See the latest on Hurricane Katrina here.
From Drudge:
KANYE WEST ON NBC FUNDRAISER: 'GEORGE BUSH DOESN'T CARE ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE... They're saying black families are looting and white families are just looking for food...they're giving the (Army) permission to shoot us'... Actor Mike Myers asked people to donate... then Kanye West went on a tirade about Iraq...
Jesse Jackson:
"How can blacks be locked out of the leadership, and trapped in the suffering?"
I now present you a picture of the man who was most responsible for the rescue and evacuation planning for New Orleans, Mayor Nagin.
The fact that he's black doesn't matter though. There are people out there playing the race card. The CBC got close but didn't go there. Kanye West ran off his mouth on broadcast TV during fundraising, and you've got Jesse Jackson. There is a point where blacks nationwide say it's go time. Let's be honest, it is New Orleans and there is racism, but this is not pointing out the flaws, this is goading a race riot.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Georgio
I don't think it's the blacks he dosn't like ..it's the poor ..they are a drag on his plans to get rid of all social programs
2 - Geo
John,
You've been writing some great stuff over the last few days, nicely done. You last piece was great, accurate and conveyed the frustration of trying to grasp control during a disaster of this proportion. Readers must not forget that despite the horrific scenes on the tube (which are limited in scope), that people, voluteers, responders, medical teams etc... are working in arduous conditions, and laboring extremely hard, and have been for 4 and 5 days now. Failures, lack of communications, time spent are all indicies of the extraordinary footprint of disaster Katrina has left to work through.
Volunteers of all capacities are still needed, the ones out there now are reaching a point of fatigue that few experience and they will start failing. The back up groups need to start going in now. I slated to leave next Thursday night with several other power trucks and relieve electrical workers on site today. Since NOLA is being totally evacuated, the restoral of power is primarily to jump start the city on it's climb back to a sembalance of working condition. This is going to be a massive operation. The WTC was measured in square blocks, this encompasses a whole city. It will be a super challenge, a hyper challenge, a mega challenge, and to even thoughtfully consider the restoration of this city is a daunting mental exercise.
Blamecasting seems to rule the airwaves and bandwidth these past few days. The fact is... it was a vast and powerful storm, and we are so puny in the face of that immense amount of energy.
I'm not surprised at all that there is failure. It is a total mess, a desolate, howling wasteland down in that region.
That said, the workers, the Uniformed services, the first responders, volunteers, the churches EVERYONE needs a round of applause, well wishes, and prayers. They are working, working and continue to put their hearts and bodies on the line to bring out the victims of this tragety. IT IS EXTREMELY HARD WORK. Never forget that.
3 - rbp0554
Bambenek:
Did it ever occur to you that the situation in New Orleans is absolutely fucking desparate and that it is stressing people out. When you are exausted beyond belief and facing perile on all sides, do you always say exactly the right thing?
- RBP
4 - John Bambenek
Excuse me, but Jesse Jackson and Kanye West, and for that matter, the Cannibal Randall are all nice and dry and in some cases in TV studios and well fed.
I'm not buying.
People on the street have been saying this, they get a pass. What we don't need is national "leaders" getting on national TV and saying it's time for a race war.
5 - Charlie Manson
Jesse Jackson is wrong.
Kanye West 'George Bush doesn't care about black people' is right.
Back to jail!
6 - AmishHitman
Ok…here’s what’s REALLY sad…. The fact that anyone would DEFEND Jackson, West or any other person that would use a tragic event or an event to raise donation to help; but instead use such venues to boost their unsolicited and warranted comments. Very very SAD!!!
“waiting…....still waiting…
West…must be a good rapper, because he sure can’t read a script. Come on (West fans...all 10 of you) tell me that you were “moved” by his stuttarded and “un-thought provoking” comments about Bush, the Army and the looting. Prove to me the grace of his wisdom.
Oh what’s that? You can’t?
See West and Jackson supporters…...it was the Mayor of New Orleans who said on live radio and to other press…”I was the one to declare Martial Law”…”Shoot to Kill orders have been given out…”
The Mayor...you know, the black one.
7 - Geo
I'm not defending anyone. It's time to get to work, not cloud the event with gibberish, rhetoric and B.S.... and no John I'm not pointing my finger at you.
The fact that the NOLA plan was terribly orcheastrated and rolled out is one matter. Right now, evacuating the city is a first priority. Then on to step two.
When a boxer takes a massive blow, the priority there is to (1) regain clarity and continue to fight. (2) not regain clarity and hit the mat.
What do we (The country) really need right now? To regain clarity and continue to fight. Pointing fingers comes later, standing around and pointing fingers is expending energy in the wrong direction. The inertia of this recovery/rescue/response should be directed at saving people in dire straits. NOW!
Point made. Gotta' go put some personal stuff in order before Tuesday. I have a long 3 weeks ahead of me.
L8tr everyone. Oh and if you can't respond to the crisis. Give generously. It helps greatly.//geo
8 - John Bambenek
Continue to fight?
