Bush’s Empty Promises: Katrina Victims Still Waiting For Homes To Be Rebuilt
Bush’s Empty Promises: Katrina Victims Still Waiting For Homes To Be Rebuilt
On April 27, President Bush went to New Orleans for a photo-op and visited 74-year old Ethel Williams, whose house was badly damaged when Hurricane Katrina struck. Putting his arms around Williams, Bush promised that her house would be rebuilt:
Mrs. Williams has invited myself and the Mayor and the Governor and Congressman into her home which had been wiped out by the storm. And she went to Texas for a while and she made it clear to me she was glad to be out of Texas and back home. But the amazing thing that’s happened in her home is that there are people from across the country here who are helping to rebuild it.
But four months later, as NPR reports, “not much has happened.” Williams said, “[W]e all disappointed because nothing’s been done.”
Unfortunately, the rest of the New Orleans hasn’t fared much better. A recent report from the Brookings Institution found that rent prices have sharply increased over the past year, while unemployment rates remain higher than pre-Katrina levels. Crime levels are also up in certain districts, and 60% of houses and businesses are not receiving electricity. New Orleans’s current population is only at around half its pre-Katrina level.
– Rohan Mascarenhas
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See republican rascism thread, why would the Administration give a damn about poor people, black people, much less poor black people.
August 17th, 2006 at 6:40 pmWhy are we surprised! He has never kept any promises yet–except those to OPECaH (Oil, Pharmeceudicals, energy corporations and Haliburton).
August 17th, 2006 at 6:43 pm“Hey Rovey, I think I got this photo-op thingy down pat. He he.”
August 17th, 2006 at 6:43 pm#1 that is a stereotypical statement about Republicans, members of my Church, decidely Republican have had 3 Mission trips to our sister Churches in Mississippi and Louisiana, rebuilding homes and providing ammenities to people in need. I don’t lump political thinkers together as one… be they Democrat or Republican…to do so dismisses many good people, thoughts and ideas.
August 17th, 2006 at 6:48 pmHe’s only visiting in hopes of minimizing the mpact Spike Lee’s movie is about to have. Bush looks bad no matter what, always has, always will, there’s nothing he can do to improve his image, not with Americans, and not with anyone else around the world.
August 17th, 2006 at 6:53 pmBTW, the next false flag terror attack is brought to you by the Bush administration.
Bush lied, people died AND are still homeless
August 17th, 2006 at 6:54 pmMaybe George W. Bush can drive down on his Harley wearing his glasses looking all cool and tell everyone to relax in his best Fonzie voice: “Ayyyy, The Decider is baaaack!”
What a shameless whore for a president.
Christ, Hezbollah has offered everyone in Lebanon who lost a house free rent for a year!
Bush can’t even make himself look generous next to Hezbollah.
Heckuva job Chimpy.
-GSD
August 17th, 2006 at 6:54 pmlet’s not forget former Bush/Coulter Republican and former GOP presidential aspirant, B-A Bob Dornan from California. This gem if racial intolerance:
“Every lesbian spear chucker in this country is hoping I get defeated.” – to a Los Angeles television reporter in 1992
-GSD
PS. Troll pre-smackdown. Yes, we know Bob Byrd was a Klansman in the 1940’s and he has asked for forgiveness from God, which he got. He doesn’t get any forgiveness from phony Christian Sean Hannity though.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:01 pmThe local, State and Federal officials are first in line to assist those affected areas. Appropriation requests and management thereof come from those branches I believe.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:01 pmSTAYED TUNED: Bush, Pinky Tuscadero, is going to jump a tank with a shark in it on his new Harley.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:02 pmHe can sit on it.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:03 pm#9.
In other words the Buck never stops with Bush but it always stopped with Clinton.
Nice try.
-GSD
August 17th, 2006 at 7:03 pm#12 at what point did I mention Former President Clinton? I merely stated that failure to help those affected is in the chain I outlined. I don’t look to ANY President to help me with a local or state issue. My home was damaged in a hurricane by trees falling upon it, blaming the President was not on my agenda…getting relief such as it was came from local people.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:06 pmI don’t lump political thinkers together as one… be they Democrat or Republican…to do so dismisses many good people, thoughts and ideas.
Comment by richb
Boy, are you singing a different tune here now than you did a few months ago. But be that as it may, I guess Bush will will get around to rebuilding New Orleans just as soon as we finish rebuilding Iraq. And parts of Afganistan.
