh, gosh, what's the word? Hypocrite.