Who will Bush blame this time?

September 2, 2005 6:55 AM

FEMA Director Mike Brown fired from prior job at Arabian Horse Association. Why is NOLA relief so unbelievably slow in arriving? Could the leadership of FEMA have anything to do with it? The current head of FEMA (Fedral Emergency Management Agency) "resigned" from his former post as head of an Arabian horse owners association under a cloud of litigation. He then moved on to FEMA as legal counsel for former FEMA head Joe Allbaugh, an old college buddy. When Allbaugh left, Brown took over. Nice how buddies can help each other, isn't it? Can anyone guess who Bush & Co will force to take the rap for the crisis of New Orleans? (via Daily Kos)
posted by mooncrow (107 comments total)

"He was an unmitigated, total fucking disaster"

Sounds like they could have been talking about the recent events really.
posted by Meccabilly at 7:09 AM on September 2, 2005

Bush and Co will blame the victims for not leaving.
posted by stbalbach at 7:17 AM on September 2, 2005

*sigh*.

Even if the government couldn't have stopped the flooding, it's inconciveable that they also couldn't prevent all those people from getting fucked right proper afterwards. NO Should be empty now and all those people should have shelter.

You don't have to wait untill after the disaster to start figuring out what to do, you know.
posted by delmoi at 7:18 AM on September 2, 2005

He's an estate lawyer, right?
posted by 31d1 at 7:21 AM on September 2, 2005

Bush said before leaving for NO that the relief effort has been "unacceptable."

Hey, at least he's admitting it.
posted by Pollomacho at 7:21 AM on September 2, 2005

Bush has a history of bad strategerizizing on the exit plans.
posted by crunchland at 7:22 AM on September 2, 2005

Last night on CNN:

MICHAEL BROWN, DIRECTOR, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY: Paula, I think it's so important for the American public to understand exactly how catastrophic this disaster is.

I mean, we have a major American city, a major urban area that has been totally demolished. And what we're finding is, is that, as we continue to do the evacuation and get people out, people who have completely lost everything, they have no place to go, they have nothing, that we're finding other people who are literally coming out of second stories of homes, that are suddenly appearing on bridges that are not under water, that people who were unable or chose not to evacuate are suddenly appearing.

And so, this -- this catastrophic disaster continues to grow. I will tell you this, though. Every person in that Convention Center, we just learned about that today. And so, I have directed that we have all available resources to get to that Convention Center to make certain that they have the food and water, the medical care that they need...

ZAHN: Sir, you aren't telling me...

BROWN: ... and that we take care of those bodies that are there.

(CROSSTALK)

ZAHN: Sir, you aren't just telling me you just learned that the folks at the Convention Center didn't have food and water until today, are you? You had no idea they were completely cut off?

(CROSSTALK)

BROWN: Paula, the federal government did not even know about the Convention Center people until today.
posted by barjo at 7:24 AM on September 2, 2005

Brown tries to place the blame on the refugees, and states progress so far has been 'remarkable.'

I think it's remarkable he said it with a straight face.
posted by NationalKato at 7:27 AM on September 2, 2005

Excuse me. I have a question. If we cannot respond to this, how can we reasonably believe that the Department of Homeland Security could respond to a large scale terrorist action?

It's clear the focus is on preventing the wrong threats and we are woefully unprepared to respond to actual events.
posted by shagoth at 7:30 AM on September 2, 2005

Hell, I think progress has been both remarkable and incredible. I'm certainly remarking about the lack of progress, and I still have trouble believing it.
posted by eriko at 7:31 AM on September 2, 2005

The communication gaps are appalling. The appears to be no cohesive multi-agency communication at all. There better at the very least be a Senate investigation of what went wrong here. Something of this level most certainly goes beyond a few inept people and probably to some core policy problems with these agencies. I think our government has shown itself to be effective with highly localized disasters, but this seems to simply overwhelm them. Like a child sticking his finger into the North Sea.
posted by geoff. at 7:37 AM on September 2, 2005

NO Should be empty now and all those people should have shelter.

Exactly how would you provide emergency shelter for an entire city? The logistical effort is enormous and takes more than a few days to get going. Don't let the apparent lack of action fool you into thinking that nothing is being done. The delay in initiating action is kind of sad, but nothing can be done about that now.
posted by a3matrix at 7:47 AM on September 2, 2005

The delay in initiating action is kind of sad

Go to fucking hell, a3matrix. Douchebag.
posted by Toecutter at 7:51 AM on September 2, 2005

Don't let the apparent lack of action fool you into thinking that nothing is being done. The delay in initiating action is kind of sad, but nothing can be done about that now.

Hey, Bush has already said that the response so far has been inadequeate. GET WITH THE NEW TALKING POINTS!
posted by jperkins at 7:53 AM on September 2, 2005

You know who's good at refugee stuff? The UN. Wouldn't it be great if Bush had to send Ambassador Brimley in to beg Kofi for help with the refugees
posted by Pollomacho at 7:53 AM on September 2, 2005

It's Like FEMA Had Never Been to a Hurricane:

Col. Terry Ebbert, director of homeland security for New Orleans, concurred, and he was particularly pungent in his criticism. Asserting that the whole recovery operation had been "carried on the backs of the little guys for four goddamn days," he said that "the rest of the goddamn nation can't get us any resources for security."

