Welcome to my nightmare

[BigBearJohn]

THEN:

Clinton surveys Ark. tornado damage

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Jan. 25, 1999 (AP) - Acting like the governor he used to be, President Clinton went home to Arkansas on Sunday to inspect the damage a barrage of tornadoes wreaked on houses and trees in his old stomping grounds. ''This is a tragedy we all take personally,'' he said.

The president walked streets of Quapaw Quarters that he jogged when he lived 12 years in the Governor's Mansion nearby. This time, rather than well-manicured yards and well-kept houses, his eyes fell on smashed rooftops draped in blue tarpaulin, houses that seemed folded in half, an uprooted tree lounging across a crushed Volvo.


Clinton surveys Ark. tornado damage


Clinton with Victims of the Asian Tsunami

Sunday, it seemed that here, far from Washington's impeachment furor, Clinton drew as much emotionally from the storm victims as he gave. He clasped old friends in long hugs and placed his hand sympathetically on the shoulder of a man who stopped clearing debris from his yard to shake the president's hand.

''It's good for him, and it's good for them,'' said Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater, also an Arkansan. ''You know who your friends are when you're standing with them in difficult times, and they're standing with you in difficult times. ''

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/1999/wtor122b.htm

President Clinton Announces Federal Response To Hurricane Floyd:

Washington, DC -- President Clinton, announced that the Administration will seek an additional $304 million in FY2000 to help affected states recover from flooding and other damage caused by Hurricane Floyd. The supplemental funding would bring to more than $6 billion the amount of federal grants and loans made available to the affected states.

Source: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=7270

NOW:

[mcctatas]

1. I have this ongoing fantasy that he will come to our rescue...

bitch slap bush and say "George, your daddy and I had a talk, and we decided that this just isn't gonna work out. Now go to your room until we figure out a suitable punishment". Hell, missing Clinton goes without saying, I'm to the point where I even miss papa bush!

[BigBearJohn]

2. May I join your fantasy?

[WiseButAngrySara]

21. Oh...Join me up too!!! n/t

[evlbstrd]

3. You know things are bad when you say something like that. n/t

[bliss_eternal]

4. Me, too--me, too!

(bliss waves hand wildly...)

I can't even put into words how much I miss Pres. Clinton--or how angry I am that Presidents Gore and Kerry were denied the opportunity by a corrupt system, to show us all how it should be done.

:cry:

[BigBearJohn]

7. If trash were brass, * would be the whole fucking orchestra.

[steve2470]

5. John, read this thread when you're ready to take more Tylenol

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4521526

[autorank]

6. BigBear, tell me those two * pics aren't since the tragedy...

...it's simply not possible that he's that insensitive and stupic.

[BigBearJohn]

8. The guitar playing was today (see link below)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4511086

[autorank]

10. Well,

:puke:

just amazing, stunning, and frightening...

[expatriate]

9. I've been through a lot of hurricanes, John

`and always - ALWAYS - the POTUS at least went on the tube and spoke about it. Areas were declared disaster areas, the National Guard was put into action, there were organized rescue efforts and relief. Even under Nixon. The POTUS always made a point of at least appearing to be concerned. It calmed people, and gave them a sense that something was being done and that someone was in charge.

This is a nightmare. I'm watching from afar, as you know, and my heart breaks. It seems that no-one seems to be in charge, or taking any definitive action. There is rescue action going on, but there is so little information coming through on the news.

I can't locate people in New Orleans. I know many others are in the same boat. And our damn President is merrily partying away, and will finally make an appearance on Friday. I wonder if he'll wear his flight suit with codpiece and talk through a bullhorn. Maybe he'll fuss that his vacation was cut short.

[BigBearJohn]

11. The real reason he cut it short was because he ran out of pretzels

[expatriate]

14. Sounds about right, ran out of pretzels

and beer. Betcha he'll be disappointed when he gets to Bourbon Street and the bars are shut.

