I am so Angry

[Dara]

Are you also anguished over the fact that the governor of Louisiana turned this into a power play? While people drowned?

If that's true, of course. You say it's fact, but the article I just read quotes a Bush administation source. When it's proven, if it's proven, I'll blame anyone who screwed up. Anyone who knowingly let people die. I feel confident blaming Bush because he could have taken over and I know about past decisions he's made that helped this tragedy along. And Brown? He gave me enough information to know he was inept or worse.

But there's a lot of confusion about what the mayor and governor should have done. Look at this thread. I was told over and over the president couldn't send in troops. If I'd believed that without clarifying, I'd be blaming her for not asking for the guard. So, yeah, I want proof that she turned it into a power play. I want proof that the mayor "did nothing" as it's being claimed. Aaron Broussard says otherwise, and maybe he's right. Maybe not. I want more info.

 

[Cypros]

I keep reading here that Bush gave the governor "ultimatums" before she made her decision about calling in the troops. "Ultimatum" means that a demand is being forced or coerced. Is this what people are saying? Was Bush using a natural disaster to gain something? Maybe the wrong word is being used?

ul·ti·ma·tum: a final proposition, condition, or demand; especially : one whose rejection will end negotiations and cause a resort to force or other direct action

 

[Dara]

Some people blame Bush for their constipation. It's pointless to argue who did what to whom until all the facts are known.

Well, it's now been determined that he could have sent in troops in. So, while I admit dying children and adults and people being raped isn't quite on the same level as constipation, I think he certainly bears some responsibility.

 

[bulletgirl2002]

If that's true, of course. You say it's fact, but the article I just read quotes a Bush administation source. When it's proven, if it's proven, I'll blame anyone who screwed up. Anyone who knowingly let people die. I feel confident blaming Bush because he could have taken over and I know about past decisions he's made that helped this tragedy along. And Brown? He gave me enough information to know he was inept or worse.

But there's a lot of confusion about what the mayor and governor should have done. Look at this thread. I was told over and over the president couldn't send in troops. If I'd believed that without clarifying, I'd be blaming her for not asking for the guard. So, yeah, I want proof that she turned it into a power play. I want proof that the mayor "did nothing" as it's being claimed. Aaron Broussard says otherwise, and maybe he's right. Maybe not. I want more info.

But you believe "part" of the article that says he could have, but not the part that says she was exercising her power play??? hell, I beleive the whole or none....

 

[kgeaux]

But you believe "part" of the article that says he could have, but not the part that says she was exercising her power play??? hell, I beleive the whole or none....

Thank you, sweetie. There rests my case.

 

[Dara]

but you would also be pissed if he did and the democrats started raising hell about it. How do you feel about the democratic governor that refused to let the feds take over? Or does she get a pass???? Yeah he should have told the to go screw herself. He was considerate of her state office and when she refused didn't do this. Maybe he was wrong to not do this...In reality, it was a pissing match that he let her win....

So, the president engaged in a pissing match and let the governor win and people died, and you don't think he's responsible? I mean, if he had the authority to send in troops and didn't while people died, he should have done it. Seriously. What is there to debate there? Isn't that what he's supposed to do? If she wasnt do what she should do, he should have!

See my post above. Until today, I didn't actually know the governor was a Democrat. I guess I could have found that out, but I wasn't concerned with political party.

 

[Tom'sGirl]

Well, I'd have to hear the tape again, but I swore he said, "I saw a man jump to his death because he just couldn't take it anymore."

The clip I heard on my news he was saying he saw a man jump......he sounded a little sedated to me and maybe he chose his words poorly.

I still don't know what he meant the other day when he mentioned the CIA coming to get him???????? He was questioned about the remark and then it was cut off.

 

[Dara]

But you believe "part" of the article that says he could have, but not the part that says she was exercising her power play??? hell, I beleive the whole or none....

Nope. I was sure that the president could send in troops but couldn't find a link. That's factual.

But when the rest of the info comes from the administration, I want more info. I am reserving judgment, because there has been so much conflicting information. How many of you said over and over that the president could not, COULD NOT, legally send in troops. So, yeah, I want more information. I don'tknow Blanco, so I don't have any idea of what she normally does. Bush, I know. If Blanco did wrong, she should be held accountable. Like every single other person. But those of you who said she had to ask for the NG and Bush couldn't were wrong.

 

[Tom'sGirl]

So, the president engaged in a pissing match and let the governor win and people died, and you don't think he's responsible? I mean, if he had the authority to send in troops and didn't while people died, he should have done it. Seriously. What is there to debate there? Isn't that what he's supposed to do? If she wasnt do what she should do, he should have!

