WSJ: Michael Brown is resigning as head of FEMA,

[Purveyor]

Michael Brown is resigning as head of FEMA, according to people familiar with the matter.

Full story to follow shortly.

http://online.wsj.com/public/us

From the AP:

Embattled FEMA Director Mike Brown Resigns

(09-12) 12:05 PDT WASHINGTON (AP) --


Federal Emergency Management Agency director Mike Brown said Monday he has resigned "in the best interest of the agency and best interest of the president," three days after losing his onsite command of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.


"The focus has got to be on FEMA, what the people are trying to do down there," Brown told The Associated Press.

-snip-

"I'm turning in my resignation today," Brown said. "I think it's in the best interest of the agency and the best interest of the president to do that and get the media focused on the good things that are going on, instead of me."

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/09/12/national/w120059D53.DTL

[rzemanfl]

1. Let's find out what his retirement package is like. I bet it will

be shocking.

[Tesla]

87. Maybe 31million??

Isn't that what he handed out to win Flin 04?

[rzemanfl]

91. More likely just a 'finder's fee" of like $3.1 million, and that is

probably offshore in numbered accounts.

[Divernan]

115. In Grand Cayman w/ the rest of the GOP/corporate accounts

nt

[Serial Mom]

96. His new job will be in private sector

making millions from government!

[ClintonTyree]

114. The Arabian Horse Lobby...........

just gained a valuable ally. My guess would be that "Brownie" will be snapped up by one of the private security companies, the mercenaries, and be given a nice, fat job sucking in government contracts. With his extensive knowledge of security issues, he's a shoe in. :eyes:

[Trevelyan]

155. Speaking of Mercenaries, This is Scary - Write Congress.org, media!!!

Overkill in New Orleans
By Jeremy Scahill and Daniela Crespo, AlterNet
Posted on September 12, 2005

http://www.alternet.org/story/25320/

Heavily armed paramilitary mercenaries from the Blackwater private security firm, infamous for their work in Iraq, are openly patrolling the streets of New Orleans. Some of the mercenaries say they have been "deputized" by the Louisiana governor; indeed some are wearing gold Louisiana state law enforcement badges on their chests and Blackwater photo identification cards on their arms. They say they are on contract with the Department of Homeland Security and have been given the authority to use lethal force. Several mercenaries we spoke with said they had served in Iraq on the personal security details of the former head of the U.S. occupation, L. Paul Bremer and the former U.S. ambassador to Iraq, John Negroponte.

"This is a totally new thing to have guys like us working CONUS (Continental United States)," a heavily armed Blackwater mercenary told us as we stood on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. "We're much better equipped to deal with the situation in Iraq."

[ladylibertee]

161. or maybe, he will go back to being a PROFESSOR oh wait....

that was one of his "make believe" jobs hahahahahaha:rofl: :rofl:

[JoFerret]

107. Super lobby man

for everything disaster related. Sit on a few boards and advisory boards.

[skooooo]

2. Hmmm...

:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

[berni_mccoy]

3. The House Of Cards Just Started Falling Apart

:popcorn: :woohoo:

[LSparkle]

4. That must have been one STIFF margarita

[Lubernaut]

134. Ha!

Good one.

[Hawkeye-X]

5. Only if we see the headline..

Bush resigns! Orders his entire administration and fellow Congressional Republicans to resign IMMEDIATELY before his resignation!

[Blaq Dem]

36. Seriously, I'll have an orgasm!

[derby378]

54. Hey! No sex threads allowed!

:silly:

[Radio_Lady]

140. I'll have TWO -- orgasms or margaritas (you can help me choose)!

[bigbrother05]

70. Begala nailed him

Argued that if he were truly a strong, decisive leader, he would have fired Brownie. He's still a weakling and this can't make his numbers any better. Brownie leaving to spare the misAdministration is too little, too late.

[arwalden]

120. That's The Way It's ALWAYS Been... "Too Little, Too Late".

Bush didn't have the guts to admit making an error and just FIRE the incompetent son of a bitch... and 'Brownie' had to make the decision FOR him. Demonstrating once again that our glorious leader is completely OUT OF TOUCH and incapable of making smart and informed decisions.

His aids even had to make a DVD of news-clips for Bush to come up to speed with with the AVERAGE AMERICAN already knew. (Apparently doing it himself... or even READING is just too difficult for the chimp.)

[ladylibertee]

162. Oh wait a lovely day that would be but.....

unfortunately, evil is prevailing.We have three more years of oppression I'm afraid.:-(

[meganmonkey]

6. May this be the first of many, many rolling heads

:puke: on you, Mr. Brown.

[GaDemo]

14. He knew he was

toast.More rolling heads anyone.:bounce:

[Greeby]

7. Confirmed on Fox

Yeah, I know. But as a Briton I can only watch C-span on crappy webstream, and no British news channel is covering the Supreme Court hearing

[0007]

22. 'Ya can stream c-span3? Tis the only way we watch it over here.

[texpatriot2004]

8. Well the respectable thing would have been for him to be

relieved of his duty, or better yet, not to be hired in the first place. Still, given the situation, it's the right thing to do.

[MaineDem]

This is the only way out

The BFEE couldn't leave him around. It would be way too much of a distraction.

Get rid of him, place all the blame on him, and move on. Brilliant political stratgy.

