Kerry statement - inadequate response from the federal govt ....

[Mass]

during these last few days.

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2005_09_02.html

Washington, DC - Senator John Kerry released the following statement today on Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the citizens of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama as they struggle with the aftermath of this devastating storm, and to their loved ones and families viewing the disturbing photos coming out of the region. I also would like to commend the brave men and women who are leading the rescue operations; from emergency service officers to health care professionals to the power and water crews working around the clock to save lives.

“Hurricane Katrina devastated significant portions of the Gulf Coast and disrupted millions of lives. The situation in New Orleans is heartbreaking.

“We cannot and must not give up on the people left stranded and destitute by this storm. This is a national tragedy and it demands a national response. At home in Massachusetts, citizens and corporations are donating time, money and their expertise to help out and I know the same thing is happening in every state in the country.

“Now is the time for all of us to come together to help our fellow Americans rebuild the communities that have lost so much.

“Elected officials, emergency personnel and incredible volunteers are working round the clock. These emergency workers are heroes.

“While Americans are united and determined to help the people who are suffering, there is no question that we share a collective anguish and frustration over the inadequate response of the federal government over these past several days. Federal officials must act swiftly in coming hours and days to direct more aid to the region as rapidly as possible.

“Last night the Senate allocated $10.5 billion to help fund immediate relief efforts. Although that is a welcome first step, I plan to work in coming days to find more ways that we can help joining with my colleagues in the Senate to support those who have lost so much and those working so hard to help them.

“I am also directing my team at johnkerry.com and my leadership committee Keeping America’s Promise to help. This week we have sent out fundraising appeals for the Red Cross and teamed up to help victims find housing at www.hurricanehousing.org. The response has been incredibly heartening. We will be doing more in coming days as we learn more about the best to provide assistance.

“I just returned from spending the week in Iraq, seeing firsthand the bravery of our troops as they face chaos and destruction. Our country has a huge heart and an incredibly strong spirit. We came together to support of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families, now we will come together to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. We will endure and we will survive but we can’t stop working until we get help to all those left suffering. For more information on how to help, visit FEMA’s website at http://www.fema.gov/press/2005/resources_katrina.shtm or visit the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org. Thank you for your support for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.”

[bahrbearian]

1. Please remind me is John Kerry a member of the opposition party?

[LittleClarkie]

42. Indeed

As am I. Are you?

[mzteris]

2. Lame

Where is the OUTRAGE???????????????????

[Vektor]

80. Maybe it doesn't translate well in print.

The OP should have added more exclamation points.

I'm seething with rage right now. Can you tell?

Ah-ha!

I thought not.

Kerry is always pretty even tempered. He just isn't volatile. I don't think I've ever see him yell. But just because his tone is even does not mean he isn't pissed, though.

Perhaps we should offer the Senator the use of this DU emoticon ::grr:

[mzteris]

86. maybe.

Although, my biggest complaint with him on the campaign trail was that he was over-reliant on "talking points" and NOT speaking from the heart.

[karynnj]

96. Actually from the rallies I saw

what got me were the times - and there were many- when you could tell he was speaking directly from the heart. I felt that from more than other candidates who are said to feel people's pain, Kerry often did and it showed.

[Vektor]

102. I sometimes wish

that the candidates would just lose their composure a bit too. I guess there are certain rigid "socially acceptable" behaviors politicians are forced to abide by (which I think actually is pretty stupid) - like they have to be "tepid" to avoid upsetting the masses, and fit into the mainstream.

I have always liked Kerry, and found him very smart and ell spoken, but there were times (on ore than one occasion) when I wished h's just jump up, bitch slap the Chimp, and scram "SUCK MY BIG GIANT MASSACHUSETTS LIBERAL WANG YOU TOOTHLESS MOUTH-BREATHING HILLBILLY REDNECK SACK OF PIG VOMIT!!!!!"

Sadly, it never happened, but MAN would that have been a hoot.

[mzteris]

105. somehow

I can't quite see Kerry saying that.

But thanks for giving me something to laugh about today. :)

[Vektor]

135. It would be funny as hell, huh?

:-)

[Prodemsouth]

110. That is not possible even in the realm of pure fantasy. A defeatist

elitist would never do what you wished in your post

[MH1]

117. Who are you calling a "defeatist elitist"?

[Vektor]

134. No...

But John Kerry, a proud, heroic, bad-ass mofo, sex-god, beefcake, hot piece of sex, well hung patriot might.


:evilgrin:

[globalvillage]

Better yet

We can rewrite the Senate Dems' statements for them.
How's this?

"Our hearts go out to the people of LA, MS an AL. This administration and the idiot in charge and all the friggin republican sacks of crap can all rot in hell for their shitty response to this tragedy. They suck, suck, suck."

...

"We look forward to working closely with the Republican Congress and with the Republican Administration to provide funds to these people in need, and hope they will overlook the stuff we said about how badly they suck."

Do you think the Senate and House Dems are not dying to say what we're saying?

Wes and John E made good, strong, appropriate statements. They are in quite a different position from Congressional Dems, who need to express, but temper their outrage. For now.

JMHO.

[gulliver]

3. As usual, very careful. Blah, blah, blah, careful criticism, blah, blah ..

blah. This is why he isn't president.

[Mass]

6. This is why he SHOULD BE the president.

He is able to make the STATEMENT THE PRESIDENT SHOULD HAVE MADE.

