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Tried writing a column about Katrina. Can't do it. Too mad.

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Plaid Adder Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-05-05 09:56 PM
Original message
Tried writing a column about Katrina. Can't do it. Too mad.
Edited on Mon Sep-05-05 09:58 PM by Plaid Adder
I started it, and then I got this far:

...There you go again, I hear you saying. Exploiting a tragedy just so you can turn it into an opportunity to attack Bush. Politicizing something that should be beyond politics. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

Listen. I can attack Bush any day of the year. Every day the sun rises on him he generates more 'opportunities.' That's not what this is about. You want to know why people really 'politicize' these things? Because politics is the only language that any of the bastards currently in charge understand.

Beyond politics? Nothingis beyond politics for these people. These people exist in a universe of pure politicization. Nothing becomes real for Rove and his acolytes until it is politicized. From their point of view, people dying of thirst, exposure, and disease is not a problem. Bush being blamed for people dying of thirst, exposure, and disease is a problem. Thousands of people trapped at the Superdome in filthy and life-threatening conditions for days on end is not a problem. Bush being perceived as not giving a shit that thousands of people are trapped at the Superdome in filthy and life-threatening conditions when even Fox's reporters apparently do, that's a problem. New Orleans turning into hell on earth is not a problem. Media outlets broadcasting the argument that New Orleans turning into hell on earth because the guys Bush installed as heads of FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security are either incompetent or corrupt or just don't give a shit--now that's a problem.

You don't believe me? Look at the timeline. Why does it take days for Bush to grasp the idea that the federal response to this disaster was 'unacceptable'? Why does the National Guard finally arrive the same day Bush has his photo-op in New Orleans? Why are his operators suddenly able to bring in equipment that makes it look as if they are finally making an all-out effort to repair the levee breach--and then take it away once the photos have been taken? Because nobody at the top gave a damn what was happening to anyone in New Orleans until it became a political liability for them. For Bush, for Rove, for Cheney and the rest of them, a fire is not a fire until their political capital is burning.

Even now, look where they're investing their energy. Bush is out there trying to look concerned and having pictures taken, and Rove is working in the back trying to figure out how to blame other people. That's their top priority. Oh my God, I am already so sick of it and there will be so much more. It was the mayor's fault. It was the governor's fault. It was their own fault for not having cars to evacuate in. It was their own fault for 'looting.' Look. George. If nothing is ever your fault--if you have no responsibility for anything that happens on your watch--then WHAT THE HELL DO WE NEED YOU FOR? Are you the President of the United States or not? Sorry, I couldn't save those people, Governor Blanco wouldn't let me. Jesus, that Governor Blanco must be some serious shit if she can scare off the leader of the free world, hell-bent on bringing succour and salvation to his suffering people during the worst crisis of his already apocalyptic presidential career. Mr. Stay The Course, Mr. Steadfast, Mr. Resolve, Mr. Dead Or Alive, President Cowboy, President Testosterone, you are telling me that you couldn't do a God damn thing about those poor people dying in New Orleans because a girl was stopping you? Because Mayor Nagin wouldn't rev up a few schoolbuses? Even if any of that were true, then for God's sake, Mr. President, the one time we actually needed them, where in the world were your balls?


...And then, I said to myself, come on now, Plaidder. Calling the president a eunuch is not productive.

I'm goin' to bed.

@#$!,

The Plaid Adder
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bleever Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-05-05 10:01 PM
Response to Original message
1. Hey, PA: you da man.
And I think that starting by talking about how your comments are seen politically, is just a wrong first step.

Start by talking about what government is. You know, all the stuff we all pitch on for, so we don't each have to worry about making sidewalks, or changing burnt-out streetlights, or letting the ocean wash us away.

Talk about what happened to the people who had faith in that, the government, the government of the United States of America, fer chrissakes.

Once you start with that, I know you'll hit your groove.