"We are like little birds with our mouths open, and you don't have to be very smart to know where to drop the worm," Colonel Ebbert said. "It's criminal within the confines of the United States that within one hour of the hurricane they weren't force-feeding us. It's like FEMA has never been to a hurricane."

posted by kirkaracha at 7:56 AM on September 2, 2005

Maybe they should have fucking planned in advance, a3matrix? Like they were supposed to do, and like FEMA did before cronyization took their "disaster preparedness" mission away and gave it to an as-yet-unformed directorate?

Clinton appointee James Lee Witt was the first -- and only -- FEMA chief to actually have a background in emergency management. He was, of course, replaced by Bush fixer Joe Allbaugh, who resigned to form a Beltway consulting firm. Allbaugh picked his college roommate as his replacement.
posted by Vidiot at 7:58 AM on September 2, 2005

Bush/FEMA timeline
posted by sonofsamiam at 8:00 AM on September 2, 2005

crunchland writes "Bush has a history of bad strategerizizing on the exit plans."

This is the first I've heard of that. Can you provide some links, crunchland?
posted by OmieWise at 8:00 AM on September 2, 2005

Honestly, I doubt the head of FEMA has anything to do with the response other than to be on TV about it.
posted by smackfu at 8:03 AM on September 2, 2005

And what can we do to hold the government accountable? Where is the outrage from the rest of country?

Have online campaigns mobilized to organize and deliver this outrage to the offices of our leaders?
posted by sponselli at 8:11 AM on September 2, 2005

The delay in initiating action is kind of sad, but nothing can be done about that now.

Right. Not with the way FEMA is now. But let's not forget why that FEMA is that way now. Republican ideology led to FEMA being scaled back. They used to plan for disaster mitigation. Once upon a time (a few years ago), as soon as Katrina started to menace, the rescue plan would already be put in motion.

Then Republican ideologues and hacks were appointed to run FEMA, who decided it was bloated and wasted money, and that much of the disaster recovery should be done by private agencies. It appears now that the folks at FEMA figured if something really nasty happened, they'd think about what to do after it happened. That's bullshit, pure and simple. Troops should have been standing-by already en route on Saturday night. Ships should have already been ready to sail. Instead, FEMA seems to have been sitting with its thumb up it's ass. (Kevin Drum has a nice chronology up on the Republican castration of FEMA).

As it turns out, the idea that government can do no good for the people has actual, real-world consequences. What a surprise. People don't want to bring up politics at a time like this, but when it is politics that is leading to the death of people, we need to talk about it.

FEMA is not even remotely blameless in this: people need to be fired.

I'm a private citizen. I live in Colorado, thousands of miles away. I was on vacation in the Rockies from Monday to Wednesday. I knew there were stranded New Orleans residents at the convention center, and that their situation was bad on Wednesday. If Brown really just figured that out, FIRE HIM. Right now. Find someone who actually has some fucking clue about this stuff. Not a political crony and estate lawyer who just ended up at FEMA by accident.

This disaster was horrible in scale: if we did everything right and FEMA was run by competent people, things would have been grim. Instead, we have a bunch of fucking jackasses running the show, and in the world's richest nation we are still trying to get a real rescue effort coordinated, FIVE DAYS after Katrina hit. That's unacceptable.
posted by teece at 8:13 AM on September 2, 2005

George Bush: "An unmitigated, total fucking disaster." Buddy, the buck stops with you!
posted by ericb at 8:14 AM on September 2, 2005

I thought amateur hour was only supposed to last an hour, we're going on, what, five and a half years of it now?

Its no longer funny, can we please let the adults back in so this kind of shit can be handled by responsible people?
posted by fenriq at 8:18 AM on September 2, 2005

Exactly how would you provide emergency shelter for an entire city?

How would I do it? I'm glad you asked that question. I would use shipping containers. I would set up tens of thousands of them on high-ground far inland, and I would have rounded up every charter bus, every greyhound in the region and used them to get people out who wanted to get out before the storm. Then I would have sent those busses, hell even semi trucks back to pick people up.

I don't know if this would have worked, but I'm just a computer programmer. I'm sure a seasoned disaster relief person could come up with a better plan.

See, the idea is to set everything up BEFORE the trouble starts.

All people in NO got was a free trip to the superdome where they could starve for a week before being taken somewhere else.

If you only start to deal with something you know is going to happen after it happens, and it's on this magnitude, it's going to be a clusterfuck.

9/11 affected what, 5 or 6 blocks? Once the buildings came down, that was it. Only cleanup remained. This is an ongoing problem that we all knew was going to happen sooner or later. The lack of preparation is a disgrace.
posted by delmoi at 8:45 AM on September 2, 2005

Brown- The lawlessness, the crime that is occurring, did surprise us.
posted by Balisong at 8:48 AM on September 2, 2005

It's really ghoulish to see everyone howling for blood about this before the crisis has passed. Wait until it's over before you start pointing fingers, ok? I don't want these giant fuckups to have to worry about protecting their jobs and evacuation proceedings at the same time.
posted by boo_radley at 8:50 AM on September 2, 2005

Wait until it's over before you start pointing fingers, ok?

You know who I'm really sick of? The "don't talk about it" crowd.