And I heard yesterday that good ol’ George has just promised Lebanon a huge chunk of change for their rebuilding efforts. But I am sure we will get around to New Orleans sooner or later—-perhaps when it starts to vote more Republican.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:17 pm#14 au contrair Joe, I know many times I’ve been enlightened by the discussions here and have said so. It’s come from those that care to engage and not just toss out blanket stereotypes or ‘Bush Lied’ statements. I would not vote to re-elect the President as I did before and that determination came directly from listening to people that thought differently than I did at the time and because they addressed what I was asking convincingly I could see that perspective. I don’t to be lumped with “All” Republicans just as you would not be labled as ”All” Democrat in your opinion…..to do that dismisses the ability to engage and be enlightened.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:23 pmRichb,
I usually refer to Bush/Coulter Republicans.
Sorry if you felt lumped in. I know lots of former loyal Republicans who know how far Bush has fallen from anything remotely conservative.
-GSD
August 17th, 2006 at 7:25 pm#4 — This is the fallout from the Bush administration. Bush has given all republicans and Christians a bad name. It’s up to the decent republicans and Christians to reestablish a good reputation. The first step will be denouncing this administration and the radical right it panders to. Get to work.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:26 pmYou didn’t mention Bill Clinton either. But I have been in troll combat mode lately, sorry for jumping the gun.
-GSD
August 17th, 2006 at 7:26 pm#17 couldn’t agree more….the Christian faith I follow has little or nothing to do with the so called Republican Faith Base. I take literally what I am taught from the pulpit about helping those less fortunate and treating all persons as children of God, be they Gay, straight or otherwise. It is not in my nature to hate and any form of religion that teaches that is not for me. When my brother in law came out to us at a family gathering I was literally the first one to hug him and let him know he was still loved….any religious doctrine that would hold that against me…I don’t want part of or speaking on my behalf.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:30 pm#18 what matters to me is you read what I said and responded…that says a lot…..so thanks
August 17th, 2006 at 7:32 pmIs Bush an idiot?
Is water wet ?
August 17th, 2006 at 7:32 pmWalcott on Bush.
Doody-licious.
http://jameswolcott.com/archives/2006/08/turd_on_the_run.php
-GSD
August 17th, 2006 at 7:35 pmrichb,
Bush made promises, face to face with the people hit by Katrina that he would rebuild their houses. To date the person in the picture above has not recieve the help she was personally promised by Bush.
I call that a lie. Bush lied to that woman, he lied to the others there.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:36 pm#23 no argument with your factual statement, my argument is with the process…I believe the obligation to help the lady was much lower than the Presidential level…..the local, state and federal response has been disjointed and in many cases made things worse…..that’s a failure of Government at all levels….not just the President.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:38 pmSome might say that Bush is a liar.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:39 pmRich,
Thanks. I am fired up because a tyranny of the minority is rising right before our eyes. It is taking the great traditions of this nation and dashing them on the rocks of political expedience. They are using tactics or fear and bullying, the lowest form of persuasion and pushing a dangerous agenda that is really tearing at the fabric of our nation. Bush the “uniter” has become the Dividing Decider who cannot be questioned or it is considered emboldening the enemies.
Can’t people see how cynical and manipulative this ploy is? No one wants to get attacked by terrorists. But they keep pushing and pushing and it is going to be the end of this nation.
I leave you with a quote from Neo-con writer David Brooks:
And sometimes in my dark moments, I think he’s(George W. Bush) “The Manchurian Candidate” designed to discredit all the ideas I believe in.
-David Brooks
-GSD
August 17th, 2006 at 7:39 pmIs Bush supplying the wood from his timber company?
August 17th, 2006 at 7:39 pmShe’s confident that President Bush will make sure things work out: “You can’t get me to say he won’t, because he will. Watch.”
Partisan liberals are all up in arms over this. But the woman who has actually met Bush seems to like and respect him.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:41 pm#24
It was a failure from the local to federal level. and still is.
But, Bush made a promise, then forgot all about the people there.
If it was me, I would be on the phone to everyone from FEMA down, telling them to get off their cans and get it done, or your fired.
My word is my honor, if I give my word I do everything possible to keep it.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:45 pmBush has shown he has no honor, when he gives someone a promise, it means nothing to him to break it.
Liar, liar, pants on fire!
August 17th, 2006 at 7:45 pmAnyone who meets the president, especially in those conditions/circumstances, is starstuck by the office, not the person. Hell the president could have been Gollum and she would have loved and respected him.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:46 pmYou don’t need to be a partisan liberal to know that Bush is a phony and a liar. It comes from experience regardless of party or idealogical affiliation.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:48 pm#26 I think people are actually catching on, it’s evident in polling, OpEd writers and in general the ‘average’ Republican, also in the electioneering of Republican Office seekers and re-election candidates….distancing themselves from the administration. I would’ve like to have seen that when their collective butts could have made a difference..but such is the life of politics.
