Barack Obama isn't the only one who can fill a stadium. Republicans can fill a stadium, too!

[Ian David]

REPUBLICANS CAN FILL A 75,000 PERSON STADIUM, TOO!

[DS1]

1. Wasn't it the Mayor's suggestion for people to go there?

I mean, it was obvious as hell you were going for Katrina, but can we get it right?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. No.

It had been in the emergency plans for awhile.

[DS1]

5. Who wrote them?

[tkmorris]

15. Don't pick nits

The point is that those people were STRANDED there while their nation's government demonstrated that it didn't give a damn for days.

[DS1]

18. I will pick nits

The OP says the Republicans somehow got those people in the football stadium. I'm aware they didn't do anything after they were in there, but I want to know how McCain and his ilk are responsible for them being there in the first place.

I prefer out attacks to have a lick of credibility.

[BklynChick]

19. dupe (self delete)

[BklynChick]

20. I think the OP is implying that they had to go there because of the Republicans administration,

which isn't a leap in my estimation of how things went down.

[Ian David]

25. Oh dear god... you're serious, aren't you? Oh, fine. Here...

Kucinich cites Katrina in Articles of Impeachment
by David Swanson
Wednesday, 11 June 2008

<snip>

Article XXXI

KATRINA: FAILURE TO PLAN FOR THE PREDICTED DISASTER OF HURRICANE KATRINA, FAILURE TO RESPOND TO A CIVIL EMERGENCY

In his conduct while President of the United States, George W. Bush, in violation of his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty under Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution “to take care that the laws be faithfully executed”, has both personally and acting through his agents and subordinates, failed to take sufficient action to protect life and property prior to and in the face of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, given decades of foreknowledge of the dangers of storms to New Orleans and specific forewarning in the days prior to the storm. The President failed to prepare for predictable and predicted disasters, failed to respond to an immediate need of which he was informed, and has subsequently failed to rebuild the section of our nation that was destroyed.

<snip>

The President was given multiple warnings that Hurricane Katrina had a high likelihood of causing serious damage to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. At 10 AM on Sunday 28 August 2005, the day before the storm hit, the National Weather Service published an alert titled “DEVASTATING DAMAGE EXPECTED.” Printed in all capital letters, the alert stated that “MOST OF THE AREA WILL BE UNINHABITABLE FOR WEEKS...PERHAPS LONGER. AT LEAST ONE HALF OF WELL CONSTRUCTED HOMES WILL HAVE ROOF AND WALL FAILURE. … POWER OUTAGES WILL LAST FOR WEEKS. … WATER SHORTAGES WILL MAKE HUMAN SUFFERING INCREDIBLE BY MODERN STANDARDS.”

The Homeland Security Department also briefed the President on the scenario, warning of levee breaches and severe flooding. According to the New York Times, “a Homeland Security Department report submitted to the White House at 1:47 a.m. on Aug. 29, hours before the storm hit, said, ‘Any storm rated Category 4 or greater will likely lead to severe flooding and/or levee breaching.’“ These warnings clearly contradict the statements made by President Bush immediately after the storm that such devastation could not have been predicted. On 1 September 2005 the President said “I don’t think anyone anticipated the breach of the levees.”

The President’s response to Katrina via FEMA and DHS was criminally delayed, indifferent, and inept. The only FEMA employee posted in New Orleans in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Marty Bahamonde, emailed head of FEMA Michael Brown from his Blackberry device on August 31, 2005 regarding the conditions The email was urgent and detailed and indicated that “The situation is past critical…Estimates are many will die within hours.” Brown’s reply was emblematic of the administration’s entire response to the catastrophe: “Thanks for the update. Anything specific I need to do or tweak?” The Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, did not declare an emergency, did not mobilize the federal resources, and seemed to not even know what was happening on the ground until reporters told him.

On Friday August 26, 2005, Governor Kathleen Blanco declared a State of Emergency in Louisiana and Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi followed suit the next day. Also on that Saturday, Governor Blanco asked the President to declare a Federal State of Emergency, and on 28 August 2005, the Sunday before the storm hit, Mayor Nagin declared a State of Emergency in New Orleans. This shows that the local authorities, responding to federal warnings, knew how bad the destruction was going to be and anticipated being overwhelmed. Failure to act under these circumstances demonstrates gross negligence.

In all of these actions and decisions, President George W. Bush has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President, and subversive of constitutional government, to the prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States. Wherefore, President George W. Bush, by such conduct, is guilty of an impeachable offense warranting removal from office.

More:
http://www.sfbayview.com/News/Display_this_week/Kucinich_cites_Katrina_in_Articles_of_Impeachment.html






Bush responsible for Katrina disaster, he confesses
http://newsfromrussia.com/world/2005/09/14/62874.html

Bush responsible for Hurricane 'Katrina'?
http://news.blogcarnival.com/archives/2005/08/bush_responsibl.html

German Minister: Bush Responsible for Katrina
http://medienkritik.typepad.com/blog/2005/08/german_minister.html

Video shows Bush got explicit Katrina warning
President, Chertoff were clearly told of storm’s dangers numerous times
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11627394/

FOXNEWS.COM HOME > POLITICS
Bush: I'm Responsible for Some Katrina Failures
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,169227,00.html


Katrina's Damage Lingers For Bush
Many See Storm as President's Undoing
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/25/AR2006082501481.html

Visual Timeline: Katrina versus Bush
By Mariva H. Aviram and Eric Wagner
September 4, 2005

Hurricane Katrina hit Florida late Thursday, August 25 and then moved into the Gulf of Mexico, gaining power and momentum. Meteorologists predicted Katrina would hit Louisiana and Mississippi early Monday -- most likely as a Category 4 hurricane. Gulf Coast officials asked residents to evacuate their homes.

At 5 PM on Saturday, August 27, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin announced a voluntary (later, mandatory) evacuation of the city. Greyhound, Amtrak and airlines halted service late Saturday night. President Bush was vacationing at his Crawford, Texas ranch, perhaps clearing brush as seen in the above August 9 photo.

Here is a visual timeline of what happened next:

More:
http://www.basetree.com/articles/katrina-versus-bush.html



The Harris Poll® #71, September 15, 2005
Nearly Half of U.S. Adults Say President Bush Has Done a Poor Job Handling the Hurricane Relief Efforts, According to New Harris Poll

Vast majority of adults believe Katrina will have at least somewhat of an impact on the U.S. economy

More:
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=601

[DS1]

30. Yes. I was serious. Thanks for the links

Now we'll have those to backup the posters you made, too.

[mkultra]

155. im guessing your new to the democratic party?

[Ian David]

160. Looks like he's been around for a while...

DS1 Donating Member
Fri Sep-02-05 10:18 PM
Original message
how's the Lounge? have there been any pity threads LateLy?

Edited on Fri Sep-02-05 10:18 PM by DS1
Any pet deaths that have gone missed due to Katrina? Any siblings of friend's cousin's that may or may not have been stabbed?

Post them here, someone will be right with you.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=3952471


Although how he's spent that time is a mystery to me.

[DeltaLitProf]

54. Damn.

Just . . . damn.

You got the GOP (and Bush) dead to rights here.

[Stephanie]

72. Welcome to DU

Bush should be tried for criminal negligence WRT New Orleans.

[Ian David]

73. Articles of Impeachment #35

Article XXXI

KATRINA: FAILURE TO PLAN FOR THE PREDICTED DISASTER OF HURRICANE KATRINA, FAILURE TO RESPOND TO A CIVIL EMERGENCY

In his conduct while President of the United States, George W. Bush, in violation of his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty under Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution "to take care that the laws be faithfully executed", has both personally and acting through his agents and subordinates, failed to take sufficient action to protect life and property prior to and in the face of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, given decades of foreknowledge of the dangers of storms to New Orleans and specific forewarning in the days prior to the storm. The President failed to prepare for predictable and predicted disasters, failed to respond to an immediate need of which he was informed, and has subsequently failed to rebuild the section of our nation that was destroyed.

Hurricane Katrina killed at least 1,282 people, with 2 million more displaced. 302,000 housing units were destroyed or damaged by the hurricane, 71% of these were low-income units. More than 500 sewage plants were destroyed, more than 170 point-source leakages of gasoline, oil, or natural gas, more than 2000 gas stations submerged, several chemical plants, 8 oil refineries, and a superfund site was submerged. 8 million gallons of oil were spilled. Toxic materials seeped into floodwaters and spread through much of the city and surrounding areas.

The predictable increased strength of hurricanes such as Katrina has been identified by scientists for years, and yet the Bush Administration has denied this science and restricted such information from official reports, publications, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency's website. Donald Kennedy, editor-in-chief of Science, wrote in 2006 that "hurricane intensity has increased with oceanic surface temperatures over the past 30 years. The physics of hurricane intensity growth … has clarified and explained the thermodynamic basis for these observations. Emanuel has tested this relationship and presented convincing evidence."

FEMA's 2001 list of the top three most likely and most devastating disasters were a San Francisco earthquake, a terrorist attack on New York, and a Category 4 hurricane hitting New Orleans, with New Orleans being the number one item on that list. FEMA conducted a five-day hurricane simulation exercise in 2004, "Hurricane Pam," mimicking a Katrina-like event. This exercise combined the National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the LSU Hurricane Center and other state and federal agencies, resulting in the development of emergency response plans. The exercise demonstrated, among other things, that thousands of mainly indigent New Orleans residents would be unable to evacuate on their own. They would need substantial government assistance. These plans, however, were not implemented in part due to the President's slashing of funds for protection. In the year before Hurricane Katrina hit, the President continued to cut budgets and deny grants to the Gulf Coast. In June of 2004 the Army Corps of Engineers levee budget for New Orleans was cut, and it was cut again in June of 2005, this time by $71.2 million or a whopping 44% of the budget. As a result, ACE was forced to suspend any repair work on the levees. In 2004 FEMA denied a Louisiana disaster mitigation grant request.

The President was given multiple warnings that Hurricane Katrina had a high likelihood of causing serious damage to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. At 10 AM on Sunday 28 August 2005, the day before the storm hit, the National Weather Service published an alert titled "DEVASTATING DAMAGE EXPECTED." Printed in all capital letters, the alert stated that "MOST OF THE AREA WILL BE UNINHABITABLE FOR WEEKS...PERHAPS LONGER. AT LEAST ONE HALF OF WELL CONSTRUCTED HOMES WILL HAVE ROOF AND WALL FAILURE. … POWER OUTAGES WILL LAST FOR WEEKS. … WATER SHORTAGES WILL MAKE HUMAN SUFFERING INCREDIBLE BY MODERN STANDARDS."

The Homeland Security Department also briefed the President on the scenario, warning of levee breaches and severe flooding. According to the New York Times, "a Homeland Security Department report submitted to the White House at 1:47 a.m. on Aug. 29, hours before the storm hit, said, 'Any storm rated Category 4 or greater will likely lead to severe flooding and/or levee breaching.'" These warnings clearly contradict the statements made by President Bush immediately after the storm that such devastation could not have been predicted. On 1 September 2005 the President said "I don't think anyone anticipated the breach of the levees."

The President's response to Katrina via FEMA and DHS was criminally delayed, indifferent, and inept. The only FEMA employee posted in New Orleans in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Marty Bahamonde, emailed head of FEMA Michael Brown from his Blackberry device on August 31, 2005 regarding the conditions The email was urgent and detailed and indicated that "The situation is past critical…Estimates are many will die within hours." Brown's reply was emblematic of the administration's entire response to the catastrophe: "Thanks for the update. Anything specific I need to do or tweak?" The Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, did not declare an emergency, did not mobilize the federal resources, and seemed to not even know what was happening on the ground until reporters told him.

On Friday August 26, 2005, Governor Kathleen Blanco declared a State of Emergency in Louisiana and Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi followed suit the next day. Also on that Saturday, Governor Blanco asked the President to declare a Federal State of Emergency, and on 28 August 2005, the Sunday before the storm hit, Mayor Nagin declared a State of Emergency in New Orleans. This shows that the local authorities, responding to federal warnings, knew how bad the destruction was going to be and anticipated being overwhelmed. Failure to act under these circumstances demonstrates gross negligence.

In all of these actions and decisions, President George W. Bush has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President, and subversive of constitutional government, to the prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States. Wherefore, President George W. Bush, by such conduct, is guilty of an impeachable offense warranting removal from office.

[Stephanie]

77. Photographic evidence of Bush's briefing >

Was he sober for it? He gave a bizarre taped statement that day, mostly about Iraq. Remember he had been besieged that week by Cindy and company, who had him holed up in hiding on the pig farm and ruined his month-long vacation.

WE at DU knew the gravity of the situation. WE were up all night praying the roof stayed on the SuperDome.



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4550031
___________________________________

Sat Aug-28-05

Bush returns from his Idaho vacation to his Crawford vacation home on Wednesday 8/24 and promptly disappears from view. On Saturday thousands of protestors converge on Crawford.



___________________________________

Sun Aug-28-05

On Sunday, as headlines report "Katrina Packing Wind of Nearly 175 Mph" and New Orleans is ordered to evacuate, Bush finally resurfaces in a taped appearance. He makes brief remarks about Katrina and then discusses Iraq. Transcript: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/2005082... Later the White House issues one photo of Bush being briefed on Katrina.




___________________________________




http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4490806

DoYouEverWonder (1000+ posts) Sun Aug-28-05 10:49 PM
Original message
OMG, I've never read a Hurricane Advisory like this one
WWUS74 KLIX 282139
NPWLIX

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW ORLEANS LA
413 PM CDT SUN AUG 28 2005

...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HURRICANE KATRINA CONTINUES TO APPROACH THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER DELTA...
...DEVASTATING DAMAGE EXPECTED...

MOST OF THE AREA WILL BE UNINHABITABLE FOR WEEKS...PERHAPS LONGER. AT
LEAST ONE HALF OF WELL CONSTRUCTED HOMES WILL HAVE ROOF AND WALL
FAILURE. ALL GABLED ROOFS WILL FAIL...LEAVING THOSE HOMES SEVERELY
DAMAGED OR DESTROYED.

THE MAJORITY OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS WILL BECOME NON FUNCTIONAL.
PARTIAL TO COMPLETE WALL AND ROOF FAILURE IS EXPECTED. ALL WOOD
FRAMED LOW RISING APARTMENT BUILDINGS WILL BE DESTROYED. CONCRETE
BLOCK LOW RISE APARTMENTS WILL SUSTAIN MAJOR DAMAGE...INCLUDING SOME
WALL AND ROOF FAILURE.

HIGH RISE OFFICE AND APARTMENT BUILDINGS WILL SWAY DANGEROUSLY...A
FEW TO THE POINT OF TOTAL COLLAPSE. ALL WINDOWS WILL BLOW OUT.

