"Save the stonewall for rebuilding the levees"..Classic. Rep. Doggett

[Horse with no Name]

Dear xxxx:

I offer this update from update from Washington on efforts, which I strongly support, to create in independent panel to study the failures, at every level of government, to respond to Hurricane Katrina. Yesterday, the Senate Republican Leadership blocked the formation of an independent inquiry; today, their House counterparts are about to do the same.

Initially, the Bush Administration opposed the creation of an independent 9-11 Commission. Until the voices of Americans were heard clamoring for such an independent Commission, the Administration blocked it. It is my hope that the strong support by citizens for an independent, truly bipartisan Commission will again force a real quest for the truth.

Attached below are my comments on the House floor during debate of this legislation. You can view a video of my speech by clicking here.

As always, I will continue my efforts to earn your support. For this reason, I appreciate that you have signed up for "Lloyd's List." However, if you no longer wish to receive periodic updates from me and want to be removed from "Lloyd's List," please let me know by reply e-mail or by simply calling me at [phone] or [phone].

As always, please let me know your views on this or any other federal issue.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett
Independent Hurricane Katrina Panel Required
September 15, 2005

Calling this partisan Republican scheme "bipartisan" reminds me of those tinhorn dictators who attempt to mask their authoritarian regimes by calling their countries "Democratic."

We need an independent citizens' commission, like the 9-11 Commission, to explore the failures of every level and every branch of government.

The Administration and its House Republican cohorts oppose this independent citizen commission just as they opposed the 9-11 Commission where the Administration erected roadblocks to that Commission's work at every turn. I say to them, "Save the stonewall for rebuilding the levees."

With thousands stranded, this Administration would not lead, but now it wants its buddies here in the Congress to lead the cover-up.

As with the formation of the 9-11 Commission, if enough informed Americans demand a genuine independent investigation, then we can end this Republican charade.

Our safety demands real accountability. What reason is there to believe that what we witnessed might not happen in our own backyard? That the fate of those we saw in New Orleans would not be the fate of others, such as poor folks in the Rio Grande Valley from hurricane flooding or other disasters -- be it a human-caused, natural disasters, or both?

Without knowing, objectively, what, why, and how the rescue mission failed, there is no way to ensure that this horror would not be repeated in our communities.

There is nothing to prevent the House Republicans from having all the Congressional investigations and all the budget hearings that they want to have. What we are asking for here today is that you not have a sham "bi-partisan" commission. You should bring in citizens from around the country and have the kind of independent inquiries that led to a best-selling book exploring 9-11 -- the 9-11 Commission Report.

We owe it to the dead, to the displaced, and to all who could become the next victims of a catastrophe to support a true and genuine independent inquiry.


Sincerely,
Lloyd

[DJ MEW]

1. Saw that debate on C Span this morning

If the Rep from Cali that was on the Repug side was trying to prove something he failed miserably. Why don't they want an independent investigation.

During that entire debate the R's kept saying that the Constitution gives them the power of over sight so they should be in charge of the investigation. Not once did they give any reason why they would be better then an independent investigation. They never addressed the fact that the committee they proposed was totally partisan and developed with out any Democrats input.

[MasonJar]

2. 9/11 could have done a lot better if they had really nailed Bush

and his cohorts for complicity and duplicity. If there was nothing to hide, why couldn't stump come by his little bitty (mind that is) self?