Feel free to tune out if you want, but I want to talk about it now before they can cover up the facts and make excuses.
posted by milovoo at 8:55 AM on September 2, 2005

It's really ghoulish to see everyone howling for blood about this before the crisis has passed. Wait until it's over before you start pointing fingers, ok? I don't want these giant fuckups to have to worry about protecting their jobs and evacuation proceedings at the same time.

It's better to let a complete fucking idiot be in charge, so that folks in NOLA can continue to die because this fucking moron has no clue about disaster recovery?

Sorry, I don't see that. There are folks in America that know this stuff. Fire that fucker, and get one of them there, NOW. Brown spent about 6 hours on TV yesterday -- how the fuck is he doing his job if he has that much time to sit and talk to the camera?

Now is the time. People are dying now. They are going to continue to die of the leadership is this inept.
posted by teece at 8:57 AM on September 2, 2005

Honestly, I doubt the head of FEMA has anything to do with the response other than to be on TV about it.
posted by smackfu at 9:03 AM MST on September 2

Is my sarcasm meter busted, or is that truly my moron detector pegged?
posted by Eekacat at 8:59 AM on September 2, 2005

Brown spent about 6 hours on TV yesterday -- how the fuck is he doing his job if he has that much time to sit and talk to the camera?

That thought went through my mind too as I watched him give a few interviews. How does he have time for this?
posted by caddis at 9:02 AM on September 2, 2005

Some harrowing, horrible accounts from the ground in today's Toronto Star:

Rosie di Manno, columnist: "It is disgraceful that not a single relief agency has any presence on the ground as far as those of us who are here can see. No Red Cross, no federal emergency administrators, no medical teams, no shelter officials, no angels of mercy."

Tim Harder, reporter, after describing how him and a photog ran into a firefight between cops and looters (ending with the cops seizing the photog's memory cards after he got shots of them beating a looter so bad he shat himself):

Later, down St. Charles, some try to stop you to ask for rides — "I have a baby ..." — others glare sardonically, while others peer at the car blankly.

Through downtown, toward the French Quarter, the refugees congregate in groups of 10 or 20. Some have guns, some have crowbars or iron bars, and, mindful of carjackings, you dispense with the hurricane etiquette of treating darkened intersections as four-way stops.

When you park on Canal St. to get a sense of the enormity of the refugee flow as people come down the Interstate overpass, many pushing shopping carts or luggage racks, you sense the desperation. You park close to where others are parked and you regret that you can't pack them all in your backseat and get them out of there.

And you wonder where the relief workers are. (Rest)
posted by docgonzo at 9:03 AM on September 2, 2005

"Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job." - GWB, 9/2/05
posted by madamjujujive at 9:03 AM on September 2, 2005

Wait until it's over before you start pointing fingers, ok?

Then we get the "That was all in the past, and while mistakes were made, we must hold the course and move forward in a decisive manner, and maintain our vigilence." bullshit that theyve been feeding us for years. What does "hold the course" mean, anyway?
posted by Balisong at 9:06 AM on September 2, 2005

You know who I'm really sick of? The "don't talk about it" crowd.
posted by milovoo

Go to fucking hell, a3matrix. Douchebag.
posted by Toecutter

Evidently you can talk about, just make sure you toe the party line.
posted by justgary at 9:09 AM on September 2, 2005

Which party's line is not to talk about how we let this happen?
posted by Balisong at 9:10 AM on September 2, 2005

Melinika sent me this on MSN: US Won't let Canada help Katrina victims.

Short version: us silly Canucks want to help, and have a competent and experienced team, with all sorts of useful equipment, on standby to fly. Your government won't let us in, despite our presence being requested.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 9:21 AM on September 2, 2005

The metafilter party line. Discuss it, fine, but toecutter's repsonse to a barely differing opinion seems to make it difficult.
posted by justgary at 9:22 AM on September 2, 2005

Evidently you can talk about, just make sure you toe the party line.

Situation normal then.

From now on, I'm not even listening to jerks who want to mini-moderate. I can manage to figure out what's appropriate discussion in real-life, and I don't need advice about it on the web. I've already helped answer red cross phones, and I'm spending my upcoming vacation on the gulf coast helping with a food effort (if it works out). Do you know what people talk about when they aren't answering phones at the red cross? Their opinions of various leaders and the handling of the crisis. You think they are out-of-line as well?

How about we just fill every thread on the blue with stupid little dots instead?

.

there! look how sympathetic I am. Now let people talk if they want.
posted by milovoo at 9:23 AM on September 2, 2005

Justgary

Why don't you drive down to New Orleans and cradle one of those infants dying of dehydration and see if you can still be such a smug fuck urging polite discourse. Fuck you.
posted by Toecutter at 9:32 AM on September 2, 2005

I'm not tuning out, or trying to indemnify him or justify his shit job. I'm saying the dude's gonna be covering his ass because he's got to deal with calls for his resignation while he's in charge. Since Bush is still behind his man, apparently, and not firing him, your question becomes: do you want him answering questions or trying to help people? Get someone close to him to really handle the issue while Brown maintains the appearance of competence, even. Then, when everythings done, we can drive him to the crossroads and break his bones with lead rods and decapitate him.
Compassion first, blame later was the gist of my original point, not see no/ hear no/ speak no.
posted by boo_radley at 9:33 AM on September 2, 2005

The people that say "Don't point the finger of blame yet, we can look into this later" are the same that, six months down the line, will say, "let's look to the future, not the past."
posted by MegoSteve at 9:41 AM on September 2, 2005

milovoo, finally someone else who hates those stupid dots.