AIRBORNE DEBRIS WILL BE WIDESPREAD...AND MAY INCLUDE HEAVY ITEMS SUCH
AS HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES AND EVEN LIGHT VEHICLES. SPORT UTILITY
VEHICLES AND LIGHT TRUCKS WILL BE MOVED. THE BLOWN DEBRIS WILL CREATE
ADDITIONAL DESTRUCTION. PERSONS...PETS...AND LIVESTOCK EXPOSED TO THE
WINDS WILL FACE CERTAIN DEATH IF STRUCK.

POWER OUTAGES WILL LAST FOR WEEKS...AS MOST POWER POLES WILL BE DOWN
AND TRANSFORMERS DESTROYED. WATER SHORTAGES WILL MAKE HUMAN SUFFERING
INCREDIBLE BY MODERN STANDARDS.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF NATIVE TREES WILL BE SNAPPED OR UPROOTED. ONLY
THE HEARTIEST WILL REMAIN STANDING...BUT BE TOTALLY DEFOLIATED. FEW
CROPS WILL REMAIN. LIVESTOCK LEFT EXPOSED TO THE WINDS WILL BE
KILLED.

AN INLAND HURRICANE WIND WATCH IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WINDS NEAR
HURRICANE FORCE...OR FREQUENT GUSTS AT OR ABOVE HURRICANE FORCE...ARE
POSSIBLE WITHIN THE NEXT 24 TO 36 HOURS.

LAZ038-040-050-056>070-MSZ080>082-290300-
ASSUMPTION-HANCOCK-HARRISON-JACKSON-LIVINGSTON-LOWER JEFFERSON-
LOWER LAFOURCHE-LOWER PLAQUEMINES-LOWER ST. BERNARD-LOWER TERREBONNE-
ORLEANS-ST. CHARLES-ST. JAMES-ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST-ST. TAMMANY-
TANGIPAHOA-UPPER JEFFERSON-UPPER LAFOURCHE-UPPER PLAQUEMINES-
UPPER ST. BERNARD-UPPER TERREBONNE-
413 PM CDT SUN AUG 28 2005

...INLAND HURRICANE WIND WARNING IS IN EFFECT...

HURRICANE KATRINA CONTINUES TO APPROACH THE AREA. TROPICAL STORM
FORCE WINDS ARE CURRENTLY MOVING INTO THE COASTAL MARSHES AND WILL
PERSIST FOR THE NEXT 26 TO 28 HOURS. HURRICANE FORCE WINDS WILL
ONSET AROUND MIDNIGHT NEAR THE COAST AND BY 3 AM CLOSER TO THE NEW
ORLEANS METRO AREA AND PERSIST FOR 9 TO 15 HOURS. MAXIMUM WIND GUSTS
AROUND 175 MPH ARE LIKELY IN THE WARNED AREA BY DAYBREAK MONDAY.

DO NOT VENTURE OUTDOORS ONCE TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS ONSET!

$$

LAZ034>037-039-046>049-MSZ068>071-077-290300-
AMITE-ASCENSION-EAST BATON ROUGE-EAST FELICIANA-IBERVILLE-
PEARL RIVER-PIKE-POINTE COUPEE-ST. HELENA-WALTHALL-WASHINGTON-
WEST BATON ROUGE-WEST FELICIANA-WILKINSON-
413 PM CDT SUN AUG 28 2005

...INLAND HURRICANE WIND WARNING IS IN EFFECT...

HURRICANE KATRINA CONTINUES TO APPROACH THE AREA. TROPICAL STORM
FORCE WINDS ARE CURRENTLY MOVING INTO THE COASTAL MARSHES AND WILL
SREAD NORTHWESTWARD INTO THE GREATER BATON ROUGE AREA AND
SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI LATER THIS EVENING. TROPICAL STORM FORCE
WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO ONSET AROUND 9 PM TONIGHT AND PERSIST
FOR 22 TO 26 HOURS. HURRICANE FORCE WINDS WILL ONSET AROUND
DAYBREAK AND PERSIST FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 HOURS. MAXIMUM WIND
GUSTS OF 80 TO 90 MPH ARE POSSIBLE IN EAST-CENTRAL LOUISIANA
AND SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI.

DO NOT VENTURE OUTDOORS ONCE TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS ONSET


http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/ww/wwus74.klix.npw...


God help those poor people trapped in the Superdome and everyone else who got left behind.

[Imagevision]

137. The fact this government allowed people to die in the streets and on I-10 without

attempts to even deliver water. Bush attempts to use "Brownie" as his scapegoat. What Bush did to the people of NO. is more then incompetence,it was deliberate.

[Stephanie]

71. Never forget that on Monday night, as New Orleanians were screaming for help from their rooftops...

Bush was at a GOP fundraiser at the San Diego resort, the Hotel del Coronado.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4550031

Rumor has it he played some GOLF. They apparently didn't have televisions at the resort, because the WH staff had to create DVD's of CNN for Bush to view on the plane on THURSDAY to catch him up on the week's events, as he did not personally give a shit.

Monday night here >



Tuesday afternoon here >







Wednesday flyover en route to DC >

[JPZenger]

107. NPR Anchorman Got Really Angry on the air with Chertoff

I remember on the Thursday after Katrina, the main NPR afternoon anchorman (Robert Siegel) was interviewing Chertoff. Siegel became incredibly angry on the air with Chertoff, who claimed everything was perfectly under control. It was the only time I ever heard that level of frustration mixed with amazement in the anchorman's voice. Here's Slate's take on it:

"on NPR's All Things Considered, anchorman Robert Siegel ...aggressively blocked every escape route that Chertoff took to evade hard questions about "corpses" and "human waste" piling up at the city's convention center, where thousands were stranded without provisions.

Siegel kept asking Chertoff how long it would take to serve or rescue these people, and a couple times Chertoff answered that the government was doing a great job at the Superdome.

When he cautioned Siegel about the danger of relying on "anecdotal" "rumors" of people in dire straits, Siegel said, no—these are facts presented by reporters who have covered war zones. There are 2,000 people at the convention center in need, he said. Having finally broken through the steel plate that is Chertoff's skull, the secretary confessed he hadn't heard those reports—reports that the television networks were documenting, live, with their cameras. Chertoff promised he'd look into the matter."

http://www.slate.com/id/2125581/?nav=navoa

The link above includes an audio clip of the interview.

[barbtries]

134. thanks, i'm going to go listen now

it blows me away and i wonder how the hell chertoff escaped any kind of accountability. he's still at the helm of the dept isn't he?

[butterfly77]

28. Should it have taken five days...

for the Federal Government to help its citizens?and how could a sitting so called president not know what was going on in his own country.

[catgirl]

168. It took a lot longer than 5 days

There were many people, especially elderly, who were stranded at their homes.
Except in their cases, help never came.

[Tutonic]

60. McCain voted against several emergency funding measures

pre-Katrina to restore the levees and post Katrina to provide funding for clean up, road, bridge repairs, and for public services. He is partially to blame. While people died in the Superdome, he and Mr. Guitar Player celebrated his birthday. Could they have delayed their merriment for only a day? This is the man that rode into Louisiana two months ago declaring that never again would a Katrina type situation occur. Yet after Iowa--he and the Guitar Player delayed once more. Obama rushed in to assist--where he did not cause interruptions to emergency services/programs. While McCain and Bush delayed until the flood waters increased. Then when the Governor of Iowa (Culver) made a personal appeal for McCain not to come to Iowa and for the President to go to a location where there was less flooding--they must have found it humerous. Why? Well what did the two idiots do? They flew right into the middle of the flooding--causing valuable resources to be diverted from assisting flood victims. Supposedly, Culver and his folks are still fuming.

[DS1]

64. Excellent points, thanks

Again, I wasn't trying to say the GOP was completely without fault, I just wanted to see some backup to the claims that they were directly involved with putting people in stadiums, which is what the OP was all about.

[Ian David]

76. You've been a member since 2001. Katrina was 2005. Where were you?

Either you were serving over-seas, in a coma, or have a very bad memory.

Bad memory perhaps??


The DU Lounge forum

4 years later, and I still blame Fuckstick McAWOL
Topic started by Rabrrrrrr on Sep-11-05 03:25 PM (16 replies)
Last modified by Rabrrrrrr on Sep-11-05 05:10 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=3988967

whew! It's a good thing all of those Katrina refugees get to -wait for it
Topic started by DS1 on Sep-11-05 01:37 PM (4 replies)
Last modified by DS1 on Sep-11-05 03:29 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=3988676

Home From Florida
Topic started by matcom on Sep-06-05 06:22 PM (13 replies)
Last modified by flvegan on Sep-06-05 07:15 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=3964671


how's the Lounge? have there been any pity threads LateLy?
Topic started by DS1 on Sep-02-05 10:18 PM (45 replies)
Last modified by miss_kitty on Sep-03-05 05:30 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=3952471

[DS1]

86. There's no need for personal attacks

I asked you to provide evidence, and you provided it. End of story. At least as far as I'm concerned.

[Ian David]

87. Didn't mean it as a personal attack. n/t

[Rosa Luxemburg]

112. sounds like you are supporting the GOP?

[Ian David]

75. McCain also voted against fixing the levees that just broke all over the midwest. n/t

[Patchuli]

82. I don't think it's too much of a stretch

to say that the victims of Katrina were where they were was because lots of money was diverted away from the levee system for repairs to go for the war in Iraq and the necessary repairs were not made. The money was diverted by a Republican administration.

[mwb970]

99. Wow, talk about missing the point! /nt

[George II]

140. If "Heckuva Job Brownie" [REPUBLICAN!] had done his job there would not have been a need...

...for them to go to the Superdome.

[MadMaddie]

149. George II Brownie didn't have the experience or the knowledge

to deal with Disaster Plannng or recovery, his previous job was judging horse competitions.

He donated to the Republican party and got a postion that Republicans didn't deam important.

[RaleighNCDUer]

143. By not mobilizing the military to assist an evacuation.

FEMA, under DHS, could have put up refugee camps out of the storm's path and trucked tens of thousands of people to them - but didn't. They ignored the fact that in a major city there are always tens of thousands who do not have private vehicles, who are homebound, who are disabled, who are hospitalized. It was every man for himself.

The government had the capability and the forewarning to make for an efficient and safe evacuation. They didn't, so the thousands who couldn't get out were jammed into the stadium and the convention center.

Instead of 1500 - 3000 dying, there might have been only dozens, or at the most, hundreds killed.

Why does FEMA not have emergency caches of food, water, clothing, tents, and blankets scattered across the country? Non-perishables that can sit in warehouses for years before they are needed - and ready for immediate distribution as soon as they are needed. In the SE, everybody has their personal little 'hurricane kit' - on the west coast, everyone has their personal little 'earthquake kit'. Why doesn't the government?

By not having a plan, not having a contingency for this, the administration created the problem. By giving the people of New Orleans nowhere else to go, or any way to get there, the administration filled that stadium.

[Seabiscuit]

144. They wouldn't have been there in those numbers and in that horrid condition if Bush had

sent rescue operations to NOLA as soon as it flooded, instead of waiting 5-6 days to see how many of them would die off.

[proud2BlibKansan]

37. FEMA

[BklynChick]

6. no mandatory evacuation means having to put people in the only place they'll fit

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. Nagin ordered a mandatory evacuation.

In fact, he was able to evacuate considerably more residents than disaster experts predicted.

[BklynChick]

10. but if you don't go to people's homes, knock on doors, provide transportation

for people to get out, it's not a realistic mandatory evacuation. My husband's family (and many people in NO) don't have cars.

[Brotherjohn]

120. Maybe you agree, but "mandatory" does not make doing all of that possible.

It would take several days or even weeks to conduct such a mandatory, door to door evacuation. Or even one using buses or any other mode of transportation at central pickup locations that succeeded in getting the 10% or so of the city out that did not have the means. They had less than 2 days from the time the storm had ramped up to a Cat 3, projected to hit near NOLA, to landfall. See my post (#114) below.

[galloglas]

32. What good is an "evacuation order"

if the means to evacuate the city are not available. The sad truth is that the non-elite citizens of New Orleans had no transportation out??

The evacuation order was a variation on the tired old meme from the (largely) fat, white corporatists who have run this country since 1879,

"Pull yourselves up by your bootstraps!"

Two specifics should do.

A) Mayor Nagin refused to commandeer the perfectly serviceable school buses to help drive residents to shelter on higher ground. He said he could not just commandeer them, as they were private property and the City of New Orleans had no contract to use those buses for other than school. (As soon as the levees went, of course, all the buses were underwater and worthless.

B) The bridges out of town were blocked by various city and parish police who kept citizens from following "evacuation orders" at gunpoint.

So, if you were in N.O. during Katrina, you could fly out in your private plane, gas up your SUV and go, or "pull yourselves out of that icky swamp by your own bootlaces !! Oh, BTW, please don't call FEMA again".

As far as I know, all responsible authorities had closed up shop by the time the cries came, "But we have no shoes!"


As for myself, I suspect if we could try these corrupt, corporate bastards (all of them), on capital charges, you could fill every stadium in this country to watch the executions of these monsters (BTW,I am normally against capital punishment but would make an exception for all these slithering Sith Lords).

[Ian David]

74. Nagin was told by FEMA that he COULD NOT use the busses because they weren't air conditioned...

and was also told that FEMA had their own busses on the way.

[galloglas]

162. Nagin was the FEMA's Fall Guy, obviously,

but I just wish that Nagin had been canny enough to realize what his position was in '05 and simply told ALL Federal, State, and other bureaucratic assholes that he WAS going to commandeer the buses, come Hell or (pun optional) High Water.

And, if they planned to stop him, they better jump in their little rubber dinghies (another option play on words) and paddle out to stop him!

[Brotherjohn]

123. See my Post #114 re your (A), and #118 re your (B).

And the bridge incidents (Miss. River and Danziger) occurred in the chaos and days AFTER the storm, not before the storm preventing evacuations.

[dsomuah]

146. Enough with the comandeering of the buses.

Comandeering buses would have been logistically impossible, and anyone who suggests that Nagin should have done that is out of touch with reality.

There were supposedly 500 buses in the city. The typical bus has a capacity of 50 or so. There were actually almost 170,000 residents still within city limits when confirmation came that Katrina was indeed a cat 5 storm, and that it was going to hit NO for sure. 500 buses with a capacity of 50 people means that on a single trip you can get about 25,000 people out. That means that if you wanted to evacuate people to a location about 2 hours away, you'd need about 28 hours for 7 total evacuations. That of course assumes that each evacuation goes without a hitch. That assumes that you get people to leave without luggage and take just the clothes on their back. That assumes that such a massive evacuation doesn't cause traffic jams, that assumes that there are places within 2 hours of NO with the capacity to absorb 170,000 refugees with less than a week's notice. That assumes that old people and sick people can just be piled into the buses. That assumes that the children being evacuated are going to be on their best behaviour. That 14 hour estimate also assumes that everyone is going to meet at a central evacuation point, that everyone will be on time, and no one will be forgotten.