[Prodemsouth]

14. What did you find inspiring in that statement? Maybe people in

Mass just can't relate to a large portion of the country. I forget what Kerry says 10 seconds after he says it. You have a fine state. Very good education, social stability etc, but I guess the rest of us are just dumb. Not trying to be a smart ass - but I just could not relate to Kerry. I don't remember as do many other Americans what he wanted to do if he were President.

[JI7]

16. i'm not from Mass and i can relate and understand him

[Prodemsouth]

24. Then I will ask you the same question what was inspiring about

what he said in that statement. People keep saying he SHOULD be President I agree but he is not and has shown he dosen't think he should be either. Much of the defense of Kerry's campaign and his handling of himself during the campaign is also lame. Look at the words we use HERE when talking about Kerry ..weak lame.. Don't accuse us of falling for RW talking points, it is Kerry's fault that we think that way. He allowed himself to be defined that way.

[JI7]

28. speak for yourself

i don't expect everyone to like him. i like him myself as do many others. and people on this board certainly don't represent the Democratic Party as a whole.

just look at Hillary's unpopularity on here while she is very popular among the party.

[globalvillage]

Has Hillary made a statement?

I unsubscribed from her mailing list a while back.

[Mass]

36. She had something on her website asking for money.

So do many senators now.

This is what is important: helping people. As Nagin said: enough press conferences, now is time for action.

[globalvillage]

40. Specter had nothing this morning.

I'll have to check back, but no response at all from my Sen.
The other one hardly counts.

[Mass]

45. Here is Feingold's text.

I think that Senators know there will need bipartisan cooperation in order to get something done and that you dont get that done by yelling insults.

Clark and Edwards are more free at this point.


http://feingold.senate.gov/

Statement of Senator Feingold on Hurricane Katrina

Like all Americans, my thoughts are with those struggling to cope with the terrible effects of Hurricane Katrina. The devastation brought by the storm is absolutely heart-wrenching and beyond description. I continue to be concerned by reports of a slow emergency response. Clearly, more needs to be done to get help to Katrina’s victims. I hope that the emergency spending bill that the Senate approved last night will help speed up disaster relief efforts. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to make sure that the federal government does all it can to assist those who have lost so much in this national tragedy.

[globalvillage]

56. Very similar to Kerry's

Where's the "I hate Russ" post?

[Mass]

58. So are Boxer's and Kennedy's.

They know that, if they want to help people in the hurricane area, they have to show their anger without being seen as angry, and THEY WANT TO HELP.

[Mass]

91. And Obama too.

http://obama.senate.gov/statement_of_senator_barack_obama_on_hurricane_katrina/index.html

[Adelante]

114. That's a good question nt

[CityDem]

68. She still waiting for the results of a focus group

She will make a very cautious statement after a couple days of polling.

[karynnj]

106. you use the words weak and lame

I haven't seen those used all that often - there are a variety. Kerry was anything but weak and lame in the debates he was strong, focused and very agile.

[TayTay]

18. Were were you when Kerry brought this stuff up

He fucking drilled Chertoff on this this year.

You people who disregard everything in the real world in order to conctrate on your petty little personal dislikes make me sick.

Ferchrissakes, Democrats, including Kerry have been screaming about this for years. And in stead of supporting them, supporting what they have done to bring an awareness that the country was not prepared for a disaster and that the Bushies were nickel-and-diming homeland security, you scream now.

Cowards. Little cowards. How dare you. Where were you before, when it might have made a difference?

[Prodemsouth]

34. They sure have not been saying anything to us. How dare you

call me a coward-you don't know a damn thing about me. I have not called anyone names here. If Kerry did grill Chertoff- many people don't remember what he says, because as soon as he finishes a sentence-you forgot what he said. He does not know how to communicate to a broad group of people which is at the heart of my criticism of Kerry. I would rather have him than Bush. I am frustrated with many in our party who think the broad American Public will vote for these Adlai Stevenson types, they never do.

[Name removed]

93. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[karynnj]

108. It is now clear to me you never listened to a rally

Only CSpan gave much coverage to them. Kerry talked about Port security, and how planning for contigencies weren't being done. It was part of what he said every day.

He can communicate when people listen to him. You wouldn't know that he grilled Chertoff unless you went to the CSPAN website and listened to the July 19 Transportation committee hearing. The media didn't cover it.

As to people not remembering anything he says, is there anything you said that is remembered and recognized as yours more than 30 years after you said it. Kerry does - and it is phrased very similarly to the way he speaks at times today.

Which candidate did you want in 2004? or 2008?

[MH1]

109. Kerry vs. Chertoff

Senate Commerce, Science and Technology hearing on July 19, 2005.

Did you happen to watch it? If not, no, you wouldn't remember it, because the MSM was too busy with a white woman missing in Aruba.

[Prodemsouth]

111. Exactly which is why you need to be an effective communicator

If Kerry was effective people would be on TV saying didn't Kerry warn us about this. Better still he would be President.

[karynnj]

115. If the media covered it, but they don't

Kerry was right on a very long list of things, where the media during the campaign gave Bush the benefit of the supposed doubt, Kerry warned Bush would put private accounts in SS, Kerry said we outsourced the war at Tora Bora to the warlords who only a week before were fighting with the Taliban and they let OBL slip away - Note that is a near quote that I somehow remember and I'm midwestern not from Mass. (Although I have a daughter at a Mass school.)

