President Bush has directed Homeland Security Advisor Fran Townsend to head up the President’s internal inquiry into what went wrong at the Federal level in response to Hurricane Katrina. As Hurricane Katrina’s death toll quickly approaches 1,000, the President is ignoring Democrat calls for an independent inquiry. In the meantime, Congress has also launched an investigation into the matter. So now we have two separate Federal-level inquiries taking place to discover what went wrong.
Amidst all the political grandstanding a report has leaked out that Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) were informed by the National Emergency Management Association’s president that “FEMA's long-standing mission of preparedness for all types of disasters has been forgotten at DHS.” As we are quickly learning, the warnings have been given several times, not only to Congress but to the White House. The bottom line is that both branches of government did not take up any measures to fund the agency, which was in dire need of funding.
As I see it, the American public is entitled to honest answers from an independent authority that is charged with telling us the truth no matter how bad it is. The American taxpayer’s dollar isn’t being accounted for very efficiently. The Bush White House has to stop playing politics and gauging poll numbers in reaction to Katrina. The Republican members of Congress, who are terrified that there’s an electoral backlash looming in 2006, will try to brush the Bush connection away as they solidify their respective bases. The Democrat members of Congress, on the other hand, are making a little noise but are too cowardly to come right out and tell America the truth it needs to hear.
The physical destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina is devastating. But property can be rebuilt or replaced. The emotional fallout is a totally different situation. Thousands of families have had their lives completely blown up. They are the ones who bear the heaviest burden in Katrina’s aftermath. These are the people we owe something to. They deserve a full, independent inquiry that allows the chips to fall where they may.
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Article comments
1 - Chris
Here is the type of country that we now live in, a Kleptocrat Nation (klep toe krat nay shun), n. 1. a body of people ruled by thieves. 2. a government characterized by the practice of transferring money and power from the many to the few. 3. a ruling class of moneyed elites that usurps liberty, justice, sovereignty, and other democratic rights from the people.
2 - Nancy
Aside from someone getting hold of a big gun & blowing these bastards all away a la The Terminator (which actually would probably make most of us very happy), how does the author suggest we remove these pollster/lobbyist scum? The Dems are just as addicted to them.
3 - flip de Mey
I couldn't agree more: the emotional fallout of Katrina is indeed more devastating than the also disastrous material damage. Thousands of families have had their lives completely blown up.
But did Americans ever think about Iraqi's blown up lives? No, then they were 99% pro-Bush, firmly stepping behind the stars and stripes.
You reelected this guy, knowing he and his bunch were liars, who didn't care about governement or whatever but their secret "agenda for a new american century".
The first to blame is the American voter, you got the president you chose. At least in 2004.
Flip de Mey
4 - Nancy
The problem is, 49% and then some did NOT elect Bush - but now we have to suffer for it, because of the 51% of shitheads & gullible halfwits who believed his BS who did. Please don't blame the 1/2 of this nation that would gladly see Smirk run out of town tarred & feathered on a rail.
5 - Silas Kain
...Aside from someone getting hold of a big gun & blowing these bastards all away a la The Terminator (which actually would probably make most of us very happy), how does the author suggest we remove these pollster/lobbyist scum? The Dems are just as addicted to them.
I never denied that the Democrats are as addicted to the K Street scumbags. This is a problem which confronts both major political parties. The first thing that needs to be done is for the American voter to educate themselves about where the money comes from. Like mindless Lemmings, we go to the polls every election cycle and flip levers in favor of candidates based on sound bytes, commercials, innuendo or stupidity. Ask yourself when the last time was that you actually sat down and deliberated the qualifications of a candidate that you were electing to office. Ask yourself if you ever explored the political system in school learning how to be an informed voter. There are things we can do to turn things around in America:
1. Know your local elected officials. How well do you know your alderman, councilman or Mayor? These folks at the local level serve as your political 'first responder'. There's NO reason on earth why you don't have first hand knowledge of the people who run for office at the local level.
2. Keep informed about what your state legislature is doing and more importantly, be AWARE of who YOUR state representative is. Once you go beyond your local elected officials, the next in line of fire is your state legislator. What we Americans have difficulty grasping is that state and Federal legislators are, in theory, YOUR direct representative in government. When you cast your ballots for your state legislator, do you even know who they are? Or are you one of the majority of voters who just elects a candidate based on heresay or no information whatsoever?
3. Learn about your representative in Congress, find out who is giving them the money. Has your Congressperson ever been involved in a political scandal? Has he/she been driven from office for improper conduct? There are 435 men and women in the House of Representatives. These people are representing you, your neighborhood and local Congressional District. This person is not only YOUR representative, but he/she is a reflection of you. Take pride in who you select to represent you in Congress. There's no reason why you don't have the telephone number of your Congressperson's local office. Every Congressperson has local offices within a reasonable distance of where you live -- did you even know that?
4. Know your Senators. Every state has two Senators who serve at their pleasure in the United States Senate. Senators are the Federal government's debaters. They debate national issues. They serve to 'advise and consent' to the President in matters of members of the Cabinet, Judiciary and Foreign Service. Senators also have offices locally. When they cast a vote for or against a Presidential appointee is that vote really in accordance with your wishes? Are your Senators being responsive to the needs of your community? Do your Senators keep you informed of what is going on at the Federal level?
5. Hold local media responsible. I know that we live in a fast moving world. Many of us don't have the luxury of time to carry out the above 4 suggestions. That's where the media comes in. Local television, radio and newspapers must be held accountable for reporting the information we need to know to cast an informed vote. If your local media isn't doing the job, get pissed off. Write a letter to the editor or publisher. And if that doesn't work, consider the advertisers that pay for ad space. Are you seeing these ads day in and day out? Call the president of the company that is advertising. Tell them that you are concerned that they are wasting their advertising dollars on a media outlet that isn't doing a good job of delivering the news. Expect advertisers to be responsible in sponsoring media outlets who are responsible to the public.
These people serve at OUR pleasure. They are paid for their services by US, the taxpayers. If we start electing people that we would be proud to represent us, there will be positive changes affecting the politcal system. We should be demanding transparency of where the money comes from to get these people elected. It's time to pull the plug on the lobbyists and spin meisters on K Street who are sucking the system dry. And, finally, if we start electing people we can be proud of, imagine the changes we will see in what political parties offer for our consideration as President. How can we expect excellence from our President when we don't even take the time to seriously consider the people who represent us at the local level? Difficult times deserve simple sense.
6 - phil
"Problem is...51 % of the voting public did elect Bush and the 49%... (49 is less than 51 right??) ...that doesnt like him, will not shut up until they can elect another bozo like Clinton, Carter, etc... Like kids on a playground that cant take turns. The whinners of the world... The truly great leaders of our time have been Republicans! Starting with Lincoln... All elected by 51% and all constantly opposed by the idiots who like high taxes and a welfare state to support. I would rather my taxes going to rebuild Iraq as a great nation like Japan..rather than pay welfare to those who can't rebuild their homes after a storm, because they are too lazy to do so......Hmmm