You know what else is stupid? Blaiming Bush/Republicans as if they don't realize that at the very least, the situation is only getting worse and that can't be good for their ratings. Don't think that they're aware of what's going on and trying to do something? This is a clusterfuck and it looks, to put it mildly, bad at home and internationally. Claiming Bush lacks empathy and rather be playing guitar is frusteratingly ignorant. Something of this magnitude cannot be caused by one man or an administration. Apparently FEMA was castrated, definitely the administration's fault but what about the Red Cross and other aid agencies? Where are they? Our government wasn't the only one unprepared for this disaster. No one saw somethin of this magnitude and the communication breakdown caused my lack of central leadership is causing this. The mayor of NO is doing no good blaming this on everyone. He should be actively directing relief efforts instead of telling everyone else to. Bush, being the leader of country, should be doing his job organizing international aid and help, along with directing federal assistance. It's a trickle down, the whole upper management structure is lacking dire leadership. This is on the state level, FEMA, everyone. No one is taking the initiative. See it's a clusterfuck:

1. New Orleans government caught blindsided, overreacts to looting (instead of rationing between rescue and securing the mobs).

2. The National Guard was not mobilized in time, they can't just pack up and go at a moment's notice. They should have begun preparing for the worst Saturday and had trucks outside of New Orleans idling and waitin to evacuate if needed.

3. FEMA and federal agencies are either ignoring or can't communicate with officials on the ground into what aid is needed. I've seen this before, it happens in organizations of all kind. They want their people on the ground to tell them where aid is needed and what they want to do. They don't want to listen to CNN reporters or others on the ground sayin "we need aid", they want to have people to evaulate before they send it. In theory this prevents waste and misdirection of aid but obviously there's a severe blind spot with these agencies and they aren't listening to those who are there.

4. And Bush for not asking and/or accepting international aid and help. Stations were predicting the worst on Sunday, he should have been asking everyone for logisitical help. This was not done out of pride or disbelief the worst could happen.

The decentralized nature of this operation is causing this. Large operations like this need strong leadership to direct and manage, so that micromanaging can be trickled down. None of this is happening or it is happenin woefully too late. Clusterfuck.
posted by geoff. at 9:42 AM on September 2, 2005

"...my lack of central leadership is causing this."

Well, at least we know who to blame now.
posted by voltairemodern at 9:44 AM on September 2, 2005

Is my sarcasm meter busted, or is that truly my moron detector pegged?

I just think it's cute when people put so much stock in the leadership, when they usually have so little to do with anything real.
posted by smackfu at 9:48 AM on September 2, 2005

MegoSteve: That is not the case with me. Michael Brown needs to be held accountable.
posted by boo_radley at 9:51 AM on September 2, 2005

I don't see why Brown shouldn't be replaced as soon as possible - He's fucked up spectacularly for 5 1/2 days, and this situation, even if it had been run well, is going to be going on for months. Where are the tent cities for the refugees? How's that pumping going? What, are we supposed to 'stay the course' with every dunderheaded desicion this administration makes?
posted by maryh at 9:53 AM on September 2, 2005

Toecutter, you did not just seriously tell us to think of the children, did you?

I'm wondering if people are keeping in mind that this is a discussion board, admittedly a nice and popular one, but that's it. It's not a church, relief agency or official news source where we should put extra thought into what we type.

You know what else is stupid? blaming Bush/Republicans as if they don't realize that at the very least, the situation is only getting worse and that can't be good for their ratings.

How is it stupid? You basically list the evidence in the paragraph after that and he was the leader and the buck should have stopped there. It's that simple. Years of nepotism, arrogance and corruption have limited their options and putting a smiley face on it then passing the blame along is not going to help, or have we just come to accept buck-passing as the correct way to do things?
posted by milovoo at 9:54 AM on September 2, 2005

a3matrix: Exactly how would you provide emergency shelter for an entire city?

Medecins Sans Frontiers: Setting up a refugee camp in the heart of the city.

There are people who know how to do this. It just takes planning, and superb organization. Perhaps FEMA should have been outsourced to MSF?
posted by Popular Ethics at 10:02 AM on September 2, 2005

Where's Rumsfeld? Hasn't he told the President that you respond to the hurricane you have, not the hurricane you want?
posted by Vidiot at 10:05 AM on September 2, 2005

milovoo, why would it be bad to think about children and babies dying in New Orleans and Biiloxi because of this appalling excuse for a relief effort? Because it makes you uncomfortable to think about? Tough, it's damned near unbearable for someone to watch their children die because their government is too fucking slow to get off its ponderous ass and do something to help.

The "Don't talk about it" crowd should just not talk about it themselves and go read the Friday Flash posts if they're "tired" of the NewsFilter and second guessing but don't expect other people to quiet down about it. This is an unfolding travest in our country, we're seeing firsthand how unprepared we really are for a disaster of this scale.
posted by fenriq at 10:06 AM on September 2, 2005

If we do not hold our officials accountable, who will?

As others have noted, the vast majority of the people trapped in New Orleans did not have the financial means to evacuate the city before the hurricane.

