Bush Considers Military Role in Flu Fight

[Judi Lynn]

Bush Considers Military Role in Flu Fight

By JENNIFER LOVEN
The Associated Press
Tuesday, October 4, 2005; 12:38 PM

WASHINGTON -- President Bush, increasingly concerned about a possible avian flu pandemic, revealed Tuesday that any part of the country where the virus breaks out could likely be quarantined and that he is considering using the military to enforce it.

"The best way to deal with a pandemic is to isolate it and keep it isolated in the region in which it begins," he said during a wide-ranging Rose Garden news conference.

The president was asked if his recent talk of giving the military the lead in responding to large natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and other catastrophes was in part the result of his concerns that state and local personnel aren't up to the task of a flu outbreak.

"Yes," he replied.

After the bungled initial federal response to Katrina, Bush suggested putting the Pentagon in charge of search-and-rescue efforts in times of a major terrorist attack or similarly catastrophic natural disaster. He has argued that the armed forces have the ability to quickly mobilize the equipment, manpower and communications capabilities needed in times of crisis.
(snip/...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/04/AR2005100400663.html
(Free registration required)

[Avalux]

1. OK

:tinfoilhat: I don't pull this out all that often....but now I'm thinking manufactured pandemic. I hope I'm wrong.

[Boomer]

3. I was wondering how he would bypass the 2006 election

This would certainly be an alternative to declaring martial law to deal with terrorists.

[saigon68]

51. MAYBE THIS SOLDIER COULD HEAD UP THE CAUSE

[YouthInAsia]

8. oops, please delete

[YouthInAsia]

9. like AIDS?

[Avalux]

12. Nope. Not like AIDS

I work in the infectious diseases field; I have no reason to suspect HIV was a conspiracy. Flu pandemic is different though.

[Tiggeroshii]

45. Why could a conspiracy be a possibliity in a flu pandemic?

[Avalux]

47. Recombination, mode of transmission, etc.

Read this - then PM me if you want:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=228&topic_id=5742

[tavalon]

65. Hi

Would you please repost that in it's entirety as a new post. We need to nominate it for the greatest page and let all these folks see it, not because of fear mongering but because a good, factual but not too technical explanation of viruses is needed hereabouts right about now.

[Avalux]

67. I will - thanks for requesting it.

I'll do it in GD - LBN isn't apprpriate. Give me a few....

[converted_democrat]

22. I read an article yesterday, and it scared the crap out of me. Link

The AJC is accusing the CDC of withholding vital info to make a vaccine for the Avian Flu. This article is troubling to me, to say the least.


http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/1005/03natcdc.html

edit to make clearer

[mzmolly]

33. But rest easy because kids are being given their chicken pox shot.

:eyes:

The CDC has two conflicting agendas and as long as they do, the public health is not a real priority.

"The CDC states that the manual's purpose is to "allow for the accomplishment of our public health service mission while safeguarding the various categories of unclassified data and document information that, for legitimate government purposes and good reason shall be withheld from distribution or to which access shall be denied or restricted."

Well, it's for our own good dang it!

[converted_democrat]

36. This really chaps me to say the least....

I know it's wrong to say this, but "I feel" like they are trying to intentionally mess this up too. I am having real doubts about this administrations intentions on "saving" lives, especially after I read that article.

[mzmolly]

38. Their goal is to protect corporations - including drug companies

who manufacture, market and distribute vaccinations.

[converted_democrat]

43. I guess I'm just an old fashioned gal.......

that believes human life is more important than corporate profits. This is a new low, even for them.

[tavalon]

66. No, actually, it isn't

This is just the first time you've gotten to see behind their curtain. I lost my faith in the CDC and in medicine overall over a vaccine issue that the CDC helped to cover up in the last decade.

This is just SOP for those bastards.

[leesa]

49. I think they have planned for this for a long time...probably their ace

in the hole. The P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act details a pandemic response...and then there's the media build-up for it for years, the dead microbiologists and the recent tinkering with deadly viruses.