I'm not down there, I was told not to come. My posting takes away nothing from the effort.
9 - JG
Yes the Mayor of N.O. is black. The Federal Government takes blame for the lack of planning however. FEMA and Homeland Security are federal agencies. National Guard is a state and National entity, so blaming the black mayor shows some ignorance of the logistics. We are supposed to have plans in place for our major cities in the case of Nuclear attacks (from the Cold War) which would be much more widespread damage. Why couldn't we adapt those "plans". Homeland Security is a liberal, bigger government bad joke, that conservatives pushed on the rest of America. It is easy to dismiss a comment you The present takes his sweet time and shows up 2 days later. Just like his father did when he was President and the Hurricane hit Florida. Is Bush racist? Maybe, maybe not. You don't have to wear a hood to be a racist. This much is true. We shouldn't be so quick to dismiss what is being said. He also talked about himself and how he has been a hypocrite and after the show he was going to see what the maximum is he could donate.
Regardless of what you think of him or me. DONATE AND HELP !
10 - anonymous
Bush doesn't care about black people? Well he doesn't care about anybody who can't do something for him. So yeah, sounds about right to me.
11 - HG
It's an embarrassment because it shows the state of the country. Young men and women from those states are living, fighting and dying all over the world, protecting the freedom that Bush says we have in the USA. Poor kids from poor families giving more to this country than others. And now, when their families need help, during a situation that has been predicted for years, it takes 5 days for the response to be substantial. Kanye West was shaking because he was mad. He was mad at himself and mad at this country. He was mad at himself because he realized he wasn't making any sacrifices. He was mad at the country because people are unneccessarily dying. What is wrong with voicing criticism under these circumstances?
12 - anonymous
I think that it is ashamed that NBC edited Kanye West's speech in the west coast broadcast. It is america, everyone should have the freedom of speech whether we agree with them or not. Kanye West is 100% right. It might be hard for the white folks to hear. Truth hurts sometimes.
13 - Sean
Let me attempt to break it down in terms that deluded white americans and self-hating black americans might understand: outdated(1.e., 19th century)levee system "protecting" city below sea-level + the inevitablity of a major hurricane + no organized means of evacuation + inexcusable delay of the agencies responsible for, at least, ensuring the equal protection under the law = the death of or, if they're lucky, life-long post-traumatic stress for those without the resources to evacuate. It's not a mere coincidence that those people are black and poor. Kanye West was kind in limiting his comments to GWB, because what this simple equation illustrates is that this country doesn't care about poor black people. It is our wealth coupled with our hypocricy of freedom and equality that makes us the laughing stock of the world. What's particularly disturbing is the forum that enabled West to make his comments: again in simple terms, rich people begging average americans to give money to victims in the wealthiest country in the world, a country wealthy enough to wage wars on the other side of the world. So exactly what's the responsiblity of the government? Such a joke of a gov't! The sad fact is that what happened-- is happening-- in New Orleans is happening all over this country in every major city on a less dramatic level. The poor go without basic resouces and services (health and the like)and the rich and well-off look the other way. Every rich or well-off person (that is, people who don't live from check to check, who have good jobs, healthcare, go on exotic vacations, and don't have to worry about buying gas when shit hits the fan and they need to get out of Dodge) had to know on some level that when that hurricane hit the poor black people would be trapped and the poor, so inured to powerlessness, perhaps just accepted as much and sought comfort in faith that it might not happen in their life-time. We must stop pathologizing the poor and denying that there is an economically managed race problem in this country. Of course, this problem includes more than just black people: Latinos, Arabs, Muslims, etc. We must stop blaming and punishing people for the real problem of racist discrimination limiting their possibilities, economic, educational, and simply in the case of N.O., the ability to avoid a killer hurricane. But we have to accept that well-to-do whites-- many of you-- don't care about poor black people. (after your're emotional, knee-jerk denial of this charge, refer back to the equation) If they/you did, N.O. wouldn't have happened.
14 - John Bambenek
Alright Sean, you win. The plan made by a Democrat woman governor, and a black man mayor in NO have killed black folks.
This is what happens when you elect democrats, black people die.
You win.
15 - Dave Nalle
>>Kanye West 'George Bush doesn't care about black people' is right.<<
Yep, because like most Republicans Bush cares about PEOPLE and doesn't divide them into black and white- he treats them equally.
Dividing the races is the province of the left.
Dave
16 - Sean
John, For as much as I find the binary opposition of American political discourse boring and intentionally ineffective, I do find your sexist and racist implications amusing. Does it really matter that the Gov. is a woman and that the Mayor is black? I'm talking about bigger issues. In my estimation there is no significant difference between a Democrat and a Republican. Racism comes in many shapes and forms. Black people have been neglected by both parties. You amusingly specify my general point: well- off people (democrat, republican, self-hating blacks, etc.) don't care about poor black people. That's what makes our country a joke.