If nothing else, a commander in chief should make a public appearance during disasters and crises. It really does make people feel less vulnerable. People in New Orleans and those who have evacuated must be feeling absolutely abandoned by now.

And the water is coming in.

[BigBearJohn]

16. Pretty soon Georgie is going to go running scared to Daddy.

What do I do Daddy? What do I do? Everybody hates me.

[AspenRose]

12. "Now watch this drive."

:mad:

It's so damn depressing. Nightmare is right.

[Mairead]

13. Let's not lose sight of the fact that Clinton, at bottom, was harmful too

He was great at feel-good image, especially in contrast to the Bushes, but down at the bottom line he was no friend of ours.

[BigBearJohn]

17. I couldn't disagree more. I love Bill Clinton and always will.

I know of no one who can face the personal scrutiny subjected to that man. He's my hero and always will be -- warts and all.

[Mairead]

19. Now if only your loyalty could transform the reality.

But that's the malign magic of the con-man: he makes his victims believe in his good will while he continues to strip them of their assets.

[BigBearJohn]

20. No "con man" on this planet could originate the truth in these quotes

* "There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured
by what is right with America."

* "Fanatics are defined by their hatreds; free people by their humanity."

* "The real differences around the world today are not between Jews and Arabs;
Protestants and Catholics; Muslims, Croats, and Serbs. The real differences are between those who embrace peace and those who would destroy it; between those who look to the future and those who cling to the past; between those who open their arms and those who are determined to clench their fists."

* "My philosophy is the United States should cooperate with others whenever we can … and act alone only if we have to. In the current government, the conservatives, at least, believe that we should act alone whenever we can and cooperate when we have to."

* "Democrats and Republicans have very different ideas on what choices we should make, rooted in fundamentally different views of how we should meet our common challenges at home and how we should play our role in the world. Democrats want to build an America of shared responsibilities and shared opportunities ... Republicans believe in an America run by the right people — their people."

A lot of bad things could also be said about JFKennedy, but that does not mean he wasnt one of our greatest Presidents. Far greater minds than mine have sung the praises of Bill Clinton. I never said he was perfect, but he inspired me to greater heights in my life more than any President I have ever listened to. If that's what you call a "con man" -- then I wish I knew a hundred more.

[Mairead]

25. It's called "lip service". (nt)

[fooj]

15. The President that does not feel.

(audio version)
http://evilqueen.demesnes.net/mp3/e_l_doctorow.mp3


Peace.

[loudsue]

18. A true leader would have a situation room, a bunch of get'er done

officials with authority to move mountains, people brainstorming solutions and ACTING on them....a real leader would jump into action, roll their sleeves up, and start coordinating rescue operations that brought help from all quarters.

A true leader would have sent luxury cruise ships anchored in the gulf and near Florida and Texas, or Navy/military boats, and coast guard to the scene....and would have figured a way to get supplies and floatation devices INTO the disaster areas, and figured a way to get people OUT of harms way.

Unfortunately, America doesn't have any true leaders anymore. Only slimey republicans with an attitude, who keep stealing leadership positions, for which they are totally inadequate, every time we have an "election".

This is an American disaster under REPUBLICAN leadership. In fact, since we've had republican leadership, all we've had is one disaster after another. I think they're bad luck.

:kick:

[BigBearJohn]

24. Howard Dean just emailed me suggestions on how to help

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4522130&mesg_id=4522130

[K8-EEE]

22. Candidate Clinton Toured 92 Riots Area Here In L.A.

Before it was secure. President Daddy Bush stayed away. That really impressed me. I saw that on TV and I thought, maybe this will be OK. Before that I didn't pay much attention to Clinton, I voted for Jerry Brown in the primary. COURAGE AND LEADERSHIP!!! I really miss it.

[BigBearJohn]

23. Thanks. I completely forgot about that.

[BigBearJohn]

26. .