Will President Bush mention Katrina during his State of the Union speech on Monday?Only months after Katrina and Rita struck in 2005, Bush spoke of the greatest man-made and natural catastrophe for barely one minute during his 2006 national address. Last year, he failed to address Katrina, at all.Instead, he spoke about the Iraq war, terror, and his military options in his attempts to resurrect what was then his failed-Iraq policy.
Meanwhile, much of the GulfCoast, southeast Louisiana and the New Orleans area still remains in disarray and in self-doubt.
According to Mayor Nagin, the promised federal money to help rebuild basic city infrastructure did not become available until November of 2007—two years after the storms.A major reason for this slow recovery falls right at the foot of the Bush administration.The very real stories about heroic men and women who have braved the insurance companies, the contractors, the FEMA red tape, and the clumsy federal politics are legion and have not been told nationally by this President.Instead, the White House and some of its minions have literally “white washed” reality by disseminating false numbers and information and standing in the way of real progress.Yet, despite the administration’s failure to cut the red tape and roadblocks that actually hindered recovery, New Orleans is reporting a population of approximately 300,000 residents.Without doubt, this is due to the incredible will and resilience of the people who inhabit this area, not due to the Bush “policies of recovery” which has only caused delay and utter frustration.
While there are signs of progress due to private citizens taking the initiatives to rebuild their homes and businesses, the “every-day” economy of the New Orleans area teeters.
Although, New Orleans and the surrounding parishes are still part of this country, based upon Bush’s policies, one would hardly know it.This area will take tens of billions of dollars of federal, state and private money to rebuild and to fashion protection ensuring that a similar disaster will never cause such horrific results on this essential piece of US soil, ever again.
Yes, there have been missteps by local and state governments over the past two years, but, neither has control over the power of the purse as does the President.Also, it takes the Administration to set the tone, lead, and establish national programs and priorities.
President Bush has clearly forgotten New Orleans and his lack of emphasis and silence during the State of the Union speeches have reflected his policies and have spoken volumes about his administration’s pitiful efforts to realistically assist the area and protect critical American assets.
Instead, Bush created an unnecessary war in Iraq causing us to spend billions of dollars each week while much of Southeast Louisiana sinks deeper and deeper into despair.
On Monday, President Bush will talk about terror.Coincidentally, over the past two years, New Orleans and Southeast Louisiana have suffered the very type of damage that terrorist organizations would salivate to create.Unfortunately, the Bush administration has proven its ineptitude in creating realistic and fair “post-terror-like-remedies” in helping a vital part of the country recover from incredible disaster.During his State of the Union address, Bush can publicly remind America of the importance of this part of the nation and how much New Orleans area desperately needs the help of our country.President Bush has one last major opportunity to call America to arms to repair and protect this critical region.Should he continue to live up to his responsibilities, his legacy will be “mission failed”.He will be forever scarred as the President who left his promises in Jackson Square and who turned his back upon the most basic domestic requirements of an essential pillar of these United States.
R.E.LEE
I give up. All of your knowledge of imperial plutocracies, central bank warmongering, Clinton/Bush conspiracies etc., etc. is too advanced for a simpleton like me. When you rally enough troops to secede again, can I ever be forgiven and allowed to apply for citizenship in the New Confederacy? Caput tuum in ano est.
Written by CharlieG
on 2/2/2008
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Maybe we can get on of our top notch ex-governors, like Edwards (if he lives long enough to get that pardon), or Foster or Blanco, elected president. Then they can bring home that pork to Louisiana instead of Texas. Only problem is, no one but Louisianians would vote for such losers. Written by D Crockett
on 2/2/2008
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Charlie G, you talk about blaming and welfare mentality. What do you call the trillions of federal dollars spent in Texas by the Bush presidencies? It is a zero sum game, when Houston wins, New Orleans loses. It's that simple chief. So, all the new Bush Airports built and the billions of federal dollars in dredging the Houston ship channel (stream), steal business and opportunities from Louisiana. Or how about the Dallas Airport constant federal funding. This Imperial Government spends greater than $10 Trillion dollars a year! When New York, Cal., Florida and Texas get the lions share, what do you call it? Welfare? As for the idiot who is posting under the name trifull - the only thing you are full of is sh!t. Get your a$$ back to Texas and quit posting on a Louisiana site! Written by R. E. Lee
on 2/1/2008
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Another ghost post by tee dub ..... heterosexual marriage, ha ha ha Written by
on 1/30/2008
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Tee, You're working the multiple personality thing a little too hard there. That crack about salsa is over the line.
