Hurricane Dean: Watch for Texas concerns claiming $ due to Bush's "pre-emptive disaster declaration"

[Bluebear]

As you know, Bush declared a disaster in Texas days ago. Now it appears that the super-hurricane will cut right across Mexico and miss Texas entirely.

("And that's certainly what we are all hoping and praying for, that southern Texas will be spared!" see:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=1622562 )

Anyhow, since there is a Federal disaster declaration in effect, for a state that has no disaster, it will be interesting to see what kind of claims Bush's Texas pals make with regards to Hurricane Dean.

Not possible? Keep in mind that real estate speculators are getting beaucoup tax advantages for building luxury condominiums in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, due to hurricane Katrina taxbreaks:

(TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - With large swaths of the Gulf Coast still in ruins from Hurricane Katrina, rich federal tax breaks designed to spur rebuilding are flowing hundreds of miles inland to investors who are buying up luxury condos near the University of Alabama's football stadium.

About 10 condominium projects are going up in and around Tuscaloosa, and builders are asking up to $1 million for units with granite countertops, king-size bathtubs and 'Bama decor, including crimson couches and Bear Bryant wall art.

While many of the buyers are Crimson Tide alumni or ardent football fans not entitled to any special Katrina-related tax breaks, many others are real estate investors who are purchasing the condos with plans to rent them out.

And they intend to take full advantage of the generous tax benefits available to investors under the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005, or GO Zone, according to Associated Press interviews with buyers and real estate officials.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070813/ap_on_re_us/katrina_luxury_condos

[frogcycle]

1. he is chafing at the bit for an excuse

to declare martial law, suspend the Constitution, and tell congress to go home and stay there.