For me 2008 can’t come fast enough, I would vote Democrat if a candidate catches my attention….I did vote both times for President Clinton. I think Democrats need to clearly explain what the differences are and stand by them.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:48 pmI would not vote to re-elect the President as I did before and that determination came directly from listening to people that thought differently than I did at the time and because they addressed what I was asking convincingly I could see that perspective.
Comment by richb
Good post. We all have a much larger base of knowledge in hindsight. I am a “big stick diplomacy” kind of guy, myself, and, based on the facts released by the White House, actually believed in the possiblilty of WMD’s. After all, if you can’t believe a distingushed man like Colin Powell, just who can you believe?
But I should have known better, remembering the lies and enuendo the Bushco spread about John McCain in South Carolina in order to win the 2000 nomination.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:50 pmAnyone who meets the president, especially in those conditions/circumstances, is starstuck by the office, not the person.
I’m just pointing out that she is not at all outraged over this as most of the liberals here are. She is not calling him a liar or any nasty names. She actually likes the guy.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:55 pmummm….that picture was taken last April….
August 17th, 2006 at 7:57 pmI seriously doubt that any resident of New Orleans is singing Bush’s praises today.
August 17th, 2006 at 7:59 pmthey might be singing “I got the Bush-lied-to-me blues.”
August 17th, 2006 at 8:03 pmThat was back in April, shitheal. How does she feel about him now that nothing’s been done. Talk is cheap you a-hole.
Wrong again. This is from today on the NPR post at the top.
August 17th, 2006 at 8:10 pmIt says it’s from the archives…guess that means that April 27th is now August 17th. I’d better change my calendar.
August 17th, 2006 at 8:12 pmI seriously doubt that any resident of New Orleans is singing Bush’s praises today.
I guess you didn’t read the NPR article from today either. She said this today:
She’s confident that President Bush will make sure things work out: “You can’t get me to say he won’t, because he will. Watch.”
“What’s your name? I’m gonna call you. I’m gonna prove it to you. Before you leave, let me know how to get in touch with you. I’m gonna call you.”
August 17th, 2006 at 8:13 pmfor crissakes that picture and those words are from last APRIL! Look at the pictures from today! Still no walls! HELLO! ANYBODY HOME????
August 17th, 2006 at 8:16 pm#41, what’s the date on this article?
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5657431
August 17th, 2006 at 8:16 pmThe date on the article is today…the pictures and what she said are from last April…the article from today says she still has no walls! What’s the matter with you???
August 17th, 2006 at 8:17 pm#43, her words are from today. Read the article.
August 17th, 2006 at 8:17 pm#45, you’re wrong.
August 17th, 2006 at 8:18 pmtoday she said “[W]e all disappointed because nothing’s been done.â€
August 17th, 2006 at 8:19 pmShe also said this today, “She now calls the president a friend.”
August 17th, 2006 at 8:20 pmI give up.
August 17th, 2006 at 8:20 pmWhat’s the matter with you???
Comment by Republicans are the fear and smear party — August 17, 2006 @ 8:17 pm
We’ve got the country’s finest finest, in this very hour attempting to find what in the hell is wrong with these Christofascists…we find no synapses!
August 17th, 2006 at 8:20 pmGood news however, Dr. Frist watched a ten minute video of this nincompoop you’re trying to get through to…and declared he was a patriotic dipshit–Thank you Dr. Frist!
Got it Big? Words said: Over a year ago–April 2005. Actions taken by Bush since then: None. Article date: Today. Is that clear enough for you?
August 17th, 2006 at 8:21 pm#48, she also said this today:
She’s confident that President Bush will make sure things work out: “You can’t get me to say he won’t, because he will. Watch.â€
“What’s your name? I’m gonna call you. I’m gonna prove it to you. Before you leave, let me know how to get in touch with you. I’m gonna call you.â€
August 17th, 2006 at 8:21 pm#52, the words were said today. She called Bush a friend today.
August 17th, 2006 at 8:22 pmyou are right…I can’t believe that she would still be dumb enough to believe that he would actually do something to be helpful
August 17th, 2006 at 8:23 pmyou are right…I can’t believe that she would still be dumb enough
Hey now some of the libs are calling this Katrina lady dumb. Before you guys were supporting her because you thought it advanced your hate-Bush agenda. Sorry to have given you some facts.
August 17th, 2006 at 8:25 pmummm….that picture was taken last April….
Comment by Republicans are the fear and smear party
Wasn’t he wearing the same shirt when he was photographed in Mississippi with Trent Lott the week after Katrina hit where he paraded around had his arm around that young black girl for about 10 minutes until the cameras stopped clicking? Or is it the shirt he wore at the WTC where he had his arm around the fireman while blowing bull into the bullhorn?