When reports come out on these things, they mention that Kerry said this and ... it was right.

[Prodemsouth]

122. Well why in the hell can't he tell us all that. He can't or choses

not to. Kerry does not know how to relate to anyone- except maybe a Unitarian Universalist neighbor in Mass.

[karynnj]

129. Kerry DID tell you that

He said the Afghanistan quote almost every day in the campaign and in the debates. If you didn't hear it, the problem was your media in GA or not listening. The SS was said after Bush's plans were in a Suskind article in the NYT magazine section in mid October. Kerry commented on it and talked about the impact on SS - talking about cuts to standard benefits - Kerry is on the Finance committee and he knew the impacts and stated them. The Republicans called him a liar. He actually was totally correct. (The Washington Post then claimed they were still correct in echoing Bush's claim that Kerry made up ythe impact numbers because Kerry got them from a mathematical model not a Bush plan. fair right?)

Incidently, I am not from Massachucetts and am not a Unitarian. I found it easy to follow what Kerry said and to appreciate the intelligence and genuineness he exhibited.

[MH1]

116. Oh, bullshit.

The MSM is owned by republicans and corporate enablers who don't like Kerry, or any other Democrat who stands a chance of winning and then will take away their ability to further consolidate. (They are only shilling Hillary for short-term profits - they will axe her when it gets close, believe me.)

And even still someone does occasionally slip in a jab about "gee, Kerry warned us about this." Even if you don't happen to see it, doesn't mean it didn't happen. It will probably happen with Katrina too, only maybe not because the issues here are more subtle, and the American people are too fucking shallow to think. If it's not spoon-fed to them they won't even notice.

[Prodemsouth]

120. You are right the American people need to be spoon fed them

they are not a group of people who spend much time thinking about these issues. Kerry could not do it, Clinton could. Which is why what I am saying is not bullshit. The only thing I saw the media get hard on Kerry concerned his ineffective response to swift boat attacks even after they discredited much of the story.

[karynnj]

130. That is so unfair!

Kerry discredited much of the swiftboat story, but the media continued to "show both sides". THe Bush people discredited one piece of information on the TANG story, and 1) alll involved in the media on the story were punished and 2) the story WHICH THE SECRETARY who helped discredit the documents said was essentially true disappeared. Is this parallel.

What was Clinton's message in 1992. I know the "It's the economy, stupid" slogan - but for the life of me I can't remember any specifics of his agenda. The real messages was "We're sick of Bush", and "Tomorrow will be better". It was a campaign of amazingly empty rhetoric.

[mzteris]

77. I LIKE Kerry

I supported Kerry - but this was really lame.

Too careful. Too precise.

Where is the passion?

Where is the outrage?

Where is the man who spoke so eloquently and from the heart during Nam?



I think Wesley Clark had a much more powerful statement.

[globalvillage]

30. Do you think that the fact

that Mass has a fine state with very good education and social stability has anything to do with the fact that they have two good liberal senators?
I would kill for their Senators. Meanwhile, I'm stuck with Santorum and Specter.
I remember. Every fucking day.

[Prodemsouth]

38. Where have I attacked liberalism? Here is what I am saying:

KERRY DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO RELATE OR COMMUNICATE HIS THOUGHTS TO THE BROAD AMERICAN PUBLIC.

[Mass]

39. Speak for yourself.\nt

[Prodemsouth]

47. Speak for myself ...whoooooo.

n/t

[globalvillage]

62. You didn't, sorry if I implied that.

But I absolutely disagree with you re Kerry's speaking and writing style. I find him very easy to understand. The media pushed the elitist, wordy BS during the campaign, and it pissed me off to no end. Do you really think people have a problem with it? I find that when they actually listen/read, they don't.
Regardless, I doubt he's inclined to "dumb it down". I hope he doesn't, I enjoy listening to him, and the last thing I want to hear is another pol who reduces his thoughts to simple talking points.

[Prodemsouth]

75. Thats the problem. Americans want their politics easy-and it is

a fact that any politician who wants to be successful has to deal with especially on a national level. People don't want to study..(listen and read) You have to communicate your ideas in simple easy to understand terms. If you don't learn to do that you lose.

[globalvillage]

82. I disagree.

Sen Byrd is the most verbose and the most elected person in Congress. Check out his speeches. Elected time and again by the very poor state of West Virginia, despite the fact that many of his constituents didn't have a clue what he was saying.
People vote for who they're told to vote for.

[Prodemsouth]

85. He is like that on the Senate Floor. He is more plain spoken when

interviewed or on campaigns. He is up for election and said he will run again I invite you to watch his campaign and notice the difference. Byrd's success has been binging home the bacon.

[LittleClarkie]

94. You've never seen him going ballistic on the Senate Floor then

He did that during the Bolton vote. It was wonderous. I love it when he's pissed off. He speaks in short sentences then.

[Mass]

95. His speech on the Energy bill also.

He was really PO and justly.

[Prodemsouth]

54. I would rather have Kerry and Kennedy than the two idiots I have

here. No argument there. BTW,what about the Utah import Gov?

[Name removed]

44. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

52. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Mass]

53. Do you think the American people are so dumb?

This way to underestimate people is amazing.

May be that if Kerry had a little more media exposure and a little less media saying he is too complex, they would have been better informed.