You left out Edwin Edwards should be freed because of all he did to make Louisiana great. Kathleen Blanco's perfect plan for New Orleans recovery was thwarted by GWB and those evil feds. Looting would not be necessary if the government gave out Heineken stamps. New Orleans was the picture of prosperity and a model for 21st century civilization until the levees broke. Written by Tri Full
on 1/30/2008
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Whoa, trifull, I think you may be on to something... is that the guy I keep seeing who's been hiding in m Written by Tee Dub
on 1/30/2008
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Our noble leader Bush is wonderful! Our glorious surge is working, so just pretend everything's okay and go shopping to help the economy! Poor people deserve to be poor because they're lazy! Democrats run up higher deficits than Republicans! Liberals are sissies! New Orleans has a welfare mentality *wink* *wink*! Barack Obama is a Muslim! Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh are right, and neither one is a junkie! Bobby Jindal has zero tolerance for corruption among his ranks! Dinosaurs and humans roamed the earth together 5,000 years ago! Salsa is not as patriotic a condiment as ketchup! Gays getting married cheapens my heterosexual marriage! Canada's health care system is in crisis! The dollar is worth 1.7 Euros! An American sixteen-cell zygote deserves more protection from our government than a 9-year old Iraqi child! Written by tee dub
on 1/30/2008
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Could "tee dub" be a bipolar alter-ego of "Tee Dub"? Another untreated mental case on our city streets????
Seriously, Tee Dub always keeps a positive outlook, so we know he's not responsible for that post.
There are some good points in it, though. Written by trifull
on 1/30/2008
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Speaking of Ole Jarhead, does anyone out there know him, and know if he's all right? It's not like him not to chime in on some of these issues. TW Written by Tee Dub
on 1/30/2008
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An obvious forgery, notice the lower case, "tee dub" in place of "Tee Dub." Written by kerry fox
on 1/30/2008
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Hey, they did it to Ole Jarhead, and now they're doing it to me. Learn the rules, guys. No ghost-posting under someone else's screen name! C'est pas vaillant! TW Written by Tee Dub
on 1/30/2008
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The latest post attibuted to Tee Dub is OBVIOUSLY NOT from Tee Dub. Maybe someone was trying to address a reply to Tee Dub????? Written by BIG CORRECTION
on 1/30/2008
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I recognize that the businesses of New Orleans have a positive impact on the state. But the government (elected by the people) of New Orleans squanders, steals, and misuses the funds that those businesses generate for the city. That's why the rest of the state (and now the entire nation) is constantly browbeaten by the citizens of NOLA to come to their rescue. Your schools are a failure, your mayor is a failure, your courts are a failure, your levee boards, your assessors, it goes on and on. Billions of tax dollars per year for eternity will still not fix the problems. With the business revenue and other support that New Orleans has received for generations, there is no way that you can blame funding for your problems. It is much deeper than that. Written by tee dub
on 1/30/2008
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There is nothing more fun to me than a Cajun/Zydeco music/food festival (I also like N.O. brass band music). Your idea is good but you need to tell it to "the powers that be" - we're just a bunch of posters who should be working instead of being on the web. We can't help you no Cher-Baby, no, Cher, no, us, no, Cher. Written by kerry fox
on 1/29/2008
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*CORRECTION*
As I've mentioned a few times before, there's an incredible amount of revenue potential emanating from south Louisiana, which must be exploited. I'm referring to the exporting Louisiana's very rich, unique, yet unknown culture in the outside world. For example, how about staging a combined trade convention and music festival, in selected outside cities? The State has settled on just promoting tourism, by co-sponsoring outside events. Still, most northerners continue to bypass Louisiana in their vacation plans, favoring beach resorts or cruises instead. My proposal will bring the LA experience to millions more people, make the State more financially independent, while ensuring the preservation of NOLA's and SW LA's musical legacies. Thanks again.