Nor did they have the political cache to get prompt action from our countries leaders. Today it seems that President Bush is admitting there is a problem, and perhaps he and his team will do something to start resolving it.

But I believe that this should have been happening earlier. Before Friday, Sept. 2.
posted by sponselli at 10:07 AM on September 2, 2005

Have you seen the Anderson Cooper / Mary Landrieu clip from CNN?

He's been there since the beginning, you want to bitch him out for talking politics?
posted by milovoo at 10:08 AM on September 2, 2005

When are the protests going to start?
posted by bshort at 10:11 AM on September 2, 2005

The reason that we rejected Canadian aid is that it was all maple syrup and Horton Holes.

Sorry you're fucked, NO. Guess you shoulda told the rest of your state to vote for Kerry, because while the Democrats are boring and condescending, they're generally competent.
(Or at least it would have quieted MeFi down, not having Bush to blame when the Kerry administration cut funding and fucked over NO...)
posted by klangklangston at 10:14 AM on September 2, 2005

Why don't you drive down to New Orleans and cradle one of those infants dying of dehydration and see if you can still be such a smug fuck urging polite discourse. Fuck you.
posted by Toecutter

If I could, I would. The roads are useless, gas is no where to be found, and I'm still dealing with effects of hurricane Ivan last year.

Not that you really wanted an answer, but there you go. Now go back to acting like you're in grade school with all the big words.
posted by justgary at 10:14 AM on September 2, 2005

bshort: I was thinking the same thing. This is personally the angriest I've been at our government. I know I can't be the only one.
posted by billysumday at 10:14 AM on September 2, 2005

milovoo, why would it be bad to think about children and babies dying in New Orleans and Biiloxi because of this appalling excuse for a relief effort? Because it makes you uncomfortable to think about?

No, it's just that it's so obvious, if you've owned a television for a few years you've seen iraqi babies, Sarajevo babies, Columbian babies, Russian babies, European babies, babies in the deep South, babies in the freezing North, babies at sea, babies down a well, pretty much everywhere. It's the cliche relief image. I believe all life is sacred, there's no need to bring infants into it just to support your point of view or to get donations. Thus the "think of the children" cliche.
posted by milovoo at 10:17 AM on September 2, 2005

And by the way, I'm not asking for polite discourse, just useful discourse, of which you are obviously incapable.
posted by justgary at 10:17 AM on September 2, 2005

It's amazing how incompetent the Republicans are showing themselves to be.

Want a simple talking point? "Incompetent Republican."

This is a failure of government. Of the executive branch. If Bush isn't going to fire half of his cabinet, he should do the honorable thing and resign. "The results are not acceptable." No shit, sherlock, and you're the one who's responsible for it.
posted by bshort at 10:18 AM on September 2, 2005

Interesting discussion going here. I'd point back to Mr. Brown's work history and suggest that he be fired immediately. Call in former director James Lee Witt (the first actual emergency planner who ever headed FEMA) RIGHT NOW. Or as someone above suggested, call in someone from the UN. Or from Canada. Just get somebody in charge NOW.

But that won't happen, because our POTUS, good old Blinkey Chimp, he doesn't change his mind, he stays the course.

Argh. Fuck! To all of you sheeple who voted this moron into office -- we told you so!

And for 2008? Let's re-elect Bill Clinton? I don't give a damn that he can't serve more than 2 terms. I say let's just elect him anyway, and then provide President Clinton with an entire bevy of interns to give him blowjobs every day. And free cigars! What ever the fuck he wants. If a few interns let us get this country back on track, I'm all for 'em. Just let him run the country again.
posted by mooncrow at 10:23 AM on September 2, 2005

What if something like this happened in your city? Would the response have been that much better? Wasn't Bush and the gang reelected mostly because people thought they'd be so much better at dealing with a terrorist attack?

This was like a terrorist attack with several days of warning and they still fucked it up.

What happens when another US city gets attacked by terrorists? Can we assume that things will descend directly into anarchy? Is this an abberation or is this what we can expect in the future?
posted by bshort at 10:31 AM on September 2, 2005

What happens when another US city gets attacked by terrorists?

Hmm, I heard some other pinko liberal saying the same thing.

“I think it puts into question all of the Homeland Security and Northern Command planning for the last four years, because if we can’t respond faster than this to an event we saw coming across the Gulf for days, then why do we think we’re prepared to respond to a nuclear or biological attack?” said former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

So, what does Bush do today? Fly to Alamaba, and, oh, by the way, make another recess appointment.
posted by eriko at 10:43 AM on September 2, 2005

milovoo, its a cliche because its so damned heart wrenching to think about and ten times harder to witness first hand. Yes, its sad when an elderly person passes away but they've had a chance to live. A dead baby had no chance to live.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for rescuing everyone but the thought of mothers with their babies watching them slowly die for lack of a clean bottle of water is absolutely heart breaking. Think of the children, think of the mothers, think of the fathers, think of the grandmothers, think of all of them, think about all of them waiting for aid that hasn't gotten to them yet.

The one thing this whole thing has brought home quite clearly is that, in the event of a catastrophy, I'm not gonna expect any help from anyone else. I'm going to make for damned sure I can take care of myself and my family because this debacle has ably shown just how little regard my government has for any individual who isn't on the President's speed dial.