[Prodemsouth]

66. No, its not that people are dumb - but not all of the country is as

civic minded as some other areas. For instance I would say your state and Minnesota are very civic minded. My own state, Georgia is not, though there are certain communities that are like Mass. So the candidate in a national election should remember that- and learn to communicate in short memorable sentences so that more Americans can pick up on his/her message.

[karynnj]

112. Realistically could any candidate have won Georgia this year?

Who won your primary? Was it on Super-tuesday with the other southern states? It may well be that part of the problem was the strategic swing state strategy that concentrated on the states that were really in play.

Like GA(red), NJ (blue)wasn't. We get mostly NY media and with NY, NJ,and Ct not in play we had virtually no campaign ads, no candidate appearances, which led to no local news coverage. I have always loved campaigns, but until I found the Kerry blog - with links to local coverage and alerts as to when anyone was on TV - I saw very little. (But I read Tour of Duty and Call to Service - and remembered Kerry from 1971 when I was in college.)

This year with severely reduced coverage of the convention and mostly Republican panels anchoring the expanded cable station coverage, it was much harder to introduce the candidate. (Notice that this affected only Kerry - Bush was already known.)

[JI7]

55. campaigns always involve people helping to spread the message

that's what helped Bush. he had the entire party repeating the same talking points.

Kerry did well as his numbers went up after the debates. so people were able to see and understand and relate to him.

[Name removed]

65. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[AmericanDream]

48. Not inspiring... he is speaking "at" the people.. not "to" them....

Too much washington speak. Kerry seems to think that long, boring sentences make him sound more presidential. I think people appreciate guys like Clinton, Edwards who can talk thoughtfully, show empathy towards people without coming across as condescending. Kerry has an issue with stating his thoughts simply... maybe he doesn't have the intellectual clarity. Just go look at lincoln's writings... the man spoke volumes with simple statements that came right from the heart and not just the head. I think this is Kerry's biggest drawback as a national candidate. His long, unwinding sentences only add to his uncharismatic presence. I like the guy.... but he doesn't have the ability to motivate or inspire. Just like Bush does not!

[Prodemsouth]

60. Thank you- your post says it much better.

n/t

[MH1]

72. Actually, he does inspire many people.

Not you, and there are many who agree with you, but don't discount the many like me, who do find John Kerry quite inspiring.

I remember back in 1992 when I first saw Clinton turn on the charm, on an MTV appearance I think, and I got that dread feeling in the pit of my stomach that my favorite candidate - Al Gore - was going to be toast, even though Al had been doing quite well in the polls.

I still would much prefer that Al Gore had been president instead of Clinton. But Clinton could charm the masses much better than Gore could. So we got Clinton, and although that was better than Bush I Part II would've been, I still feel the American people lost out because of their own shallowness, just like they did again in 2004.

Yep, it's a conundrum...

[kerrygoddess]

88. LOL!

"maybe he doesn't have the intellectual clarity" - maybe he has TOO much intellectual clarity for some!

[karynnj]

118. Read Kerry late July energy bill speech

or his "justice sunday speech - they are direct, from the heart and true. His sentences were long in 1971, but tthen like now they make perfect sense and are clear.

I think that Clinton was very poll driven, charismatic, and insincere. He is a very charming man, but he really lacked a moral core.

[Island Blue]

99. I'm from North Carolina

(yes, I'm one of those dumb ass Southerners)and I can understand and relate to what Sen. Kerry says. It's really not that difficult if can handle sentences longer than four or five words.

[karynnj]

103. I grew up in Indiana, and now live in NJ

I can relate to Massachusetts. From your name I guess you're from the south. Would you find it offensive if I said I just can't relate to Southerns. They shouldn't be President. I didn't - I voted for Carter and Clinton. Clinton's good ole boy persona was not attractive at all, it is slightly swarmy. I simply didn't let that affect my judgement. He was far better than Bush1 (his new best buddy) and Dole.

Did you actually take the time to view any Kerry rallies on CSPAN? He was genuinely charismatic and had a moral depth that I doubt Clinton could ever understand.

[MH1]

113. That he is busy taking POSITIVE action, for one.

As for the rest of your post:

Kerry's positions are VERY memorable, because he has consistently fought for the same things all his life.

Most people I know absolutely remember what he would do as President.

ESPECIALLY anyone who worked on his campaign. As I WOULD HOPE that anyone who criticizes him now would have done.

[Vektor]

83. LOVER'S HAIKU

he may walk softly
but the "stick" that he carries
is oh so massive

left-leaning beefcake
never needs to raise his voice
his girth speaks volumes

the voice of a stud
needn't be loud and raucous
to dampen the loins

[rockymountaindem]

126. He's a politician, not a freakin' cheerleader.

Seriously, some of you people act like every Democrat has to hit the stump with the passion of Lenin. Well, it ain't gonna happen.

[Inspired]

4. So what?

Real hard hitting Senator.

:sarcasm:

[speedoo]

5. Weak, Very weak.

No wonder he lost an election that almost anyone else would have won.

I am disgusted with Democrats. Shameful.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Mass]

13. No, they just dont care about people

This is definitively the type of speech Bush should have given, and will never give, because it is trying to get the best of people and not the worst.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. That was lame.

Terrible disaster. Thoughts and prayers with the victims. Contribute money. Blah, blah, blah. Dammit, Kerry, where's your outrage? Why don't you grow yourself a pair and say out loud how the Bush Maladminstration totally dicked up everything by cutting FEMA and COE funding and sending the NG to Iraq and not doing SQUAT until 5 days later when NO lay in ruins, thousands are trapped in total squalor and God knows how many are dead on account of this criminal negligence? Damn Democrats aren't getting another damn nickel from me until they call Bush out on all the crap he's dumped on us. Kerry -- feh. Just another weak-ass politician.