[Trevelyan]

156. They need distractions with the information coming out on the fate FEMA

has planned for the survivors of Katrina, Bushco and Brown.

This site is getting 1.4 hits per minute and according to thread seems to be linked everywhere, even the MSM and NPR has contacted the writer about the FEMA Concentration Camps and though this particular one cost an enormous amount to set up, after the incredible number of people visiting the site, FEMA decided NOT to send 1,000 NOLA Detainees to this particular FEMA camp:

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/fema.html

I just got back from a FEMA Detainment Camp

I'm extremely depressed to report that things seem to only be getting sadder concerning the people so devastatingly affected by Katrina last week.

[TahitiNut]

9. CNN Breaking: Confirmed That Brown Resigned

Wolf looks sad. Jeff Greenfield: "least surprising news" "stuff flows downhill"

[202 456]

10. Just heard this on KABC7-TV

[texpatriot2004]

Well the respectable thing would have been for him to be

relieved of his duty, or better yet, not to be hired in the first place. Still, given the situation, it's the right thing to do.

[0007]

11. Does that mean Brownie will get his bennies?

[Spazito]

12. First one down, many more to go, imo

Chertoff should be next in coordination with the #2 and #2 people of FEMA.

[0007]

13. Does that mean Brownie will get his bennies?

[texpatriot2004]

15. The respectable thing would have been for * to

relieve Brown of his duty, or better yet, not to hire him in the first place. Still, given the situation, it's the right thing to do.

[shanti]

85. are you kidding?

*ush would NEVER have fired brownie. that would look too much like he was.....WRONG, and you know he never admits that he was wrong.

[texpatriot2004]

94. Well, it's not like I expect it from this bunch of crooks and liars. n/t

[Tempest]

16. Too little, too late

And too much suffering because of him.

[etherealtruth]

31. That was my initial response

The (horrific) damage has been done!

[ladylibertee]

163. I agree. It's not like his resignation will bring all those people ...

back who lost their lives. I will not forget about them.EVER.

[medeak]

17. Mike Brown has resigned from FEMA

breaking news on CNN... no link yet

[KitchenWitch]

18. I would say it is at least a month too late

He should not have been the head of FEMA in the first place.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

19. Did he say: "You won't have Brownie to kick around anymore"? n/t

[ronnykmarshall]

27. Yer doin' a great job, Brownie!

[FreeStateDemocrat]

81. The "smoking gun" statement of far the idiot is disconnected from reality.

This clip should be played over as often as the MSM played the Swiftboat lies except this half-witted utterance is unbelievably true.

[yellowcanine]

20. I am guessing his family is suddenly demanding his full attention!

:sarcasm:

[WhiteTara]

55. actually,I'm thinking some part of the fund raising

arm of the party. :grr:

[napi21]

21. Mike Brown just resigned!

On CNN right now!

[bluestateguy]

23. The whole Bush loyalty thing is overrated

The loyalty is TO Bush, with not as much loyalty coming FROM Bush.

Operation "Protect the Baby Bush" continues, and Mike Brown had to go to fulfill the mission.

Protect the little baby! Protect the little child! I'm sure he's eating a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich somewhere right now.

[NNN0LHI]

24. What about the idiot that hired this imbecile? When is he resigning? n/t

[Brother Buzz]

29. Where is the outrage?

Don, the entire nation should be asking that.

[Trevelyan]

157. The Outrage is continuing keep your eye on this ball:

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/fema.html

Do you think I'm over-reacting to the idea of being bussed hundreds of miles from what I am familiar with to a place miles from civilization and from which I cannot leave?

or

do you think I'm over-reacting to the fact that federal agencies are treating people who have done nothing but lose all they ever owned to a natural disaster as if they are criminals waiting to make their next nefarious move

your story reads like a 'red dawn' type fiction novel. surreal, indeed. i've been expecting this type of dress rehearsal for a long time, as many of us tin-foil hatters have. i feel it's only going to get worse, sadly.

[Divernan]

116. That idiot was Joe Allbaugh, who KNEW the resume was a lie

He was a friend of Brown's since college room mate days, and knew damn well the resume was mostly lies and padding. I mean Brown didn't even account for the last TEN YEARS before Allbaugh hired him - which was the Arabian Horse Association gig. And what about those IDIOTS in the Senate. Not a one of them evidently looked at the resume and wondered WTF this clown had been doing for the past ten years! ! !

SAME FOR THE MEDIA! ! ! All this information was out there when he was first brought to FEMA as Deputy Director! ! ! I mean doesn't one wonder if someone claims a law degree but no employment. as a lawyer! ! ! I wonder if he ever even passed a bar exam. He was hired right after law school by one firm, which let him go after a year. That is exactly the pattern for a law graduate who fails the bar the first time, and the firm keeps him or her on long enough to try it a second time - then they are OUT.

The FBI did do a background check on him and knew he'd gotten the boot from the law firm - saw it elsewhere on DU earlier this week - so did Ashcroft deepsix the report, or edit it or what?!?!

[DFWJock]

25. Gee

why would they fire him? He was doing a "heckuva" job.

[merci_me]

26. Hopefully his be just as much of a failure as a lobbyist

which I assume is where he's heading. Just like his mentor and former FEMA director, Joe Allsbaugh. Off to funnel disaster recovery money to all the vultures, aka campaign contributers.

[VegasWolf]

28. Bush sees his ratings in the 30's and shows Brownie "heck of a job" out

the door.

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Graf Orlok]

32. About time.

He should've been fired instead, however.

[seafan]

33. Just heard on AAR 2 minutes ago. n/t

[IChing]

34. Why? Why?? I thought *bush said "he was doing a heck of a job"

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :rofl: :rofl:

[Pryderi]

35. Halliburton-KBR is next for him. I'd bet $ on it.

[Penndems]

45. You can bet your next paycheck Joe Albaugh's got a job

all lined up for Brown - probably the reconstruction of New Orleans, with a nice, fat paycheck to boot. :mad:















(on edit: typo)

[maxsolomon]

37. SCAPEGOAT

how far down the ladder @ FEMA will heads roll? how far up the ladder in Homeland Security? Chertoff?

The buck only stops one place, and Scotty confirmed it last week: the President. But rather than DO anything about an emergency, he went to sleep at 9.

[bribri16]

38. OK, how many of the other incompetent cronies will resign and give back

our government? Rank-in-file Federal employees, who for the most part, are dedicated public servants, always get the bum rap for being what holds up the bureaucracy when, in fact, it is almost always the incompetent, inexperienced political appointees who are put into the top paying management jobs who fuck up the government. They are usually put in place to do what the administration wants and when Republicans are in charge, their job is usually to find ways to dismantle the Federal departments they head by contracting out most of the services, screwing over civil service rules that protect employees, and generally using the Federal treasury to finance their own boondoggles around the world. I knew one political appointee who traveled around the world taking care of his own investments and business deals under the guise of "official government business" by attending conferences, giving speeches, and taking time off to take care of his personal business interests. God, if the people only really knew what goes on.

[Julius Civitatus]

39. OPERATION "SAVE MONKEY'S ASS" developing in full force

Now Bush will appoint Saint Rudy or some other right-wing icon at the head of FEMA, and Karl Rove will play the "Bush-is-the-savior-of-Murka" card.

The media will slowly start reading from Karl's script again.

Watch it unfurl.

:argh:

[trogdor]

74. Rudy might actually be a good choice for the job.

Therefore, it won't happen. I say it will be Paul Bremer.

[JoFerret]

108. Rudy is useless

.

[NYC]

109. Rudy didn't get a lot of hurricane & flood experience while mayor.

I wouldn't wish him on the people of New Orleans.

[MADem]

121. I'm with you--Rudy would OVERSHADOW the monkey

...and he cannot abide that, now, can he? It will be some guy who can count the beans but is lousy on TV, and if at all possible, SHORTER than the little monkey....

Besides, from Rudy's perspective, he is making a ton of dough on the speaker circuit alone, to say nothing of his little Guiliani Group he has going. And the reconstruction is fraught with peril. Far better to rest on his NY laurels after the towers, than risk getting up to his ass in alligators in NOLA. We KNOW Halliburton, Blackwater, KBR and all of the crony businesses are going to rape the treasury, and eventually, someone will be called to account.

When they say "Off with his head" Rudy does not want to be under the guillotine!

[Penndems]

40. CNN reporting that Brown says he's resigning "in the best interests

of FEMA and the President."

Nothing about the best interests of the American people. How typical of this crowd.

[TankLV]

152. Noticed that too.

It's always about THEM, never about THE COUNTRY.

[LibinMo]

41. Wolf Blitzer is reporting Brown's resignation on CNN now

[rocktivity]

42. How kind of him to spare Bush the agony of firing him

which would be tantamount to admitting he'd--gulp--made a mistake...

Cue the DU "Cry Me A River" String Quartet!

:nopity::nopity::nopity::nopity:
rocknation

[PurpleChez]

43. Good freaking riddance

[wryter2000]

44. Let me guess

He needs to spend more time with his family.

When does he get the medal of freedom?

[Sunkiss BlueStar]

46. Oh Happy Day

Kyra can take her one dimensional ass with him.

:bounce:

[FDR33]

47. Heck of a job, Brownie!

Heck, of a job!!
Now get the F out.

[defiant1]

63. I'll drink to that....

:toast:

[Up2Late]

48. HEY! He did NOT say that he, "wanted to spend more time with his Family?

WTF? Does he hate his family? :wtf:

You know, if it's not Black, it's White with these guys!?!

[Skidmore]

49. No, he said he wanted to spend more time with his

margaritas.

[Solly Mack]

50. He still needs to be held accountable for his inactions

and actions that made the situation in New Orleans worse.

Simply resigning isn't good enough.

[boot@9]

51. do you think...

edmond will take him back? ha ha.

[David Zephyr]

52. Lying on your federal government resume is a felony. He should go to jail.

His lying resulted in the deaths of thousands and billions of dollars in destruction.

He committed a felony.

Why no one is suggesting that he be charged is breathtaking.

[Trevelyan]

158. It's True Brown and Bushco should be charge but the fate of survivors

has to be uppermost in our thoughts and investigations.

FEMA is refusing to reveal to aid groups the locations of thousands of citizens forced out of their homes by "Hurrican Charley", citing "privacy restrictions".

original news source:
FEMA Rule Blocking Aid to Seniors - www.heraldtribune.com

Some elderly citizens forced out of their homes by Hurricane Charley are missing out

on vital help, including meals, transportation and in-home care, because federal officials won't tell government aid groups where they are.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has temporarily relocated thousands of Charlotte County residents -- many of them senior citizens -- whose homes were destroyed or seriously damaged by the Aug. 13 storm. But, citing federal privacy protection rules, the agency has refused to say who has been relocated, or where they've been sent.