Written by
on 1/29/2008
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As I've mentioned a dew times before, there's an incredible amount of revenue potential energy emanating from south Louisiana, which remains unexplored to this day. I'm referring to the exporting Louisiana's very rich, unique, yet unknown in the outside world. For example, how about staging a combined trade convention and music festival, in selected outside cities. The State has only promoted tourism, by co-sponsoring outside events, but most northerners still tend to bypass Louisiana in their vacation plans, in favor of beach resorts elsewhere. My proposal will make the State more financially independent and will ensure the preservation of NOLA's and SW LA's musical legacies. Thanks again. Written by Anthony D., Montreal,QC, CANADA
on 1/29/2008
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"Post Tag" I guess. I'm not saying do not help these people rebuild (i.e., leave them "naked and cold on the streets"), I am saying if the taxpayers have to help someone purchase a home that flooded (even some "Cracker" in Missouri along the Mississippi) then the taxpayer should only have to do this ONCE - that is, move them to higher ground. If someone has their own insurance, they should be free to rebuild as many times as they want to ; but don't then call the insurance companies "greedy" because they raise their rates. Neither the government nor the insurance companies have "one thin dime" TW, the money comes out of taxpayers' and the insured's pockets. Written by kerry fox
on 1/29/2008
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"Generosity." Let's see... I get in power. I demand that wage earners give me a percentage of the money they earn - if not I send armed men to take their possesions from them. I give this money to people who do not work so they will vote to keep me in power. Generous indeed! What a big-hearted fellow I am. Sing my praises, etc., etc. etc. Of course, there is no incentive for those who do not work to move towards prosperity. Then again, I want to keep them down, that way they need me. How very generous of me! Love me, honor me, gaze upon me in awe! How generous I am, I am your friend - aka, the Democratic Party. I do the bidding of the International Bankers, just as the Republican Party does, only I pose as a friend of the disenfranchised. How very clever of me. I managed to fool you, did I not? Written by kerry fox
on 1/29/2008
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Goodness, is everyone posting at once? kerry, that's some cold-hearted crap you're spouting there - "Too bad if you can't afford it - them's the breaks" - I _might_ be able to stomach that if I believed this country were a true meritocracy. But I see too many poor hard-working people struggling in poverty, working two or three jobs, and too many wealthy brats who have had everything handed to them their entire lives (including the current occupant of the White House) to believe that myth anymore. TW Written by Tee Dub
on 1/29/2008
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ts, I said "much of America" not "all of America" - there are generous people out there. They're just not Republicans. TW Written by Tee Dub
on 1/29/2008
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Look, I love this town. Born here, raised here. Raised my children here. Gonna be married here with a live Zydeco band at our reception this October. Love the festivals, food, etc. Nevertheless one thing needs to be taken into account - WE'RE BELOW SEA LEVEL - ALONG A HURRICANE PRONE COAST.When the first settlers came here (long before either George Bush) they discovered they needed to poke holes in caskets due to the fact the ground water would cause them to "pop up" if they did not make these holes. This city has a history of flooding and disease due to our low elevation. It really is no place for the poor or elderly to live, IMHO - unless they KNOW someone will get them out before the next flood (there will be a next flood, even with a Democratic Progressive Black Female President, Mother Nature could care less who holds the office). Those who cannot afford to live here - and are relying on a taxpayer funded handout to rebuild - should rebuild elsewhere, on higher ground. Written by kerry fox
on 1/29/2008
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Charlie G, you need to think about what you said. If you truly believe that New Orleans has a NEGATIVE impact on the economy of Louisiana, then you need to have your head examined. This state, like it or not, needs New Orleans, and the city gives far more back to the state than we take away. And don't think I don't know what you mean when you say "welfare mentality" - it's the same thing as that old trick of touching the dorsum of one's hand. If the floodwalls had been built the way they were supposed to have been built, then you and I wouldn't be having this little tête-à-tête, we'd be arguing over King George's speech last night instead. You best believe I wish Katrina hadn't happened. I lost a lot in that storm, Ace. TW Written by Tee Dub
on 1/29/2008
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I can empathize with those who suffered. But this constant blaming and welfare mentality begging, I mean demanding, of more and more support is typical of New Orleans. Before the storm, New Orleans sucked up money from the rest of Louisiana for years - all the while looking down their noses at the "hicks" from BR and elsewhere, and arrogantly refusing to clean up any of its corruption and systemic failures. Katrina gave them the chance to take their show on the road and go after the billions of our federal tax dollars. The city has been blighted since I was a child. A hurricane does not put the rest of the nation on the hook for cleaning all of that up. And New Orleans only wants the money, no advice, no responsibility, no admission of or willingnes to correct their own failures before, during or after the storm. Written by Charlie G
on 1/29/2008
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Tee Dub - I think you are way off base with your view that Americans are self-centered and uncaring. The college students that I met a few weeks ago who had given up their semester break to build houses certainly contradict that view. We will never be able to accurately assess the value of all that has been given to our region by groups such as this.