[mzteris]

78. hey ocelot

we may have disagreed somewhat on education - but we certainly agreed on this! see my post - first response to intial post.

edit spelling. :(

[TayTay]

8. Good. We need all Dems to get on the same page on this

A united front that points out the errors made will be that much better.

Accountability hearings are a legislative matter that takes time. The needs of the people in deadly peril come first. Attend to that, then hit the Rethugs who let this happen with everything the Dems can muster.

[Clarkie1]

9. His criticism seems timid and carefully calculated. Disappointing.

In sharp contrast to Clark's and Kucinich's statements regarding Bush's responsibility for this tragedy.

[DELUSIONAL]

10. Wes Clark's response was better -- so was John Edward's response

better.

The democrats and non-kool-aid drinking Republicans should be kicking bushie's ASS -- hard!

[MH1]

81. Clark is now a talking head and what is Edwards'

official job?

Not to denigrate either of them - I generally think well of both of them - but to compare the approach of people who actually hold political office with people who are in the media, clearly seeking political office, seems perhaps inappropriate.

Another way to look at it is having to serve constituents first vs. being motivated to appeal to the further-from-center primary voters.

[Prodemsouth]

11. I concur with most posters, weak ,lame. Every time I read some-

thing from Kerry, I feel my energy level drop.

[howmad1]

97. It's like reading a boring novel.

[karynnj]

121. ANd your life or writing

is more fascinating.

[Vektor]

136. Maybe it's the weed?

[globalvillage]

15. I think it's a good statement.

The finger pointing can come after the people are safe. Point out the inadequate response and call for help. That's what's needed right now. Pissed off is next. And soon.


Who, so far, has called the bush* response inadequate? Kerry was in Iraq and I've heard from him four times. Where is everyone else?

I have heard from
Clark
Dean
Kerry
Jackson

[Mass]

17. Kucinich, the Black Caucus...

[globalvillage]

19. Nagin, Edwards...

[Mass]

20. BTW, Collins and Lieberman are calling for an investigation..

[globalvillage]

23. I had not seen that. Do you have a link?

We need statements from all the Dems and the few pissed off repubs.
Lieberman? Really? bush* really did fuck up.

[Mass]

25. Here..

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050902/pl_nm/weather_katrina_senate_dc

Senators call hurricane response "immense failure"

1 hour, 10 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two key U.S. senators said on Friday they will open a bipartisan investigation into what they described as an "immense failure" of the government response to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Sen. Susan Collins (news, bio, voting record), a Maine Republican who heads the
Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, and Sen. Joseph Lieberman (news, bio, voting record) of Connecticut, the panel's top Democrat, said they plan to begin an oversight investigation next week when the full Senate returns from a summer recess.

"We intend to demand answers as to how this immense failure occurred, but our immediate focus must and will be on what Congress can do to help the rescue and emergency operations that are ongoing," the senators said in a joint statement.

"It is also our responsibility to investigate the lack of preparedness and inadequate response to this terrible storm," they said, adding that it was "increasingly clear that serious shortcomings in preparedness and response have hampered relief efforts at a critical time."

[globalvillage]

37. Good for Collins.

(and Lieberman.)

We need to hear from pissed off Repubs too. Hope she doesn't blame the locals for bush*'s failure.

[politicasista]

21. Another positive Kerry thread turning into another flamewar

Go figure. :(

[Clarkie1]

26. Kucinich's and Clark's statements were postitive...but this?

I'm sorry, but this response from our most recent PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE is too timid and polically correct to be anything near a positive.

[MH1]

32. Oh bullshit.

There will be time for rants and investigations and screaming later. Right now people need help, and anything that can be done to improve how help is being delivered, is far more important than any vindictive posturing over how badly people in the other political party have fucked it up so far.

Once people are safe, then we can rip into the ones who fucked up the disaster response.

[Clarkie1]

46. We can do both and should.

Criticising the administration NOW in now way hinders doing all we can to help the relief efforts.

Why wait until everybody is "safe?" No one will ever be safe under the irresponsible leadership of this administration, but I guess that's the safer and more politically correct thing to do...rally around the president for now. Frankly, I'm sick of it.

What would the dead want us to do right now if they knew who was responsible for their death? How do we respond to the cries of dying people angrily asking, "How could this happen in America?" By keeping our mouth shut until the time is right?

Is that what THEY want?

[MH1]

59. Well, Kerry is one of the SMARTEST Dems we have.

Frankly I'd rather have his brains working on solutions and leave the trash-talking to the folks who have made a fine art of it (like Sharpton, Dean...).

I am okay with some people in the Democratic Party getting out fron and making sure that people don't forget the * administration culpability in this tragedy. I just don't think that EVERY Dem has to play EVERY position on the field, in every situation (and I bet Reid, Dean, et al, agree with me on that).

[Clarkie1]

63. "trash-talking?"

Why trash the truth?

[MH1]

67. It's an expression.. maybe not the best in this case...

I just mean the vehement, in-your-face stuff that the two I mentioned do so well....and which I'll agree Kerry isn't the greatest at.

A good team applies people carefully according to their skills. I want Kerry using his brain more than his mouth, that's all.