August 17th, 2006 at 8:26 pmFrom the article, All Things Considered, August 16, 2006:
Williams has owned her house on Pauline Street since 1965. Today, it still lacks walls and ceilings. The only room that’s easily identifiable is the bathroom, because the toilet and bath tub are still sitting there.
August 17th, 2006 at 8:26 pm(Emphasis added)
So she said she wasn’t mad at Chimpy. Fine. She’s a nice lady.
THAT DOESN’T CHANGE THE FACT THAT BUSH LOOKED INTO HER FACE AND LIED HIS ASS OFF.
August 17th, 2006 at 8:31 pmSo she said she wasn’t mad at Chimpy. Fine. She’s a nice lady.
So you don’t think she is dumb for feeling that way like #55 thinks?
She also said she considers Bush a friend and said supportive comments about him.
August 17th, 2006 at 8:33 pmSo you don’t think she is dumb for feeling that way like #55 thinks?
Comment by Mr. Big
Now don’t be small, Mr. Big.
August 17th, 2006 at 8:34 pmAll Hat and no Cowboy
No one has been able to explain to me that the country with the greatest amount of Nobel Laureates, brilliant innovative minds, scholars, and after of years of debates and scrutiny and the best we can find was Dubya?
What a sad state of affairs for this dying nation.
August 17th, 2006 at 8:43 pmAnyway, I don’t know how many of you know about the cat problems I’ve had recently that took me off the blogging beat. I also don’t know if this qualifies as a miracle, but it comes pretty damned close.
Bottom line: If you are in the minority and fly in the face of authority and seemingly unimpeachable wisdom, you have nothing to be ashamed of.
August 17th, 2006 at 8:50 pmIt would not be such a bad thing if TP had a post suggesting how people in NO can be helped out. Criticizing the government is fine, but it’s not enough, and waiting for the gov’t to do the right thing is well… we’ve seen what happens there.
August 17th, 2006 at 8:52 pmSomeone (think progress?) should put together a slideshow of all or many of Bush’s photo ops and the resulting outcomes, ending, of course, with “mission accomplished.”
August 17th, 2006 at 8:52 pmSo you don’t think she is dumb for feeling that way like #55 thinks?
She also said she considers Bush a friend and said supportive comments about him.
Comment by Mr. Big
No, Mr Big, I don’t think she’s stupid. She has a right to her own feelings. That doesn’t change the fact that your favorite boy, GWB, is a shameless liar.
Give it a rest, ok?
August 17th, 2006 at 8:57 pmSome try to excuse or diffuse the Federal (read Presidential) failure to adequately respond to Katrina, by blaming the Local and State governments equally. I just don’t believe that’s reasonable. When a tree falls on your house, that’s bad, but manageable. When a train derails and makes a hell of a mess that requires Local, State and Federal co-ordination. When a MFg Monster Hurricane practically wipes out 2 states, Kills > 1500 people, breaks the levees, flooding like nothing seen before, well, don’t ya think it’s a bit beyond local and state, and time for some kind of drastic Federal Emergency Management. I mean this crisis was (is) huge. The buck stops where? 2c
August 17th, 2006 at 9:25 pmMaybe Bush will go back to visit Mrs. Williams for another photo op and more lies. Look the TV camera’s and all that attention resulted in nothing. But Mrs. Williams will always have that picture of her and Satan aka George W. Bush. We know Bush could care less about the poor or blacks. Look how fast the airplanes and ships came into Lebanon to get Americans out talk about fast action. While waiting 5 days and watch blacks and poor people beg for help Bush just said pass the bottle. Bush could care less if all minorities die only save enough to work his Texas Ranch and serve him and his family oh yes and clean his house. Look out Connie Rice you might be demoted to slave status.
August 17th, 2006 at 9:26 pmThank goodness we still have our loyal army of trolls here to remind us that after 5 years of Republican controlled White House, Congress, and Supreme Court it’s still the Dem’s fault for the failed Bush policies here and abroad. Come November, the American people are not going to believe Bush’s failed Presidency is the fault of Michael Moore or the Dixie Chicks.
August 17th, 2006 at 9:29 pmWell, the photo has been takan and the Amurkin’s have moved on.