Nothing short of a military operation would have been needed to evacuate New Orleans on time. Of course, much of the military equipment that could have been used to evacuate was in Iraq at the time. And given the precious little help Nagin got from Bush, from Chertoff and from FEMA, I seriously doubt they would have helped him with an evacuation.

[dsharp88]

69. I lived through it. This is how it was for me... (fairly brief)

Saturday night - The hurricane is headed for Mississippi. New Orleans will have some trailing winds, but shouldn't face the brunt of the storm. Storm is Category 4. I stay to watch the house and take care of my 3 dachshunds and watch the area while family leaves. FEMA has done nothing to plan for Mississippi.

Middle of the night / early Sunday 4 a.m. - Forecasters revise the storm's predicted path for a direct hit on New Orleans. Storm has also been upgraded to Category 5. FEMA has done nothing to plan for New Orleans.

Sunday morning - 5 a.m. - Mayor Nagin gives the evacuation order. The school buses roll to help as many as possible, but it's not enough to put much of a dent in the problem. Eventually, the bus drivers evacuate as well. That's when the photo is taken of the parked buses - after they had rolled to do some good and the drivers were gone.

8 a.m. - I speak to in-laws who were going to stay like me, but we now have to get out. I have three hours to pack up everything I can think of for me and the dogs, as well as thinking how to protect my house from far more potential flying debris and on much shorter notice than I had planned.

11 a.m. - Write final emails to family and friends to let them know how important they are to me - in case I die.

11:30 a.m. - Leave for Baton Rouge - normally no more than 90 minutes away.

6:30 p.m. - Arrive in Baton Rouge to sleep on floor of family friend's apartment.

There's a whole lot more, but you get the picture...

P.S. My totally handicapped (blind, retarded, crippled, no motor functions, and only very slight brain activity) sister's house was destroyed (mine survived with relatively minor damage). We got her out Saturday with the rest of the family. Federal grants are promised for those affected. I applied early for my sister and was approved. Her check came in LAST WEEK - three freaking YEARS later.

[MadMaddie]

55. This is true...however; they had another option available

Amtrak offerred FEMA the use of all of the trains they were evacauting out of the area. They had the mode of transportation available and they had the time before the breaches.

[Hippo_Tron]

91. Yea, FEMA refused an incredibly amount of resources that they were offered

For fear that people would think that they didn't have it under control. We almost would've been better off fending for ourselves than letting Brownie run things.

[mudesi]

35. And the OP's point flies right over your head (nm)

[baldguy]

39. It doesn't matter WHERE people were told to evacuate to.

The fact is Bush's FEMA, the National Guard & Blackwater DELIBERATELY PREVENTED RELIEF EFFORTS FROM GETTING TO THEM!!

[JimmyJubes]

62. If it were rich white people in Greenwich

The president would have used all of his power to make sure help was there in minutes.

[Tutonic]

67. I think the Iowa Floods pretty much dispelled that folklore.

The man hates people. Period.

[Ian David]

79. Bush would have responded, but he was still mourning for Terri Schiavo n/t

[KingFlorez]

66. I think you missed the point

[Hippo_Tron]

90. Rest assured our mayor is a fucking idiot and I did not vote for him, but...

The Federal Government was the only entity with the resources to conduct an evacuation of this magnitude and it failed miserably at it. Nagin ordered a mandatory evacuation. But as was stated above, in order for that to truly work you need the National Guard to actually go to peoples' homes and tell them to get the hell out if they are still there and provide transportation if necessary. No city actually has the resources to conduct the evacuation by itself.

[ooglymoogly]

113. That is not the point.. Where the hell else were they to go

There were no options left for the mayor....because of the actions or non actions of the Bash administrations' FIMA who's task it was to protect these folks, this was all that was left to them.

[George II]

138. No, it was FEMA

[islandmkl]

2. beautiful....

just f***ing beautiful...

good job...

[BklynChick]

3. don't remind me

:cry:
My husband's whole family had to relocate because of that bastard and they're still not back.

[pollo poco]

51. I'm so sorry

We have some Katrina refugees in our southern Oregon neighborhood. It has been very hard on them. Lots of fighting, tears and just plain being poor. We are worried about them. Especially the little boy, who has a lot of behavioral setbacks.

They have given up on returning.

It's so wrong. Heartbreaking.

:cry:

[berni_mccoy]

7. Powerful. K&R. This demands a poster making campaign...

[Ian David]

16. Here's some stuff to get you started...

I've got new Katrina fliers, but I don't think they're displaying right
Topic started by IanDB1 on Sep-18-05 10:02 PM (1 replies)
Last modified by proud patriot on Sep-18-05 10:35 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2099016



Bush 2 "take responsibility." Let's coordinate with a leafletting campaign
Topic started by IanDB1 on Sep-13-05 08:31 PM (10 replies)
Last modified by IanDB1 on Sep-14-05 08:32 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2088197


Katrina Montage- great for front cover to a flier... needs text
Topic started by IanDB1 on Sep-09-05 06:04 PM (7 replies)
Last modified by IanDB1 on Sep-10-05 03:01 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2077557


Images of Katrina (DIAL-UP WARNING!)
Topic started by IanDB1 on Sep-07-05 07:25 PM (2 replies)
Last modified by IanDB1 on Sep-07-05 07:47 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2071457


REMINDER: Katrina oil spills may be among worst on record (113 offshore platforms destroyed)
Topic started by IanDB1 on Jun-19-08 09:51 AM (13 replies)
Last modified by underpants on Jun-19-08 03:10 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=3482695

[Dystopian]

47. IanDB1- Thank you...it's so sad...

when a picture says a thousand words, and you've presented so many pictures.
This is one of the best, yet most solemn reminders I've ever seen on DU.
A heartbreaking memory...and the suffering continues...


********Recommended********

peace~

[sellitman]

9. Rec # 5

Proudly sent to the greatest page.

[racaulk]

11. That's the stuff of nightmares.

I can't even begin to imagine what those people went through. And f*ck Bush and McCain for laughing and partying while New Orleans drowned! :mad:

K&R

[grantcart]

12. Great rhetorical point

And I thought I was going to see some country and western concert or a nascar event

[Ian David]

13. See also

U.N. committee says poor, blacks harmed most by Katrina
Topic started by tpsbmam on Mar-09-08 09:14 AM (13 replies)
Last modified by H8fascistcons on Mar-10-08 01:51 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=3217155

Bush to visit New Orleans as city still struggles 18 months after Hurricane Katrina
Topic started by Judi Lynn on Mar-01-07 11:01 AM (16 replies)
Last modified by Lisa on Mar-01-07 08:43 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2751030

Gallup: Katrina Did Not Cause Bush's Decline in Polls
Topic started by RamboLiberal on Aug-29-06 06:01 PM (28 replies)
Last modified by No Exit on Aug-30-06 07:02 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2483147

Offers to Help Katrina Victims Went Unused
Topic started by deadparrot on Jan-29-06 07:39 PM (24 replies)
Last modified by DeltaLady on Jan-31-06 12:50 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2073305

Miss. Gov. Blames Feds for Stalled Recovery
Topic started by sabra on Dec-07-05 01:21 PM (22 replies)
Last modified by BR_Parkway on Dec-08-05 09:33 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1971709

6,644 are still missing after Katrina; toll may rise
Topic started by Thom Little on Nov-22-05 06:04 AM (35 replies)
Last modified by PegDAC on Nov-23-05 08:53 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1941390

Katrina death toll now at 1,281
Topic started by MaineDem on Oct-19-05 03:19 PM (24 replies)
Last modified by fearnobush on Oct-20-05 09:42 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1862204

Aid offers pour in from around the globe (Bush rejects it)
Topic started by sonicx on Sep-01-05 05:23 PM (235 replies)
Last modified by Trevelyan on Sep-06-05 05:33 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1744533

Katrina Home Bush Visited Still Stands Empty
Topic started by Rose Siding on Aug-18-06 08:06 AM (9 replies)
Last modified by IanDB1 on Aug-18-06 09:58 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=229647

Handy Guide to how Bush/McCain policy to lift offshore drilling makes no sense
Topic started by zulchzulu on Jun-19-08 03:08 PM (7 replies)
Last modified by FrenchieCat on Jun-21-08 09:57 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=6385391

Never, ever forget this picture
Topic started by ZombyWoof on Jun-04-08 11:49 PM (63 replies)
Last modified by terrya on Jun-07-08 07:56 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=6283143

Right-Wing Amendment Forces Katrina Victims To Find A Job Before Receiving Aid
Topic started by IanDB1 on Mar-21-07 11:08 AM (10 replies)
Last modified by don954 on Mar-21-07 06:00 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=3173963

I've got new Katrina fliers, but I don't think they're displaying right
Topic started by IanDB1 on Sep-18-05 10:02 PM (1 replies)
Last modified by proud patriot on Sep-18-05 10:35 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2099016



Bush 2 "take responsibility." Let's coordinate with a leafletting campaign
Topic started by IanDB1 on Sep-13-05 08:31 PM (10 replies)
Last modified by IanDB1 on Sep-14-05 08:32 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2088197


Katrina Montage- great for front cover to a flier... needs text
Topic started by IanDB1 on Sep-09-05 06:04 PM (7 replies)
Last modified by IanDB1 on Sep-10-05 03:01 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2077557

PUKE!!!! Right-wing Email Decries blaming Bush, BUT DOESN'T ASK FOR AID!!
Topic started by IanDB1 on Sep-07-05 12:39 PM (10 replies)
Last modified by TransitJohn on Sep-08-05 10:53 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2070375

Images of Katrina (DIAL-UP WARNING!)
Topic started by IanDB1 on Sep-07-05 07:25 PM (2 replies)
Last modified by IanDB1 on Sep-07-05 07:47 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2071457

Every Liberal mailing list I subscribe to asked to help Katrina victims...
Topic started by IanDB1 on Sep-05-05 08:20 PM (4 replies)
Last modified by laugle on Sep-05-05 10:04 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2065638

This is the 5th most emailed photo on Yahoo-- it needs to be at least 4th
Topic started by IanDB1 on Sep-02-05 02:27 PM (15 replies)
Last modified by Poiuyt on Sep-02-05 07:18 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2055091


Congress: Hold Bush Accountable on Failed Katrina Response
Topic started by IanDB1 on Sep-02-05 02:22 PM (1 replies)
Last modified by Vincardog on Sep-02-05 02:27 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2055078


Did you know 'there wasn't a drop of oil' spilled in the Gulf during Cat 5 hurricanes?
Topic started by babylonsister on Jun-25-08 09:24 PM (16 replies)
Last modified by babylonsister on Jun-26-08 01:41 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=3521219


REMINDER: Katrina oil spills may be among worst on record (113 offshore platforms destroyed)
Topic started by IanDB1 on Jun-19-08 09:51 AM (13 replies)
Last modified by underpants on Jun-19-08 03:10 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=3482695

You know how John McCain was having cake during Katrina?
Topic started by Dark on Jun-05-08 11:01 AM (26 replies)
Last modified by sfexpat2000 on Jun-06-08 05:02 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=3390118

Katrina ice being melted after two years
Topic started by IanDB1 on Jul-14-07 07:54 PM (25 replies)
Last modified by merh on Jul-15-07 09:09 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=1336730


From Eric Shcwartz: Clinton Got a Blowjob... THE VIDEO!
Run time: 03:59
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAVI16FSjxU
Posted on YouTube: October 19, 2006
By YouTube Member: RedSchwartz
Views on YouTube: 444764
Posted on DU: October 30, 2006
By DU Member: IanDB1
Views on DU: 810
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=385&topic_id=45

Eric Schwartz releases new Bush-bashing song! Download it for FREE! Yay!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1803881

[Ian David]

14. ... Hope you had the time of your life...

[Blue_Tires]

102. which paper (on the bottom) had "turning savage" in the headline??

my goodness...

[robertpaulsen]

17. 'They were eating cake' needs to be broadcast in a TV ad.

Powerful and accurate photos.

[gateley]

43. Yes - that would be perfect and powerful. nt

[unapatriciated]

142. This ad may not be for t.v. but, YOU can pass it around...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXRlG_6Bk-8

[me b zola]

21. Yep, when repubs fill a stadium, they don't allow them to leave

K&R for a poignant thread.

[KamaAina]

22. Who Dat?

I see at least one current NOLA DUer has seen this. Hopefully some of the others will stop by as well. :thumbsup:

edit: smilie

[Cha]

23. That's fucking sad, dude, but

oh so true.

[anonymous171]

24. Perfect rebuttal.

[Occam Bandage]

26. Wow. Was not expecting that. Thanks.

[blondeatlast]

27. Whoah; very good, IanDB1. Very good. nt

[Ian David]

29. Let's not forget Saint Barbara

And on the Iraq War...

[Tutonic]

68. Hey Jerry Falwell, Strom Thurmond and Jesse Helms are

building a nest for the Queen "B". That'll work very well for her I suppose.

[Loubonilla]

31. Sad images of Katrina

I remember with sadness the desperation on those mothers' faces. Thank God it's all over.

[Ian David]

33. Uhm.... No. It is NOT over. Not by a LONG shot.

A Little Bit Safer
Huffington Post, NY - 4 hours ago
... programs revealed that a huge percentage of the trailers being used by the federal government to house victims of hurricane Katrina were poisoning them. ...

Katrina suit blames river shipping channel
United Press International - 5 hours ago
NEW ORLEANS, July 7 (UPI) -- Attorneys for Hurricane Katrina victims said they hope to pierce the US government's veil of immunity by arguing a shipping ...


Keep looking.

[Skittles]

44. are you fucking kidding?

check with anyone trying to rebuild New Orleans and ask them if it's "ALL OVER". And no thanks to GOD for ANY of it.

[Ian David]

78. Well, thank god Katrina didn't hit New Orleans during Gay Pride week!

And thank god they most gay-oriented parts of New Orleans were the least damaged.