Travis and other officials said their complaints to FEMA officials have gone nowhere. But in response to an inquiry about the problem Tuesday, FEMA deputy federal coordinating officer Brad Gair vowed to find a way to ensure hurricane victims' privacy while getting them access to services.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

Where have these people gone??


http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread167902/pg9

[holboz]

53. Timed to coincide with the Randi Rhodes show, I'm sure

Oooo...and Mike Malloy is filling in. This ought to be good.

[Akoto]

56. Brown = Scapegoat.

His resignation will be seen by the MSM and the right-wing talkers as an admission of guilt. They'll focus on that to take the heat off the administration.

Of course, things are a little different this time. New Orleans turns into the next Venice while the president continues to vacation and speak before his preselected audiences. People noticed this time, and they're not letting go.

[comsymp]

57. Resigning, huh? Good news, since his boss didn't have the gumption

to fire him.

/not letting the BA off the hook

[Cassandra]

58. Usually they only get kicked out for telling the truth.

This is the first (of many, I hope) resignation for incompetance.

[derby378]

59. Aaaand heeeee's OUTTA here!

Best thing for America, really. Better to resign in disgrace than to be thrown out on your butt in disgrace.

[moobu2]

60. My pet scapegoat n/t

[Blue Belle]

61. The questions to ask now are:

1) Why was he appointed in the first place?

2) Which underqualified Bush Croney is next in line to be his replacement??

3) How many more disasters do we have to endure before FEMA is purged of Bush whores?

4) When will Bush resign?

[Penndems]

93. Answers

1. Because he's a Bush loyalist, and they reward their own. The White House (Karl "The Traitor" Rove, no doubt) put pressure on Browne to resign for purely political reasons (e.g., a drag on Bush's poll numbers). It won't help, though. The only way Chimp's poll numbers would go up would be if he RESIGNED.

2. Probably Pat Robertson. :sarcasm: :banghead:

In all seriousness, it'll be another Bush loyalist, because that's how they operate. It won't be anybody who'll actually force The Village Idiot into a position of accountability for something (or someone), or who brings Junior "bad news" that actually forces him to read newspapers or watch cable news channels.

3. Unfortunately, while this crew is in office, too many.

4. When the American people demand it, or when Congress changes hands.

[W2Hague]

62. Brownie resigns

From an anonymous source-

Brownie stepped down as head of FEMA because it was discovered his daughter's Nanny, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was being held against her will in the unheated basement of the family's 9000 square foot home.

When questioned by Local authorities, Brownie allegedly responded to the charges with a sigh, and a shrug of his narrow shoulders.

__________On http://www.bruindesign.com today_____________

A Flash Animation Message from Governor Bush to the al the good, tax-payin' citizens of Murka. Enjoy.


Peace
D.L. Bruin

[demo dutch]

64. What a nice guy! resigned because "in the best interest of the

agengy and the president"

HERE'S THE NBC LINK
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9315184 /

[puerco-bellies]

65. CNN Reports Brown resigns

www.cnn.com

[William769]

68. Now if we could just see a domino effect.

[Sunkiss BlueStar]

66. But won't his Resignation be worse for *?

That means * didn't know he did a bad job but Brownie knew he did a bad job. Which means * doesnt know what a bad job looks like.

:wow:

[rateyes]

71. Bush:

"And Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job..."

[Sunkiss BlueStar]

82. This is TOO Rich

He's gonna commit suicide for *

[mvd]

67. Great news!

This should keep the focus on the federal government, which is clearly most at fault.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

69. Probably show up ...

...in a couple years as head of "Bushstapo" charged with responsibility for rounding up domestic political dissenters. And I'd bet he won't be asleep at the switch on this job.

[Career Prole]

72. Heh heh heh..."Brownie was resigning anyway"...

Shortly after Brown was recalled to Washington last week, officials close to the FEMA director said he would likely resign. They said that even before Katrina, Brown had been planning on leaving the administration late this fall to go into the private sector.

Big difference now is that the ol' Pony Club won't be the only thing he "forgets" to put on his resume now.

"Say, weren't you FEMA director at one time?"

"Me? Oh hell no! Mike Brown's a pretty common name...I get that all the time! Naw, that wasn't me! Different Mike Brown altogether!"
:rofl:

[LostinVA]

73. Well, someone has to take teh fall

And it sure as heck won't be *...

[LeahD]

75. I thought he was returning to D.C. to prepare

for the next possible disaster, Ophelia. Just another lie.
Now that he's gone, they hope we'll just forget.
Nothing to see here, everything's OK now. Bye, bye.
May heads continue to roll.

[Penndems]

103. "Returning to D.C." , "Resigning to spend more time with

my family" and "Resigning for personal reasons" are Washington-speak for "I can't handle this job any more, I screwed up, so I'm outta here without taking a lot of heat from the press."

[AirAmFan]

76. Bush cronies need to be PROSECUTED as well as fired. Evidence against them

is not hard to find, ESPECIALLY in 9/11 "disaster relief".

Why are there 900 vacancies in FEMA? IMO, one of the reasons is that the cronies were DOING the job Dubya gave them--handing out Teapot-Dome-magnitude payoffs to Dubya's business contributors under a largely privatized system. Many who thought FEMA was in a diffferent business had to quit, or were fired.

