Been a long weekend of the blame game. I must admit I'm pretty tired of it all. This article from the American Spectator is pretty much on par. I don't think it would matter much what had happened with the hurricane, Bush would have been to blame.
Not that the federal government doesn't deserve some of the blame for the effectiveness of the recovery, but to completely ignore that the local and state authorities failed miserably is just foolish. Especially considering that they are the ones that must start all the emergency activities. The federal government doesn't get involved directly until requested. They can stage and prepare, but they can't just walk in and take over. (Don't believe me, look at the Stafford Act.)
I also particularly loved the bellowing over the looting. Such wonders as suggesting that the National Guard or the 82nd Airborne should have been put in place before the hurricane to prevent looting are just brilliant. Where in the three states affected would you have placed them? Who would be at fault when a lot of them died due to the hurricane?
Get this from the troll Krugman:
Here's the best line from Krugman:
Is it any wonder that I'm sick of all of this tripe?
I really would like to see a complete timetable of the hurricane and when activities occurred. You hear pieces here and there, but nothing complete. I suppose we'll have a Katrina commission soon to investigate the issues. Not that the findings will be believed any more than the 9/11 commission's or the Senate Intelligence Committee's findings were.
Oh, and one last bit. This whole situation proves what all gun owners have known for a long time. The government isn't going to be there to protect you, so you must take on the responsibility of protecting yourself. Any other action is going to leave you dead by the road side.
Not that the federal government doesn't deserve some of the blame for the effectiveness of the recovery, but to completely ignore that the local and state authorities failed miserably is just foolish. Especially considering that they are the ones that must start all the emergency activities. The federal government doesn't get involved directly until requested. They can stage and prepare, but they can't just walk in and take over. (Don't believe me, look at the Stafford Act.)
I also particularly loved the bellowing over the looting. Such wonders as suggesting that the National Guard or the 82nd Airborne should have been put in place before the hurricane to prevent looting are just brilliant. Where in the three states affected would you have placed them? Who would be at fault when a lot of them died due to the hurricane?
Get this from the troll Krugman:
Even military resources in the right place weren't ordered into action. "“On Wednesday,"” said an editorial in The Sun Herald in Biloxi, Miss., "“reporters listening to horrific stories of death and survival at the Biloxi Junior High School shelter looked north across Irish Hill Road and saw Air Force personnel playing basketball and performing calisthenics. Playing basketball and performing calisthenics!"Well, let's start with the obvious. The LA National Guard wasn't under federal control. Still isn't. No doubt that they could have helped, but they are military and going out and doing things independantly is commonly frowned upon. Especially when they may/could have been ordered to some place with extreme need and wouldn't have been available. But let's just throw the vitriol around, and not bother to think there are reasons why they were where they were.Maybe Bush administration officials believed that the local National Guard could keep order and deliver relief. But many members of the National Guard and much of its equipment —"including high-water vehicles" are in Iraq. "“The National Guard needs that equipment back home to support the homeland security mission," a Louisiana Guard officer told reporters several weeks ago.
Here's the best line from Krugman:
I don't think this is a simple tale of incompetence. The reason the military wasn't rushed in to help along the Gulf Coast is, I believe, the same reason nothing was done to stop looting after the fall of Baghdad. Flood control was neglected for the same reason our troops in Iraq didn't get adequate armor.Do I really need to go into why Krugman is a clueless ASS? "They like making war," statement just irritates me beyond belief. Does he honestly believe that? "They don't like providing security..." is just startling in its completely overwhelming level of blind caustic hatred for the present administration.At a fundamental level, our current leaders just aren't serious about some of the essential functions of government. They like waging war, but they don't like providing security, rescuing those in need or spending on preventive measures. And they never, ever ask for shared sacrifice.
Is it any wonder that I'm sick of all of this tripe?
I really would like to see a complete timetable of the hurricane and when activities occurred. You hear pieces here and there, but nothing complete. I suppose we'll have a Katrina commission soon to investigate the issues. Not that the findings will be believed any more than the 9/11 commission's or the Senate Intelligence Committee's findings were.
Oh, and one last bit. This whole situation proves what all gun owners have known for a long time. The government isn't going to be there to protect you, so you must take on the responsibility of protecting yourself. Any other action is going to leave you dead by the road side.
2 comments:
Excellent take. The blame game will probably be played well into the next election cycle, unless of course Ms. Sheehan has any new ideas.
It's sad how cynical we've all become, but it seems reality merits the cynicism.
One thing I did read from FEMA and the New Orleans disaster plan was that federal assistance can't be expected in force for three days. It took them four this time, but it's in writing, for three days you're on your own locally.
If nothing else, it's sold me on the need to get a bug-out kit put together.
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