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scarletwoman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-05-05 10:05 PM
Response to Reply #1
3. Actually, PA is da WOMAN!
Just thought you should know...

sw
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walldude Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-05-05 10:26 PM
Response to Reply #3
9. Really? LOL.. All this time I thought she was a guy...
DOH! :dunce:
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Plaid Adder Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-06-05 08:20 AM
Response to Reply #9
16. No, I am not a guy.
For some reason online people usually make that assumption, but it's wrong. I dunno why. Maybe it's the cussing.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder
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applegrove Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-05-05 10:01 PM
Response to Original message
2. I'm too mad to read it! Don't know what to do. Think I'll take a break.
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Land Shark Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-05-05 10:08 PM
Response to Original message
4. great line "Because politics is the only language that any of the..."
bastards understand.

Though we often claim others only understand the language of force.

But to politicize is to make controversial what should be above reasonable dispute. That's not this.

if the President acts to kill your sibling and you object to it, is that "politicizing" the killing? For all the reasons that is not "politicizing", writing about the serial disasters of the hurricane followed by the levee breach at less than a Cat 3 level (in New orleans) followed by the non-response despite having a hurricane/levee flood as one of the key "doomsday" scenarios rehearsed by FEMA is also not 'politicizing'. It's giving a damn.

Don't seek ELECTORAL ADVANTAGE. Seek indictments.
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bloom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-05-05 10:08 PM
Response to Original message
5. Bush is impotence personified... eom
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markus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-05-05 10:10 PM
Response to Original message
6. You are a wonderful polemicist, but just damn him with facts
Here, have some I've been collecting all week to try to keep my sanity.

http://wetbankguide.blogspot.com

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Plaid Adder Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-06-05 08:21 AM
Response to Reply #6
17. I don't think I'm going to finish it.
There are real media outlets finally catching on to some of his bullshit now, and that's what really matters. I just get so PISSED OFF!

The Plaid Adder
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Dudley_DUright Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-05-05 10:19 PM
Response to Original message
7. Good night PA
Hope you get some respite from the waking nightmare that is Bush occupied America.
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iconoclastic cat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-05-05 10:21 PM
Response to Original message
8. I hear ya! I've had 3 threads deleted by the mods so far.
I can't open my yap without pissing off some higher-echelon DUer.
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Brother Buzz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-05-05 10:35 PM
Response to Original message
10. Scratching my butt and reverting to a tired baseball cliche
I'd say "That's a stand-up triple!" :thumbsup:



Calling the president a eunuch is not productive. :rofl:




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BrewerJohn Donating Member (499 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-05-05 10:35 PM
Response to Original message
11. I'm lovin' it so far!
Hope you can get some rest and then come back and finish it.
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MadeinOhio Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-05-05 10:39 PM
Response to Original message
12. In other words Bush....
You should simply resign, since you've made yourself irrelevant.:grr:
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GreenPartyVoter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-05-05 10:40 PM
Response to Original message
13. *hugs*
------------------------------------------------------
Save the Gulf, then save the nation!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm
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rbnyc Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-05-05 10:42 PM
Response to Original message
14. I'm glad you're taking on this topic.
It's not about pointing fingers or playing politics--it's simply that we know where the problem is and we want to FIX IT!!
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Wizard777 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-05-05 10:54 PM
Response to Original message
15. You need to see. So open your mind and set your heart free.
Let your spirit fly high to dry your eyes. Then you'll find that the ink will flow as your write methodically slow.

Anger is a sadness that your helpless to change.
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kentuck Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-06-05 08:46 AM
Response to Original message
18. Once again, PA, it's about the division...
No matter how bad the tragedy or the incompetence, it's Democrats vs Republicans. So long as they are able to divide in such a way, they will never be called to answer for anything. They understand that. So long as they can keep their troops in line, it will continue to be a political stalemate. And with a stalemate, they win, because they have the better propaganda system. Our only hope is to have the media report 'differently' on this Administration. The Repubs have used our media system to further their message and their political agenda. And now, rather than admit a mistake or accept any responsibility, they blame someone else, in this case the Mayor and the Governor. It will continue to work for them.
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