From http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050909/ap_on_bi_ge/sept_11_lax_loans;_ylt=AjDbv7chaVB6LKeFzlF6tkes0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3b2NibDltBHNlYwM3MTY- :

"AP: 9/11 Recovery Loans Loosely Managed (9/9/2005)

By DIRK LAMMERS and FRANK BASS, Associated Press Writers

The government's $5 billion effort to help small businesses recover from the Sept. 11 attacks was so loosely managed that it gave low-interest loans to companies that didn't need terrorism relief „ or even know they were getting it, The Associated Press has found.... "I had nothing here," said Shirla Yam, who runs a clothing store in the former shadows of the twin towers that got a $20,000 grant from a local advocacy group but no federal aid after Sept. 11. "I don't know if I'll be here next month."... And while some at New York's Ground Zero couldn't get assistance they desperately sought, companies far removed from the devastation „ a South Dakota country radio station, a Virgin Islands perfume shop, a Utah dog boutique and more than 100 Dunkin' Donuts and Subway sandwich shops „ had no problem winning the government-guaranteed loans. Dentists and chiropractors in numerous cities, as well as an Oregon winery that sold trendy pinot noir to New York City restaurants also got assistance....

In all, the government provided, approved or guaranteed nearly $4.9 billion in loans, and took credit for saving 20,000 jobs. That would put the average cost of saving a job at about a quarter million dollars each. Of the 19,000 loans approved by the two programs, fewer than 11 percent went to companies in New York City and Washington, according to an AP computer analysis of loan records obtained under the Freedom of Information Act....

SBA officials acknowledged ... the Supplementary Terrorism Activity Relief (STAR), LEFT BANKS ON AN HONOR SYSTEM TO DETERMINE WORTHY LOAN RECIPIENTS. "One lender could have been really strict and specific about the borrower providing the documentation to prove that they were affected by the Sept. 11 attacks, and another banker may not have, or may have had ulterior motives for approving loans," said SBA spokeswoman Carol Chastang. SBA documents obtained by AP show banks had a strong incentive to approve as many loans as possible from the terror program. The banks profited from the interest while incurring little risk because the government guaranteed 75 percent to 85 percent of each loan....

"They had personnel at our conference stand up and say if you cannot find a reason to move the loan over to the STAR program, contact us and we'll help you find a reason to move it over," recalled Tony Wilkinson, president of the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders." Thousands of businesses far from the devastation had no trouble getting SBA loans, simply submitting short applications that linked their slow business to the widespread economic fallout caused by Sept. 11. For instance:
--Karl Grimmelmann, general manager of KBFS-AM "Hit Kickin' Country" in Belle Fourche, S.D., borrowed $135,000 from SBA's disaster program after learning about it from a news release. He said his station was forced to pay more money to cover national news and also lost advertisers. "Everybody started holding onto their money, plain and simple," he said.
--Margie Olson, co-owner of the Torii Mor Winery in McMinnville, Ore., said her business needed a $125,000 loan because it couldn't sell high-end pinot noir to Manhattan restaurants that had closed. "Everyone started hitting the heavy stuff," Olson said, laughing.
--Melva Kravitz, co-owner of the Little Dogs Resort & Salon in Salt Lake City that offers boarding and grooming services for small dogs, said people stopped taking vacations and boarding their pets after Sept. 11, requiring her $50,000 loan. "It was awful," she said. "You just couldn't go on."
_Christine Hilty, co-owner of Violettes Boutique on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, said the perfume shop lost 60 percent of its business overnight as tourism stopped. She got a $169,500 loan from SBA. "Would we have closed our doors? It was close," she said. "Everyone was afraid to get on a plane. Tourism was totally halted.""

[MissMarple]

77. Brown is a peripheral problem, George's choice of appointees is primary.

George and his bunch need to resign. His vision of government is a failure, his government is a failure. His moral and political values undermine both the security and purpose of our government. He needs to go.

And it doesn't sound as if Brown is admitting his performance was poor, it is just all this negative media attention. :shrug:

[Dangerously Amused]

78. As Much as I Despised Brown...

As much as I despised Brown, I still respect him more than Bush.

At least Brown had the honor to resign when he realized that he was harming the country more than helping it.

Bush will NEVER be that honorable!

[MissMarple]

112. I have to say, I feel genuine pity for the guy.

He was in way over his head, if only he had had the sense the understand that and realize the consequences. He was scheduled to be the first to be tossed under the bus.

[aresef]

79. Today is Monday, September 12

He resigned 2 weeks too late.

[Norquist Nemesis]

80. Breaking: Brown takes post a Halliburton

That's tomorrow's headline. ;)

[SlavesandBulldozers]

83. oh no we're not going to have Brownie's leadership for Ophelia!!!

why have you forsaken us Oh Lord?

:spank:

[NewWaveChick1981]

84. Now if only W would turn in his resignation...

and Cheney, and Rove, and.... well... all the corrupt assholes in this administration, then we'd be in business!

[LiberalinNC]

86. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out Brown!

[rateyes]

90. On the other hand....

please do!

:evilgrin:

[garthranzz]

88. Brown is the bone thrown to the Wolf

Blitzers, that is. Can we all say scapegoat? See how in charge, responsible, and compassionate our fearless dicator is? :puke: And of course the so-called MSM will praise his "leadership" and let him off the hook. :sarcasm:


:nuke:

What do we do with toxic mold?