[pnorman]

34. I should have seen that coming, but I didn't!

n/t

pnorman

[GOPBasher]

36. That picture of Bush and McCain with the cake is priceless. n/t

[ecstatic]

38. Please tell me the banjo pic is fake

I'm easily fooled by photoshop :)

[Ian David]

70. It's a composite. Emperor Bush really DID fiddle while America drowned.

President Bush, pictured playing a guitar while New Orleans drowned, Aug. 30, 2005



Hurricane Katrina and Bush: A Tale of Two Photos
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-corn/hurricane-katrina-and-bus_b_6618.html

Katrina Victims Suffer, Bush Plays Guitar
By Jeralyn, Section Huricanes Katrina and Rita
Posted on Tue Aug 30, 2005 at 08:35:34 PM EST
http://www.talkleft.com/story/2005/08/30/324/97688

[Stephanie]

97. Here are the Bush photos in chronological order

All photos are from Yahoo News:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6466448&mesg_id=6468421

[Brotherjohn]

106. He's horsing around at a FUNDRAISER, the day AFTER HUNDREDS of AMERICANS were DROWNING!

The night before that guitar/fundraiser pic, I listened to a CNN reporter call in her audio reports, which were heart-wrenching, from New Orleans. She cried as she told of riding through the 9th Ward on a boat, trying to rescue people, and hearing screams of help from the many many attics they could NOT get to. People were drowing throughout the night, pratically live on CNN.

That he could do anything at all besides sit in a command center trying to help, or getting down there himself, is astounding. That he was playing around at a fundraiser, of all things, speaks to what a horrible president, and person, he is.

Bush is TRULY a modern day Nero.

[Stephanie]

147. I heard that report too

It was harrowing. We don't have any photos of the fundraiser. I don't think we even know what the fundraiser was for, specifically. It was on Monday night at the Hotel del Coronado. The guitar photos are from Tuesday. Bush gave a speech to the Navy cadets on a ship just off the coast of San Diego. Then he was presented with a guitar by the singer who performed on the ship. Note the presidential seal on the guitar. Meanwhile people were dying at the Superdome and on the roofs of their own homes and in the stranded hospitals and nursing homes. But Bush was untroubled, in fact he did not even turn on the TV to see what the rest of the country saw. Why should he bother his beautiful mind with death and destruction? On Tuesday night George and Laura were flown to Crawford for what turned out to be the last day of their vacation. On Wednesday they finally flew back to DC. MEANWHILE, if you'll recall, Condi was shopping for shoes at Ferragamo on Madison Avenue, and attending Spamalot. Dick we have to assume was fishing in WY. ROVE was at the Freeper camp in Crawford thanking the Freepers for their support (I think Bradblog or Americablog carried this story, with photos).

[Ian David]

148. BUSH VISITS ARIZONA RESORT TO PROMOTE MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT

KATRINA TIMELINE

<snip>

Monday, August 29

7AM CDT — KATRINA MAKES LANDFALL AS A CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE

7:30 AM CDT — BUSH ADMINISTRATION NOTIFIED OF THE LEVEE BREACH: The administration finds out that a levee in New Orleans was breached. On this day, 28 “government agencies, from local Louisiana parishes to the White House, that New Orleans levees” were breached.

8AM CDT — MAYOR NAGIN REPORTS THAT WATER IS FLOWING OVER LEVEE: “I’ve gotten reports this morning that there is already water coming over some of the levee systems. In the lower ninth ward, we’ve had one of our pumping stations to stop operating, so we will have significant flooding, it is just a matter of how much.”

11:13 AM CDT - WHITE HOUSE CIRCULATES INTERNAL MEMO ABOUT LEVEE BREACH: “Flooding is significant throughout the region and a levee in New Orleans has reportedly been breached sending 6-8 feet of water throughout the 9th ward area of the city.”

MORNING — BROWN WARNS BUSH ABOUT THE POTENTIAL DEVASTATION OF KATRINA: In a briefing, Brown warned Bush, “This is, to put it mildly, the big one, I think.” He also voiced concerns that the government may not have the capacity to “respond to a catastrophe within a catastrophe” and that the Superdome was ill-equipped to be a refuge of last resort.

MORNING — MAYFIELD WARNS BUSH ABOUT THE TOPPING OF THE LEVEES: In the same briefing, Max Mayfield, National Hurricane Center Director, warns, “This is a category 5 hurricane, very similar to Hurricane Andrew in the maximum intensity, but there’s a big big difference. This hurricane is much larger than Andrew ever was. I also want to make absolutely clear to everyone that the greatest potential for large loss of lives is still in the coastal areas from the storm surge. … I don’t think anyone can tell you with any confidence right now whether the levees will be topped or not, but there’s obviously a very very grave concern.”

MORNING — BUSH CALLS SECRETARY CHERTOFF TO DISCUSS IMMIGRATION: “I spoke to Mike Chertoff today — he’s the head of the Department of Homeland Security. I knew people would want me to discuss this issue , so we got us an airplane on — a telephone on Air Force One, so I called him. I said, are you working with the governor? He said, you bet we are.”

MORNING — BUSH SHARES BIRTHDAY CAKE PHOTO-OP WITH SEN. JOHN MCCAIN

11AM CDT — MICHAEL BROWN FINALLY REQUESTS THAT DHS DISPATCH 1,000 EMPLOYEES TO REGION, GIVES THEM TWO DAYS TO ARRIVE: “Brown’s memo to Chertoff described Katrina as ‘this near catastrophic event’ but otherwise lacked any urgent language. The memo politely ended, ‘Thank you for your consideration in helping us to meet our responsibilities.’”

LATE MORNING — LEVEE BREACHED: “A large section of the vital 17th Street Canal levee, where it connects to the brand new ‘hurricane proof’ Old Hammond Highway bridge, gave way late Monday morning in Bucktown after Katrina’s fiercest winds were well north.”

11AM CDT — BUSH VISITS ARIZONA RESORT TO PROMOTE MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT: “This new bill I signed says, if you’re a senior and you like the way things are today, you’re in good shape, don’t change. But, by the way, there’s a lot of different options for you. And we’re here to talk about what that means to our seniors.”

4:30PM CDT — BUSH TRAVELS TO CALIFORNIA SENIOR CENTER TO DISCUSS MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT: “We’ve got some folks up here who are concerned about their Social Security or Medicare. Joan Geist is with us. … I could tell — she was looking at me when I first walked in the room to meet her, she was wondering whether or not old George W. is going to take away her Social Security check.”

8PM CDT — RUMSFELD ATTENDS SAN DIEGO PADRES BASEBALL GAME: Rumsfeld “joined Padres President John Moores in the owner’s box…at Petco Park.”

8PM CDT — GOV. BLANCO AGAIN REQUESTS ASSISTANCE FROM BUSH: “Mr. President, we need your help. We need everything you’ve got.”

LATE PM — BUSH GOES TO BED WITHOUT ACTING ON BLANCO’S REQUESTS

More:
http://thinkprogress.org/katrina-timeline/




President Participates in Conversation on Medicare
Pueblo El Mirage RV Resort and Country Club
El Mirage, Arizona
10:06 A.M. MST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Please be seated. Thanks for coming. As you can see, it's not going to be just me doing the talking today. We've got some of your fellow citizens here to discuss how we can make sure our senior citizens understand there's a fantastic opportunity available for them in the improved Medicare piece of legislation I signed.

Before we start talking about Medicare, I do want to thank the good folks here at this center -- those who live here, those who are helping the folks who live here -- for inviting us. It's not easy to have the presidential entourage come. (Laughter.) I understand that. But at least my entourage was spiced up by the First Lady is traveling with me today. I appreciate you coming. (Applause.)

Laura and I are proud to be here. We're proud to be with Senator Jon Kyl, who is a fantastic United States senator. (Applause.) I appreciate you, Senator. We appreciate working with you and we appreciate getting to know you. He brings Arizona values to Washington, D.C. He's a good, down-to-earth fellow who cares about the people here. (Applause.)

And speaking about somebody who does a fine job representing this district, we're honored to be here with Trent Franks. Congressman, thank you. (Applause.) And his wife, Josie. One thing about Trent Franks, you don't have to worry about him telling the truth. He's a good, decent, honorable citizen, and I'm proud to call him friend. I want to thank you for coming, Congressman.

I want to thank the Secretary of State, Jan Brewer. Madam Secretary, I appreciate you being here. (Applause.) And the State Treasurer, David Petersen. David, thanks for coming. (Applause.) There he is. I don't know if it helps or hurts, but he's from Temple, Texas. (Laughter.) If it hurts, just forget it. (Laughter.) That's right around the corner from Crawford.

I'm really honored that the Senate President is with us, Ken Bennett. I'm honored you're here. And the Speaker is with us -- thank you all for coming. I appreciate you coming. Good to see you again, Ken. (Applause.) Speaker, appreciate you being here. I want to thank the Mayor, Fred Waterman. Mr. Mayor, thanks for coming. (Applause.) There he is. Phil Gordon -- Mayor, are you here? Thanks, Mayor, good to see you. Proud you're here. (Applause.) Honored you took time to come. And I want to thank Mayor Elaine Scruggs of Glendale, Arizona. Appreciate your service. (Applause.)

When Laura and I landed, we visited with Ruben and Rita Carroll. They work for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, the RSVP Program. The reason I bring them up is that the great strength of this country lies in the hearts and souls of our citizens. We got millions of people across our country who volunteer to make somebody else's life better. And it doesn't matter how old you are, or how young you are, there's plenty of opportunity in America to volunteer. And here are two citizens who are setting the way and getting a great example. Thanks for coming, appreciate you setting such a good example for others. (Applause.) Raise your hands so they can see you. There you go. (Applause.)

I know my fellow citizens here in Arizona and across the country are saying our prayers for those affected by the -- Hurricane Katrina. Our Gulf Coast is getting hit and hit hard. I want the folks there on the Gulf Coast to know that the federal government is prepared to help you when the storm passes. I want to thank the governors of the affected regions for mobilizing assets prior to the arrival of the storm to help citizens avoid this devastating storm.

I urge the citizens there in the region to continue to listen to the local authorities. Don't abandon your shelters until you're given clearance by the local authorities. Take precautions because this is a dangerous storm. When the storm passes, the federal government has got assets and resources that we'll be deploying to help you. In the meantime, America will pray -- pray for the health and safety of all our citizens.

I also want to talk about immigration here in this state. I understand the issue well. I was the governor of a border state; I was the governor of the state of Texas. I know what it means to have a long border with Mexico. And I understand the solemn obligation of the state government and the federal government to enforce our border. I did so when I was governor, and I'll work with your governor and governors along the border to do so as the President of the United States. We have an obligation to enforce the borders. (Applause.)



More:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050829-5.html




President Bush visits Luke
Airmen evacuate to Little Rock
Base hub for deployments
Commander visits Keesler
Master Sgt. Roy Bowser, enlisted aide for Gen. William R. Looney III, commander of Air Education and Training Command, prepares a salad for an official function. Sergeant Bowser was selected as the 2006 Enlisted Aide of the Year Award for the Senior-Aide Category Oct. 12. (U.S. Air Force photo by Melissa Peterson)



More:
http://www.aetc.af.mil/photos/index.asp?page=9



Sunday :: Sep 2, 2007
August 2005: How George Bush Went On Vacation and It Ended In Disaster


<snip>


resident George W. Bush joins Arizona Senator John McCain in a small celebration of McCain's 69th birthday Monday, Aug. 29, 2005, after the President's arrival at Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix. The President later spoke about Medicare to 400 guests at the Pueblo El Mirage RV Resort and Country Club in nearby El Mirage. (White House photo by Paul Morse)


President Bush plays a guitar presented to him by Country Singer Mark Wills, right, backstage following his visit to Naval Base Coronado, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005. Bush visited the base to deliver remarks on V-J Commemoration Day. (AP Photo/ABC News, Martha Raddatz)




U.S. President George W. Bush smiles during a town hall-style meeting at a retirement community where he talked about Medicare prescription-drug benefits for senior citizens in El Mirage, Arizona August 29, 2005. Bush on Monday urged skeptical senior citizens to sign up for a new Medicare prescription drug benefit program, touting a choice of plans with monthly premiums as low as $20. (REUTERS/Jeff Mitchell)


For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 29, 2005

President Discusses Medicare, New Prescription Drug Benefits
James L. Brulte Senior Center
Rancho Cucamonga, California

2:40 P.M. PDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you. Be seated, please. (Applause.) Thank you all for coming. Please be seated. Thank you. So David said we went to this school together -- it was called a charm school. (Laughter.) I never won my seat for Congress; he did. Obviously, it took on him and not on me. (Laughter.) But I want to thank him for his introduction. I want to thank him for his leadership. David Dreier cares a lot about a lot of issues. One of the issues that he's been talking to me a lot about is to make sure the federal government does its job in enforcing our borders to keep illegal folks out of our country. (Applause.)

<snip>

I'm traveling in good company -- I'm not talking about Dreier at this point -- (laughter) -- I'm talking about my wife, the First Lady. Thanks for coming, Laura. (Applause.) We're both very excited to come to your great state, and it is a great state. We were met at the airport by Congressman Ken Calvert. I appreciate you being here, Ken. Thanks for coming. Congressman Gary Miller, as well, is with us, as is Congressman Joe Baca. Thank you all for being here. (Applause.)

I knew Brulte would amount to something one of these days. (Laughter.) He got something named after him. I'm honored to be here with my friend, Jim Brulte, at the Brulte Center. (Applause.) I want to thank Mayor Bill Alexander of Rancho Cucamonga. Bill, thank you for having us here today. I appreciate your hospitality. (Applause.) I want to thank Mayor Paul Leon of Ontario. Paul, thanks for being at the airport today. (Applause.) I appreciate all the Statehouse folks who are here, and country folks, and the local folks for joining us. Most of all, thank you all for giving me a chance to come by and discuss a really interesting opportunity for our seniors. And that is a reformed Medicare plan.

Before I get to Medicare I got some other things I want to talk about. First, I want to remind you that the great strength of this country lies in the hearts and souls of our volunteers. We're a nation that is a compassionate, decent nation, where millions of our fellow citizens volunteer on a regular basis to help a neighbor in need. I met one such person today in Joe Graff. Joe is with us; he's been a volunteer with the Ontario Police Department for 15 years. Joe assists the police personnel with traffic control and parking tickets. If you've got one, you might want to call Joe. (Laughter.)

<snip>

As David said, we're praying for the folks that have been affected by this Hurricane Katrina. We're in constant contact with the local officials down there. The storm is moving through, and we're now able to assess damage, or beginning to assess damage. And I want the people to know in the affected areas that the federal government and the state government and the local governments will work side-by-side to do all we can to help get your lives back in order.

This was a terrible storm. It's a storm that hit with a lot of ferocity. It's a storm now that is moving through, and now it's the time for governments to help people get their feet on the ground.

For those of you who prayed for the folks in that area, I want to thank you for your prayers. For those of you who are concerned about whether or not we're prepared to help, don't be. We are. We're in place. We've got equipment in place, supplies in place. And once the -- once we're able to assess the damage, we'll be able to move in and help those good folks in the affected areas. (Applause.)