17 - Anon
Why can't black people learn to take care of themselves?
18 - Dave Nalle
A racist once told me it was because they have an extra layer of skin, Anon. I'm sure you'd agree.
Dave
19 - Shark
Another barely literate offering from Blogcritics King of Cut and Paste, John C. A. Bambenek.
And I notice that like NBC, et al, you don't want anyone to hear what he had to say; thanks for giving the opportunity:
=======
20 - Shark
PS: You ever start an entry with something besides "From Drudge:"-?
21 - dee
Race has very little to do with what is going on. I do feel that once again we have failed to plan and follow thru with helping those who are not able to help themselves in a disaster. There had to be a way to evacuate more people out of there and they failed to do that. Rich people rode out in cars and in many cases loaded belongings into their cars rather than pick up people who needed a ride out. I am betting some rich blacks drove right on by poor blacks who were struggling to get out on foot. Rahter than pick them up, they loaded things into their cars.
It is man's treatment of his fellow man that bothers me in all this. Some of those who got out will have alot to live with and the fact they may have left someone they could have helped behind may be just that thing.
As for this racist crap. We have to get beyond that and help those we can. Whites are trapped down there too or have some forgotten that? They are just people who need help and we should all be giving it.
22 - Lorri!!!
President Bush landing to evaluate damage yesterday was an absolute joke. All I heard him talking about the majority of the time was how much damage there was and how much repair was going to be done. When he should be talking (Im Sorry,doing) more about the starving, hurt and stranded people of the city. On the news in Southern California a girl from this area was able to get a call through to the news from her family that is still trapped in their home without food and hurt. They said they could see the helicopters and try to wave them down, yet knowone is saving them. This is just one incident. Bodies floating face down and corpses rotting with sheets on the side of buildings. People suffering to their death still at this moment. Making a statement that help was trying to get in, yet waiting five days when people have started taking over the city in anger and using that as an excuse of not being able to feed them is an absolute joke. Not until Bush started getting all the heat and anger from the press, the mayor and anyone else that could be heard in front of cameras did the truck loads of food come in. (Which was yesterday, after his visit) Which yet isn't even close to enough, nor does it help the people that are still trapped. The joke of him pretending that he cares and this is un-acceptable, (yet he is the man of power that gives the orders of what should be done and when) is an absolute attempt for him to save face in front of the American people and all other countries that are watching. But how are we are treated in United States of America by our leader? The leader that at this very moment has so many of our troops dying to fight for our freedom from what he calls terrorist in other countries, but yet can't show immediate relief for people devastated by a natural disaster. The first day he could have called any and many of the major store chains the very next state over had their entire shelves cleared and brought over for the people in immediate need. Now that the city is turning into something of what we would see in a third world country he decides to make an appearance, he is the one that has turned it into this. Without leadership thier is not going to be order. With a leader that does not care that people are dying they are going to react. I don't think these people stealing food and clothing from stores is called looting, it is called surviving. It is human nature to try to survive and provide for our families. Yet a leader and a man with a family is in shock when he sees people trying to survive in these ways. I wish they would not have edited Kanya West's statements because I would have loved to hear what he had to say. It is the truth. It is anger, not only that it is happening, but the disbelief that our country that has the most power in the world can let this happen to us and then make excuses. I am a white american and I believe this is a racist issue and also an economic issue. I believe if the same thing happened in a very poor white area of our nation, we would have seen the same response. Just the same way when one of our troops or a white american has been taken hostage in Iraq. Bush in no way even made an attempt to make talks or negotiations for that persons life (As other countries have for one of their own in the same situation) and as a result our people have being decapitated. The biggest mistake we have made as Americans was voting Bush back into office. He is racist against the black and the poor. Argue all you want, then turn on your tv and look at the people still suffering. The leader of country still has not saved them!!
23 - Simon L.
The only racism I have detected is by black criminals directing violence and threats of rape at their fellow refugees who happen to be white. US media won't talk much about it, but it's in Australian and European media.
24 - Dave Nalle
>>The first day he could have called any and many of the major store chains the very next state over had their entire shelves cleared and brought over for the people in immediate need.<<
No, he couldn't have. They don't have the transporation facilities or the ability to get through the water and destruction to where the people are.
Yes, he could have done a lot of dumbass, meaningless things which would have sounded good and not helped anyone - would that have made you happy?
Instead he followed the procedures laid down by FEMA and got things moving as fast as he could.
Dave
25 - Matt Paprocki
Yes, he could have done a lot of dumbass, meaningless things which would have sounded good and not helped anyone
He did. He lands to be briefed, as if he didn't know what was going on (and smiled through most of it, and failing miserably by making jokes). He thanked people before any help had arrived. It looked good for the camera.
He hugged someone on the ground in front of their destroyed home and then slowly turned them. That made him look better on camera.
Then of course on the same day he lands the help comes. Gee, that's not ironic timing now is it?
I really don't understand how anyone can support this man as a leader.