New Orleans Mayor: Bush concerned about Katrina because...

[blitzen]

of the oil rigs.

Just heard him say that on WWL

[Christa]

1. oh really

he is so glad the attention is off Cindy and on Katrina x(

[Lifelong Protester]

21. any crisis...

in a storm, and I don't mean to be cute, for that SOB. I mean, 9/11 certainly gave him the platform he needed to push is Iraq agenda, and this storm will get him out of the anti-war spotlight, that is if he actually gets off his ass and goes back to work and leaves the tour de Crawford.

[fishnfla]

2. Bullshit

now Iraqi oil is worth more

[Langis]

3. WTF?

He really said that?

[blitzen]

7. he said it in a very low-key, matter-of-fact way...

in a "killing-with-kindness" sort of way

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. LOL...good for him

Mayors of major cities know Bush could give a shit about human life unless it's a zygot or an embryo

[Oreo]

5. Thinks oil will go over $70/barrel

He said this will make the country realize how important NO is

[steve2470]

6. What was the context ? He's still a bastard no matter what nt

[blitzen]

13. Nagin said something like:

"The President is concerned--of course he's concerned with the human lives--but he's concerned with the tremendous national impact this could have because of the oil in the gulf." just a paraphrase...

[nonconformist]

8. Of course. Why should he care anything about loss of life? nt

[Tyranny_R_US]

9. WWLTV Broadband Live Feed link

http://www.wwltv.com/cgi-bin/bi/video/makeadplaylist.pl?title=beloint_wwltv&live=yes

[kohodog]

10. Wonder if Brit Hume will suggest buying short.

I cannot believe the callous uncaring blindness of these "compassionate conservatives." I truly don't understand how anybody can respect them.

[julialnyc]

11. NYT

Mandatory Evacuation Ordered for New Orleans as Storm Nears

Threatened with a potential catastrophe, the mayor of New Orleans ordered people in the city to evacuate today as Hurricane Katrina gained strength. President Bush has already declared an emergency for Louisiana and Mississippi, which along with other parts of the northern Gulf coast states lie in the direction of the hurricane.

The city's distinct terrain makes it particularly vulnerable to the storm surges, heavy rains and high winds of a hurricane. With more than a million people in its suburbs and center, the city is surrounded on three sides by water, and lies below sea level in a bowl-shaped basin. Pumps would fail if the storm surge of up to 25 feet overwhelmed the city's levees.


The Superdome is being used as a shelter for those who are unable to leave the city.
"That's why we are taking this unprecedented move," Mayor Ray Nagin said at a news conference that was broadcast live. "The storm surge most likely will topple our levee system."

In an interview later with CNN, the mayor also referred to the potential impact the hurricane could have on the oil supply from the vulnerable area.

"The real issue - that I don't think the nation is paying attention to - is that through the city of New Orleans, through the Gulf of Mexico, we probably deal with almost a third of the nation's domestic oil that is produced. And that will most likely be shut down," Mr. Nagin said.

"So, this can have a significant impact on oil prices going forward," he added.

As the hurricane, with winds of about 175 miles per hour, headed toward the area this morning, thousands of people in New Orleans jammed freeways leaving the city, while others nailed boards over the windows of their businesses. Stranded tourists and others unable to leave are able to use the Louisiana Superdome as a shelter. With a state of emergency declared, federal emergency assistance was being deployed and national guard troops were being prepared.
http://nytimes.com/2005/08/28/national/29katrinacnd.html?hp&ex=1125288000&en=981ae15651040069&ei=5094&partner=homepage


more....

[Child_Of_Isis]

16. "The real issue"

That just says it all doesn't it?

[julialnyc]

18. I know! I'm sure the people are saying thanks for your compassion Mr.Mayor

N/T

[bpilgrim]

24. Bloomberg: Oil, Gas May Soar as Storm Shuts U.S. Gulf Production

Aug. 28 (Bloomberg) -- Crude-oil and natural-gas prices may soar after Hurricane Katrina moved into production regions of the Gulf of Mexico, forcing companies including Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp. to close operations.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc said it shut 420,000 barrels of daily oil production in the Gulf. The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, which handles about 11 percent of U.S. imports, closed yesterday. Katrina is one of the most powerful storms ever to enter the Gulf, source of about 30 percent of U.S. oil production and 24 percent of the country's natural gas.

``Forecasters are saying Katrina could do more energy damage than any storm in recent years,'' said Jason Schenker an economist with Wachovia Corp. in Charlotte. ``It's not just that there's going to be outages for the next couple of days. With shutdowns and damage at platforms and refineries, the bullish impact could be felt for the rest of the year.''

Crude oil for October delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange dropped $1.36, or 2 percent, to close at $66.13 a barrel on Aug. 26. Prices fell amid forecasts that Katrina would stay closer to Florida and miss most producing regions of the Gulf. The futures touched a record $68 a barrel Aug. 25 as the storm gained strength.

``I think it is easily conceivable that we could see crude futures hit $70 this week,'' Schenker said.

more
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aBIeBqlVuf.E&refer=top_world_news

peace

[fishwax]

12. yeah, i'm not surprised

our president is a callous ass

[Sgent]

14. NOLA Mayor

said Bush called him earlier this morning, inquiring about the oil piplines that go through the area (30% of ALL OIL IN THE US is produced or piped through the area).

Nagin then mentioned that * metioned people, made it sound like it was an afterthought to Bush.

IMHO Nagin has done an exemplery job. I know everyone's screaming, but they are estimating an 80% evacuation rate, which is well above any projected amoung.

Edit... NOLA and the area is the largest drop off point for all oil goint to the east coast from venezuala, mexico, and the middle east. Its not just the domestic oil, but a large percentage of shipping comes through NOLA.

[tjdee]

17. Sounds just like him.

:grr:

[lovuian]

15. Is that the statement of the day!!!

Ugly Ugly Ugly!!!

[steve2470]

19. is Nagin a Dem. ? Just idle curiosity nt

[blitzen]

20. Nagin is a Dem...considered a conservative in some respects n/t

[Imagevision]

22. Watch gas prices at the end of next week as they look for the drowned

http://downingstreetmemo.com/

[Sgent]

23. Nagin

is a Dem... IMHO one of the best mayors in NOLA's recent memory.

NOLA itself is about 70% Dem.