David also mentioned that we're making progress overseas. And we are making progress overseas. Recently, the Iraqis came together and wrote a constitution. It's not easy to write a constitution. Look at our own history. I was reminded that several of the delegates to our own Constitutional Convention stormed out and wouldn't sign the document.




More:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050829-11.html

[Stephanie]

150. Can we do a FOIA for info on the fundraiser?

I'd really like to know who was there and what it was for. Shame on everyone who atended.

[Ian David]

151. In the press release, there was a long list of people * thanked.

That's a start, I guess.

But yeah, you can file a FOIA request.

Here's the FOIA Letter Generator:
http://www.rcfp.org/foi_letter/generate.php

[Stephanie]

153. Press release from the San Diego Hotel del Coronado fundraiser?

I see you have his afternoon speech, but I mean the Monday evening GOP fundraiser at the resort, which I have never seen reported.

[Ian David]

156. Bush fundraiser during Katrina... still looking...

Looking for that stuff right now.

Meanwhile, check this out...


For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 29, 2005

Press Gaggle with Scott McClellan and Dr. Mark McClellan
Aboard Air Force One
En Route Glendale, Arizona
10:43 A.M. CDT

<snip>

Q Scott, can you look ahead a little bit to tomorrow, to what the President is going to talk about in San Diego?

MR. McCLELLAN: It might be better for me to do a little bit more on that later today. I mean, just as a very general matter -- you're asking about the remarks, or you're just asking about the day, or all of the above?

Q Mostly remarks.

MR. McCLELLAN: First, on the remarks, tomorrow's remarks are really focused on commemorating our World War II veterans and it's a commemoration of World War II.

Now, in the context of the remarks, the President will draw some historical comparisons between the war that we were fighting then and the war that we are fighting -- the global war that we're engaged in now. So I think that there will be some comparisons there between the murderous ideology that we were -- that we joined together to defeat back in World War II and the murderous ideology that we're working to defeat today.

But it's -- the remarks really are focusing on commemorating World War II and our veterans and all those who sacrificed -- made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom.

Q It's at a Navy base. Will there be a Naval audience?

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, it's a Naval station there, and so it will be military personnel who will be the primary audience. I think, and I'll double check all this and try to get you more information later in the day, but when the President gets there, I think he's going to be visiting with a number of doctors and medical personnel that are there. Then he'll make the remarks following that.

Q Will he be meeting with any families of war dead?

MR. McCLELLAN: Let me just double check. Let me just double check that. There might be -- I think there are some wounded troops that are there, but let me just double check that. I'll get you more information on that later today. And I'll try to give you a little bit more of a preview. He's still been working on the draft for tomorrow. That's why I didn't want to go too much further into it. But, I mean, I think you should look at it overall as a commemorative speech.

Q Is it at the Coronado Naval Air Station or is this going to be at the Naval base itself?

MR. McCLELLAN: It will be the Naval Air Station -- the Naval Air Station. Anything else?

Q Are there any plans so far to go to Florida?

MR. McCLELLAN: No updates to the President's schedule. Right now, our focus continues to be on making sure that we're saving lives and focused on getting help to those who are in harm's way.

* * * * *

MR. McCLELLAN: Let me update you on tomorrow -- I was double-checking the schedule for tomorrow. When we get there to San Diego, at the Naval Air Station, the President will make the remarks, and that will be the first thing on our stop. Then he's going to participate in an interview with Armed Services Radio and Television. And then he will visit with health care providers at the medical center at the Naval Station. And then he will visit with some wounded military patients that are at the medical center. And then we'll depart after that.

* * * * *

MR. McCLELLAN: Quick update. He spoke with Mike Brown again on the plane, and we did -- the staff participated in a video conference call, or they're ongoing. One of the main things that our FEMA head, Mike Brown, emphasized was that it remains a serious situation, and there's still a lot of concern about storm surge, flooding, the damage and destruction on the ground, power outages, and things of that nature. And on the conference call, there were updates from all the different states that were being received, as well.

And federal and state and local authorities continue to work round the clock. The storm is still over these impacted areas, and it remains a very serious situation. And the President continued to ask questions of Mike Brown to make sure that we were doing everything in our power to save lives and to help those in need. And so I just wanted to update you on that.

END 12:35 P.M. EDT

More:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050829-1.html





For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 30, 2005

President Commemorates 60th Anniversary of V-J Day
Naval Air Station North Island
San Diego, California

9:04 A.M. PDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Thanks for the warm welcome. It's good to be back in California. Good to be here at North Island. This is the birthplace of naval aviation, and I want to thank you for making this son of a naval aviator feel right at home. (Applause.)

<snip>

As we deliver relief to our citizens to the south, our troops are defending all our citizens from threats abroad. In the war on terror, all of you gathered here today are playing a critical role. Our naval aviators are displaying their fantastic skill in bringing justice to our enemies. Our sailors on Navy ships are patrolling the high seas. You're maintaining those ships and keeping them ready for battle. You're serving on special operations teams that are hunting the Taliban and al Qaeda fighters in the mountains of Afghanistan. And our Marine units are bringing the terrorists to justice in Iraq.

However you are serving, each of you is defending our nation and bringing honor to the uniform, and your Commander-in-Chief, and your country is proud of your service. (Applause.)

<snip>
I'm honored today to be traveling with the First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush. (Applause.) I want to thank Admiral Zortman, the Commander of the Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, for his introduction. And thank you for your service, Admiral.

I'm proud to be here today with a man who is doing an excellent job for the United States military, the Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld. (Applause.) On V-J Day in 1945, Secretary Rumsfeld was selling newspapers at the Coronado Ferry, Coronado, California. He went on to be a Navy pilot. And today, he's a trusted advisor in my Cabinet. Mr. Secretary, proud to have you here. (Applause.)

I want to thank the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Duncan Hunter. Congressman Hunter is with us today. (Applause.) Congressman Duncan Hunter is, today, here with his dad, Robert Hunter, who served in World War II. And he has a son who is a proud Marine in Iraq. (Applause.)

I want to thank Secretary Tom Johnson of the California Department of Veteran Affairs. I want to thank Mayor Tom Smisek and his wife, Peggy. He's the mayor of Coronado. I appreciate you, Mr. Mayor. I want to thank Vice Admiral Barry Costello, Rear Admiral Mike Miller, Read Admiral Len Hering, Captain Tim Alexander. I want to thank Command Master Chief Mick Fulton, Chief Petty Officer Swisher. I want to thank all the men and women who wear the uniform for greeting us today. (Applause.)

<snip>

Sixty years ago this Friday, General Douglas MacArthur accepted the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. With Japan's surrender, the last of our enemies in World War II was defeated, and a World War that began for America in the Pacific came to an end in the Pacific. As we mark this anniversary, we are again a nation at war. Once again, war came to our shores with a surprise attack that killed thousands in cold blood. Once again, we face determined enemies who follow a ruthless ideology that despises everything America stands for. Once again, America and our allies are waging a global campaign with forces deployed on virtually every continent. And once again, we will not rest until victory is America's and our freedom is secure. (Applause.)

In the midst of this struggle, we have confidence in our cause because we know that America has faced down brutal enemies before. We have confidence in our cause because we've seen the power of freedom to overcome the darkness of tyranny and terror. And we have confidence in our cause because we know the character and courage of those who wear the uniform of the United States military. (Applause.)

<snip>

And today, their grandson, Captain Randy Stone, carries on a proud family tradition. Captain Stone is a Marine officer now serving in Iraq. He knows that he and his generation are doing the same vital work in this war on terror that his grandparents did in World War II. He also knows how this struggle will end. Randy says, "I know we will win because I see it in the eyes of the Marines every morning. In their eyes is the sparkle of victory." (Applause.)

<snip>

Today we must not forget the lessons of the past, and the lesson of this experience is clear: The most powerful weapon in the arsenal of democracy is the spirit of liberty. In the 20th century, the spirit of liberty worked to spread freedom from Japan and Germany to Eastern Europe and Latin America and Southeast Asia and Africa. And the spirit of liberty is at work today. Across the broader Middle East, we can see freedom's power to transform nations and deliver hope to people who have not known it. In Afghanistan and Iraq and Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories, people have gone to the polls and chosen their leaders in free elections. Their example is inspiring millions across that region to claim their liberty, as well -- and they will have it. (Applause.)

In Iraq, people have come together to write a constitution that guarantees freedom for all Iraqi citizens. The document they have produced protects fundamental human freedoms, including freedom for women, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of conscience, and freedom of expression. This constitution is the result of democratic debate and compromise, and the Iraqi citizens can be proud of what they have accomplished. (Applause.)

As freedom advances across a troubled part of the world, it is once again opposed by fanatical adherence of a murderous ideology. And once again, the stakes are high. Now, as then, our enemies have made their fight a test of American credibility and resolve. Now, as then, they are trying to intimidate free people and break our will. And now, as then, they will fail. (Applause.)

They will fail because the terrorists of our century are making the same mistake that the followers of other totalitarian ideologies made in the last century. They believe that democracies are inherently weak and corrupt and can be brought to their knees. They looked at our response after the hostage crisis in Iran, the bombings of the Marine barracks in Lebanon, the first World Trade Center attack, the killing of American soldiers in Somalia, the destruction of two U.S. embassies in Africa, and the attack on the USS Cole. They concluded that free societies lack the courage and character to defend themselves against a determined enemy. Hear the words of Osama bin Laden that explain why he believed he could get away with the attacks of September the 11th, 2001: "We've seen in the last decade the decline of the American government and the weakness of the American soldier, who is ready to wage cold wars and unprepared to fight long wars... After a few blows they ran in defeat... about being a world leader..." End quote.

After September the 11th, 2001, we've taught the terrorists a very different lesson. America will not run in defeat, and we will not forget our responsibilities. We have brought down two murderous regimes. We're driving terrorists from their sanctuaries. We're putting the terrorists on the run all across the world. (Applause.)

The terrorists and insurgents are now waging a brutal campaign of terror in Iraq. They kill innocent men and women and children in the hopes of intimidating Iraqis. They're trying to scare them away from democracy. They're trying to break the will of the American people. Their goal is to turn Iraq into a failed state like Afghanistan was under the Taliban. If Zarqawi and bin Laden gain control of Iraq, they would create a new training ground for future terrorist attacks; they'd seize oil fields to fund their ambitions; they could recruit more terrorists by claiming an historic victory over the United States and our coalition.

Our goal is clear, as well. We will defeat the terrorists. We'll build a free Iraq that will fight terrorists instead of giving them aid and sanctuary. A free Iraq will offer people throughout the Middle East a hopeful alternative to the hateful ideology being peddled by the terrorists. A free Iraq will show that when America gives its word, America keeps its word.

That choice -- this is the choice we face: Do we return to the pre-September the 11th mind-set of isolation and retreat, or do we continue to take the fight to the enemy and support our allies in the broader Middle East? I've made my decision: We will stay on the offensive. We will stand with the people of Iraq, and we will prevail. (Applause.)

We will prevail because this generation is determined to meet the threats of our time. We will prevail because this generation wants to leave a more hopeful world for our children and grandchildren. We will prevail because the desire to live in freedom is embedded in the soul of every man, woman and child on this Earth. And we will prevail because our freedom is defended by the greatest force for liberation that humankind has ever known, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. (Applause.)

In this war, some of our best citizens have made the ultimate sacrifice. We mourn the lose of every life. We pray for their loved ones. And we will honor their sacrifice by completing the mission and laying the foundation for peace. (Applause.)

Sixty years ago, American forces made the same type of sacrifice and helped liberate two continents, and made our world a more peaceful place. The men and women of World War II brought honor to the uniform, and to our flag, and to our country. With each passing day their ranks thin, but the peace they built endures. And we will never let the new enemies of a new century destroy with cowardice what these Americans built with courage. (Applause.)

More:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050830-1.html



Chris Rock: Bush put out CA fires ‘with Katrina water.’»

At the Apollo in Harlem last night, comedian Chris Rock “compared the way the federal government handled its response to the wild fires in California to the emergency response in Katrina“:

“This is how {Bush} dealt with catastrophe. The fires in LA he was there the next day,” Rock said. “White people burning he was there. Black people drowning he don’t care… He was putting out the fires with Katrina water!”

Watch it:
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/11/30/chris-rock-bush-put-out-ca-fires-%E2%80%98with-katrina-water%E2%80%99/



DNC Podcast: One Year after Katrina, Bush Administration Still Not Capable of Protecting Americans
September 1, 2006


This week, the DNC's Podcast hosted Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio's 11th District. In her interview, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones discussed her recent tour of the Gulf Coast region and criticized President Bush for failing to do more for the victims of Hurricane Katrina a full year after the storm devastated the Gulf Coast.

"I was just stunned that here we are one year later and not more has been done on behalf of the people in the area."

"Clearly {the Administration} is not capable of responding to {disasters}, and if they're capable, then they're not putting their best foot forward," added Tubbs Jones.

Tubbs Jones also criticized President Bush for squandering an opportunity to finally display real leadership to the American people in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

"In my mind, since Katrina, {President Bush} had an opportunity to show real leadership and he has not shown real leadership and the people of America know that he hasn't shown the kind of leadership he should be showing in this instance," said Tubbs Jones.

More:
http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/09/dnc_podcast_one.php


Excerpt from Neck Deep
August 30, 2007

Editor’s Note: Two years ago this week, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the great American city of New Orleans and killed some 1,800 people along the Gulf Coast. With that tragedy, however, came a belated public awakening about how George W. Bush had put cronyism, ideology and partisanship ahead of competence, national unity and accountability.

In this excerpt from our new book, Neck Deep, that national turning point is recalled:

On Aug. 27, 2005, as a powerful hurricane named Katrina surged through the Gulf of Mexico and took aim at New Orleans, most Americans still had confidence in their government’s ability to respond to crises and natural disasters with efficiency and speed.

The country prided itself on its ability to rescue people in danger, to dispatch resources, to rebuild after the worst was over.

Many Americans considered the United States unparalleled in its ability to fly disaster specialists to the far corners of the globe when catastrophe struck, to oversee the delivery of food, water, medicines and other necessities. It was part of America’s can-do spirit; it was part of the national self-image.


https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/consortiumnews/shop/shop.jsp?storefront_KEY=261&t=SecrecyandPrivilege.dwt

More:
http://dzarkhan.wordpress.com/category/hurricane-katrina/

[vaberella]

40. This made me cry. Jesus! I can't allow a republican in office.

[Politicalboi]

41. If this wasn't really sad

It would be funny. But it would make a good commercial against McCain. With the same title Republicans can fill stadiums too.

