has the Bush Administration left us unprepared for ISABEL?

[bluestateguy]

I am concerned about all of these National Guard people who have been packed up and shipped out to Iraq leaving their states relatively unprotected from disturbances of the peace and natural disasters. What if Hurricane Isabel devastates the coastline of a particular state(s) and there are not a sufficient National Guard personell to deliver emergency services? Will the Bush Administration give Halliburton another Christmas Tree contract? Or maybe Wal-Mart will provide emergency services. In any event, it is very possible that this Administration's fixation with Iraq could lead to greater hardship than necessary after the Hurricane does its work.

[w4rma]

1. Graham: Bush's blank check Leaves South Carolina underprepared

Statement from Senator Bob Graham

(New York, NY) - In the midst of Hurricane Isabel, a Category 5 hurricane, threatening the eastern shore of the United States, Senator Bob Graham today continued his strong criticism of the Bush Administration's overwhelming commitment of U.S. troops and most recently, $87 billion, to the war in Iraq when it is desperately needed here at home.

"President Bush continues to prioritize and Americans continue to wind up with the short end of the stick. This President aids Iraq at the risk of jeopardizing the safety of Americans here at home.

“As east coast states begin to brace themselves for what could be a tremendously devastating storm on track to make landfall early next week, many have found there are few National Guard troops available for call-up due to deployment extensions in Iraq and elsewhere. Typically these troops are used in the wake of natural disasters to police, clean up and rebuild. For example, South Carolina has only 3,500 troops available for call-up compared to 8,000 when Hurricane Hugo, a storm of comparable size, slammed South Carolina's coast in 1989.

"I know the kind of devastation a storm this size can leave behind. As a former Governor of a large coastal state, I understand the vital role of the National Guard during a time like this. They aid in everything from evacuating people safely, maintaining order, assisting with clean up and rebuilding efforts. States affected by this storm will surely be at a significant deficit without these troops."

Last year, Senator Graham voted against the resolution to allow President Bush to go to war believing a war in Iraq would require a significant shift in focus and resources away from what he believed was America's greatest threat - international terrorism.

"I voted against giving President Bush a 'blank check' to go to war," said Graham. "We can't trust this President with a 'blank check'."
http://www.grahamforpresident.com/news/displayArticle.php?id=30
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=328522

[disgruntella]

3. Good for Graham

For bringing this up. As a resident of a state with lots of wildfires, National Guard support was very important, and we were lucky to have it. I just worry for all of you DU'ers on the east coast - stay safe!

[IndianaGreen]

4. Graham is wrong, the Florida National Guard is ready for Isabel

Unfortunately, the bulk of the Florida National Guard is currently pulling sandbagging duty in Baghdad.

:crazy:

[The Zanti Regent]

8. But Pat Robertson will PRAY the Hurrican Away

Who needs FEMA when Pious Pat the Pompous Priest o' the GOP will Pray the Hurricane Away?

Is it still headed for Virginia Beach????????

[jab105]

2. I heard that FEMA has been underfunded....

n/t

[JCMach1]

5. FEMA Organization and funding was a high point

of the Clinton administration.

I will enjoy seeing the 'pugs trying to blame the response on Clinton.

I think FEMA has deteriorated in terms of its ability to take care of natural disasters... The focus has been so much on terrorism.

[monarch]

6. Has the Bush media been ordered to play down Isabel?

I got up this morning expecting the television to be all hurricane all the time like they do with a minor snow storm. Now, all of a sudden, it barely makes the weather forecast. What gives?

[Snellius]

7. And another side effect of global warming?

Is this the price we're paying so Bush can pay back his energy cronies?

Hurricanes feed off the energy of warm water and air. Is it a coincidence that weather planes monitoring Isabel had at one point some of the highest winds ever recorded in a hurricane?

[KoKo]

9. Poppy was heavily criticized when Hugo hit SC and he did nothing.....FEMA

head was incompetent......aid was so late in coming that people were in terrible need and couldn't get the federal loans which were necessary because of beaurocraticl flub ups. Poppy didn't even come to SC until weeks after the storm when he flew over in a helicopter after being criticized that he didn't care.

Same thing will happen with the Chimp. Clinton put a strong head of FEMA in. And we had two hurricans in his administration. I didn't hear as many complaints about FEMA.

[DoYouEverWonder]

10. The NE Blackout proved

that we are on our own. You better be prepared to take care of yourself and a few others. During the blackout, the Dept of Homeland Security failed and was of little real use. However, the people took matters into their own hands and with their local police restored some semblence of order. At least with this hurricane, you've got 5 DAYS to get ready. Then get a deck of cards and a chess board and relax for few days.