[Clarkie1]

70. I prefer leaders who use both the brain and the mouth.

And aren't timid about doing so.

In any case, something is always better than nothing. And I'm glad Kerry said something. It isn't that what he said was inappropriate, it's he's always very careful not to say anything that others might call "inapppropriate."

But we have other dems who are speaking up...I just wish there were more, and in a more unified fashion.

[Mass]

73. Read the other senators statements and tell me if somebody has more?

They are focused on what they can do to help, right now.

[Clarkie1]

90. Kucinich said much, much more. As for senators...big disappointments. n/t

[karynnj]

123. It may well be that he sees this as the stage where

he and everyone else should be looking to see how they can help and to reach out with words and actions towards those who need it.

Later, when people are through the worst - though still struggling to put their lifes together, possibly aided by a program pushed by those seeking solutions, this will be seriously investigated.

At this time- the only thing known for sure - is that the evacuation and the rescue were very poorly done.

Evacuation: Ridge never did the contingency plans for evauating the ports if needed, Chertoff promised to have plans by (I think April). In July he told Kerry they had done them. Kerry described the need very clearly. If contingency plans for evacuating the port of New Orleans existed (for a terrorist attack which comes with no warning) it could easily have been implemented when they had a few days notice.

Rescue: As soon as the levee was breached, it was clear that the city would be under serval feet of water soon. Why did Homeland Security not have a generic large scale disaster plan that could be customized quickly to fit NO? - What is Homeland Security doing?

Other issues like the longterm maintanance of the Levees may not be as certain. It is clear that the budget was cut, but it's not clear that it would have prevented the damage. On a PBS NOW special, it was said there were other factors - some of the marsh land and some barrier islands that had protected the port are dissappearing (because the Mississippi was diverted so the silt that "fed" these areas no longer goes that way. Also, the storm surge was supposedly that of a class 5 hurricane - even though the storm itself was downgraded. This was the +200 year type storm that the levee is really not designed for. I don't know if this is true, good science or bad, but it does suggest that these issues should be studied in a scientific environment before political claims are made.

[LittleClarkie]

64. He is calling for positive action

that is the first order of business.

And I welcome all those making statements. I'm not keeping score as to whose was better than whose. Edwards, Clark, Kucinich, Kerry.

And those like Reid, trying to get Frist to pay more attention to the victims than to his estate tax buddies.

And Dean canceling all fundraising and saying "These are our people. We must help them."

I applaud any and all who chime in, even Joementum calling for an investigation.

[belle]

119. Agree. Besides which, for once, there are enough other people who are

openly calling the Bushadmin a bunch of incompetent heartless evil pigfuckers.

[fedupinBushcountry]

76. But

if this same response came from Clark or Kucinich, I believe you would have a different perspective on it.

The man was in Iraq and has done numerous things being so far away. You know I have never went into a post to trash another Dem, but certain people on DU seem to jump in just for that reason.

This is not the time, for all of this, and please stop ridiculing other Dems just because they are not your cup of tea. The biggest problem is Bush and his disgraceful administration. If Kerry were President, he would of planned ahead to be prepared for the worse possible results. He knew of the problems, he spoke of them many times. It was the Repubs and Bush who have taken away so much from the states to load the pockets of their friends and Halliburton, who by the way got a contract for Katrina clean up today. But no lets bash a real Dem who cares about this country and all the people in it. Very lame IMO.

[LittleClarkie]

89. Indeed, it's rather like expecting a minivan to turn into a race car

If Kerry tried to change the way he expresses himself it wouldn't sound natural.

I do love it when he goes from being David Banner to the Incredible Hulk though. He's quite fun to watch at those moments.

But we don't get alot of that, which is what makes it relatively spectacular when it does.

[wiley]

87. Most of you had the decency to avoid commenting on Edwards'

campaign 2004 retread. It's also not very useful to degrade this message from Kerry. At least he has been asking people for money for the Red Cross. He missed the opportunity to blast Frist for calling for a vote on the Estate Tax. But why aren't Republicans blasting Frist for this? Why isn't Bush, who never misses an opportunity to interfere with the Senate?

Republicans don't care about black people and they have been waging war on poor people and working families for years.

It's not just Bush*. There are a whole lot of Republicans who have been setting this whole thing up for years. They have almost succeeded in taking everything good and decent in America and drowning it in a bathtub.

[kerrygoddess]

98. You know - the man just got off a plane from Iraq

Where he was assessing another desperate situation. Can you give him a fucking break? I know he's not the Godly Wes Clark, but the Godly Wes Clark is also not a 20 year seated Senator. He's a retired professional military man and a talking head, last I checked. All in all pound for friggin pavement - Kerry's statement carry more water to New Orleans! Get a clue!

[windbreeze]

127. hmmmm

Just wish I could understand why the obvious slam on Clark? I don't get it..and I don't think it was necessary...Is Clark some kind of threat to you? or to Kerry? If I recall correctly, he jumped on Kerry's bandwagon pdq...supported him, traveled for him, spoke for him, spoke quite highly of him, and asked all his own supporters to get on Kerry's bandwagon...and yet, and yet...he obviously inspires such disdain, in spite of it all...simply amazing...
windbreeze

[fedupinBushcountry]

132. hmmmmmmmm

The poster was responding to another post. Would you jump in if as usual they were slamming Kerry? Threat ? Amazing, how you put Clark on a pedestal for doing what any good Democrat should of done. He did it for Kerry and the Democrats to help spread the message, not so supporters could use it to grandize him. Clark deserves better than that, and so does Kerry.

