"Will the speech help the disaster recovery...Bush's, not Katrina?"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

http://billmon.org/archives/002155.html



Amid Shrub's "bold" talk about rebuilding the levees (note that he said the rebuilt system would be "stronger than it's ever been," not "strong enough to survive a direct hit by another Category 4 hurricane") I heard no explanation of how these improvements will protect New Orleans if the city ends up as a polder island in the middle of a shallow lagoon. I'm not sure even the Dutch would be able to stormproof it then.

(Of course, Bush also didn't mention the risk that all that heroic work and all those federal dollars will eventually be washed away by a rapid rise in sea levels caused by global climate change. But then I was expecting a speech, not a miracle.)

Will the speech help the disaster recovery? (Bush's, I mean.) Perhaps -- depending on whether or not the Rovians have correctly read the public mood as supporting a massive federal spending binge to get New Orleans, and the Republican Party, back on their feet.

But even if they're right on that score, they should mind the old Chinese adage about being careful what you wish for. If they convince people that Bush finally has Katrina under control, they may divert their attention to more permanent disasters -- like Iraq.
Posted by billmon at September 16, 2005 12:15 AM

[Neocondriac]

1. Well

I found that speech last night to be the most freightening address I have ever seen a President give. He was almost believeable , no stammering and seemed sincere. Imagine how different things would be in this country now if he actually had shown this almost believeable facade before.We all know him to be an elitist, ignorant punk, but when push came to shove{push being a national horror in New Orleans} he almost seemed like a President.Glad the horse was already out of the barn.

[Javaman]

2. Someone needs to appoint a presidential Czar...