I’m so disgusted that this man is in the same list of Washington, Adams. Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, etc. He’s a National Disgrace…
August 17th, 2006 at 9:33 pm#66 Zooey
Amen! There is only one valid point to this post. The credibility and truthfulness of DUHbya. Whether or not the people of NO like or dislike him and whether or not it is the responsibility of some lesser government functionary is irrelevant. The man calling himself the President of this Country made a promise to one Lady. No one expected him to come down and hang the dry wall and no one considered that she was Queen for a Hurricane and was the only winner in the reconstruction contest. What was metaphorically implied by the words and actions of DUHbya and was inferred and accepted by the residents of NO, regardless of station, was that the full weight of the Government would be thrown into the area with the specific purpose of renewing and repairing the whole of the area. I will not claim to know the fool’s thoughts but his actions before and after that photo-op prove that he had no intention of doing anything but putting on a shit-eating grin for the camera, and, in my opinion go off and live up to his appearance. The man is a liar. That is a fact that does not have an expiration date but DUHbya himself, fortunately, does. Sometime as close as possible to 20 January 2007, but no later than same date, following year he will expire, maybe without the metaphor.
August 17th, 2006 at 9:41 pmHe’s a National Disgrace…
Comment by Theresa
Yes he is. In looking at the destroyed home of Mrs. Williams, you wonder what the hell he could possibly be laughing about.
August 17th, 2006 at 9:48 pmJoesixpack, fooles laugh when they are unsure what to do…..and bush laughs a lot in public.
August 17th, 2006 at 10:10 pmit’s actually quite clear why she refuses to diss dubya:
she’s afraid that if she busts his balls in public, dubya will put her the bottom of the list and then she’ll never get her house rebuilt.
she’s obviously adhering to the “don’t piss off the person you need the favor from” rule.
August 17th, 2006 at 10:46 pmUnfortunately she is now a double victim.
August 17th, 2006 at 10:52 pmBush is just a clueless little rich kid that could care less about Ethel Williams, New Orleans or anything else that might require a little humility and compassion for other human beings.
August 17th, 2006 at 10:53 pm#72 – Well said, as usual, Clyde.
August 17th, 2006 at 10:56 pmAround this time, the storms will start to come back. What if they get hit again?
August 17th, 2006 at 11:24 pmOne more promise from the ruling class to common people, which goes down the drain. Then people ask why there are revolutions.
August 17th, 2006 at 11:50 pm#79
DUHbya can do his shit-eating grin again! They haven’t reprogrammed the dummy in months. Why bother? He is history, unfortunately, for this once great Country. However, he is the Man on top of the list of Presidents of the United States. Check out his achievements–Click on Clyde and scroll to the quiz.
August 17th, 2006 at 11:51 pmClick on Clyde and scroll to the quiz.
Living dangerously, eh Clyde? I aced that quiz….again. :)
August 18th, 2006 at 12:03 amBush said in the Gore debate that he wouldn’t get involved in nation-building. I guess he only meant America.
August 18th, 2006 at 12:39 amZooey,
To resort to the vernacular: I ain’t selling shit!
I took off the link to Granny’s dolls so no one can accuse me of trying to sell anything. Unless, of course, I get an unsolicited E-mail.
It’s good to be around again with you and True and Marie and Juan and the others on both sides of Zero on the normal American Political Intelligence Scale (Copyright 2006 CTR).
August 18th, 2006 at 12:39 amClyde,
I’m glad you’re not selling shit, because I’ve got a whole roomful of shit I’ve never used. :)
August 18th, 2006 at 12:42 amone of those slimey liberals claims my boobies are fake!!!
ann, you have boobies? Who looks that close? That guy must have burnt out eye holes now…
August 18th, 2006 at 12:43 amClyde,
You are one unbelievably love-able ASSHOLE!
Rest in peace because in our house it is a term of endearment!
August 18th, 2006 at 12:44 amHi, Clyde and Zoo. Slow thread. Lets do something about it. ;)
August 18th, 2006 at 1:03 amIf I was Mann and worried about somebody thinking something about me was fake…I would worry more about my writing than my boobies
August 18th, 2006 at 1:55 amHmmm…I didn’t know that it was all up to President Bush to “rebuild” New Orleans.
Don’t you stinking liberals expect people to do anything by themselves?
August 18th, 2006 at 2:35 amCongrats Jurassic Pork!
August 18th, 2006 at 3:07 amA Photo-Op with those who were given assurances of restoration of their homes should merit another “Photo-Op” with a friendly visit of these same persons visiting the White House and a personal notification to Bush that they will be residing at the White House with Bush at the White House until the restoration of their homes is finished. That is the least that a “good friend” could do to show their concern, isn’t it; lovingly taking such ones in their arms to comfort them? Otherwise, stop these meaningless, phony photo-op’s. Hold his feet to the fire, or make him shut up!
August 18th, 2006 at 6:44 amI wonder, if any Republicans realize what a missed opportunity Katrina was. Here was a chance for the Republican party to finally make some sort of dent in the African American community with regards to voting for the GOP and they failed miserably. Bush and Co. had an opportunity to actually play hero, to provide a compelling historical reason for African Americans to see them in a new light, yet due to their racism and indifference they instead merely provided another powerful example of why African Americans don’t vote for them. It’ll be mildly humorous around the next major elections to see the Faux news shills ask the same old question “Why don’t blacks vote for Republicans?”