[BeatleBoot]

42. The GOP can fill a stadium "WITHOUT LIFTING A FINGER" so to speak

[TheDonkey]

45. OH MY. Funny yet at the same time so soul-crushingly sad.

[AmyCamus]

46. Best post in this thread.

:thumbsup:

[hisownpetard]

48. This post belongs on the front page of every newspaper in America!

Fantastic, Ian!!!!!


:woohoo: :applause: :headbang: :yourock: :headbang: :woohoo: :applause:



P.S. Can you somehow get this to the Obama campaign?

[Ian David]

167. I posted this on my MyBarackObama page, but I can't get the images to display ...

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/iandb1/gGxlz5

[MarinCoUSA]

49. Yes, But can anyone... ANYONE.... fill the buses?!! The buses!

thanks for the post. I totally expect this to be a Daily Show punch line very soon!

[pleah]

50. K&R

[Olney Blue]

52. McCain was eating cake while NOLA drowned. We can't forget this.

[all.of.me]

53. Great! Thank you!

Excellent fodder for the campaign. Ours, that is...

[rusty quoin]

56. OMG....kicked n/t

[NanceGreggs]

57. Excellent!!!!!

:thumbsup:

:kick: and REC'D!!!

[Eyes_wide_ open]

58. powerful message

Great job! k&r

[1Hippiechick]

59. Caught me off guard - I was w/Red Cross-hope these pix don't offend others-not your intent, I know

[Ichingcarpenter]

61. Damn right!

I hope some the usual suspects get a clue and support this thread
Well done..

[BrklynLiberal]

63. This should be a campaign poster.

[uponit7771]

65. Yeap

[Ian David]

81. Here...

More:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x23716

[Ian David]

80. I almost got arrested while putting these leaflets on cars in 2005...

Here's some more:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x23716

[rucognizant]

105. That's great!

Send a copy to Pelosi to jog her memory!

[proud2BlibKansan]

83. Wow Ian this is one of the best things I have ever seen on DU

Outstanding, absolutely outstanding.

:applause:

[Ian David]

84. Thanks!

Now, let me post about a dozen of my dumbest threads that I wish I could take back, except that the editing time had expired, and ask that they now be canceled-out.

[lonestarnot]

85. Son of a bitches! Never forget!

K & another R

[garthranzz]

88. Another N.O. DUer who won't forget or forgive.

I'm trying to get through "Breach of Faith" by Jed Horne, which chronicles the events. Very hard.

A home-made pogrom. I won't recount the personal ordeal. We were lucky. Sort of.

A lot of kindness along the way. A lot of determination here. Rebuilding, reinventing, moving on.

But always where we've been, so we can not go there again.

And a spate of poems.

I don't think most people realize just how callous the cake-eaters are. Consider Florida the year before - the response. Or Betsy in '65.

Urgency - where was the urgency? Where is it now?

[concerned canadian]

89. thus the naked hypocrisy of Bush giving billions to fight aids in Africa

Bush doesn't mind 'helpin out black people' as long as they're living in countries far, far away. Places he

wouldn't be likely to visit. Ever. A photo op with Bono, give him whatever he asks for, and then double it!

"Yeah, that'll be reaaal smart. Make folks ferget all about the Katrina thing, make it look like I'm not a

racist and couldn't give a rat's ass about people who are poor and black or poor and white, cuz i just don't

understand them, see?

And then, after i fool all the American people, again, i'll fool Bono heh heh, make sure that this 'aids money' is tied to

them being celibate, not strayin' from yer marriage vows. And

free condoms for the hookers and truck drivers

Why truck drivers? Cuz they're the guys who are on the road, away from the wife, for weeks, months...it's to be 'spected that a

man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, but you gotta take precautions, wear them condoms. You dont want to be bringin anything home

to the little missus. hehe"

I predict that these heartless tyrants will be brought to justice AFTER Barack Obama is sworn in as the next POTUS. The evidence

is there for broader jury, the American people who have suffered so much under this administration's reign.


one can only hope and pray and sometimes it works.

[Hippo_Tron]

92. But hey if McCain had been in office all of the dehydrated babies would've gotten bottled hot water

McCain was smart to give that speech in Kenner and not actually in New Orleans. He would've been booed off the stage if he had actually come to NOLA.

[David Zephyr]

93. Holy Shit! Wildly enthusiastic K&R to the top where this belongs.

IanDB1, you simply rock.

[autorank]

94. Highly RECOMMENDED

He sure can fill a stadium, a convention center too. Then he can sit on his ass while the people try
to flee the convention center and local cops from across the river turn them back to more deprivation.
Just sat there, fiddled while an entire city was destroyed. But hey, they evacuated - permanently -
200,000 residents, denied them the vote to. Perfect post!

[Doug.Goodall]

95. I expect this information will be purged from the Main Stream Media for the next six months

The MSM would not want to influence the election in any way

[H2O Man]

96. Wow.

I'm just starting to drink my morning coffee. I can't think of anything to say, except: great job!
Nominated.

[southern_belle]

98. This makes it feel like it was yesterday

These images will never be able to leave my mind. :cry:

[GoldieAZ49]

100. That was Mayor Nagin, to bad he wouldn't fill the buses instead

But for his reelection campaign he decided he would use the buses instead of the superdome:

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Mayor Ray Nagin unveiled a new evacuation strategy for New Orleans on Tuesday that relies more on buses and trains and eliminates the Superdome and Convention Center as shelters.

"There will be no shelter of last resort," Nagin declared.

The mayor, facing a runoff election May 20, has been widely criticized for failing to get the city’s most vulnerable residents out of town as Hurricane Katrina approached.

The Superdome and Morial Convention Center became a scene of misery for days after the Aug. 29 hurricane as thousands of evacuees, many of them ill or elderly, languished with shortages of food and water.

...
The new plan also touches on a heart-wrenching decision evacuees faced ahead of Katrina: To board the buses, they had to leave their pets, and some refused to go without them. In the future, evacuees will be allowed to bring pets with them as long as they have some type of cage to safely put them in.

...

Of course the old plan relied on buses, too. And competence.

They actually had the buses.

http://sweetness-light.com/archive/nagins-got-a-new-evacuation-plan-use-buses

But they didn't have competent leaders.

Let's give credit where credit is due.

Gov. Kathleen Blanco is gone, and Nagin should have been as well. Reelect that idiot is asking for more of the same. And when it happens again they can blame themselves.

[suzie]

109. The current plan outlined by the article is to use trains

The trains were the only way that the remaining citizens of NOLA could have been evacuated during Katrina.

The idea of the buses is simply a talking point to put the blame onto the local and state officials. As someone stated earlier. FEMA could have worked out use of the trains with Amtrak, but they didn't.

Just as they turned away 1000 volunteers who brought 500 of their own boats to New Orleans after the storm to rescue people. People who'd traveled the waterways of Louisiana all their lives were told their assistance was not needed, while the citizens of New Orleans were dying.

[Brotherjohn]

114. I'm not going to defend Nagin for his overall management, especially after the storm. But...

... if every one of those buses had been staffed with qualified drivers, ready to go Saturday mid-day (which is the earliest the storm became any realistic threat to NOLA... a Cat 3 projected to hit MS/AL rather than Appaliachicola FL as a Cat 1 the night before), AND every one of those drivers had agreed to leave their families and possessions behind, AND they had a perfect plan to pick up 100,000 people at various central pick-up locations throughout the town, AND all those people could get to those locations, AND if they could do all this in the first few hours a threat became apparent, STILL...

... the first set of busloads of 10,000 or so people (200 buses, 50 each, rough calculation) would have been in Baton Rouge, best case scenario, by Saturday night. Trips were taking several times longer than the usual 2 hours by then because most people with cars were evacuating voluntarily. They would have nowhere to stay, except perhaps the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge (or the small Convention Center in downtown Baton Rouge). Hotels were all full already with voluntary evacuees. So those two large "shelter" buildings would now be mostly full. 90,000 people left in New Orleans needing evacuation... waiting at central pickup locations if they wanted to get on the next bus that might arrive by some stroke of luck.

The buses gas up in Baton Rouge... if there are any gas stations they can get to or that aren't empty. They head back down the I-10, except they can't because both lanes are now running north the "contraflow" plan initiated by Blanco and widely considered responsible for allowing most of the city out. If by some stroke of luck they can get back to New Orleans by Sunday, the hurricane hits in a few hours. Conditions become undriveable in less than that. Maybe some people are still waiting at the central pick-up locations. But they've gone home if they're smart (or yes, head to the Superdome). Remember, there's now a Cat 5 storm less than a day away. You need to already be in a shelter of at least some kind.

In a best case (very unrealistic) scenario with everything working perfectly, maybe 1/10th of the people who had nowhere to go could have been taken somewhere else. Maybe.

The fact is that New Orleans' hurricane evacuation for Katrina wildly exceeded even FEMA's best-case scenario of 70% (90% of the city was out by the time Katrina hit).

And you can't mandatorily evacuate a city of a million every time a Cat 3 is projected to hit within 200 miles of you. If you did, the coast of the United States would be uninhabited for large portions of the summer every year. You can't even "mandatorily" evacuate a U.S. city, period. This is the first time in my memory it has ever even been ordered, but it is meaningless withough a lot more time and National Guard troops going door to door. Saying it's "mandatory" would not suddenly make everyone able to get out of town, and by the time "mandatory" is necessary, it's too late. Such is the nature of hurricanes.

There is simply no way to evacuate a city of a million with 1-2 days notice. If the city of New Orleans and State of Louisiana (Nagin, Blanco, and all involved) did not do the good job they did in keeping citizens posted of the threat and managing the evacuation as they did, hundreds if not thousands more would have died.

[Ian David]

131. And things don't always go as planned with bus evacuations. Remember this one...

Split Verdict In Hurricane Rita Case
Owner Of Bus That Exploded During Evacuation Cleared Of Safety Violation, Convicted Of Lesser Charges

(AP) The owner of the bus that exploded and killed 23 people during the Hurricane Rita evacuation was acquitted Tuesday of one safety violation charge but was convicted on two lesser counts.

James Maples, 65, was found not guilty of conspiring to falsify logs but convicted of poorly maintaining his fleet and not requiring drivers to fill out vehicle inspection reports. His company, Global Limo Inc., which was also on trial, was found guilty on all charges.

“We thought that was a victory, a victory to the Good Lord,” said Maples, a former professional football player who appeared relieved by the outcome.

<snip>

Global Limo faces a $500,000 fine on the conspiracy count and a $200,000 fine on each of the two other convictions. Maples faces up to a year in federal prison and a $100,000 fine on each of his two convictions.

Sentencing is set for Dec. 14.

The trial stemmed from a federal investigation into a Global Limo bus that exploded and burned while stuck in traffic on Sept. 23, 2005, killing 23 elderly patients too frail to escape. The patients' oxygen tanks exploded as the flames engulfed the bus.

More:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/03/national/main2059411.shtml


Company in fatal bus explosion flew under radar, officials say ...
Company in fatal bus explosion flew under radar, officials say. ... Customers and others familiar with Global Limo Inc. of Pharr had complained that its ...
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1820718


Driver of bus that caught fire carrying Rita evacuees charged in ...
James H. Maples operates Global Limo Inc., which was the subject of ... 23 explosion near Dallas. Peritz would not give specific examples of illegal actions ...
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1855566

Bus company owner indicted in explosion that killed evacuees ...
Feb 2, 2006 ... Global Limo and owner James H. Maples, 65, are suspected of "conspiring ... about a grisly bus explosion that killed 23 people last year. ...
http://limos.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6786063332/m/7711011102

Judge in bus explosion trial blasts D.A. - Boston.com
Judge in bus explosion trial blasts D.A. ... Earlier Wednesday, Juan Robles, a driver for Global Limo, testified that he was ordered to fill out log books ...
www.boston.com/.../articles/2006/09/27/judge_in_bus_explosion_trial_blasts_da/?rss_id=Boston.com+%2F+News

Bus owner sentenced over 23-death explosion | Deseret News (Salt ...
Bus owner sentenced over 23-death explosion from Deseret News (Salt Lake City) in ... As part of his probation, a judge ruled, Global Limo Inc. owner James ...
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20070111/ai_n17133528




Hurricane Rita Causes Largest Evacation In Human History
posted Saturday, 24 September 2005
Up To 3 Million People In Traffic Jam Fleeing Houston and Rita
Officials Tell Evacuees NOT To Return Until They Get Word From State

By Tim Reid in Washington

IT has been described as one of the greatest population flights in US history: more than 3million people in a 200km traffic jam were desperately fleeing the Houston area as Hurricane Rita bore down on Texas.

In essence, a coastal suburban area of 2 million people was ordered to evacuate through the Houston metropolitan area, which is home to 4million people.

Highways leading inland from Houston were gridlocked, with traffic bumper-to-bumper.

Petrol stations were running out of fuel. Police cruised along the queue with petrol for drivers running low.

<snip>

"I'd rather be inside with damage than on the freeway going nowhere," she said.





More:
http://archive.dailypicture.net/hurricane_rita_causes_largest_evacuation_in_us_history.htm



Officials deny responsibility for evacuee bus fire
Government says it had no way of knowing bus company’s troubled history


A single cross marks the scene of a bus that caught fire and burned on Interstate 45, killing 23 people, Sept. 23 in Wilmer, Texas. The bus was carrying elderly Hurricane Rita evacuees from the Houston area.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9547486/


Two sisters recount Dallas bus fire

ina Jones, a nurse from Ennis, Texas, displays a poster of support she was given from her daughters' elementary school Sept. 25. Jones was one of the people that helped at the scene of a fatal bus carring Hurricane Rita evacuees that caught fire.
http://www.southerndigest.com/news/2005/09/27/Newsnation/Two-Sisters.Recount.Dallas.Bus.Fire-2235925.shtml


Bus fire reveals lax safety oversight

An emergency crew investigates the scene where a bus caught fire and exploded in Wilmer, Texas, in Sept. 2005. Twenty-three nursing home residents fleeing Hurricane Rita died in the fire.
http://content.usatoday.com/community/tags/topic.aspx?req=tag&tag=BusBank





Texas seeks oversight of own evacuations
Topic started by DoYouEverWonder on Feb-21-06 05:18 AM (7 replies)
Last modified by Bridget Burke on Feb-21-06 02:52 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2121832


Lessons come at high cost: 107 lives (Texas)
Topic started by DoYouEverWonder on Sep-29-05 07:52 AM (50 replies)
Last modified by jbnow on Sep-30-05 12:48 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1814179


Rita Evacuation A Cause For Concern, Officials Say
Topic started by sabra on Sep-25-05 05:18 PM (23 replies)
Last modified by Bridget Burke on Sep-26-05 02:41 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1805165

Mayor White (Houston) says state wasn't ready for exodus
Topic started by A-Possum on Sep-25-05 03:34 AM (30 replies)
Last modified by Rose Siding on Sep-25-05 07:35 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1804277


AP: Best-Laid Plans Weren't Enough in Texas
Topic started by deadparrot on Sep-23-05 07:29 PM (40 replies)
Last modified by TankLV on Sep-24-05 01:38 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1802532


Police: Bus carrying Rita evacuees explodes near Dallas.
Topic started by warrior1 on Sep-23-05 08:08 AM (56 replies)
Last modified by malaise on Sep-23-05 11:20 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1801028



Tom DeLay's staffer will hang-up on you...
Updated at 7:05 PM
Edited on Fri Sep-23-05 11:40 AM by IanDB1

If you call and ask, "Come on, it's a little bit fun, isn't it?" his staffer will hang-up on you.

More:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4860502

[Brotherjohn]

133. Not only that, but DOZENS of others died en route due to accidents, heart attacks, etc.

I don't have the citation now (I'd posted it here a long time ago... I think it was an AP story). The "death toll" from the Rita evacuation was more substatntial than any hurricane in the U.S. in recent years, save for Katrina.

Evacuations of a major city come with great risk... to life & limb, not just to economy, jobs, etc.

[Ian David]

135. The True Death Toll from Hurricane Rita by Mike Pesca

The True Death Toll from Hurricane Rita
by Mike Pesca

Day to Day, October 4, 2005 · Hurricane Rita's death toll remains uncertain because there's no central authority responsible for defining and counting "hurricane-related deaths." For instance, the storm only glanced Houston, but may have nonetheless killed more than 100 residents of that city.

More:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4944838


How Rita drove Texas crazy
Exhausted drivers are returning to their homes with horror stories of the gridlock -- and ideas on how to prevent the highway from becoming hell next time.

<snip>

Some call it the Katrina effect. The exodus in advance of Rita flushed almost 3 million people from their homes in Texas and Louisiana, with 2.5 million of those fleeing Houston and the surrounding areas, making it the biggest evacuation in U.S. history. But so far, the death toll from the storm stands at 10, while the death toll from the evacuation is 28, including 23 evacuees from a nursing home who died when their bus caught on fire on the road. Five others, including a disabled child, died as vehicles, low on gas, couldn't stay cool in the 100-degree heat.

<snip>

On the designated evacuation route, the family encountered traffic lights that were still on their regular green/yellow/red schedule, backing up cars for miles. And there weren't cops directing the traffic to speed through local intersections. Later, some of the official attempts to ease the massive congestion just added to the confusion. At one point, when southbound lanes were converted to northbound lanes, cars going south were forced to drive on the shoulder, dodging out-of-gas cars and oncoming cars. And an unexpected road closure only added to the sense that no one knew where to go.

<snip>

Shapiro called the office of the mayor of Houston three times on her cellphone to complain about being abandoned on the roads. She spoke with staffers who informed her, "We're working on it." The official evacuation route they were on had taken them east, which was into the path of the storm. "I evacuated my house," she says. "I'm following the route I'm supposed to be following, and I'm going to be stuck in my car on the side of the road in a hurricane because I'm doing what I've been told."

The police were so unhelpful that at one point, Shapiro, a lawyer, fantasized about punching a cop. At least if you're arrested, she says, the police legally have to take you to a safe place. In the end, the couple got a gas ration by calling a transportation department hot line. They also ditched the official evacuation route for back roads, many of which were empty.

<snip>

In the wake of the gridlock, a lot of ideas have arisen about what could be done differently. They include opening up both sides of the freeway sooner, employing police to direct traffic, setting all the lights on the evacuation routes to green, and opening more evacuation routes on back roads. If fast-food restaurants can't be kept stocked with food, they should at least distribute water and allow weary drivers to use their bathrooms. But above all, more gas should be made available. Tankers should be stationed along the roads, and gas stations should have backup supplies.

More:
http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2005/09/27/traffic/index.html

[Ian David]

117. We've been over this before. FEMA STOPPED him from using the busses.

Read up-thread.

[Ian David]

101. It's RAINING, McCain! It's RAINING!

[Christa]

103. K & R

Great post!

[crickets]

104. omg, the sadness and horror in those pictures

Ian - you make a gruesome, but excellent, point. K&R

[SeaLyons]

108. Too sad to even comment....n/t

[Phred42]

110. K & R !

[Phred42]

111. Katrina Timeline....Apparently some here have forgotton

Or didn't care enough to KNOW in the first place

[ThatsMyBarack]

115. Shit.

:mad:

That is all.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

116. Ian

You have put together a great OP. Thank you for reminding all of us. I have a lot of relatives who live in Louisiana. Several lived in NO. Some lost their homes but none were trapped in the Super Dome or anyplace else. They evacuated upstate and stayed with my great-aunt in her tiny 100 year old house.

Ian, could you tell me who kept the people from crossing the bridge. I remember seeing armed men keeping people from leaving to find water and food. Were they National Guard, NO police, Blackwater?

I sadly MUST recommend your OP. :pals:

[Brotherjohn]

118. Jefferson Parish police. Sadly, NOT their best hour.

And I grew up there; not proud of how this went down though.

That part of Jefferson Parish is across the bridge, and was not flooded. Things may not have been much better there, but at least they were dry, and it was possible to ride out (going west and then north).

People were scared, and they overreacted... police included. If they were at all sympathetic, and you think they would have been, they would have welcomed the people trying to come over and set them up in the parking lot of Oakwood Mall there (which admittedly had been looted and partially set fire, adding to the chaos).

So anyway, just answering your post.

[Ian David]

121. The Danziger Bridge Massacre

The Danziger Bridge Killings: How New Orleans Police Gunned Down Civilians Fleeing the Flood

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/08/31/1436209

On the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we take a look back the Danziger Bridge killings. Seven police officers been indicted for opening fire on two African American families on the Danziger Bridge days after the storm, killing two people and wounding four others. At the time, the official story was that they gunned down snipers. Now the question is why they shot at two families fleeing the flood.

The official story started floating out soon after the hurricane hit that there were snipers on the Danziger Bridge, which connects two neighborhoods flooded by the hurricane, that the police had taken them out and killed some of them. But there were other stories, too: that police had chased down and massacred innocent people fleeing the storm.

Last December seven police officers were indicted for killing two people walking across the bridge. They were from two families, the Bartholomews and the Madisons. James Brisette, a young man who was a friend of the Bartholomews was killed by seven bullets in his back and legs. Susan Bartholomew's arm was partially blown off, her daughter and husband had three gunshot wound

More:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x305069


Cheers greet police indicted in New Orleans bridge shootings
Topic started by High Plains on Jan-02-07 03:34 PM (27 replies)
Last modified by IronLionZion on Jan-03-07 05:22 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2672630


7 indicted in Katrina bridge shootings
Topic started by ThsMchneKilsFascists on Dec-28-06 05:24 PM (44 replies)
Last modified by NorthernSpy on Jan-01-07 09:06 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2667810


Witness: New Orleans cops shot man in back as he ran away
Topic started by Judi Lynn on Dec-18-06 06:10 PM (9 replies)
Last modified by slackmaster on Dec-20-06 11:31 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2657557

Inquiry Begins Into Police Refusal to Let Katrina Evacuees Enter Town
Topic started by meegbear on Aug-04-06 10:23 AM (27 replies)
Last modified by Rex on Aug-06-06 04:26 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2435424


CNN: Katrina autopsy: Police shot mentally disabled man in back
Topic started by RamboLiberal on May-23-06 09:53 AM (6 replies)
Last modified by BullGooseLoony on May-23-06 11:28 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2301164


Another Side Emerges in Post-Katrina Sniper Case (Snipers on Bridge)
Topic started by RamboLiberal on Nov-24-05 02:09 AM (31 replies)
Last modified by guruoo on Nov-26-05 01:47 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1945825


AP: Police Chief Says Race No Role in Blockade of Bridge to New Orleans
Topic started by Hissyspit on Sep-16-05 11:30 PM (28 replies)
Last modified by DoYouEverWonder on Sep-18-05 06:17 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1787211


Strange Events at Danziger Bridge - NOLA
Topic started by theliberalavenger on Sep-05-05 01:54 AM (0 replies)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1754148


AP: 5 Contractors NOT Killed on New Orleans Bridge (Army Corp Engineers)
Topic started by RamboLiberal on Sep-04-05 06:11 PM (49 replies)
Last modified by 0007 on Sep-04-05 06:33 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1753256



Davey D - Breakdown FM-Katrina Tribunal-Police Brutality-Massacre on the Danziger bridge .mp3
http://beemp3.com/download.php?file=64470&song=Breakdown+FM-Katrina+Tribunal-Police+Brutality-Massacre+on+the+Danziger+bridge


Questions Upstream and Downstream: Oil, Food, Floods, War, Broken Levees
by Georgianne Nienaber
Headlined on 6/19/08:

<snip>

Danger in Comparisons

There is a huge danger in trying to compare the human suffering incurred during the epic Mid West floods and what happened after Katrina. The images from Iowa certainly invoke memories of Katrina, and citizens from New Orleans have stepped up to the plate by participating in the Midwest relief efforts.

Videos of “law enforcement” thugs in Iowa that have cropped up on YOUTUBE bring back painful memories of the Danziger Bridge and Blackwater in the French Quarter. In fact, Louisiana’s Governor and possible VP on the McCain ticket, Bobby Jindal, recently ordered the National Guard to remain in New Orleans. The police force is sill understaffed and the guard is riding in city police cars.

The New Orleans population has not yet rebounded with a total estimate of 308,000 returnees, down from 454,000, according to a press release issued by consultants at GCR & Associates. Areas most impacted by the floodwaters have shown the lowest rate of repopulation. Will the same happen in the Midwest?

Meanwhile, the question has been raised downstream about the danger the waters pose to Louisiana.

<snip>

The mainstream press is finally getting the picture that over development upstream, which has forced more runoff and taller levees, is a big part of the problem. You can’t blame Mother Nature for this one. The Wall Street Journal had a decent article on the debate today.

The attached video was placed on a popular New Orleans blogspot in sympathy for the Midwest flood victims. How’s Your House, by Ian Hunter accompanies footage of the flood devastation wrought by Katrina. New Orleans understands and remembers.

More:
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Questions-Upstream-and-Dow-by-Georgianne-Nienabe-080619-918.html




Case Falters Against Cops in Katrina Shootings
by John Burnett
Morning Edition, April 10, 2007 ·

In December, seven New Orleans police officers were indicted for the allegedly unprovoked shooting of two civilians in the chaotic days after Hurricane Katrina. The case sparked national outrage, but because of prosecutorial legal missteps, it might never get before a jury.

<snip>

Frank DeSalvo, a longtime police defense attorney, says, "If any police officer did, in fact, kill anyone, it was all in the line of duty, at a time of extreme stress, when the city was under martial law. These people had guns. They were shooting. There's independent evidence of it; it's not just police testimony."

<snip>

It's not certain that a judge and jury will get to decide who was guilty and who was innocent on the Danziger Bridge that morning. Legal experts say prosecutors have already made a serious misstep. They offered immunity to three of the officers to testify before the grand jury, then turned around and got indictments against them.

Defense attorneys argued strenuously that immunized testimony cannot be used to incriminate a defendant. Last week, a judge gave the lawyers for the police a tactical victory and let them review the entire grand jury testimony.

Loyola professor Ciolino says that's invaluable for the defense. Prosecution of the Danziger Bridge case has, so far, provided him several "teachable moments."

More:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9486975



NOPD's bridge probe full of blanks
Danziger report lacks key proof, witnesses
Sunday, February 18, 2007
By Laura Maggi
Staff writer

An internal probe of the Danziger Bridge incident, in which seven police officers fired on civilians, killing two, in post-Katrina chaos, relied almost solely on accounts by the officers themselves, with scant backing from physical evidence or statements from bystanders.

<snip>

Though police Superintendent Warren Riley had vowed that the probe would be "thorough," a close examination of the document reveals profound failings, according to an outside law enforcement expert and attorneys for the people shot by police. The officers, who say they fired back only after meeting a barrage of unprovoked gunfire, produced only one handgun from the scene, which the report does not directly connect to anyone suspected of shooting at police.

<snip>

The holes in the investigation stem from sloppy police work starting on the day of the incident -- Sept. 4, 2005 -- when police who arrived moments after the shooting neglected to undertake basic procedures, such as securing the scene to collect physical evidence and interviewing all available witnesses, Radosti said.

Even the follow-up interviews, conducted over several months, focused almost exclusively on the now-indicted police officers and other NOPD officers who witnessed the events from afar.

<snip>

While some would blame the initial investigative lapses on the chaos in Katrina's aftermath, the level of investigative vigor did not increase when Sgt. Gerard Dugué, then part of the Major Case Homicide Section, took on the follow-up work on Oct. 14, 2005. Dugué teamed up with the original investigator, Sgt. Arthur Kaufman, who responded shortly after the shooting and was, at the time, a homicide detective in the sprawling 7th District, which patrols eastern New Orleans. The investigation lasted months, with Dugué and others continuing to conduct interviews of New Orleans police officers through May 2006.

At the end of the report, Dugué and Kaufman cleared the officers of any wrongdoing, a ruling based largely on recollections of the police officers on the scene and those viewing it from the Interstate 10 high-rise bridge, more than 1,000 feet away.

More:
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index2.ssf?/base/news-7/11717835705520.xml&coll=1




And here is what a bunch of freeper assholes are saying...

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Just a reminder that tomorrow night, Thursday, February 1, 2007, 6:00pm - 10:00pm, there will be a fund raiser at Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins, New Orleans for the Danziger officers.

There will be live music, with complimentary food and alcohol. Cost is $25.00 per person, with proceeds going exclusively to the Danziger Officers. You can purchase tickets by calling the PANO office at 504-942-2454, even if you can't make to the benefit. And of course, you can always donate to the cause, anytime!! Thanks for your support.

Mike Glasser
PANO President
504-416-0366
[e-mail]

<snip>

Taureau
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Trou De Taureau, Ec.
Posts: 1,791
Taureau
Those are the 7 police officers that shot and killed some thugs after Katrina. Danziger is the bridge the officers were on when doing the shooting. Now all of sudden these thugs are pillars of the community. Its all about money, cher.