[Zhade]

59. I hate to say it, but that was my first thought, too.

Seriously, WTF? Military quarantine? Under THESE fascists?

[John Q. Citizen]

61. Now we know why Libby was talking about Judy writing stories

about biological threats.

[shadowknows69]

62. I don't think the disease in manufactured

but these evil opportunists will definitely use it for futher control.

[formercia]

2. What is he going to do? Nuke it?

The military is for killing. Killing a virus with an M-16 is not very cost effective.

[rodeodance]

4. Jr also jumped the gun in a news conf. about using mil. for disasters with

out asking Rummy!!

[MADem]

34. Perhaps quarantine all the sick folk under force of arms?

Time to start reading up on what the Japanese Americans had to deal with during WW2, I guess....

[TankLV]

79. Crowd control. Un-amerikkkans like liberals, democrats, gays...

Shoot 'em all and let jeebus decide.

"It would be a lot easier in a dictatorship - as long as I'm the dictator."

And they still don't pay attention to that direct unaltered quote.

[Why Syzygy]

5. Sounds like he has another plant

in the press corps. LOADED question.

[pfitz59]

74. Yep, junior was sure KNOWLEDGEABLE about....

Avian flu. D'ya think he was coached?

[loudsue]

6. Now THIS is just plain STUPID and DANGEROUS to our constitution

This guy is a frikkin' maniac. It doesn't take any tinfoil to figure that out.

:kick::kick::kick:

[saigon68]

10. A Maniac all right

[Canuckistanian]

7. When the only tool you have is a hammer

You tend to look at every problem as a nail.

[babylonsister]

11. One way or the other, it seems the blivet is determined

to use OUR military against us. This guy needs to go!

[rodeodance]

15. He prob. only read the abstract on the back of the book.

......Bush made clear that the potential for an outbreak of avian flu is much on his mind, and has him talking with "as many (world) leaders as I could find" and reading a book on the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic that killed 40 million and consulting staff and experts.

"I have thought through the scenarios of what an avian flu outbreak could mean," he said.

He acknowledged that a quarantine _ an idea sure to alarm many in the public _ is no small thing for the government to undertake and that enforcing it would be tricky.

"It's one thing to shut down airplanes," Bush said. "It's another thing to prevent people from coming in to get exposed to the avian flu."

[petronius]

48. Is that what he thinks a quarantine is for?

"...to prevent people from coming in to get exposed to the avian flu"?

"Hey honey, lets take the kids and go get the flu!" Sounds like he has no contact with reality. (I'm reminded of all those Africans who just happened to set sail to the Americas...)

[Why Syzygy]

97. Can he read about the black plague?

It was caused by INEQUITY. Lower classes. Inadequate health care.
Get it? It didn't happen because of no "quarantine". It happened due to neglect of the poor. That has probably been his plan all along. Make 'em poor. Kill 'em.

I hate the bastard.

[shanti]

29. sounds like

the makings of a civil war....:scared:

[GeorgeGist]

13. And on schedule, George again confirms that he is clueless

pan·dem·ic Pronunciation (pn-dmk)
adj.
1. Widespread; general.
2. Medicine; Epidemic over a wide geographic area and affecting a large proportion of the population: pandemic influenza.

n. A pandemic disease.

[mom cat]

73. He is not clueless, he is vicious

[tainowarrior]

14. This is the problem with militarist societies

they underfund the civilian institutions to a point where only the military is equipped to do everything.

This is what happens when the military gets overflooded with resources...a military/fascist society.

[Say_What]

46. ala Pinochet...

[TallahasseeGrannie]

16. I wonder where he will get the army from? n/t

[WhiteTara]

23. Mercenaries like Blackwater and Dynacorp

I see marshall law with ghettos of the intelligensia sealed off so that only the Faux drenched idiots remain outside the walls. Then nuclear night because we have 'em and God is on our side so let's nuke 'em all back to the stone age. :rant:

[TallahasseeGrannie]

44. Shiiiiiver..... gulp..... I hate this

Isn't it over yet?

