NH Union Leader Slams *'s non-response to Katrina

[NewHampshireDem]

http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=59785

Bush and Katrina:
A time for action, not aloofness

AS THE EXTENT of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation became clearer on Tuesday — millions without power, tens of thousands homeless, a death toll unknowable because rescue crews can’t reach some regions — President Bush carried on with his plans to speak in San Diego, as if nothing important had happened the day before.

Katrina already is measured as one of the worst storms in American history. And yet, President Bush decided that his plans to commemorate the 60th anniversary of VJ Day with a speech were more pressing than responding to the carnage.

A better leader would have flown straight to the disaster zone and announced the immediate mobilization of every available resource to rescue the stranded, find and bury the dead, and keep the survivors fed, clothed, sheltered and free of disease.

The cool, confident, intuitive leadership Bush exhibited in his first term, particularly in the months immediately following Sept. 11, 2001, has vanished. In its place is a diffident detachment unsuitable for the leader of a nation facing war, natural disaster and economic uncertainty.

Wherever the old George W. Bush went, we sure wish we had him back.

The only thing I would like to point out is this is pretty much *'s response to everything ... act like nothing happened, then when the danger is past, grab a bullhorn and pretend like you were there digging through the rubble with your bare hands. Happened on 9/11, happened last December with the tsunami ... and will happen again, I'm sure. Sorry, Union Leader, but there is no better * to have back ... once a jackhole, always a jackhole.

[newswolf56]

1. What makes this editorial denunciation especially significant...

is that The Union-Leader (despite its name) is a notoriously conservative paper -- not just right-wing but John Birch right wing.

[ecoflame]

7. Is this the same paper O'Reilly

was blasting and had the editor on his show, who then called him a 'tinhorn' (I think). It was on 'Crooks & Liars' - let me see if I can find it. It was great!

[zanne]

10. I grew up with The Union Leader.

I don't know how many times I've torn it up, spilled coffee on it, or drawn mustaches on the editor's face. It hasn't really changed since I first started reading it as a kid, but the country's changed alot. It used to be known as one of the ten most conservative newspapers in the counry. Now its considered almost mainstream. This is how badly the culture has degenerated. The Right Wing has moved the center way over to the right.

[yellowcanine]

13. No kidding - The Union -Leader was the most RW paper in the U.S.

before the Washington (Moony) Times came along.

[Skittles]

2. I disagree with their assessment that bastard has ever been a good leader

absolutely

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. could it be Bush just doesn't care?

He can't be re-elected, so he doesn't have to put on a false front that he cares about people. As for his "intuitive leadership" after 911- Karl Rove isn't spinning things like he used to.

[aquart]

4. The "old" Bush was a mirage of wishful thinking and propaganda.

He never existed, but they can't admit they were fatally wrong.

[phantom power]

12. Exactly. Bush never changed. People are just waking up.

[illflem]

5. Not supporting the A-hole

but don't you think that many would say if he visited it was only for political gain?

[wake.up.america]

6. I see a lot of swearing going on in this forum. I understand it...

much better.

Bush is a sick individual! And he is hurting a lot of people.

[Demeter]

9. NO--He'd Actually Have To Believe His Own Eyes

or poke them out. It would be Bush's first step out of Denial.

[ecoflame]

8. The NH Union Leader and O'Reilly

From 'Crooks & Liars'- http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/08/25.html#a4631"> calling Bill out.

[indepat]

11. And the idolatrous crowds chant: four more years, four more years

[NoSunWithoutShadow]

14. I don't want the old GWB back.

And I don't want to new one either.

The man is a sociopath. Never was a leader.

[flowomo]

15. made good use of this in my weekly newspaper column!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2050724

[Orion The Hunter]

16. if you think that's good...

Check out the video clip over at Crooks and Liars, where John Cafferty not only references that article, but also goes off on a rather blunt assessment of the Federal government's poor handling of this crisis:

http://movies.crooksandliars.com/The-Situation-Room-Cafferty-on%20Katrina.wmv