[MH1]

22. Thanks for this! A very appropriate statement from JK.

I don't know what the fuck some of these people here at DU expect. The guy's been in Iraq dealing with that shithole over there (oh you all FORGOT about THAT shithole?), and there's plenty of Dems here to deal with *'s incompetence. What are Dems supposed to be - like 5 year olds playing soccer?? "Let's all chase the Katrina ball!! Who cares about the soldiers in Iraq we're visiting!! Yeaaarrrgggghhhhh!!!!"

:rant:

[MH1]

27. More important than rants - DOING something:

In his capacity as Ranking Member on the Small Business Committee, Kerry issued this request to the SBA yesterday (and don't forget he was working from Iraq):
Extending the Disaster Loan Deadline for Victims of Hurricane Katrina
http://sbc.senate.gov/democrat/lettersout/050901-ExtendKatrinaLoanDeadline.pdf

asking for a 6-month extension to the usual deadline for filing for disaster assistance loans. (sorry I can't paste text, it is an imaged pdf apparently)

[Mass]

33. This is what is essential at this point.

This is why he is congratulating the people on the ground, this is why he is trying to help anyway a Senator can help.

Asking questions and looking for responsibilities will come later. The urgency for these people is NOW.

[MH1]

74. Thank you.

Ah, the fresh breeze of sanity.

[Dr Fate]

29. Say it on TV. n/t

n/t

[Mass]

31. That would be great.

but clearly, people here do not agree.

[LittleClarkie]

35. We shall see once he's off the plane

Until then, this is it.

[Dr Fate]

41. He will have to request an slot on one of those interview or debate shows

Otherwise, I doubt the press will pick up any random sound bites.

Top Democrats either dont know this, or choose to only let donors see their quotes.

I'm behind Kerry and DEMs- and i like this response- but he needs to make an effort to say this in front of cameras. The country is falling apart- we need Kerry.

[MH1]

50. Do you really think it is more important to be on TV, or

more important to hunker down with his staff and find concrete ways to help?

I appreciate your sentiments - at least you aren't bashing like so many on this thread - but I personally hope that if Kerry does appear on TV, he does a quick job of it and gets back to finding ways to help people.

This is a terrible tragedy and yes the * administration and his minions have screwed up badly and cost people's lives, but the focus on politicization (that I see from some people) is starting to bother me. And normally I'm one of the most politically focused people you'd ever meet who doesn't have a job in politics.

That said, if someone sets it up and he shows up, speaks, and goes back to work, I'm all for it. I like seeing Kerry on TV as much as anybody.

[RC]

43. Where is the outrage against the people that caused this tragedy

to be as bad as it is by:
De-funding the levee upkeep, starting in 2001?
Packing the National Guard off half way around the world in a senseless war?
Taking their high water vehicles and amphibious personal carriers with them for use in the desert?
Doing nothing to help the people in New Orleans.

They had a weeks warning and are just now getting started almost a week AFTER the fact! If that is not a Crime against Humanity, I don't know what is.

There is absolutely no excuse why these people do not have adequate food and water right now and why an evacuation is not now well underway.
Our government, both Dem's and rebukes needs to be brought us short on this.

Sorry folks, Kerry is part of the problem. Again he is a week late and a few million short.

[globalvillage]

49. Kerry was in Iraq and I heard from him four times re Katrina.

He wasn't at John McCain's birthday party or on the golf course. Putting the blame on Dems is part of the problem. This is bush*'s fuckup.

[MH1]

51. Damn Straight.

"Putting the blame on Dems is part of the problem. This is bush*'s fuckup."

Exactly. (When will Dem in-fighters wake the hell up?)

[GoBruins]

101. I didn't know...

that Kerry was in Iraq but I'm glad to hear that he's coming back to the states. I think his statement concerning Katrina is appropriate, and I hope he continues to criticize the federal government's response to this tragedy.

[MH1]

107. Welcome to DU!

Thanks for the thoughtful words on Kerry's statement, too.

I think you can rest assured he will continue to criticize, but meanwhile be trying to leverage people in any way he can (rethugs too, if necessary) to get aid to the victims.

[LittleClarkie]

57. Why exactly would he be part of the problem?

He wasn't in the country this week. He's on his way back now. He was in Iraq. Remember Iraq?

[MH1]

61. Because it is a convenient and satisfying position

for some people to have (who maybe are thinking forward to 2008 and the person they want to support / be paid by).

(speaking generally here folks...)

[karynnj]

124. Even if he were here

what more could he do immediately other than do what he could to raise money, help the small business owners in their recovery by asking for a change in deadline.

He is not in the executive branch - has no troups or other resources to call to action. I did hear part of the Navy's help consisted of swiftboats (really), but I doubt they would let him personally lead the effort.

It's clear he cares and wants to work on things that will help. The Bush administration is starting to respond now - the victims cries having been more effective then any swearing on message boards. More resources seem to be coming to NO. What Kerry can do is work as a Senator and public figure to fight for reconstruction dollars and programs to help the survivors get on with their lives. Another thing he can do is to push for Homeland Security to really work on the contigency plans they were suppose to have done - so reaction would be better next time. Many committee will likely investigate parts of this failure - and Kerry will likely be the best questioner.