August 18th, 2006 at 7:19 amComment by the usual suspect — August 18, 2006 @ 7:19 am
The Katrina response was a principled, effective and proud stand by the Republicans against big government and poor local spending.
My favorite quote from afar: “In the Netherlands flood control is a National Security issue. In America it’s an issue to willingly bury in commitee.”
August 18th, 2006 at 7:32 am“I am the DECIDER” hehe
August 18th, 2006 at 7:36 amErrr…. you misundertand the photo-op…. it’s not rebuild your home, it’s rebuild the president’s public image.
August 18th, 2006 at 8:09 amWalcott on Bush.
Doody-licious.
http://jameswolcott.com/ archives/ 2006/ 08/ turd_on_the_run.php
-GSD
Comment by GSD — August 17, 2006 @ 7:35 pm
In response to James Wolcott, is that pronounced Sentor “shi theed” or Senator “Shithead”? LOL
August 18th, 2006 at 8:18 amI’m just pointing out that she is not at all outraged over this as most of the liberals here are. She is not calling him a liar or any nasty names. She actually likes the guy.
Comment by Mr. Big — August 17, 2006 @ 7:55 pm
That was in April. Wonder how she feels today, still waiting to have her promises fulfilled.
August 18th, 2006 at 8:24 am[...] Hey Bush…remember this? Yeah….well so does she, and she’s wondering why her house hasn’t been built yet like you promised. Posted by syreene | [...]
August 18th, 2006 at 8:28 am#91
“Hmmm…I didn’t know that it was all up to President Bush to “rebuild†New Orleans.
Don’t you stinking liberals expect people to do anything by themselves?
Comment by Alexander Alt “
Well, we obviously can’t expect a wingnut like you to think for themselves, so let’s help you join the little dots…
From a speech by Bush in September 2005: -
“Federal funds will cover the great majority of the costs of repairing public infrastructure in the disaster zone,â€
From the Washington Times, August 14, 2006: -
“Nearly 60 percent of homes and businesses are still not receiving electricity or heating gas. Only three out of nine New Orleans hospitals have reopened.â€
There are plenty of examples where that came from….
Do you see? The big brave president has promised to help build NO, to give money, to provide congressional oversight, to make sure it was done honestly. And has that happened?
Listen Alexander, you’re obviously a little bit dim and asleep on your feet. The facts speak for themselves; almost a year later, Bushes promises have gone unfulfilled. Anyone with a cranium occupied by an actual brain not composed of actual feces can see that.
Have a nice day!
August 18th, 2006 at 8:40 am#101 – Great response.
August 18th, 2006 at 8:54 amAnd there are still coffins draped with flags arriving in the US on a too often basis. Another Bush lie… Mission Accomplished. He must have been referring to setting up our military in a no-win situation, one where coffins draped with flags will arrive in the US on a regular basis. Oh, we are not allowed to see these coffins because it will remind the American people of the cost of Bush’s illegal war.
Yeah, Georgie frat boy, promise Gov’t money to NO and instead use this money to build your military.
Can’t trust republicans to speak the truth. (I’m particularly referring to Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Rove/Santorum/Spector republicans.
August 18th, 2006 at 8:59 am“White House strategists are disappointed that the arrest of alleged terrorist plotters in the United Kingdom hasn’t increased President Bush’s job-approval ratings very much.†President Bush’s job approval rating stands at 37%, virtually unchanged from July.
Look out folks…we’ve become immune to ‘foiled’ terror threats. Brace yourselves for a ‘terrorist plot’ to actually succeed before November.
NOTE: This is the FOURTH time I’ve had to post this, as my previous three posts were removed almost instantly. Why does a site that calls itself ‘Think Progress’ insist on muzzling people? Would an editor of this site care to explain their behavior?
August 18th, 2006 at 9:44 am#91
“Hmmm…I didn’t know that it was all up to President Bush to “rebuild†New Orleans.
Don’t you stinking liberals expect people to do anything by themselves?
Comment by Alexander Alt “
It’s up to Bush and Congress, as the representatives of the collective people of the United States, to “promote the general welfare” (Preamble of the U.S. Constitution). I think helping a whole community recover from a catastrophe not of their making would qualify as “promoting the general welfare”.
August 18th, 2006 at 9:45 amBootstraps man, Bootstraps you libruls and assorted poor people.
August 18th, 2006 at 10:05 amVelcro retard fasteners, golden parachutes and feather pillows for favored individuals and industries.
