now Christopher Hitchens pours a bucket on Bush

[WearyOne]

Voters will remember disaster response, Hitchens says
Reporter: Tony Jones

"TONY JONES: I was actually going to move on precisely to that point now. I mean, how is this going to play into the debate over Iraq? I mean, where were the Louisiana National Guard? Many of them were in Iraq, so we believe. The money that was supposed to be spent on the levees, these sort of arguments are already being paid, was diverted to Iraq. How is that going to play? George Bush's popularity is already at an all-time low for his presidency, largely because of what's happening in Iraq.

CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS: Yes, I mean, it really could not have come at a worse time for him from that point of view, and of course the accusation that the resources could've been in the Gulf, not just in New Orleans, are in the other gulf, as it were, the Middle Eastern Gulf, is a very easy one for people to grasp. It takes 10 seconds to see that point. I think it myself partakes of a rather zero sum mentality. I mean, there is no reason at all why there aren't enough people to guard New Orleans and to help stabilise Baghdad, but the comparison is going to be made and, in fact, it won't even take anyone in politics to point it out, because people have already, so to speak, noticed it. There may be some embarrassment, I think, at appearing to politicise the disaster, I don't think any Democrat yet fight wants to be first in making any direct connection of this kind while we're still digging out the bodies, but the connection has already moved from being latent to blatant in people's minds. "

http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2005/s1453763.htm

[jefferson_dem]

1. This reality of misplaced priorities (and displaced resources) will haunt

this fucked-up administration and it's supporters. And well it should.

The reality is, as just smacked Shamitty in the face as he predictably sought to spin blame toward the footsteps Blanco. He asked the AL National Guard officer who is in charge of the state's national guard contingent. The officer said that "EXCEPT IN TIMES OF WAR", the governor is in charge.

Well, aren't we in a time of "WAR" now? Truth is, the chimp-in-chief dragged away to the desert over a third of LA's active Guard, leaving the state destitute and unable to deal with the crisis.

It's a matter of misplaced priorities!

[jimshoes]

3. And so will the souls

of untold thousands that died when they could have been at least given a fighting chance.

[Cha]

2. "Stabilize Iraq"? What's he on?

Never mind..I think I know.

[bemildred]

4. Have another drink Hitch, you'll feel better.

This reminds me of Tom Friedman's Iraq apologias.

[WearyOne]

5. he looked shocking..eyes watering..sniffing..forgetting his words

[shrike]

6. Maybe I got dumb overnight

But Hitchens' response makes no sense to me.

[cybildisobedience]

7. here's a translation:

Even stupid 'muricans who believe every bit of crap flung at them by Bush and the corporate-controlled media can see what a disaster this is, and that's a shame for Bush. This is all coming at a very bad time for Bush, and it's hard to hide the truth. Therefore, it might take a bit more effort to continue to impose the complete neocon agenda on unsuspecting citizens, and it will be much more difficult to invade Iraq.

In a nutshell...