[robertpaulsen]

64. This is scary: ARMY'S "BEST GUESS" IS 124,000 TO 605,000 MERCENARIES.

Private Military Corporations
From SourceWatch
(Redirected from PMC)
Private military corporations, private military firms, private military companies, military services providers, the privatized military industry are all attempts to label the phenomena of private companies offering services on the world market that have normally been duties of national military forces.<1> (http://www.privatemilitary.org/definition.html) Every service caters to security, and the growing need for security in a world wrought with differing economic, strategic, and military interests has provided a marketplace that is rapidly expanding.

These services include risk advisory, training of local forces, armed site security, cash transport, intelligence services, workplace and building security, war zone security needs, weapons procurement, personnel and budget vetting, armed support, air support, logistical support, maritime security, cyber security, weapons destruction, prisons, surveillance, psychological warfare, propaganda tactics, covert operations and investigations.

The companies of today are used by governments, corporations, humanitarian groups and NGOs, media personnel, and the UN. Private military contractors are the second largest force in Iraq with over twenty thousand active personnel in the country. The industry overall is growing with over $100 billion in annual contracts, relying on war as the marketplace.

snip

"In April 2002, the Army told Congress that its best guess was that the Army had between 124,000 and 605,000 service contract workers. In October, the Army announced that it would permit contractors to compete for "non-core" positions held by 154,910 civilian workers (more than half of the Army's civilian workforce) and 58,727 military personnel." <12> (http://www.publicintegrity.org/pns/report.aspx?aid=386)

more...

http://www.sourcewatch.org/wiki.phtml?title=PMC

Subtract the 20,000 in Iraq and you're still looking at the number of mercenaries being six figures.

[WhiteTara]

78. wow! Those numbers make me feel faint

what will they do to keep wars rolling so that they will have jobs in the future. Oh, this is terrible.
:hide:

[DemoTex]

17. Ah, that military panacea. Cures all ills, foreign and domestic.

Dr. Bu$h's traveling salvation show .. at the point of a gun.

[jobycom]

18. I thought this was going to be an Onion piece.

Gods.

[Timmy5835]

19. Shrub is running scared

Shrub rules by FEAR. He can no longer use terror, Iraq is running badly. So let bring out the flu. This Bird Flu has been in the media for over 6 months. This IS NOT a new thing. This is one of the few things Junior has to scare us with to distract from his many other problems. You don't want to get the flu? Easy. Wash you hands.

[rodeodance]

21. In face of killer flu threat, Bush speech was for birds (worth the read).

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/editorial/outlook/3362777

HoustonChronicle.com -- http://www.HoustonChronicle.com | Section: Viewpoints, Outlook


Sept. 20, 2005, 11:18PM

In face of killer flu threat, Bush speech was for birds

U.S. finally addresses pandemic, but is it too late?
By MICHAEL A. BABCOCK

The most important speech President Bush gave last week was not the prime-time address from Jackson Square in New Orleans. The world will little note nor long remember what he said there. It was stagey and prosaic, and his words were artificially elevated in importance by the passing political moment, not the substance of his remarks.

The most important speech Bush gave last week was delivered at the United Nations. It contained an ominous reference, which very few people seem to have noticed. The president signalled his concern over a new threat currently building in southeast Asia — and this time the threat has nothing to do with terrorism.

In the poultry farms of Vietnam and Thailand, in the slums of Indonesia, along the migratory routes of wild fowl in China, a new strain of bird flu is mutating and spreading. It's just a matter of time, scientists say, before the strain — H5N1, the most virulent form of influenza ever identified — will fully lodge itself within the human population. When that happens, start looking for the Four Horsemen of the Apocalyse — in particular, the one named Pestilence who's riding a pale horse.

This is not your ordinary, off-the-shelf, garden variety flu strain. It's a superbug. Currently, the virus is transmitted to humans only through direct contact with birds. Up until now, there's been very little to worry about unless you work with chickens in Thailand, or you eat Vietnamese delicacies such as uncoagulated duck blood soup. But scientists tell us that the virus is mutating, and it will soon become a human-to-human contagion that's spread the old-fashioned way — by nose, hand and mouth.

