....And the president strummed away.....

[madfloridian]

A refresher course on what this administration was doing while Katrina was devastating lives.



http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/02/did_they_even_c.php

"We knew that the Bush Adminstration was aware Hurricane Katrina was determined to strike the Gulf Coast, potentially "breach levees," cause "massive flooding," and that there could be "major losses of life." We knew they had this information at least 48 hours in advance. What we didn't know, until today, is that on the morning of August 29, the White House knew:

The first internal White House communication about levee failures came at 11:13 a.m. on Aug. 29 in a "Katrina Spot Report" by the White House Homeland Security Council.
"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," the internal report said.

Of course the White House spin brigade raced to the defense of President Bush:

White House spokesman Trent Duffy said President Bush and his top aides were fully aware about the massive flooding — and less concerned whether it was caused by levee breaches, overtopped levees or failed pumps, all three of which were being reported at the time.
"We knew there was flooding and that's why the No. 1 effort in those early hours was on search and rescue, and saving life and limb," Duffy said."

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

1. A lot of links here.

http://www.leftandrightfight.com/

[Erika]

2. Rummy went to the game

and Condi shopped for thousand dollar shoes.

They have their priorities.

[PDJane]

3. And Canada

Sent it's Heavy Urban Search and Rescue team.......they were the first folks a lot of the flooded areas saw.

The Team contacted the state governors though.......not the white house......to ask if they wanted them.

[Erika]

4. Yeah FEMA and W were out to lunch

What a disgrace to this country.

[lies and propaganda]

5. and Dick was real estate shopping

i love it! As they were destroying my homestate, Bushie was strumming guitars and then in my backyard in Phx playing some goddamn golf, while Dicks buying a new house.

Oh, the irony is far from lost on me.

[No Exit]

6. When I first heard that about him playing a guitar and singing

"When the Levee Breaks", I honestly thought it was a parody.

It was real.

He may have been told that there was once a Roman emperor called Nero. Wouldn't you just know that Shrubya would get the story wrong, and show up with the wrong musical instrument...

[OrcaStraight]

7. Damn right they knew!

Shoot, in '93 we went on vacation to New Orleans for 3 weeks. Amidst tons of sightseeing, cruising on the Natchez, visits to swamps and cemeteries, we took a Grayline city tour just to get a feel for the whole thing.
As we rolled through the Garden District, by the Superdome, and up by Lake Ponch, our tour guide spoke at length about the city flooding, and the state of the levees, in the event of prolonged rain or hurricane. He explained the low-laying parts of the city, pointed out the areas most likely to be hit first and worse--and made the sign of the cross over his chest when we asked about future storms.

Oh, they knew--lots of people KNEW--and for a damned long time. This was no surprise birthday party; people KNEW! :spank: