Another try at an answer to this question. Might be important.

[joemurphy]

I was listening to NPR's report on the chronology of the Katrina story.

If I remember correctly, the report stated that the hurricane hit on Monday. By Wednesday, people were complaining of having no food or water at the Superdome.

On Thursday, Bush flew into the NOLA airport on Air Force One and told Blanco and Nagin that he would only send in Federal troops if they signed over control of the NOPD and the Louisiana National Guard Troops to the Federal Government. The Report implied that Bush wanted unifed control over everyone. The Report said Blanco initially told Bush she needed 24 hours to think the matter over.

The NPR Report never explained why Bush wanted Blanco to surrender control of the Guard troops to Bush. Apparently, if memory serves, she refused to do so, although I'm not sure when that refusal was communicated to Bush.

The NPR Report stated that the 82nd Airborne then came in the next day anyway.


My question: Why did Bush insist that his control of the National Guard be a precondition for military aid. It seems to have delayed things. This answer may prove to be an important issue.

Can anyone explain? I asked this before and never got a satisfactory answer. Here's the thread:

<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4717148&mesg_id=4717148>

[babylonsister]

1. Perhaps he wanted total control, to show how inept the

Dems supposedly were? Or perhaps he's the epitome of evil and was stalling for time, while Rove tried to spin a web full of lies.

[valerief]

2. He was buying time until enough of the area was properly damaged

He wanted ALL the undesirable property to be unsalvagable.

I wonder what happened to the (can't remember what they call it) laboratories with lethal viruses and bacteria. You know, the killer stuff. I wonder if that played a factor.

[pitohui]

3. there are no lethal viruses or bacteria going around

just stop it right now

my theory of why they didn't send help is they were too busy trying to do damage control

thousands dead, again, on nero's watch

time needed to control the message & hide the bodies

but there are no lethal diseases being spread just stop this

[valerief]

9. Level-3 Infectious Disease Research in and Around New Orleans

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/9/12934/99164

At the very least, there are two Level-3 biolabs in New Orleans and a cluster of three in nearby Covington. They have been working with anthrax, mousepox, HIV, plague, etc. There are surely other labs in the city.

For example, in nearby Covington, Tulane University runs the Tulane National Primate Research Center, a cluster of Level-3 biological labs containing around 5,000 monkeys, most of which are housed in outdoor cages.

[notadmblnd]

5. I really think they were trying to provoke the people

in the superdome and convention center, so they could say there was an insurrection and take over. Thankfully the people were to smart to fall for it.

on edit.. last sentence just didn't sound right.

[notadmblnd]

4. I sure hope gov Blanco doesn't get suicided

If she does, their cover story will be that she was despondent over her failings in handling the disaster. Governor Blanco, please be careful.

[PublicWrath]

6. What it might mean:

I don't think the power play was limited to control of NG troops.
Or at least I think the ramifications of the fine print were darker and deeper. I think that Total federal control might enable them to act without state or city consent in condemning and razing neighborhoods. It would certainly allow them to start giving out clean up contracts without going through the city, and depending on how long they retained authority probably land development contracts on behalf of the city, but without its oversight. Not to mention handing out contracts for the restoration of infrastructure to the companies of their choice. Probably contracts for new structures and upgrading facilities they deem important for commerce, homeland security, etc.

[BrklynLiberal]

7. That sounds like the best answer to me.

[EC]

8. This is the right answer

it meant New Orleans would have been the new Iraq...conquered and ready to divy up at pennies on the dollar for developement.

(Can you imagine, gated communities, time shares and vacation land theme parks? Homes no smaller than 3000 sq feet....)

[flyarm]

10. not to mention casinos!!

no poverty homes, and all new westins and hyatts..and of course, ritz and four seasons hotels!!

and don't think it wont happen..when one has been through a disaster..and one has a home..the morgage companies still want their monthly payments..even if the house is unhabitable!!

i know i lost a home in the 94 northridge earthquake!

that payment still must be made...even if you are sleeping on the street!! or the banks come in and aUction the property!!

it happened to many of my neigbors who couldn't make multiple payments like rent and house payment!!

many of my neigbors left in the middle of the night..and the banks were in the streets auctioning the property for pennys to the dollar!

2 million $$ properties being sold for $150,000.

and the vultures were there lined up to buy!!

no joke!!

FLY

[EC]

13. I know, then they wonder why there is

desperation on the streets. Not to mention insomniacs, acid reflux and heart attacks...

[PublicWrath]

11. I have noticed that chaos and destruction are very profitable for some.

Did you by chance see an article that originated in the Swedish press about the day the looting started in Baghdad?

[EC]

12. Could have, don't know...

But I have watched this for a long time, even on the local level. See it happening in Africa, South America, and Phillipines...the only place I haven't seen it happening is the Scandinavian Countries and Swiss Area, rather anywhere where there is a mix of democracy and socialism, it works for humanity (real life stuff) - where it is happening it's a mix of an illusion of democracy and fasiciam..everything is for the legal tender (manmade stuff) .It really bothers me that I see the roots starting in Canada and Greenland...

[mmonk]

14. That's my take as well.

Notice also that FEMA stopped supplies from contracted help as well as requested help from local governments from around the country from coming in.

[PublicWrath]

17. Yes, it was a like a siege.

Cut off all supplies to the citadel and force them to open the gate.

[Just Me]

15. I am telling you,...he wanted to profiteer off the situation,...

,...precisely the way these corporateers have been doing off third world countries over the last three decades.

We have "economic hitmen" in charge of this country and they ARE exploiting our people in precisely the same way they have been exploiting others for decades.

Read, "Confessions of an Economic Hitman". Read it!!! These fuckers exist for the LOVE OF MONEY. Seriously!!!!

[grasswire]

16. then the proper term is "leeches"...

...isn't it?

Or maybe "grifters."

[Just Me]

18. "Cancer" may be appropriate.

They eat everything "alive" in their path: people, animals, plants, the earth.

That's how I view them: CANCER.