And here's what's really disturbing.

[seafan]

50. This author is a prof at Falwell's Liberty University. Interesting.

http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=6921

[CrispyQ]

57. Wash your hands

& get in the habit of not touching your nose or mouth until you have washed your hands.

Also many restuarants, especially fast food & sandwich shops, are very lax in allowing the people who prepare food to also handle money.

Years ago MTV had these little 15 second spots of social commentary. They featured kids from the future who commented on our current society. In one of the spots the kid said, "So people would really go to public places where people they didn't know & people they couldn't see prepared their food & they would eat it in a community area?"

[henslee]

20. Bush ideal -- Startship Troopers type of political state.

[underpants]

26. What was that Dustin Hoffman Cuba Gooding Jr. movie?

I always catch the end of it when the guys in the BDUs come swooping in to seal of that town.... what was it?

[Stand and Fight]

30. The movie was "Outbreak."

It starred Morgan Freeman, Donald Sutherland, Dustin Hoffman, and Cuba Gooding Jr.

[Cooley Hurd]

32. "Outbreak"

Are we on the cusp of "life imitating art?":scared:

[Individualist]

71. I thought about that movie while he was talking

about use of the military in a quarantine.

[Polethebear]

76. I thought that was gonna happen in new orleans...

I really did. The setup was so simallar. For about five minutes,I really was wondering if we're gonna see a bomb dropped on N.O. Lord help us if he had. I think this deal with the flu and milltary is the only thing he knows,I don't see martial law in this just yet.

[FVZA_Colonel]

55. It was Outbreak, and I really liked it.

Certain scientific elements were kind of wonky, but overall it was a good film. Especially in how it showed a military quarantine couldn't really work, as by the time they were about to drop a fuel air bomb on the town the virus had spread outside the quarantine zone.

[Say_What]

24. The Bush Junta coming right up....

[EC]

25. Gee, I wonder which "blue states" will get the flu? ...n/t

[Oreo]

27. What if it breaks out in the WH?

And he's forced to isolate his corrupt administration from the rest of the country?

[shanti]

28. uh oh...

:scared: i don't like the sound of this at all!

[Stand and Fight]

31. Somehow a movie springs to mind...

"Outbreak"... Scary stuff.

[benfranklin1776]

72. Or the STAND. Where martial law was imposed by a lying President.

The result was the cordoning off of major cities and the indiscriminate mowing down of those who tried to leave.
So this numbskull underfunds public health programs which could have effectively dealt with this problem before it becomes a pandemic and then gleefully tells us how martial law will be the best solution. Gives new meaning to his statement "It'd be a heck of a lot easier if this was a dictatorship."


From the article:

Dr. Irwin Redlener, associate dean of Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and director of its National Center for Disaster Preparedness, called the president's suggestion an "extraordinarily draconian measure" that would be unnecessary if the nation had built the capability for rapid vaccine production, ensured a large supply of anti-virals like Tamiflu, and not allowed the degradation of the public health system.

"The translation of this is martial law in the United States," Redlener said.

[CoffeeCat]

35. It is HIGHLY unlikely that a bird flu outbreak in the US, would be....

...isolated to one part of the country.

It's more likely that many people--from all over the country--would come down with it simultaneously.

The flu has originated in other countries. It's not here yet. People traveling outside the U.S will become infected, fly home and go about their business until they realize how sick they are.

When the flu becomes virulent enough to jump from person to person--it will be spread all over, very quickly.

[Massachusetts]

41. "It is HIGHLY unlikely that a bird flu outbreak in the US, would be...."

"Once in every generation, the plague shall fall among them." That's what it says in the Book. Seems like maybe you went a little too far this time."
-Mother Abigail Freemantle "The Stand"

[Theres-a]

54. Come on out to Colorado

And bring all your friends.:scared:

[FVZA_Colonel]

56. If this does become as bad as some people are predicting,

and I don't die right away, I am going to take to calling the virus 'Captain Trips.'