More:
http://acadiana.la/forums/showthread.php?t=224757


Monday, November 28, 2005
Snipers on the Danziger Bridge?

http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2005/11/snipers-on-danziger-bridge.html




Ronald Madison, (shown with one of his family's dogs), died after being shot on the Danziger Bridge in the days after Hurricane Katrina. Officer Robert Faulcon, charged with first-degree murder in Madison's death, says he shot the victim with a shotgun when Madison turned toward the officer and reached into his waistband. Madison's sister says her little brother was mentally challenged and wouldn't have known what to do with a gun. Courtesy Madison Family



Supporters applaud the seven New Orleans police officers after they arrived to turn themselves in at the city jail in New Orleans, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007. Each officer faces at least one charge of murder or attempted murder in the shootings of six people on the Danziger Bridge during Hurricane Katrina. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)


http://majikthise.typepad.com/majikthise_/2007/01/seven_nola_cops.html

[Brotherjohn]

122. I forgot about that event. I thought the post was asking about the Miss. River Bridge incident...

... though both were cases of authorities going overboard. And the result of the incident in your post was horrific.

I think (?) the Danzinger bridge incident however ws not a case of police trying to block evacuation. People were on the bridge simply seeking high ground, when the incident happened. The upper and lower 9th Wards were all flooded.

[Ian David]

125. The Mississippi River Bridge Incident

The Bridge To Gretna
Why Did Police Block Desperate Refugees From New Orleans?
GRETNA, Louisiana, Dec. 18, 2005

(CBS) When Hurricane Katrina blew through New Orleans three months ago, thousands of people left in the city were trapped with no food, no water and no shelter. They were desperate to escape the devastation.

The bridge that spans the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Gretna was one of the few ways out, until police from Gretna used force to stop pedestrians from crossing it. Since most of the police officers were white and most of the evacuees were black, the incident quickly took on racial overtones. 60 Minutes wondered why, under any circumstances, people who were only trying to walk out of a devastated city would be prevented from reaching relative safety.

<snip>

It was Wednesday, three days after Katrina had struck, when thousands of people started to walk across the bridge. Some 6,000 were put on buses. The exodus continued the next day when a group of tourists who had been staying in the French Quarter started heading in that direction.

<snip>

“A gentleman came out and identified himself as one of the commanders. And he said ‘I have a solution. I have buses waiting for you across the bridge,’” Bradshaw recalls.

With that assurance, they joined hundreds of other people who were walking toward the bridge to Gretna. Images taken that day by a CBS News crew driving across the bridge show groups of evacuees approaching a line of policemen holding shotguns. The police car was marked Gretna Police.

Cathey Golden told 60 Minutes that when her group reached the police line, they were told there were no buses, and stopped with a shotgun blast.

More:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/12/15/60minutes/main1129440.shtml






Gretna Police Chief Arthur S. Lawson, Jr.

He is directly responsible for the deaths of multiple people by refusing to offer aid to the victims of hurricane Katrina.

During the aftermath of hurricane Katrina people were told to evacuate New Orleans by crossing the bridge that lead from New Orleans to Gretna. The bridge spans the Mississippi river linking New Orleans to the west bank city of Gretna. If you were black or in the company of blacks you were blocked from evacuating New Orleans by the Gretna police.

Gretna Police Chief Arthur S. Lawson, Jr. ordered his officers to kill any black people that tried to cross the bridge that lead into Gretna. His officers shot at blacks or people in the company of blacks that tried to cross the bridge.

A group of around 20, mostly blacks who were fired at when they tried to cross the bridge, camped out at the top of the bridge. Their camp was raided at dusk by Gretna police who held them at gun point, shouted racial slurs and robbed them of their food and water. They hate black people so much that they wanted to add to their suffering pilled on them by hurricane Katrina by taking away their life sustaining food and water. Many died as a result.

The Gretna police blocked the evacuation route for days. Shooting in the air and above the heads of blacks who were trying to get out of New Orleans during the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. These gun shots from the white police officers of Gretna were mistaken by rescue workers in New Orleans as sniper attacks. This lead to the grounding of ambulance helicopters that thought they were being fired at when in reality it was the Gretna police shooting in the air and over the head of black people trying to cross the bridge. Much, if not all, of the reported shooting in New Orleans was actually coming from the Gretna police shooting off their guns and assault riffles at the black victims of hurricane Katrina just trying to get out of the city of New Orleans.

More:
http://www.blogbasis.com/GretnaSucks/





October 31, 2007
No charges in post Katrina Bridge incident

From WWL

A grand jury has declined to bring criminal charges against anyone in the 2005 police blockade that kept hundreds from crossing the Mississippi River to safety after Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans, the district attorney's office said Wednesday.

Several hundred people claimed police from suburban Gretna prevented them from crossing as they tried to flee New Orleans on Sept. 1, three days after the storm hit and floodwaters inundated the city. One officer, Lawrence Vaughn, allegedly fired a shot during the confrontation.

But a New Orleans grand jury on Wednesday declined to indict Vaughn on a criminal charge, said Dalton Savwoir, a spokesman for District Attorney Eddie Jordan.

More:
http://www.first-draft.com/2007/10/no-charges-in-p.html





I wish the photos below were GeoTagged to indicate exactly which douchebags put these signs on their lawns....


Gretna, Louisiana: thank you message sign, approving of controvercial Gretna Police action blocking of bridge across the Mississippi River from New Orleanians trying to escape the flooding
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:GretnaThanks23Nov3.jpg



After Hurricane Katrina: Sign in Gretna, Louisiana showing support for the controvercial actions of the police to block the bridge over the Mississippi River from being crossed by New Orleaninas trying to escape the flooding.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Gretna23NovThankChiefLarson1.jpg


IMAGINE IF...

"GO BACK TO NEW YAWK! YOU CANNOT COME TO NEW JOISEY!"





http://codepinkportland.org/neworleans.html

[QueenOfCalifornia]

126. Oh, Ian

This made me cry. I do not remember any of this being part of the daily M$M while it happened.

The support for the police who shot down these people amazes me.

Thank you for posting this.

[helderheid]

119. K & MOTHEREFFIN R

[AwakeAtLast]

124. I was expecting a Monster Truck show, but this is more poignant

:thumbsup:


:kick: & R!



And also :cry:

[Ian David]

127. And to pile on more outrage upon outrage committed by the Bush regime in New Orleans...

FEMA outsources Katrina body count to firm implicated in body-dumping!
Topic started by Liberty Belle on Sep-13-05 07:02 PM (103 replies)
Last modified by Kailassa on Sep-14-05 11:45 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1778107


Could This Be The Same Wittington Cheney Shot.....
Topic started by global1 on Feb-13-06 01:04 AM (12 replies)
Last modified by napi21 on Feb-13-06 01:49 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2456148


A BUSH WATCH SPECIAL: DUBYA AND THE GRAVEDIGGER.

http://www.bushwatch.com/gravedigger.htm


BREAKING HARD: FEMA, Bush, SCI, and 1999 Funeralgate as Governor
Topic started by expatriot on Sep-13-05 07:58 PM (37 replies)
Last modified by Supersedeas on Sep-19-05 02:04 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2088141



FEMA, La. outsource Katrina body count to firm implicated in body-dumping scandals

Miriam Raftery

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has hired Kenyon International to set up a mobile morgue for handling bodies in Baton Rouge, Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina, RAW STORY has learned.

Kenyon is a subsidiary of Service Corporation International (SCI), a scandal-ridden Texas-based company operated by a friend of the Bush family. Recently, SCI subsidiaries have been implicated in illegally discarding and desecrating corpses.

Louisiana governor Katherine Blanco subsequently inked a contract with the firm after talks between FEMA and the firm broke down. Kenyon's original deal was secured by the Department of Homeland Security.

In other words, FEMA and then Blanco outsourced the body count from Hurricane Katrina -- which many believe the worst natural disaster in U.S. history -- to a firm whose parent company is known for its "experience" at hiding and dumping bodies.

More:
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/FEMA_outsources_Katrina_body_count_to_firm_implicated_in_bodydumping_scan_0913.html





6,644 are still missing after Katrina; toll may rise
Topic started by Thom Little on Nov-22-05 06:04 AM (35 replies)
Last modified by PegDAC on Nov-23-05 08:53 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1941390


Katrina death toll now at 1,281
Topic started by MaineDem on Oct-19-05 03:19 PM (24 replies)
Last modified by fearnobush on Oct-20-05 09:42 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1862204



As bodies recovered, reporters are told 'no photos, no stories'
Topic started by swimmernsecretsea on Sep-13-05 01:09 PM (85 replies)
Last modified by sui generis on Sep-15-05 10:06 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1776901



ABC NEWS: (Mods, story contains fresh info on Dick's lawyer hunt)
Topic started by goodboy on Feb-13-06 12:59 AM (75 replies)
Last modified by Laelth on Feb-13-06 10:02 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2104740



One year ago Mr. Cheney shot Mr. Whittington in the face on the Armstrong estate.
Topic started by bobthedrummer on Feb-10-07 12:48 PM (20 replies)
Last modified by Javaman on Feb-14-07 12:12 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=175699




Katrina victim's body found in attic (Searchers expect to find up to 400)
Topic started by sabra on Mar-06-06 02:44 PM (32 replies)
Last modified by Mabus on Mar-07-06 10:51 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2148638

Cheney Accidentally Shoots Fellow Hunter
Topic started by chat_noir on Feb-12-06 03:50 PM (620 replies)
Last modified by PurpleChez on Feb-14-06 07:52 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2103377


Anonymous Katrina Victims Buried in Mississippi
Topic started by FVZA_Colonel on Feb-02-06 06:07 PM (7 replies)
Last modified by zann725 on Feb-03-06 10:53 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2082129

More than 3,200 still listed as missing after Katrina
Topic started by chat_noir on Jan-18-06 01:46 PM (29 replies)
Last modified by pitohui on Jan-20-06 03:29 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2049343


Funeral industry conspiring to keep prices high, suit says
Topic started by Judi Lynn on Jan-08-06 02:29 AM (18 replies)
Last modified by AgadorSparticus on Jan-09-06 01:07 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2028475

Cops suspect funeral homes trafficking in human remains - NY
Topic started by DoYouEverWonder on Oct-30-05 04:42 AM (20 replies)
Last modified by kestrel91316 on Oct-31-05 12:17 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1887728



9,000 stake settlement claim in Florida Jewish cemetery desecration case
Topic started by Scurrilous on Oct-18-05 03:34 AM (5 replies)
Last modified by Debau2005 on Oct-18-05 08:51 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1857543



LAT: Families Lose (Katrina bodies) -- in a Bureaucratic Mire
Topic started by DeepModem Mom on Oct-02-05 11:08 AM (27 replies)
Last modified by dflprincess on Oct-03-05 01:16 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1821386


La. to pay Kenyon $119,000 a day for body recovery
Topic started by UpInArms on Sep-14-05 02:14 PM (18 replies)
Last modified by barb162 on Sep-15-05 12:17 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1780228


FEMA mortuary move irritates volunteer
Topic started by preciousdove on Sep-11-05 01:52 AM (32 replies)
Last modified by Nihil on Sep-13-05 11:16 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1771260


Daunting task: Houston company collecting remains
Topic started by NNN0LHI on Sep-12-05 12:37 PM (14 replies)
Last modified by Judi Lynn on Sep-13-05 06:14 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1773932


No way to treat the dead or the living
Topic started by cal04 on Apr-30-06 09:47 AM (2 replies)
Last modified by TrogL on Apr-30-06 01:52 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=207229


"FuneralGate" is Reanimating - Three Part * Scandal Guide
Topic started by autorank on May-04-06 01:10 AM (25 replies)
Last modified by Kurovski on May-05-06 07:16 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2605966



NYT: (Mississippi) Governor's Relative Is Big (Katrina) Contract Winner
Topic started by DeepModem Mom on Dec-07-05 09:05 AM (4 replies)
Last modified by IanDB1 on Dec-07-05 01:31 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1971127

[mopinko]

128. great post. good job.

never forget

[Ian David]

129. Republicans enjoy murdering children in Iraq & New Orleans

See also (And YES, I know I misspelled Swastika):

Today, my nextdoor neighbors complained about the signs on my yard
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1446289

[Juan_de_la_Dem]

130. Didn't expect this. Moving post. Thx

[hisownpetard]

132. Ian, I've already commented on this thread but had to check in again to say how brilliant

this OP is.

Have you sent it to KO? I bet he'd show it on the air.
It's a million-dollar winner. Not only is it clever, but it crystallizes the difference between the way Obama
can fill a stadium (with hope) and they way the Republicans did it (with despair).

I think this is the best post I've ever seen, by anyone.

Bravo!!!!

[Ian David]

136. Thanks! Does this make up for that stupid thread where I said...

... Oh, never mind.

I've got too many of those.

If you want to send this to Keith, than please, go ahead.

[hisownpetard]

141. I will, then! And, yes, this makes up for anything stupid you may have ever said

in your adult life.
Online.
At DU.
That I know of!

[Yael]

139. Excellent post

K&R and Bookmarked

[Khaotic]

145. Damn ...

Just DAMN!

Please no McSame, please no McSame!

[Eurobabe]

152. Jesus God.

And how many of them still can't go home? Ever?

Screw the PUBES!!

[hisownpetard]

154. I did send this OP to Countdown, so let's hope Keith picks it up!

And, if anyone else wants to do the same, the more the merrier.

Susan

[Ian David]

157. I think I'm gonna send it to Stephanie Miller. n/t

[hisownpetard]

158. Great! It would make such a fantastic ad. Wish I knew who to get in touch with

about that possibility but I don't have a clue.

I've sent it to just about everyone I know, and every single person thought it was dynamite!

[Ian David]

159. I've done some of these things with the fliers I created.

I won't say specifically WHICH things I have done, on the off case that one or more might (unbeknown to me) be illegal.

1) Put them on windshields.

2) Take all the "free" newspapers (like The Metro) out of the newspaper box, inserted the fliers between the pages, and then put all the newspapers back in the box.

3) Leave the fliers at the laundromat, including between the pages of all those copies of "The Watchtower"

4) Put them between the pages of all that free literature at the supermarket, like Parent's Pages, Penny Saver, Auto Trader... and, of course, Watchtower.

5) Post them on telephone poles, the backs of traffic signs, etc. (check first to make sure it's legal in your area).

6) Put them between the pages of books at the book store.

[hisownpetard]

161. I think I just found another personal hero!

:thumbsup: :loveya: :thumbsup:

[crickets]

164. You, sir, are a patriot.

I mean that in the most complimentary way.

[uponit7771]

163. K & R

[cookie monster]

165. Very powerful images

recommended.

[Bobbie Jo]

166. Kick & Time Out (pardon the brief distraction) you may now return to the FISA marathon....

For those of you who took the time to read this, please remember...ELECTIONS MATTER. :kick:

[catgirl]

169. Only monsters could ignore people in this situation

I saw the destruction and despair. Too bad our government didn't see it.

[Ian David]

170. Hurricane Katrina "Word Cloud"

More:
http://wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/62171/Hurricane_Katrina_8-29-05