At the same time, nearly 2 and a half years later, is it so unreasonable for someone in Nebraska or Idaho to ask, "When is enough enough?" The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania literally shut down the government over a state budget impasse last fall when their budget topped $28 billion. Our state budget is in the vicinity of $30 billion, yet we have a third of the number of residents that Pennsylvania has. Couple that with the perpetual drumbeat of public corruption that is such a part of the weekly news broadcasts that reach the entire country and it's easy to see why much of the rest of the nation lacks confidence in our political leadership - frankly most of us don't appear to think too much of it ourselves. Mayor Nagin continually complains about the lack of money, yet CBS reported that early in 2007 the city had to return more than $1 million to the federal government. That was the interest earned on approximately $100 million in federal dollars that sat, unspent, in city bank accounts. In that same report they claimed that there was $600 million in aid available to the city but that the Mayor had not requested it. Of course, the Mayor redeemed himself by filing a claim with the Corps of Engineers for $77 billion, only $1 billion of which is intended to actually make infrastructure repairs.
Steve - You need to go back and retake 9th grade Civics. Anyone who thinks that the President controls the purse strings has forgotten basic separation of powers. It will become increasingly difficult to get large amounts of federal aid for a number of reasons, some of which are alluded to above. Our Congressional delegation lacks both seniority and credibility, which does not help in tough budget battles. The likes of Jack Murtha, Ted Stevens, and their fellow travelers cannot continue to feather their own district's nests if they approve sending more funds to the Gulf region.
Two years is at least an eon in political time. Our moment has passed. We need to get on with the business of rebuilding the best that we can with what we have. Written by ts
on 1/28/2008
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Charles G and trifull, I hope neither of you ever has your home stew in rancid lake water for three weeks due to the neglect of the federal government. I hope you never have to pay rent and a mortgage for two years while you try to get back into your homes. And I'm a fortunate one - someone with a (relatively) high-paying job. I don't know how wage laborers would be able to cope with all this; I really don't. I tell you what, I have never seen such vitriol like that I have seen directed at New Orleans these last couple of years. It makes me sad to see what much of America has become - a bunch of self-centered people with absolutely no ability to empathize with the plights of others. I suspect your mamas raised y'all better than that. Shame on ya both. TW Written by Tee Dub
on 1/28/2008
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As a citizen of Louisiana, I'll be embarrased when Bush brings in national leaders to New Orleans. It will show the world how dysfunctional our once largest city really is. Maybe people will buy the lie that the problems are from the hurricane. But that's not true. New Orleans has been an embarrassment forever. Written by Charles G
on 1/28/2008
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Bush should purposely ignore New Orleans. There is nothing good he can say about it. Iraq has made more progress toward an effective democracy than New Orleans ever will. The billions poured into New Orleans after the hurricane are a worse investment than the Iraq war. Now if the army can come in and kill the thugs terrorizing New Orleans, then maybe the city can begin to make progress. I said make progress, because recovery is the wrong term to use for New Orleans. Recovering the failed city from before the hurricane is a goal no rational person would seek. Written by trifull
on 1/28/2008
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We are astounded to read on the site of WWL-TV "Bush counselor Ed Gillespie says the move will "demonstrate how this great American city of New Orleans is rebounding." This after the statement that "a high-ranking White House official also said the president will announce plans to have the United States host the next hemispheric summit in hurricane-ravaged New Orleans." COME OUT ALL OF YOU LITTLE PEOPLE, WALK THE STREETS, CARRY THE SIGNS AND SHOW THE NEGLECT THAT CONTINUES TO PLAGUE OUR STREETS. LET'S HIT THE CRIME ISSUE, THE EDUCATION ISSUE, THE FAILURE OF THE ROAD HOME, THE FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP ON ALL LEVELS, ETC. WALK, PEOPLE, WALK FOR THAT PROVERBIAL NOUVEAU NEW ORLEANS. Written by RhettsWIfe
on 1/28/2008
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Thank you Stephen for having the courage to speak the truth about the Bush-Cheny imperial regime! I'm sick of ignorant and paid hacks trying to project all the blame on state government. Such ignorance is revealed first because state's rights were lost at Appomattox, after Lincoln's War. The final blow was struck in 1913, by the Constitutional Amendment that created a U.S. Central bank, which financially paved the way to enter the "Great War", WWI, "the war to end all wars" - according to Pres. Wilson. Since Lincoln's War we have gone from an ever increasing central government & bureaucracy, to today's American Imperial Government. An imperial government that only concerns itself with exponentially enriching the few, who own the multi-national corporations, at the expense of the majority of American citizens. Unfortunately, if the People are foolish enough to continue to believe the lies of the plutocrat owned media and the owned imperial regime, then they will get what they deserve. There is not a dime's bit of difference between the Bush & Clinton dynasties, from the standpoint of the plutocrats/Wall Street financiers who put them into office! Beware, Hitlary has been financed politically to make war on America! The Halliburton built internment camps may see some action yet. Deo vindici! Written by R. E. Lee