[cshldoc]

37. In other words, POTUS has declared...

...a "War on the Flu".

For some reason, I am not comforted.

[damntexdem]

39. Some predictions:

1. Rummy won't send in enough troops;
2. the military will not be met with roses;
3. half the troops will come down with the flu;
4. the anti-flu 'shock and awe' campaign will decimate the region impacted;
5. if no flu is found, Dubya will insist that he sent in the troops to promote democracy in the region;
6. Dubya will promise to 'stay the course' despite the popular insurgency against the troops;
7. Congress will vote 200 billion dollars for the continued war on flu in the impacted region;
8. Halliburton stock will soar as it gets 190 billion dollars in new contracts; and
9. Dubya will warn nearby states that they too will be invaded if they harbor flu virus.

[Nihil]

100. Can't fault 'em

That's a good list and it deserves more praise but I fear that it
is just *too* close to the truth to be comfortable.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

40. Thanks, in advance, for being REACTIVE (again) rather than PROACTIVE

Yep, seal the plague victims within their homes while they are still alive...this was actually done during medieval times (In Vienna, maybe)

Typical, bushie always takes the medieval approaches to science/medicine.:banghead:

[Richard D]

42. Good excuse . . .

. . . for martial law. Sorry to say but getting out of this crazy country is sounding better and better.

[Megahurtz]

52. Exactly my thoughts. n/t

[WildClarySage]

53. mine too.

[Just Me]

58. Chilling.

:scared:

[lumpy]

60. States rights are eroding?

Funny, the GOP used to tout states rights.

[Dem2theMax]

63. OK, I think I've had enough. Will someone from another country

either adopt me or marry me? I want out of here!

Or if you know of an alien with a spaceship - home planet is not a concern for me - give them my screen name and have them PM me please. :crazy:

[ngGale]

68. Gawd....

:scared:

[Zynx]

69. Great. Let's bring out the military in "emergencies".

Jeez, this sounds familiar to what I have read about in the 20th century in certain countries in Europe and Latin America. Hmmm...

[NickB79]

70. Well, that should solve a couple of Bush's problems

We can solve our energy crisis by burning the bodies of the poor who die from flu!

Anyone know how many BTU's there are in a cord of dead homeless people? :sarcasm:

[jazzjunkysue]

75. "We're gonna fight it over there, so we don't have to (ah-choo!) fight it

over there, wherever the flu is, right now."

[lovuian]

77. Keep the populace terrified!!! thats how you can control them!!!

Americans will give their rights up for a promise of protections and thats a lie!!!

[stickdog]

80. We have always been at war with influenza, and terror is our ally.

[Rodger Dodger]

81. Katrina Bush suggested putting the Pentagon in charge...

Bush is loosing it:suggesting the Pentagon take charge... What about his conservative base, and their view of States Rights.

One thing is certain the Fed., State, & City, preparedness plan deserved a F-!(They failed to adhere to "Murphy's Law."

The highest, priority of any security plan involving a known oncoming disaster should be: who will protect the First Responders' families;while their away risking their lives?! This would allow them to concentrate on their duties without worrying about their families safety; let alone their personal property losses.

To ignore warnings from, competent forecasters, is unacceptable at any pay grade. Mock fire drills,evacuation plans of schools, and mock disaster drills should include mass evacuation drills, for the First Responders' dependents.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

82. The Flu hates us for our Wellness.

never forget:(

[norml]

83. Bush Considers Military Role in Flu Fight

Bush Considers Military Role in Flu Fight By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 8 minutes ago


WASHINGTON - President Bush, stirring debate on the worrisome possibility of a bird flu pandemic, suggested dispatching American troops to enforce quarantines in any areas with outbreaks of the killer virus.

Bush asserted aggressive action could be needed to prevent a potentially crippling U.S. outbreak of a bird flu strain that is sweeping through Asian poultry and causing experts to fear it could become the next deadly pandemic. Citing concern that state and local authorities might be unable to contain and deal with such an outbreak, Bush asked Congress to give him the authority to call in the military.