Its sickening and wrong and I hope this helps open some people's eyes.
posted by fenriq at 10:45 AM on September 2, 2005

In 9/11 people put themselves in danger to rescue victims. In NOLA some potshots have everyone freaked out and unwilling to risk their lives. No doubt there are heroics going on, but the way commanders make it out, they are unwilling to do rescues while the "security situation" is out of control. Where are the heroes? Where are the take-charge gung-ho kick-ass commanders? Most of the fireing is because people are pissed off by the lack of rescue effort and they lash out with the only source of power they have in a moment of frustration, as choppers and boats pull away while they are left behind. This is not the anarchy that people make it out to be.
posted by stbalbach at 10:52 AM on September 2, 2005

I think the message is clear, if your city is hit by a disaster loot early and often, grab what food and water you can, because the govt. is in no hurry to bring any kind of relief.
posted by Buck Eschaton at 10:55 AM on September 2, 2005

Can we assume that things will descend directly into anarchy?

Pretty much, yes. Don't count on the authorities to do jack for you & yours. Looking back, I find myself agreeing more & more with those looney survivalist types I've made so much fun of over the years.

...which is profoundly disturbing to me.
posted by aramaic at 10:58 AM on September 2, 2005

The White House scrambled Thursday to defend itself against criticism that it has consistently proposed cutting the budget for Army Corps of Engineers water and flood control projects -- including several that could have mitigated the disaster in New Orleans. Just in February, President George W. Bush proposed cutting the Corps' budget by 7 percent. The year before, Bush proposed a 13 percent cut. "Flood control has been a priority of this administration from Day One," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters. source
posted by crunchland at 11:00 AM on September 2, 2005

Here's an awesome idea: how about we elect representatives that, in the event of a national disaster, get things done so that we can stave off anarchy just a little longer.

We need representatives that are going to invest in needed infrastructure and are going to stop cutting aid to cities in favor of tax cuts to the rich.
posted by bshort at 11:07 AM on September 2, 2005

Every.

Federal

Slacker.

Involved.

Will.

Get.

A Raise.

And a Promotion.

Likelihood: if you helped the relief effort in any official capacity and happened to be critical of the Feds in any way in the course of executing your duties as such, you will be fired at the most expedient juncture available.

Don't pretend you don't know this is going to happen.

Losers are winners and complainers are toast in Bushworld.

No exceptions, zero tolerance.
posted by objet at 11:08 AM on September 2, 2005

I say let's just elect him anyway, and then provide President Clinton with an entire bevy of interns to give him blowjobs every day.

Thanks, mooncrow, that's the first good laugh I've had all week. And I agree with you completely. If this situation doesn't open the eyes of the nation to Bush's incompetence and indifference, then nothing will.
posted by wadefranklin at 11:10 AM on September 2, 2005

At Christmastime in the year 2000, shortly after Bush's election was declared final by the SCOTUS, I was on an airplane discussing Bush with a stranger.
I was no fan of Bush, but I found myself defending him at least to a small degree against this rabid Texas native. I remember saying, "Oh, come on, he's been governor of Texas for years now and it's not like it has sunk into the ocean."

Damn. Even that was overstating Bush's competence.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 11:11 AM on September 2, 2005

objet -- it's already happening: "brownie, you're doing a great job!"

poor and working class republicans are totally cool with the fact that they can be dimissed from their low paying jobs for all sorts of infractions -- both actions and utterances -- but bush's peeps get nothing but praise and promotions for their fuck ups as long as they're loyal to the president and never criticize the administration. it's sickening.
posted by lord_wolf at 11:14 AM on September 2, 2005

boo_radley writes "It's really ghoulish to see everyone howling for blood about this before the crisis has passed. Wait until it's over before you start pointing fingers, ok? I don't want these giant fuckups to have to worry about protecting their jobs and evacuation proceedings at the same time."

Have you ever heard the term: "Lighting a fire under their asses?"

Besides, all these fuckers know they have golden parachutes.
posted by OmieWise at 11:15 AM on September 2, 2005

Toecutter writes "Go to fucking hell, a3matrix. Douchebag."

Toecutter writes "Fuck you."

Do you kiss your kids with that mouth?
posted by OmieWise at 11:20 AM on September 2, 2005

Heh, yes I do, OmieWise, when I tuck them in every night :).

As far as the colorful language, sometimes you can't hold it in. This is one of those times.
posted by Toecutter at 11:30 AM on September 2, 2005

If this situation doesn't open the eyes of the nation to Bush's incompetence and indifference, then nothing will.

My fear exactly.
posted by dragstroke at 11:30 AM on September 2, 2005

then nothing will

well then, nothing will. have you seen the cnn front page? he hugged a black girl, he's now off the hook. the talking points have been distributed, and we're going to be told we need to just be thankful the aid got there and we need to look forward to the rebuilding of the area rather than focus on blaming anyone but the people of n.o. themselves.

nothing -- nothing -- harms this man's image for more than a few days.
posted by lord_wolf at 11:36 AM on September 2, 2005

Wait until it's over before you start pointing fingers, ok?

If we did that, everyone would be dead.
posted by fungible at 11:41 AM on September 2, 2005

and they're dying and starving as we type.
posted by amberglow at 11:42 AM on September 2, 2005

And by the way, I'm not asking for polite discourse, just useful discourse, of which you are obviously incapable.

No, Justgary, not with Bush shills like you whose idea of "useful discourse" is to deflect deserved, albeit angry, criticism under the guise of political impartiality. What would be "useful" is for people like you quit giving this administration a pass for EVERY colossal fuck up.

Bonus points to you, though, for name dropping Ivan --although it does make your seeming wilfull disregard of the enormity of this administration's negligence all the more egregious.
posted by Toecutter at 11:53 AM on September 2, 2005

Bush's mention of 'faith-based charities' early in his speechifiying indicates to me an important subtext here. Conservatives hate how people have become dependent on Federal largesse, preferring suckers volunteers pony up charity in a form of tough-love rather than institutionalized relief.

Religious conservatives feel VERY strongly about the godless federal government crowding in on their game.

My mom is a religious conservative, and she's donating money she doesn't have to the Southern Baptist relief. Religious types love ministering the the vulnerable; if they can use this opportunity to save souls from eternal damnation then they will.
posted by Heywood Mogroot at 12:07 PM on September 2, 2005

Speaking of New Orleans, the title "A Confederacy Of Dunces" seems more apropos than ever, eh?
posted by fungible at 12:23 PM on September 2, 2005

Still a little confused by your reaction to my post Toecutter.

I re-read it a few times to see if there were some hidden agenda in it, and I just don't see it.

How do you read it? LMK
posted by a3matrix at 12:24 PM on September 2, 2005

No, Justgary, not with Bush shills like you whose idea of "useful discourse" is to deflect deserved, albeit angry, criticism under the guise of political impartiality. What would be "useful" is for people like you quit giving this administration a pass for EVERY colossal fuck up.

Bonus points to you, though, for name dropping Ivan --although it does make your seeming wilfull disregard of the enormity of this administration's negligence all the more egregious.
posted by Toecutter

What the hell are you talking about? Please point to examples of your accusations. My wanting civil discourse is giving the admistration a pass?

Your anger is coming across loud and clear (not to mention that you're an unstable individual). Maybe directing it to money for the red cross instead of cursing at people on metafilter would be a better choice.

Not as fun though, so keep cursing at names on the internet. You're doing a fantastic job.
posted by justgary at 1:08 PM on September 2, 2005

a3matrix writes:

Still a little confused by your reaction to my post Toecutter.

I'm confused by your confusion. Scanning back I saw three other strong reactions to your post.

Oh, and Milovoo, who writes "Toecutter, you did not just seriously tell us to think of the children, did you?",

These are real infants dying, not characters from your ninth grade writing class, so spare me the advice on cutting cliches, ok, Mr. Sparkling Prose.
posted by Toecutter at 1:19 PM on September 2, 2005

You're doing a fantastic job.

Well, Justgary, I guess congratulating me on my criticism of Bush and his apologists is as close as your going to come to making a substantive comment rather than whining about other people's tone. So I guess I'll have to live with it and let it be the last word.
posted by Toecutter at 1:27 PM on September 2, 2005

Please point to examples of your accusations. My wanting civil discourse is giving the admistration a pass? -justgary

*crickets* -toecutter

I thought as much.
posted by justgary at 1:42 PM on September 2, 2005

No, Justgary, actually you don't think.

Failing to criticize Bush in this case is the definition of a pass. That was my "accusation" and you just did it again.

And besides, Mr. Emily Post, you left civil discourse some time ago when you called me unstable. So again, fuck off.
posted by Toecutter at 2:03 PM on September 2, 2005

Alright guys, if you two are going to make out, get a room.
posted by Pollomacho at 2:26 PM on September 2, 2005

As a conservative who also happens to despise Bush, I think I'm in an unassailable position to declare Toecutter our very own "Toilet Mouth Ken Doll."

Or Barbie. Whichever turns thy crank.
posted by caporal at 2:29 PM on September 2, 2005

Waxman urged Bush to fire Michael Brown as FEMA head in January

"U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla) has urged President Bush to fire Michael Brown as undersecretary of the Homeland Security Department in charge of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Wexler cited reports in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that FEMA under Brown's management inappropriately gave away $30 million in disaster relief funds to people in the Miami, Florida, area even though they were not affected by Hurricane Frances, which made landfall more than 100 miles away."

posted by ericb at 2:33 PM on September 2, 2005

Heh Pollomacho -- he doesn't get his reach-around until he submits completely.

And Caporal, I think the old lady term you are looking for is "potty mouth." But do they really sell Toilet Mouthed Barbie Dolls, because if they do, I'm there.
posted by Toecutter at 3:06 PM on September 2, 2005

Looking back, I find myself agreeing more & more with those looney survivalist types I've made so much fun of over the years.

I've given up discussing the topic of scarce resources with people. Lord of the Flies is nothing but fiction to them. With the rate that clean drinking water is disappearing in N.A., we'll have plenty of opportunity to identify with the survivalists in future years. I just hope one gets into office so we can have one insanely fanatical border guard when it happens. No offence, Yanks.
posted by dreamsign at 4:09 PM on September 2, 2005

Toecutter: I specifically called it "Toilet Mouth." "Potty Mouth" is so 20th century.
posted by caporal at 4:19 PM on September 2, 2005

Oh, and Milovoo, who writes "Toecutter, you did not just seriously tell us to think of the children, did you?",

These are real infants dying, not characters from your ninth grade writing class, so spare me the advice on cutting cliches, ok, Mr. Sparkling Prose.

