My Email to my Senator, Tom Harkin

[CoffeeCat]

Dear Senator Harkin,

I am writing to you today--full of sorrow, disbelief and anger--as I witness the Bush Administration's inexcusable, reckless and discombobulated response to the crisis in New Orleans and other areas affected by hurricane Katrina.

Senator Harkin, I am a stay-at-home mom to two preschool-aged children. I live in XXXX. Although I vote in every election, I have never been a political activist. However, I feel compelled to cry out from the heartland and protest in the streets, as the inhumane response to this national tragedy worsens by the hour.

Our country is being shamed—on the national stage—by its own leadership.

What is going on in our government, Senator Harkin? President Bush--like the rest of America--understood the weekend before Katrina hit--that New Orleans and other areas could be devastated. This was a category 5 storm moving toward New Orleans. It is common knowledge that New Orleans was a vulnerable city that sits below sea level. Yet, the President claims that the devastation was unforeseen.

I live in Iowa, and I expected devastation. What great insight and awareness do I possess—that the leader of the free world seems to lack? It’s mind-boggling.

The President continued vacationing as the storm gathered. He did nothing. His agenda of inaction continued, as he appeared at a self-promoting, public-relations event in Arizona—even after the hurricane hit. The President’s hollow and superficial address to the nation was disturbing. Then, four days after the storm hit—American citizens die of thirst with no visible rescue plan in play.

The pictures from CNN are gruesome. Babies are dying. Healthy adults are dying, simply from lack of water. On Thursday, a volunteer nurse, shown on CNN, said she was the only medical personnel at the Super Dome--a location in which storm survivors were told to seek shelter. Our government knew very well that thousands would be there. Still, no water and no food--more than 72 hours after the hurricane hit.

This is a horrific failure, at best.

Senator Harkin--President Bush's inept response underscores what we witness in his everyday policies. He could care less about average Americans, as he provides tax cuts to the rich and makes millions for his corporate friends. The President lied us into a failed war and we are assaulted daily with insults, “Mission Accomplished”, “We’re turning a corner”, “Things are getting better”, “The elections will be a turning point” and “Stay the course”.

It’s pathological that this administration is thrusting the same disingenuous, insulting con games into a national disaster within our own borders.

I’m tired of hearing the cries of babies and traumatized mothers on CNN, while Michael Chertoff and Mr. Brown spew sound bytes at their tenth press conference of the day These publicity stunts are reminiscent of the ridiculous ploys that Iraqi Information Minister, Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf spewed at the onset of the Iraq war.

Is that what we’ve become, a nation of lying, laughable propagandists?

What on Earth is going on Senator Harkin?

Can anyone honestly say--that if a couple thousand oil-company executives were stranded at the Crawford Ranch--that it would take four days to deliver life-saving bottled water? I can't imagine neighborhoods full of CEOs who are stranded in the rafters of their mansions--with water up to their necks and no help in sight—for four solid days!

Katrina was a natural disaster, but the Bush Adminstrations' response is unnatural. It's an American tragedy.

Please, Senator Harkin--hold these thugs accountable in the most public and damming ways possible. The future of this country relies on the fortitude and courage of those who must speak the truth and hold this administration responsible for their failures and their lies.

I can’t take it anymore. I don’t recognize my own country any more.

It hurts to say that I am ashamed to be an American, as I witness this Administration’s botched rescue effort accompanied by hollow lies that only serve to cover their political careers. They’re spinning as people die. It’s utterly revolting.

Please, Senator Harkin—I’m begging you to speak out and hold this administration responsible. Someone needs cut through the deceit and provide a beacon of hope, compassion and truth in America.

WE need a voice. We need leadership. We desperately need you, Senator Harkin.

Please, Senator Harkin, heed the cries of the victims of the hurricane, and also the cries of millions of Americans who are shaken, outraged and saddened by the reckless disregard of the Bush Administration.

Sincerely,
xxxx

[JackDragna]

1. A goddam awesome letter.

I used to live in Iowa. Now, I live in Baton Rouge. I campaigned for Harkin before. Get everyone in Iowa to keep the pressure on the man to make the government do something.

[Booster]

2. Absolutely brilliant letter. I think you nailed it perfectly and I can't

believe this great country of ours has to put up with the incompetence of this administration one more God damned day. If their performance during this tradegy isn't an impeachable offense then I don't know what is.

[Ediacara]

3. My email to Burns, Baucus, and Rehberg

Believe it or not though, I've never once called or written my elected officials in Montana (or back in Washington) urging them to impeach Bush. Not until today that is:

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Senator Burns/Baucus/Representative Rehberg,

I would urge you to support President Bush's impeachment and removal. His behavior during this tragedy has been simply appalling. On Monday, after the hurricane hit and the Gulf coast was devastated, he opted for a photo-op holding a giant cake with Senator McCain. On Tuesday, after the levees had broken and New Orleans started catastrophically flooding, he opted for a photo-op playing guitar. Only on Wednesday did he decide that his five-week vacation had to be prematurely shortened to deal with the complete obliteration of a major American city.

On top of that, this outcome was not surprising to anyone, as Louisiana State University has done extensive modeling that predicted exactly what has unfolded this week. Despite this fact, before the hurricane hit, his budgets had cut desperately needed money from the Army Corps of Engineers to keep New Orleans’ levees from breaking.

CNN is reporting that perhaps 100,000 people have died, and all the President can talk about now is oil and gasoline production! The survivors in Louisiana and Mississippi have no access to food, water, or medicine, those in New Orleans are either trapped on raised roadways or buildings; or are forced to wade or swim through deep water filled with human filth, gasoline, sharks, snakes, and alligators and face off against armed gangs.

The victims of this hurricane are completely helpless and living in chaos. Many more will die due to the complete inaction of the federal government for three whole days. Why was the Department of Homeland Security formed if not for this very task?

The answer is the President’s inaction and lack of compassion or leadership skills, and I urge you to support this incompetent’s impeachment and immediate removal.