The president has already indicated he wants to give the armed forces the lead responsibility for conducting search-and-rescue operations and sending in supplies after massive natural disasters and terrorist attacks — a notion that could require a change in law and that even some in the Pentagon have reacted to skeptically. The idea raised the startling-to-some image of soldiers cordoning off communities hit by disease.

"The president ought to have all ... assets on the table to be able to deal with something this significant," Bush said during a 55 minute question-and-answer session with reporters in the sun-splashed Rose Garden.


snip


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051005/ap_on_he_me/bush_avian_flu

[tularetom]

84. wtf good will that do?

are they going to shoot anyone who coughs?

[lateo]

85. I have an idea...

How about the Dems telling Bush to shut the fuck up about using the military?

Bush has fucked up every single big task he has been in charge of since he took office.

Just say no.

[Dogmudgeon]

86. My Request for Bush

Can my Wise and Courageous Maximum Leader consider a military role in getting me dates? Huh?

I'm also having trouble finding parking in center city Philadelphia. If I had a "vehicle, combat, armored, Abrams", it would really help me Pursue my Happiness.

To h-e-double-toothpicks with Posse Comitatus -- this sad excuse for a President hasn't even read the charter for his own Department of Fatherland Security, let alone FEMA or even a basic first-year law school textbook on constitutional law.

--p!

[fearnobush]

87. If Bush says it, then it's a real disaster - just like his Presidency.

This is KKKarl's way to switch and bait fear mongering from Terra to Chicken (hawks) bird flu. The GOP deception is so tired and old.

[HuffleClaw]

88. this is a real ticklish problem

while the military certainly is better suited for 'rapid response' they are most certainly NOT well suited for dealing with the public. also, it s a clear power grab by the bushistas. furthermore, would it not make more sense to FIX the system that is in place NOW instead of simply passing the buck ?

[calmblueocean]

89. "Enforce quarantines?"

What exactly does he foresee happening? Armies of flu victims in homemade tanks busting through roadblocks?!

The security necessary to maintain quarantine should easily be managed by existing state and local law enforcement. Adding tanks, automatic weapons, and soldiers trained to kill is only going to make the situation worse.

See, this is what you get when you elect people who hate civil government. Conservatives despise public institutions, and so they are unable to maintain the effectiveness of those institutions. For them, all roads lead to the military. Instead of funding and training proper civil authorities to deal with these situations, they'd rather have the military do everything. Nothing else strokes their authority fetish quite so well. It's a miracle they haven't tried to replace librarians with Marines by now. You never know when some threatening situation might occur in the library, after all.

Ugh. These guys just make me so sick some days.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

90. The insurgency numbers in the trillions of trillions...

[TaleWgnDg]

91. Okay, okay. So who's the WhiteHouse atty who wrote this gem? n/t

[MissMarple]

95. A most excellent question. Whose stupid idea was this?

We do know that limiting the geographical spread of a disease is crucial in containing it, but, hey, why not use the CDC? They know how to do that. ARGHHH....These are stupid people! When will someone take the George person well in hand? Where are our nannies when we need them?

Richard!!! We need some answers.

[preciousdove]

92. Two words Tularemia and Katrina; not going to happen with these bozos.

They still can't find the dead bodies in NOLA.

[Vickers]

93. "We're gonna bomb that virus back to the Stone Age!"

:rofl:

What a fucking numbnuts.

[Selteri]

94. Is every answer for Bush to call in the military?

What does he think this is, a military state?

[kestrel91316]

96. Well, that's obviously what he wants.

[Why Syzygy]

99. Rich

Yes. He should have all assets on the table. But we know with certainty that isn't gonna happen. He has no real assets.

Search and rescue? I'll go ahead and depend on my neighbors for that. No thanks, George. He has proven he cannot search or rescue ANYONE. Strummin George. Eat cake George. While people are drowning.