Just keep saying that Mr. Holier-than-thou, because it really make a difference and makes us all feel better. Your sensitive use of real baby imagery has won the discussion and proved that you are a better person. (although I did already explain this here) Are you perhaps in advertising?

Toecutter wins!!
posted by milovoo at 4:26 PM on September 2, 2005

You have to laugh at all the self-proclaimed libertarians who are bemoaning the lack of government assistance down in the danger zone. I guess when it comes to bailing out the people who ignored the evacuation orders, it's a-ok to expect government assistance.
posted by crunchland at 5:09 PM on September 2, 2005

Toecutter wins!!

Judging from the cock-punching you took from everyone responding to your brilliant post-baby literary theory, I'd have to agree.

And no, I'm not in advertising, but if I were, I'd say save your snarks for someone with whom you actually disagree.
posted by Toecutter at 5:20 PM on September 2, 2005

Failing to criticize Bush in this case is the definition of a pass. That was my "accusation" and you just did it again.

Really? i needed to be the 1000th metafilter member to say 'bush sucks'? That would have made a difference? Because I didn't I must think he's doing a swell job? Nice logic.

And besides, Mr. Emily Post, you left civil discourse some time ago when you called me unstable. So again, fuck off.

I am being civil. I honestly believe you are unstable (if I were uncivil I would have called you nuts). At the very least a person unable to deal with your anger in the real world, so you become a big man behind a faceless name on the internet. Therapy would do you well, and metafilter would be better without your childish insults. But good luck with your mindless ranting.

If you have more to get off your chest, feel free to email me.
posted by justgary at 5:25 PM on September 2, 2005

Justgary,

So you DO think Bush sucks. Well, now that you've capitulated, I can give you your well deserved reach-around.

Doctor Gary, it takes two for a flame war -- and in case you haven't noticed . . . you're actively participating in one. You have been all day. But now that you've called me out it seems like you have two choices: respond to my posting (again) and be a hypocrite or slink away. Now since stamina and not brains seems to be your forte, I expect the former, in which case I will go back and forth with you all night. Oh, and you have to come up with something better than I'm nuts to wriggle out of this one.
posted by Toecutter at 5:53 PM on September 2, 2005

people who ignored the evacuation orders

For what its worth, I retract this statement. It minimizes the enormity of the problem for the people who were more than merely unwilling, but actually unable to comply due to reasons beyond their control.
posted by crunchland at 8:11 PM on September 2, 2005

There are lots of young teenagers out there who never had a choice about whether they'd live or die, because of the decisions their parents made.

On the night Katrina hit, Erin Hennessey made a post from the city of Waveland, Mississippi -- a city that doesn't exist anymore.

"Just in case, God Forbid.
Dearies...

Riding out the worst storm in history, coming right for me. If anything happens remember that I love you.

Gretch...
You'd better go whether I'm there or not. If I can't make it YOU pick up the torch, because no one else can. Be nicer to Allie, and remember I love you!

Des,
I adore you, simply. You know why... thanks for everything you ever did or didn't do. 1000 times isn't enough.

DJ
For the love of god... Clean the litter.

K-bear,
::hugs like mad::

Naz Jeff and Matt...
Take care of my Dhead family and only believe 1/2 of what they tell you about me.

Bitty,
*hugs like mad*

Allie,
I'm glad you aren't here for this. It's scary and the weather isn't bad yet. I love you more than I can breath, more than I can say. More than you will ever know even if you live to be 100. You have always been the most important thing in my life and I will continue to watch over you from what ever tree I have to hide in. I tried to make mom leave but you know how stubborn she is. Be kind to Daddy, he's softer than you think. Watch a lot of commercials and think of me.

Now that I'm finished being overdramatic, I'm going to watch the weather channel and wait for Katrina.

Kisses,"
posted by insomnia_lj at 11:16 PM on September 2, 2005

So asking how to provide refugee relief for an entire city (never mind the rest of the gulf coast) is somehow answered with fuck you?
HAHAHAHAH Too funny. When you have no answers I guess...

It was a legit question I think, only answered by popular ethics. I have been on humanitarian ops before, and they always proved to be very difficult to pull off. Crazy amount of logistics.

I think my post may have been misunderstood to be something that was not intended.

That being said. I could care less about the children toecutter. Of the rest of the people for that matter.

I think most of you have too much faith in government.
Expect less and you won't be so dissappointed with the results.
posted by a3matrix at 7:09 PM on September 4, 2005

Embattled FEMA head Mike Brown insists he is well-qualified to lead the nation's disaster response agency - though he spent his time before joining the Federal Emergency Management Agency probing whether a breeder was performing liposuction on a horse's rear end.
posted by amberglow at 6:40 AM on September 8, 2005

"Mr. Brown always wanted to be a lawyer and did! He went to Oklahoma City University's School of Law after earning his college degree."

Although appparently he went to an unaccredited law school! [second link is to TPM which links to sub required article at TNR]
posted by mds35 at 1:52 PM on September 8, 2005

...apppppparently.
posted by mds35 at 1:53 PM on September 8, 2005

Looks like the shit - horse and all - continues to pile up around Mike Brown! Someone throw him a shovel!

Second thought - naw, let him claw his way out.
posted by ericb at 1:54 PM on September 8, 2005