[TomInTib]

69. We need some fire! Kerry means well, but he has spent too

much time in the Senate and is so ponderous. Not his fault - it is his way, but frankly I'd prefer that the Mayor of NOLA gets greater play right now.

[Mass]

71. If anything he should because it is his town and he knows what needs to be

done.

[TomInTib]

79. And he is mad as hell and he's not taking it anymore...let him

vent on every available media source!

[karynnj]

125. I bet Kerry prefers the Mayor of NO to get more play too

THe Mayor is there, he knows what happened, and it is his city. It is his comments and the state of things in NO that are the real reason people are dissatisfied with the Bush effort. This is not spin.

Kerry's comments were issued likely because he knew some people wanted his comments and leadership. He probably knew people were calling his office and sending emails. This was a statement to his supporters.

[Imagevision]

84. Mr. Kerry let me remind you, actions still speak louder then words...!

http://downingstreetmemo.com/

[MH1]

92. Once again. Action (Katrina related)

http://sbc.senate.gov/democrat/lettersout/050901-ExtendKatrinaLoanDeadline.pdf

[MH1]

100. Why did only 9 other Senators sign the letter to

request an investigation of DSM?

I guess there's 34 other Senators you have been hounding for "Actions speak louder than words".

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=1150

June 22, 2005
The Honorable Pat Roberts, Chairman
The Honorable John D. Rockefeller, IV, Vice Chairman
United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
SH-211
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Roberts and Senator Rockefeller:

We write concerning your committee's vital examination of pre-war Iraq intelligence failures. In particular, we urge you to accelerate to completion the work of the so-called "Phase II" effort to assess how policy makers used the intelligence they received.

Last year your committee completed the first phase of a two-phased effort to review the pre-war intelligence on Iraq. Phase I-begun in the summer of 2003 and completed in the summer of 2004-examined the performance of the American intelligence community in the collection and analysis of intelligence prior to the war, including an examination of the quantity and quality of U.S. intelligence on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and the intelligence on ties between Saddam Hussein's regime and terrorist groups. At the conclusion of Phase I, your committee issued an unclassified report that made an important contribution to the American public's understanding of the issues involved.

In February 2004-well over a year ago-the committee agreed to expand the scope of inquiry to include a second phase which would examine the use of intelligence by policy makers, the comparison of pre-war assessments and post-war findings, the activities of the Policy Counterterrorism Evaluation Group (PCTEG) and the Office of Special Plans in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and the use of information provided by the Iraqi National Congress.

The committee's efforts have taken on renewed urgency given recent revelations in the United Kingdom regarding the apparent minutes of a July 23, 2002, meeting between Prime Minister Tony Blair and his senior national security advisors. These minutes-known as the "Downing Street Memo"-raise troubling questions about the use of intelligence by American policy makers-questions that your committee is uniquely situated to address.

The memo indicates that in the summer of 2002, at a time the White House was promising Congress and the American people that war would be their last resort, that they believed military action against Iraq was "inevitable."

The minutes reveal that President "Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD. But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy."

The American people took the warnings that the administration sounded seriously-warnings that were echoed at the United Nations and here in Congress as we voted to give the president the authority to go to war. For the sake of our democracy and our future national security, the public must know whether such warnings were driven by facts and responsible intelligence, or by political calculation.

These issues need to be addressed with urgency. This remains a dangerous world, with American forces engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan, and other challenges looming in Iran and North Korea. In this environment, the American public should have the highest confidence that policy makers are using intelligence objectively-never manipulating it to justify war, but always to protect the United States. The contents of the Downing Street Memo undermine this faith and only rigorous Congressional oversight can determine the truth.

We urge the committee to complete the second phase of its investigation with the maximum speed and transparency possible, producing, as it did at the end of Phase I, a comprehensive, unclassified report from which the American people can benefit directly.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

Co-signers: Sens. Tim Johnson, Jon Corzine, Jack Reed, Frank Lautenberg, Barbara Boxer, Edward Kennedy, Thomas Harkin, Jeff Bingaman, Richard Durbin

[LittleClarkie]

104. Good reminder! As he was one of the few that acted

I'm sure he probably didn't need it though.

[karynnj]

128. I don't understand

Kerry and 9 Senators have requested the Intelligence committee review this as part of WMD II. He's done more than any other Senator.

[wisteria]

131. Wonderful statement. This is just the beginning I'm sure.

Right now he is focusing on saving lives and providing livable,sanitary housing for the victims of this great tragedy. He also asks that we all come together as Americans first, to do all we can to provide help to those who are now helpless.
I think this is a very impressive statement. It is a statement Pres. Bush should have made,but somehow couldn't bring himself to do.

John Kerry mentions the inadequate response of our federal government in dealing with this disaster. I'm certain he will say more on this at another time. There will be plenty of time and opportunities to bring up this issue. This will not be going away anytime soon. Now is the time to devote our time and energy to helping these poor people.

[fujiyama]

133. I like Kerry

but that was a weakly worded and extremely cautious statement. I will say the same thing of Feingold's. It is still a bit early so maybe I should expect more in time. But then again, Edwards has raised important questions about class/race and Clark has asked about the president's leadership.

The simple fact is that the hurricane was a disaster and was nature at its worst but the aftermath almost amounts to seemingly wilful and deliberate neglect. It was a failure of leadership at the highest order - dragging a major city in the "richest and most powerful nation" to the depths of hell, making the aftermath look like something out of Somalia or Sudan.