What a FUCKING power play! If CONGRESS even considers this I'm gonna go off my rocker.

And? The reason they cannot respond? HE has the state's military in IRAQ .. fer Christ's sake.

PLEASE tell me someone is going to stop this madness NOW!

[Nothing Without Hope]

98. NEVER FORGET - The neocons WANT MARTIAL LAW and are looking for

an "enabling event." Read this thread, including the articles posted in the replies, and you will see just how far along this course they already are:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4790112
thread title: Missing A KEY POINT in *'s speech: POWER GRAB FOR POTUS AND MILITARY

Under the blatantly dictorial powers of FEMA, Bush can declaire martial law pretty much any time he wants, and Congress cannot even REVIEW the decision for 6 months. And under martial law, Bush controls abolutely EVERYTHING. They have been working toward this for YEARS, and the setup and plans are all there and waiting.

[Why Syzygy]

101. Erm ..

"Four years after the frightening experience of September 11th, Americans have every right to expect a more effective response in a time of emergency. When the federal government fails to meet such an obligation, I, as President, am responsible for the problem, and for the solution. So I have ordered every Cabinet secretary to participate in a comprehensive review of the government response to the hurricane. This government will learn the lessons of Hurricane Katrina. We are going to review every action and make necessary changes, so that we are better prepared for any challenge of nature, or act of evil men, that could threaten our people."


Four YEARS to plan an action GEORGE! And you screwed up again.

You betcha we have every right to EXPECT a better response.

How he extrapolates this into involving military control is beyond me. I think they have gone totally bonkers (as if they were not before).

What the fuck exactly does he think military rule will give him?
Permanent dictatorship? Then how will he be able to down Castro?

He is the biggest threat and evil man on the planet. And we need to be prepared. Can he help with that?

[Nothing Without Hope]

103. He doesn't care about the "emergency response." We ALREADY HAVE

a National Response Plan - a 400-plus page document from the DHS that gives the president absolutely top authority in an emergency. We're not supposed to notice that; you'll note that they never mention it and keep saying we NEED a national response plan, as if it doesn't exist.

They want MILITARY DICTATORSHIP so they can steal anything they want, sell whatever of the country's resources are still left, nuke any country they want, and never have to even PRETEND to have an election again.

PERMANENTLY.

It's only hard for SANE people to understand.

[SKKY]

102. Oh God! We're so close to becoming a police state it's frightening me.

[Whoa_Nelly]

104. * ain't concerned with a possible avian flu outbreak. This was all Rove's

idea, of that I have no doubt. And possibly Rummy, Cheney and 'Sleeza had some input into this "consideration" by IdiotBoy McFuckaDuck..it's always been pretty clear that this pResident doesn't have the capacity to have deep thoughts regarding US citizens and national safety beyond getting his pants on correctly and zipping up.

This isn't about taking the US population into consideration beyond more fear-mongering and seeking a way to implement Martial Law at the drop of a hat...or perhaps that should be "...at the drop of a bird".

[Javaman]

105. Once again, moron* backs away from actually finding a solution

and instead defaults as always to the military.

You know, once upon a time, there were various programs and emergency plans in the event of catastrophe, but it appears that with the end of the cold war, all that paranoid paper-pushing that created those scenarios have gone and were replaced by politicians figuring out new and inventive ways to steal our money under the guise of national security.
Probably was always that way, but even with the real threat of nuclear war hanging over our heads on a daily basis, regardless, I had this sense that I would still be protected.
Yeah, it's somewhat pollyanna of me, but it seems as if there has been a complete and utter break down of governing and leadership in this country.
Instead of feeling safe, I feel like a ship adrift. No course, no plan and no feeling that everything is going to be okay.
In another time, a future that was unknown, was a future full of possibilities, but the situation that moron* has set up, it's a future filled with unknown fear.
I read alot of history and so far moron* reminds me of Ivan the Terrible. A paranoid state of fear, dissenting voices are crushed and death is the only solution.

colossal racist paranoid failure*.