See my post above. Until today, I didn't actually know the governor was a Democrat. I guess I could have found that out, but I wasn't concerned with political party.

Interestly I read where Mayor Nagin was a Republican & a Bush supporter and changed parties when he ran for Mayor of NO.

 

[Dara]

Interestly I read where Mayor Nagin was a Republican & a Bush supporter and changed parties when he ran for Mayor of NO.

I didn't know that either.

Wow, I guess some Bush supporters are actually capable of criticizing him when it's warranted.

 

[kgeaux]

I keep reading here that Bush gave the governor "ultimatums" before she made her decision about calling in the troops. "Ultimatum" means that a demand is being forced or coerced. Is this what people are saying? Was Bush using a natural disaster to gain something? Maybe the wrong word is being used?

ul·ti·ma·tum: a final proposition, condition, or demand; especially : one whose rejection will end negotiations and cause a resort to force or other direct action

All I've heard is that he said Ask for federal assistance or else I will go over your head. Twice. It sounds more political to me than anything else, because Blanco surely knew she was in over her head. I don't think Bush had anything to gain, except perhaps an end to those who were being critical because he had not sent troops in. I think he knew she wouldn't ask if he didn't force the issue. And I can guarantee you, if he'd have had to go over her head and come in without her invitation, he'd be called a power hungry dictator who didn't respect state rights. With some people, he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Finally, I don't know if ultimatum is the right word or not, but it's the one I've heard.

 

[TexMex]

Washington Post

Federal officials all the way up to President have suggested that state and local governments were overwhelmed by the scope of the disaster and were slow to respond, but that they themselves could not have moved more quickly because, in the words of Homeland Secutity Secretary Michael Chertoff, "our constitutional system really places the primary authority in each state with the governor."

The Feds don't just march troops into a state with being asked. She didn't ask. What a shame. People, babies, pets-- whole families wiped out because she and her advisors, "suspecting a political motive" wanted to handle it at the state and local level.

 

[BirdieBoo]

The President did fix it.

I'm sure the mothers of the dead babies don't think so.

 

[nanandjim]

I saw a Louisiana engineer on television today. He said that they had asked for federal aid, starting in the mid 90's. Guess who was President then? As I recall, Clinton raised taxes to an all-time high and bragged about the high budget surplus he had when he left office. So, I wonder why he didn't have the wisdom and foresight to put a little bit of that surplus to use in bolstering those levees.

 

[Cypros]

All I've heard is that he said Ask for federal assistance or else I will go over your head. Twice. It sounds more political to me than anything else, because Blanco surely knew she was in over her head. I don't think Bush had anything to gain, except perhaps an end to those who were being critical because he had not sent troops in. I think he knew she wouldn't ask if he didn't force the issue. And I can guarantee you, if he'd have had to go over her head and come in without her invitation, he'd be called a power hungry dictator who didn't respect state rights. With some people, he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Finally, I don't know if ultimatum is the right word or not, but it's the one I've heard.

So Bush threatened to send in troops no matter what (over Blanco's head) but then didn't do it. Sounds like political games on both sides. In the meantime, people are suffering and dying while their leaders are ALL lying.

Broussard was right. We need to chainsaw off all the rats at the top of the totem pole and start from scratch.

 

[Dara]

So Bush threatened to send in troops no matter what (over Blanco's head) but then didn't do it. Sounds like political games on both sides. In the meantime, people are suffering and dying while their leaders are ALL lying.

Broussard was right. We need to chainsaw off all the rats at the top of the totem pole and start from scratch.

Yep.

See, my issue is that no matter what, if things weren't going well, Bush needed to take over. If the governor was at fault and playing political games, that's even more reason. I don't want a president who, when people are dying, engages in a pissing match and lets the other person win. Especially not when he's supposed to be the boss. Commander in chief, anyone?

 

[kgeaux]

So Bush threatened to send in troops no matter what (over Blanco's head) but then didn't do it. Sounds like political games on both sides. In the meantime, people are suffering and dying while their leaders are ALL lying.

Broussard was right. We need to chainsaw off all the rats at the top of the totem pole and start from scratch.

Actually, she asked after receiving the 2nd ultimatum, according to "talk" and however reliable "talk" is. So he didn't have to go over her head.

But Broussard is right, We do need to chainsaw off the rats at the top of the totem pole and start over fresh.

 

[Ntegrity]

I am reserving judgment, because there has been so much conflicting information.

You could've fooled me. :doh:

 

[Ntegrity]

Seems like a personal attack to me.

 

[Dara]

Seems like a personal attack to me.

So did yours.

But I'll delete since you're offended. That was not my intention.