OMG!!! Has anyone here read the CONSTITUTION? My income isn’t supposed to be used to rebuild YOUR house, nor is YOUR income to be used to rebuild MINE! It’s called personal responsibility! After the revolutionary war, did the government pay to rebuild people’s homes that were destroyed? What about after the CIVIL war?
I don’t mind helping out, in fact MOST Americans are always willing to help each other out. However, our tax dollars are not to be used for this, and in fact VIOLATES the constitution. That would be the same Constitution I spent 10 years of my life defending.
On one had people are mad about the deficit. On the other, not enough money is being spent to help people out who suffered through a natural disaster. WELL??
The answer is, go back to the tenets of the Constitution., The government stays out of giving money away to othe countries, works to protect ours, and lets the people be responsible for themselves. If YOU want to help out someone. just as I want to help out someone, let us do it for ourselves, instead of expecting the government to reac into the pockets of it’s citizen, and “re-distribute the wealth”. I work hard for my money, and because of circumstnaces, things are very rough for my family and I right now. BUT it’s not the government’s job to bail me out, it’s MY job, my family’s job, and my friends who offer to help. NOT the people of the U.S.A.
August 18th, 2006 at 10:34 amCaption Contest:
“See, I’m hip with the Macaca.”
August 18th, 2006 at 10:37 amWhen exactly did it become the federal governments responsibility to rebuild New Orleans? I find it odd that the author doesn’t mention how the state is currently involved, or failing to be invol.ved in the clean up process. Apparently federal handouts are the only way the state can recover. meh. “Limited federal government” people. Keep that in mind.
August 18th, 2006 at 10:49 amDoug, It is the goverments job to bail out the Energy Industry with their record profits, the Pharm Industry,the Military Industrial Complex, the Airline Industry,the uber wealthy with their estate tax cuts, etc. etc. The wealth is being distributed upwards not downwards ,and now there is something to get pissed about,especially someone experiencing hard times. I’m all for not giving away 400 Billion to an Iraq war and 10 Billion a year to Israel,more than enough to protect the welfare of the American people. How’s about we give trickle-UP economics a try?
August 18th, 2006 at 10:57 amJoseph J, (which BTW was my father’s first and middle name), You bring a lot of good points, and some innaccurate onces. Tax breaks for the wealthy? Id you offer a 5% tax break across the board, someone making 10,000 gets a 500$ break, someone making 100,000,000 gets a 5,000,000$ break. While it appears disproportinate, it’s equal. As for the energy industry, it’s the fault of the American people. We haven’t had a refinery built here in almost 30 years!!! Do you realize that means are capability of turning oil into gas has remained unchanged in capacity for almost 30 years? How about Anwar. My G_d, we are talking about an area the same relationship that Maryland has to the entire United States in area.
Most of what wrote, is because of how we have let the government permeate all areas of our lives.
Estate tax cuts. They paid taxes on earning the money, the paid taxes on the money they earned with that money, and now you want to tax they money again because someone died? I am unsure what planet you are on, but obviously it’s one that Darwins theory is working in reverse. Truly the only way I know of to rectify all this gross injustice called the Tax System, is a flat tax. No more shelters, no more tax deferred, when you spend money, they take out taxes. It makes things equal across the board. even those people engaged in illegal activities now get taxed whenever they spend THEIR ill gotten gains.
I have an IDEA. How about America quits giving money awya to every single foreign country, quit funding energy and pharmecueticals, and do what the government is supposed to do. Protect us militarily. No watchdog of whats on tv, stay out of our lives, minimal taxes to provide a strong national defense, and lets keep America strong!
August 18th, 2006 at 11:12 amDestroying government all together and firing your boss sounds more interesting.
August 18th, 2006 at 12:21 pmHey, hey, hey, she didn’t get stiffed. I mean I’m sure she got some great autographed pictures, a Dubya ‘04 sticker and plaenty of invites to GOP fundraisers….maybe not. At least she’s got her fond memories.
August 18th, 2006 at 2:10 pmHezbollah has already started getting money into the hands of those who have lost homes in Lebanon.
I wish our government could react with such dispatch to help it’s own citizens.
Although some money has been earmarked by Congress for New Orleans, very very little of it has found it’s way into the hands of the displaced homeowners so far.
Art from N.O.
August 18th, 2006 at 2:18 pm#110
How about the government getting involved in building a good levee system that won’t fail when pushed upon a bit? Then, when it fails, who is supposed to pay for the collateral damage?
National security involves more than just the military.
Art in N.O.
August 18th, 2006 at 2:25 pmHow about the Government NOT since it isn’t the JOB of the government to build levees for the states, nor is it the job of the federal government to give people money whose homes were destroyed. It’s the Insuarnce companies and LOCAL government. NOT the federal government. STATE = local, Federal = Complete USA.
August 18th, 2006 at 3:05 pm113
wow that would be a great analogy if we could show how president bush and the government kidnapped some tornados and started shooting at mother Katrina from every house in New Orleans and she came in and wiped out the whole gulf coast in retaliation…
are you serious?!
What happend after the gret San Fransisco Earthquakes and fires? The Chicago fire? Was there a since of entitlement from your government? No they got together as a community and rebuilt via private venture and (gasp) churches, and community… and were the streets paved in gold in 2 years? 4 years? 10? I’m so sick of this “grass-hopper” mentality when the ants got their act together before the storm.
And who were the knuckleheads running New Orleans and Lousiana all these years? Bush appointees right? Give me a break I am ashamed that mayor Nagin is a fellow aluminist of Tulane. He actually had the nerve after Katrina to buy a home in Dallas… Meanwhile telling everyone he’s keeping New Orleans chocolate?
August 18th, 2006 at 3:13 pm#116
Just who do you think built the substandard levees that failed? For your information, it was the US Army Corps of Engineers. Not the state or local governments. Yet we have no recourse toward the people responsible for the shoddy levees.
Insursnce? Regular homeowners insurance excludes flood damage. Some people had flood insurance, but the maximum coverage on a standard flood policy is $250,000. What if your house was worth more than that, as many of them were? Who do we go to for restitution when the federal government assures us that an event like this will not happen, and then it does?
What if it happened in New York, California, Washington D.C., Kansas or Minnesota? We here in Louisiana are United States citizens also.
August 18th, 2006 at 3:46 pmJoneser
August 18th, 2006 at 4:30 pmThis is not about you or your love of chocolate.
This is about accountability of the people responsible.
If you had someone build a house and it collapsed during a thunderstorm, you would hold them accountable. Wouldn’t you?
Be careful America. Look around. You and your family use or rely on government projects everyday. Bridges on the federal highways, Countless dams and levees on the rivers across the country guarding your lands. All built by the “federal government”. All would have tragic consequenses if they should fail. And, all immune to any prosecution attempted by the victims. I sincerely hope you do not have to experience the pain and tragedy myself and my neighbors have had to endure.
As I said before, National security is more than the military. Maybe you should consider getting some “terrorist” insurance that would cover you in case the government fails to protect you, too. Don’t want to risk being labeled a grasshopper, do you?
The answer to the question about insurance only insuring to 250K, what if it’s worth more, is GET MORE INSURANCE! I made 4 calls and found 3 companies willing to increase the insurance coverage. (ie riders or something, I can’t understand half of what they are getting at). And yes, I live in a flood zone, and yes I have insurance, and yes, I am responsible for myself, not the federal government.
As for terrorist insurance, I have that also. Mr. Smith, Mr. Wesson, and 11 of their relatives in each clip, along with no objection to doing whatever is necessary to protect my family. Again, I spent 10 years protecting this country, I am MORE than capable, and willing, to protect my family. No matter what it takes.
August 18th, 2006 at 4:49 pmDouglas G
You are correct. Additional insurance is available. However, many of the homes that were flooded due to the levee failure were not in a flood zone and the homeowners had been advised that they were not required to have flood insurance. Also, the additional riders for additional insurance are expensive. Many of the homeowners who lost their homes were retired, elderly and on limited fixed incomes. For many, the only substantial investment they had was their home. Think about it. If you had been covered fully by insurance and were lucky that all of your family survived and suffered no financial loss, would you just shrug your shoulders, wipe your brow, live in a trailer for 18 months while you rebuild your house and thank the good Lord that you have dodged a bullet? Or would you be outraged that such a thing should have happened in the first place, and work to make sure it does not happen again?
I have no idea how your smith and wesson is going to help you get your home or loved ones back if they are hit by a missile. The levee failure was like a missile fired at New Orleans, except there was more wide-spread devestation.
August 18th, 2006 at 6:17 pmDouglas G.
By your logic we should bring home all our troops from Afghanistan and Iraq except those from New York City. We should do away with all the airline security checks except at La Guardia and only inspect containers going to Brooklyn. If the next hurricane, tornado, mud, blood, or flood hits at your house Baby, just send yo soul home to yo momma cause yo ass belong to the Mayor.
August 18th, 2006 at 7:00 pmI have been trying to get in touch with the Fannie Mae program. THis program allows the the family to live in the home for 18 months rent free, but the family must pay all utilities, then the family can purchase the home. I would have had a down payment to purchase a home but I used that money during and surving the Hurricane. I thought I would enter this blog…maybe someone out there would know where I could get some help. Let me say this also, I am not looking for a handout only a hand up. Thanks.
December 11th, 2006 at 3:12 pm