(Cross-posted here on DailyKos and here on Phillybits)
John Aravosis….some love him, some hate him. Personally, I like what he writes and find he takes a no-holds barred approach to saying what he feels, and taking a situation and grabbing the inside, and pulling it through to the outside for everyone to see.
In regards to Hurricane Katrina, the rescue effort, and the response time of the Bush administration in dealing with this crisis, I almost see no better.
Here on [Insert Blog Here], we’re doing our part in trying to motivate people to donate and get the word out for opportunities for people to get down to the affected areas and help out any way they can. We’re pushing blog ads, we’re linking to the Red Cross and other disaster relief agencies.
We’re also bring up the role of who’s responsible and while that’s all well and good, honestly, it doesn’t compare to what Aravosis is doing. In case DailyKos isn’t making you mad enough, just go to John’s site where you’ll see such headlines and articles as:
The president, finally, has decided that the hurricane is a problem. He claims yesterday at 5pm, finally, that he’s going to be devoting his entire administration to saving the lives of the people currently dying in this growing national disaster. And what does a top member of his cabinet do? She goes to a Broadway comedy and today is buying multi-thousand-dollar shoes on 5th Avenue at the same time CNN is showing dead grandmothers in wheelchairs abandoned on the streets of New Orleans.
This is more than just a cheap shot at Condi. What in the blazes is this woman doing at a Broadway show in the middle of a national emergency?
White House: We have NOT requested international aid
UPDATE: Bush administration REFUSING to let Canada send emergency aid.
McClellan just told the press briefing that we have not requested international assistance.
Why not? Other nations don’t have troops and aircraft and boats that can help us protect New Orleans and get people out of that death zone?
So now Bush’s pride is going to risk the lives of even more Americans.
“I don’t treat my dog like that”
The White House is now refusing to respond to concerns about their having dropped the ball. “This is not the time for criticsm.” Oh my, he just said this was about “people seeking partisan gain in Washington.”
Really Scott? People are dying in New Orleans because your boss decided to stay on vacation until yesterday afternoon and because people are upset about that, and want your boss to finally be held responsible for his repeated lack of nerve, his propensity to run and hide every time a crisis hits, because people would like him to finally stop running and start doing his job, that makes us partisans.
BREAKING NEWS: FEMA suspends rescue operations in New Orleans
CNN just announced that New Orleans has now become so dangerous that FEMA is calling off its search and rescue operations in the city.
-snip-
Glad Bush decided TODAY to send those extra troops on the aircraft carrier that should arrive, oh, when?
John goes on…and on….and on. I commend him for his hard-hitting style of writing and pointing out what needs to be noticed and brought into the spotlight.
Of course, you can all go and see for yourself. It’s hard to stay so on point here, given the size of this community, the number of diarists, and the wide spectrum of diary topics that get thrown around here. We’re doing a great job informing people of current conditions that either are being under-reported, or not being reported at all.
Not for one minute should we let up on our push for accountability. Funding was cut, levee project coordinators were scrambling to get funds and complete the projects on time; before the next natural disaster.
We’re all aware of what Bush just said. “I don’t think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees.” And we’re all aware that Lake New Orleans is Bush’s fault and DWCG did an excellent job of proving it.
My point? Don’t let up. Now is the time to push. People don’t want it politicized? We are dealing with a horrible disaster right now but this administration has gone on far too long being impervious to criticism and accountability. The drums need to start being beaten again. We need to push through the TRUTH that this administration is incompetent, irresponsible, and outright dangerous to America, it’s people, it’s allies, and the entire world.
We’ve seen that danger in terms of the military response to 9/11, the bait-and-switch with Afghanistan funds to Iraq, the missing WMD’s, the still-on-the-loose Anthrax mailer, Bin Laden (on the run, what, 1500 days or so now?), The Downing Street Memo, outing of a CIA agent, endangering environmental areas, tax breaks for the rich, deepening pockets for corporations and now…one of, if not the worst natural disasters in this country’s history, and the President and Friends has done an almost negligible amount in terms of response, both visual and physical.
A real president would have come straight to New Orleans after the storm had passed to survey the damage and offer condolence. A real President, seeing the forecast, talking with advisers and experts, wouldn’t have left in the first place, but instead, would have stayed in Washington to coordinate efforts and create a plan BEFORE the hurricane even hit. Instead, the President boasts of his ability to carry out all the functions of the President from his ranch in Crawford.
You know what? I’m so fucking tired of the Vacation President and his Crawford ranch and whether he can or cannot commit the functions of the President from his ranch. Your job is in Washington. Your office is in Washington. See, when your job is done, you can go back home…to Crawford. Until then, your office is Washington D.C., where the people employ you.
You’re job is in D.C. Your office is in D.C. You belong in D.C. during a time of crisis. But you’re home, home on the range.
Way to go, George Bush. Way to let the country down. Yet again.