[MadisonProgressive]

89. How about "in the best interest of the COUNTRY"!!!??

[Patsy Stone]

92. Next stop for Brownie: Chairman of the FCC! n/t :)

[rateyes]

95. And, Bush is heaving a sigh of relief...

Hey Bushboy, if he's doing such a "heck of a job," why don't you do the "refuse to accept your resignation" bit?

Bush hasn't got the "nerve" to fire anyone, because everyone does a better job than he does at anything.

[BrightKnight]

97. Louisiana negligent homicide or reckless murder charges

Louisiana should charge him with something like negligent homicide, depraved-heart murder, Reckless Murder, or manslaughter.

Nobody is above the law.

[mark11727]

98. What, no medal...?

[The Stranger]

99. Bring them all down . . . . all of them . . .

[Gregorian]

100. "Come down Bush, come on down."

"George Bush don't like black people."

Howdy, Stranger! It's time our dreams turn to reality.

[Olney Blue]

148. Nice graphic!

Is that Karltrina?

[MannyGoldstein]

101. Is This The First Bush "Resignation" For Incompetence?

It seems to me that all previous "resignations" were for disloyalty, rather than incompetence.

If this is the first, it's a huge, huge milestone - the Bushies are evil but not stupid, his presidency must be in really deep Voo-Doo.

[rhett o rick]

102. Don't laugh yet. Bush might nominate him for the Supreme Court. nt

[rhett o rick]

104. Hey Georgie, the buck don't stop there. nt

[unblock]

105. note that his only mistake was bringing bad press to bush

as far as bush is concerned, he was loyal and therefore WAS doing a good job, at least until he caused bush to get some bad p.r.

[YDogg]

106. Brownie, We Hardly Knew Ye.

:toast:

[ClintonTyree]

110. One down, a few hundred more to go...........

if everyone that's unqualified within the bush administration resigns, it would STILL only be a good start. There's so many of these idiots waiting in the wings for a chance to "prove" themselves to their peers it really wouldn't matter if the entire administration resigned. There's 100 more in line for each and every government job they're not remotely qualified to fill.
But it's a start. ;) Until now no one has been held accountable at all. "Brownie" fell on his sword rather than heap any more embarrassment on Der Failure. He knew bush would never fire him, that would be admitting a mistake.
Maybe he just got sick of waiting for his Medal of Freedom? :shrug:

[strizi64]

111. Next to go: Chertoff

7) "I have not heard a report of thousands of people in the convention center who don't have food and water." – Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, on NPR's "All Things Considered" Sept. 1, 2005

A "Homeland Security Secretary" not in touch with reality? Isn't that a risk to security :wtf: ?

(using rw talking points & :sarcasm: )

[ClickClack]

113. "Brownie, you're making a heck of an exit!"

Actually, more like a getaway, leaving the scene of a crime.

[goodboy]

117. back to shoveling Arabian horse shit, instead of spewing bush's bullshit!

good riddance you worthless asshole!

I hope you're prosecuted for negligent homicide!

[Mountainman]

126. You muck horse shit not shovel it. That's where muck rakers comes from.

You get yourself a muck rake and go to it. I have 3 Arabians and it is actually kind of relaxing to forget the cares of the world and go to the arena or stalls and muck them out.

[Nightwing]

118. Good riddance to bad rubbish

It's about damn time an idiot *bot fell on his sword to protect his emperor's ass. I'm still holding out hope that * is held accountable but that may be a cold day in hell.

[Infomaniac]

119. His New Job Should Be in Some Prison Laundry...

or library or medical ward. He stood stand trial for criminally negligent homocide for all those people - young and old - who died of thirst waiting while he dawdled or held press conferences. It was four days and they couldn't hold on...

[Wheezy]

122. He's turning in his resignation, but...

...maybe Bush won't accept it.

:rofl:

[yurbud]

123. ON PACIFICA: Brown says, "I don't know how I got the job instead of...

someone qualified! I'm just a horse guy from Kentucky."

Then he cried.


I think that puts the onus back where it belongs--on Bush for giving away an appointment like this to a crony.

[anotherdrew]

133. yep, that puts the blame exactly where it belongs, around bush's neck

[Tight_rope]

124. Awwww....Shucks....Who would have thunk it...

Good bye motherfucker...

[Olney Blue]

149. You mean, Good bye, mothermucker (according to post 126)

:D

[Singular73]

125. This is an admission of guilt.

Perfect.

[Zenlitened]

137. Exactly.

Bush-bots won't admit that of course. But there it is: The federal response was a disaster in and of itself.

[tavalon]

127. Ha, I should have actually bet some money

I had this one pegged about the time he was "reassigned". I said to a friend that Brownie will now be dutifully falling on the sword to save the Bush administration from ever fucking having to say they did one fucking thing wrong. Heaven forbid!

And so it comes to pass.

[54anickel]

128. Excellent! I look forward to the day when Rove regrets not taking the

same step and ends up taking them ALL down. How are those indictments coming?

[Catfight]

129. That's one useless bastard off of our taxpayers payroll. Many more

to go.

[Kablooie]

130. Ding Dong the witch ain't quite dead...

But one of the flying monkeys was shot down.

