So what's Bush doing about Katrina? Sitting on his ass like usual?

[tjdee]

I don't know anything about a lot of things, but it would seem to me that a Commander in Chief would take a more proactive role in something that could cause a great deal of damage a major metropolitan center.

Isn't there something he can do besides declaring a state of emergency? Seems to me there should be. Interestingly, this is not a specific criticism for Bush...well, maybe it is, because I know the National Guard can't go there. They're busy fighting for "freedom" half a world away.

[evilqueen]

1. He declared Louisiana in a State of Emergency

...which frees up federal funds for helping them when it's over. It really doesn't do shit for helping people get out.

[shraby]

2. It's not an election year.

[evilqueen]

3. True.

And when it blew through Florida, Jeb was in NY.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

4. Why would he care about the little people?

If you have a beautiful mind, then why bother caring? I hope he gets the dementia (It is so God awful, my Grammy had it) so, he will suffer and those around him suffer also.

I actually believe his suffering will be for an eternity, however, humans also, like to see a little justice too!

[Divernan]

9. He's desperate when he declares a state of emergency BEFORE storm hits.

My experience in working with state governments is that it is AFTER a natural emergency occurs, that is, after it has actually struck, that the governor calls the President and requests that a state of emergency be declared. If anyone has knowledge of any time a president declared a state of emergency in ADVANCE of an emergency, particularly hurricanes, please tell me when and where. I've personally worked with aftermaths of flood emergencies, but not hurricanes.

I think Bush is in such a deepening negative trough of public opinion that he jumped in early to try to garner some positive press. Because his declaration doesn't do squat to prevent/minimize damage - that's up to the state and local governments. I think Bush COULD have called in the National Guard, or sent federal troops in to assist with filling sandbags, building dikes, expediting evacuation, etc., but he hasn't, has he?

[tjdee]

17. Couldn't he order the National Guard in?

From other states even?

[Robeson]

5. They're working to see if they can tie it to 9/11, Iraq, Iran, and Chevez.

...if they can, then they'll order air strikes on Katrina.

[wake.up.america]

6. Bush and Rove are conferring right this minute...

trying to make as much political hay out of an impending catastrophe.

If it weren't for Cindy, this hurricane would not have occurred.

This hurricane is proof that the United States should fight in Iraq.

The hurricane was caused by terrorists. blab, blah

Sadly, a lot of people will believe it.

[Spinzonner]

7. With all due respect

it's when he's doing things that the worst happens.

[ClintonTyree]

8. He's "getting on with his life"

He has to be "balanced", you know? Actually, he's the most unbalanced President we've ever had. I'm speaking of his mental state, of course.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

23. Yes, must get on with his life.

Does he ever get together with his kids, with his brothers with his folks? Or Laura and her family? Close friends? Not many pictures from the ever present press catching him hugging his siblings at family reunions.

You never hear about that close family and friend network that makes a life valuable.

People fawn on him and kiss his butt but I don't really think he has any friends. cheney and karl don't count...they don't care about cultivating friendships. condi doesn't count because she is a groupie and that is a whole different story.

No wonder he is searching for balance.

[izzie]

10. He is on his knees hoping it does not get to his vacation.

Any where but Mid-Texas.

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

11. Like *he* cares...

He's probably about as concerned about Katrina as he is about everything else. Which, unless it's about him, means not much at all.

[Vinca]

12. The hurricane is Dubya's gift from God.

It takes the focus off Crawford and allows him to bestow mountains of funding on the stricken area and appear to be a good guy and a caring president. Right.

[wakeme2008]

13. LA National Guard has

a lot of units in Iraq. Bush has helped LA before the cane.

[Mr.Green93]

14. If he had signed on to Kyoto

four years ago this Storm might not have formed or been so severe.

[konighunDU]

18. If he had signed Kyoto?

What do you mean by that? That if he had put his name on papaer, that it would magically caused this storm to subside? I'm all for the "if a butterfly flaps its wings here, there's a catastrophy on the other side of the world" theory, but isn't that taking it a bit too far?
Besides, what do we want Bush to do? go down to the ocean like Moses?

If we are going to Blame Bush, we need more material than that.. (more like need something based in reality)

[troubleinwinter]

22. "what do we want Bush to do?"

Having our National Guard at HOME to serve our nation in its time of need would be a start.

Welcome to DU, or whatever.

[SpiralHawk]

15. "Hanging Loose"

AWOL, as usual

[Roland99]

16. He's busy handing out bottles of water in Florida.

Oh wait...that was LAST YEAR...an election year.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

19. Man can not stop nature .

I am sorry but its about time that people realize that . The thing of worry should be a major metropolitan center .

[Neshanic]

20. He's in makeup. "I'm ready for my closeup Mr. Rove."

[deadparrot]

21. Um, no...!?

There's brush to clear.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

24. working vacation dontcha know

[progressivebydesign]

25. He needs to get his ass back to D.C. NOW!!!

I have yet to see (except for Reagan and Bush I) a more callous leader. Bush should have returned FROM VACATION early today, while he awaits word and offers assistance to New Orleans. I'm hoping that this does not turn out as badly as they have predicted, somehow, but Bush needs to be AT WORK monitoring and HELPING the city. We could very well lose an entire metro area tonight, and Bush is on vacation.

[RamboLiberal]

27. I said the same thing over in the LBN thread

Personally I think it looks bad that he's still sitting his butt in Crawford as the greatest tragedy since 9-11 (and this will eclipse 9-11 in property damage, hopefully not in human life) hits this nation.

How long did he spend Sunday in video conference with officials on this? Just curious how much time he took from his precious bike riding and napping.

Imagine the scream from the RW and MSM if President Gore or Kerry stayed on vacation as a 500 year storm was about to hit a major city!

And he needs to take immediate action on oil prices. I'm curious * and Rove will react in the next week.

Praying for everyone in the hurricane's path. Good Luck! May you be safe.

[Lori Price CLG]

26. Well, Bush may be drinking and partying, etc.. n/t