on 1/28/2008
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It is appropriate to blame the Bush administration for the ills of the country and the region. He lied the US into war, and for that reason I have been encouraging military personnel of my acquaintance to disobey their orders. They took an oath to defend the Constitution, not a president. He is no longer commander-in-chief when his orders are self-serving, rather than in service to the country. With the enormous costs of that war, we now have an impossible deficit in both the budget and in foreign commerce. With that deficit, it has become routine for him to veto domestic bills like health care for children, unemployment insurance, and many other needs. With that deficit, it was impossible for the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project even to be heard, since the very idea of creating government employment like the WPA or CCC was unacceptable to the Bush administration. Not only does this administration deserve blame for the domestic ills of the country, it also deserves blame for the abysmal international standing of the US. I am active in seeking the impeachment of Dick Cheney and George Bush on the grounds that they deserve international and national humiliation for their misdeeds. The country is strong enough to withstand the turmoil of impeachment, even if we don't have time for a conviction. George Bush and his court will go down in history, WAY WAY DOWN in history, as the worst president this country has ever had. I will be at the four-piano concert of the Friends of Music during the self-serving State of the Union message. Written by Robert Desmarais Sullivan
on 1/28/2008
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Steve, QUIT blaming Bush for everything ! I've heard he is responsible for recent floods and that he can control the weather !You sound like the Blanco broken record in every press conference in last 2 years. What did people do before FEMA created by Pres. Carter ?
They got off their a** and DID something for themselves !!
Bush is history --forget about it -move on !
All your griping started today with "acording to Nagin...". You trust him ?
HAahhahhahah...as for me, I'll be watching the N.O. Hornets tonight.
IT IS TIME TO QUIT GRIPING--BLAMING OTHERS--AND SHOW WE HAVE THE BACKBONE AND WORK ETHIC WE NEED! GGeeeeeezzzzzz...will it ever stop ?
Written by Ken
on 1/28/2008
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Chaubert, dear, we totally agree with you. Stephen,we will be watching that State of the Union address ourselves. It will be interesting to say the least. Yesterday we had the privilege to join our much loved Grandma Rose for her 87th birthday. It was held at a home in New Orleans East. We saw some recovery but nowhere what we had hoped to see. Gallant people working on their homes. Apartment houses empty and still not being repaired. The signs of water still on the sides of some building and the marks of the search after the hurricane on doors. Yes Mardi Gras may be just a week away but that does not mean that this city is anywhere near recovery of even modest means. Those of us who have returned must bear down on the leaders of this state, this city, and this nation to afford assistance to this city. We even suggest a new WPA for this nation. Put people everywhere to work. The economic situation may appear to be stable at some times but it is topsy-turvey other days. In reality this nation is in ruins of various sorts. We need leadership and unity. It appears that some of the candidates for president do not see that. How unfortunate. This nation cannot afford future leadership like we see in some of the so-called front-runners. We have learned that from the election of the mayor of the city, the figures are still out on the new leader of the state, but we have to determine the figures in our future national leadership and we must do so with care. Written by RhettsWife
on 1/28/2008
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A better question: will the citizens of New Orleans get seriously involved in civic affairs and in political activism, and take back their city from the thugs and from the corrupt and incompetent local government?
There is no amount of money from the Feds that will save New Orleans if the citizens continue to be so uninvolved. Why no more marches against crime, marches against corruption, marches against ignorance and apathy? The city is in crisis, yet the public continues to put much more energy into Mardi Gras than into civic affairs. Same old, same old. There needs to be a revolution, but those with the education and the finances to participate are missing in action. There have been some promising steps forward: levee board and assessor consolidation, but not enough. Written by chaubert
on 1/27/2008
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Will President Bush mention Katrina during his State of the Union speech on Monday?