[sysoprock]

131. DO YOU LIBERALS FINALLY SEE HOW BAD OF A JOB THE MAYOR AND GOVERNOR DID?!?

They screwed up so bad that it cost the FEMA director his job, this just goes to show the incompetence of Democrats, when they screw up they blow it so bad that even Republicans get fired!

I cannot wait for the investigation into how decisions made by the New Orleans and LA government made it all the way up to FEMA which caused the poor response and ultimately the resignation of Brown.

/sarcasm

[Zenlitened]

138. LOL! It's the clearest evidence we've seen to date!

:rofl:

Oh, it must be a sad, sad thing to be a Bush apologist.

Do you think, after a day of phony bluster and regurgitated talking points, they cry themselves to sleep at night?

Hope so. Might be a sign that there's something human left in them after all.

[Radio_Lady]

132. He should be put to work on public projects in New Orleans --

let him work in the toxic sludge and sleep on the bare floor of a flood-damaged building.

Then he should be paid less-than-minumun wage.

Personally, I wouldn't hire him for dog catcher.

[MSpike]

135. Brown

Seriously people. Shouldn't the governer and the mayor share SOME responsibilty in all this?

[Laelth]

142. Forgive the cross post, but it's relevant.

the president always takes the fall for bad things that happen during his administration, whether it's his fault or not. no need to even engage the freeps in a discussion on the subject. *'s numbers are falling because the american people are finally holding him accountable, regardless of who might be "truly" at fault.

as Eugene said in another thread:

Shrub convinced 51% of voters last November that he could keep them safe. He just blew that myth to Hell.

Blame who you like. I want Bush out of office!

-Laelth

[ReadTomPaine]

145. I'd love to see Governor Haley Barbour nailed for incompetence.

That was who you were referring to, right? <chuckle>

If not, go and read the NRP. Here are the details:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4668155

[Divernan]

147. Why?Counting on federal assistance as soon as Bush declared an emergency?

You don't believe state and local officials should be able to take the President of the United States on his word?
Bush signed a declaration of national emergency two days before the hurricane hit. From that point on, the governor and mayor reasonably expected Bush to follow through as per the practice,pattern and federal law which you in Florida benefitted from, i.e., immediate federal action. The legal principle is called "detrimental reliance" and entitles one to sue in civil court for damages, if you reasonably relied on someone and that reliance resulted in a detriment to you. (I don't think the smaller government units or individuals can sue the federal govt. because it probably has immunity in this case.)

Every mayor and governor in the USA reasonably should be able to take the President of the US, acting in the course and scope of his office, to keep his damn word! It's also the principle taught to people taking first aid/emergency response classes. The law does not oblige a private citizen to stop and give aid to someone in trouble. But once you do stop, you are obliged to stay on the scene until the victim recovers, or higher level medical personnel take over. The reasoning is that when other passersby see you providing assistance, they do not offer assistance.

Bush has severely damaged the credibility of the office of President. It's the FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT agency. Each of those words means something. It's not the
When-the-preident-gets-back-from-his-vacation Office of Political
Hack Appointees & Presidential Flyover agency.

[sakabatou]

136. Let's give giant awards to the bastards who screwed up America!

Woohoo!

[MojoXN]

139. Too little, too late...

What a shame that this buffoon didn't have the decency to resign BEFORE his incompetence cost tens of thousands of lives. And now, watch the magical mystery Bush duck this one too! Wow! How did I evar think that the prezdent could hae did soem rong thing. I were stupid fer thinkin that the preznant scrued up in New Orlans, it was that Brown guy al along. Gee, I shur feel dum riht now.

MojoXN

[Botany]

141. So long Professor Brown

opps .... he was just a student .... so easy to mix those two up.

Student sits, takes notes, reads assignments, and takes exams
Professor lectures, assigns reading, and gives exams

[veracity]

143. He must have read this article!!!!

IN YOUR FACE, AMERICA



THE RELENTLESS BUSHCO SCAM

Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out. It's all about timing. Anon


No question about it, it’s all about timing, and don’t they know it! It’s been going on for nearly five years now, and the Bushco folks have it down to an exact science. Just like all successful swindlers, they know exactly when the eyes and ears and minds of their marks are diverted. They time things perfectly and they know exactly when to swoop in for the kill.

And, wouldn’t you just know it…they did it again just now! They pulled a couple of fast ones, while the nation was diverted and distracted. And it worked so well that hardly anyone knows it even happened. Do you?

THIS IS NOW

Here’s how the latest scheme went down:

1. They coupled the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina with the anniversary of September 11th.

2. They knew they could count on the media for non-stop, twenty-four seven coverage of Katrina, for days on end. They also figured in a full day of 9/11 remembrance and commemoration.

3. They knew their targets well. They knew that the human tragedies of Katrina and 9/11 would touch their hearts and minds of the American people. They knew that little else would displace their concerns.

4. They conjured up their ever-reliable ‘weekend sneak: make a move between Friday night and Sunday, and few people ever get to hear about it.

5. Without a hitch, and with little fanfare or publicity, they pulled off three outrageous and gutsy scams!!!

How many people even know they’ve been had? Ask around. See if people know that the charlatans in the White House pulled once again. See if they know that, while most of us were looking the other way this past weekend, we were hoodwinked in spades.

Not too many people know what went down, and what the ersatz corporate news networks didn’t bother to report: Here’s what happened:


If you don't know the latest and the past scams:

http://tvnewslies.org/html/relentless_bushco_scam.html

[Trevelyan]

154. Tal Afar - This New Fallujah Massacre is what Katrina Distracted US From

Tal Afar Residents Send Out SOS

Injured civilians find no health care.

MOSUL, September 9, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Residents of the northern Iraqi city of Tal Afar has sent out an SOS to the international community to interfere with the US occupation authorities to stop their continuing bombing of their devastated city, revealing a terrible humanitarian situation.

"US and Iraqi forces are still besieging Tal Afar amid ongoing intensive bombing, ordering residents of Hassan Kawi and Sarray neighborhoods to evacuate immediately," a Tal Afar tribal leader told IOL over the phone Thursday, September 8.

"The Americans are seemingly bombing the city with chemical weapons," he said, adding Tal Afar residents are speaking of suffocations and other health problems upon exposure to any hit area. (more unfortunately)

[savemefromdumbya]

144. Meanwhile, back on the ranch - when is Rove resigning?

gone quiet hasn't it?

[54anickel]

146. *crickets*

[Thor_MN]

150. Say it isn't so!!! He was so valuable, he was needed back in DC

to plan and deal with, uh,.... other stuff. :sarcasm:

[Singular73]

151. This news is not being broadcast in Freeperville

I looked and looked.

Nothing.

*crickets*

[despairing optimist]

153. This just in: Michael Brown elopes with Jeff Gannon to Massachusetts

Details at 11.

[Broken_Hero]

159. Well...

I guess this can be looked at as something he did right/good. Its about flipping time, to bad he wasn't fired, can he collect unemployement and any other benefits? I'm leaning towars, yeah he will/can/does. I'm glad the worthless man is gone.

[ladylibertee]

160. HALLELUJAH ....LET'S PARTY !!!!!!!

I WAS SO HAPPY TO HEAR THAT.I WAS EVEN MORE EXCITED THAT DEMOCRATS ARE BECOMING MUCH BOLDER AND AGGRESSIVE IN CONFRONTING THE TOTAL AND COMPLETE INCOMPETENCE OF THIS ADMINISTRATION.I AM HAVING A BALL.:kick: BU BYE BROWN !!!!

[vando]

164. Not enough. Criminal charges are needed

...if we are serious about full accountability. People died ecause this man did not do his job.

[Blaq Dem]

165. Brown too incompetent

It's a a damn shame Bush is too incompetent himself to see this. It's no different than having terists in leadership of FEMA. Either way it goes, American lives are needlessly lost and thousands are suffering.

[plunger]

166. Incompetence Pays

Incompetence Pays:

Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Disaster Capitalism in New Orleans

The cost of cleaning up the results of Bush's negligence in failing to deal with global warming and spending money needed for New Orleans levees on his war in Iraq may be as much as the $300 billion spent in four years to fight the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Of course, what most people would regard as a cost, the entrepreneurial politicians in the Bush White House see as yet another opportunity to transfer money from taxpayers to their personal friends. The scheme is blatantly obvious:


1. Bush has started to issue Iraq-style no-bid contracts, with cost-plus provisions that guarantee contractors a certain profit regardless of how much they spend.

2. Old buddies like Halliburton, Bechtel, and Fluor are first in line. Joe Allbaugh, the former director of FEMA, is lobbying for Halliburton, and another winner of the Katrina windfall, Shaw Group Inc.

3. In order to increase profitability at the expense of the working people most affected by the hurricane and thus most in need of money, Bush has removed (or here) federal minimum-wage provisions from the reconstruction contracts.

The concept of 'disaster capitalism', a term coined by Naomi Klein, is now being applied to the United States itself. Klein wrote:

"Last summer, in the lull of the August media doze, the Bush Administration's doctrine of preventive war took a major leap forward. On August 5, 2004, the White House created the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization, headed by former US Ambassador to Ukraine Carlos Pascual. Its mandate is to draw up elaborate 'post-conflict' plans for up to twenty-five countries that are not, as of yet, in conflict. According to Pascual, it will also be able to coordinate three full-scale reconstruction operations in different countries 'at the same time,' each lasting 'five to seven years.'

"But if the reconstruction industry is stunningly inept at rebuilding, that may be because rebuilding is not its primary purpose. According to Guttal, 'It's not reconstruction at all - it's about reshaping everything.' If anything, the stories of corruption and incompetence serve to mask this deeper scandal: the rise of a predatory form of disaster capitalism that uses the desperation and fear created by catastrophe to engage in radical social and economic engineering.

"A group calling itself Thailand Tsunami Survivors and Supporters says that for 'businessmen-politicians, the tsunami was the answer to their prayers, since it literally wiped these coastal areas clean of the communities which had previously stood in the way of their plans for resorts, hotels, casinos and shrimp farms. To them, all these coastal areas are now open land!'"

Just like New Orleans! If the Bush Administration has elaborate pre-made plans to make money off conflicts which have yet to occur in other countries, why would they not also have elaborate pre-made plans to make money off natural disasters that occur within the United States? A book of plans for New Orleans, a book of plans for Florida, a book of plans for San Francisco . . the money to be made is enormous! The implications of FEMA's 'incompetence' and Bush's inexplicable failure to do anything about the plight of New Orleans until it was too late become rather obvious. Competence just leads to fewer chances to make money.

http://xymphora.blogspot.com/