Bush Cut Hurricane, Flood Protection Funding to New Orleans

[Lori Price CLG]

News Updates from Citizens for Legitimate Government
28 August 2005
http://www.legitgov.org/index.html#breaking_news

Bush Cut Hurricane, Flood Protection Funding to New Orleans 06 June 2005 In fiscal year 2006, the New Orleans district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is bracing for a record $71.2 million reduction in federal funding. It would be the largest single-year funding loss ever for the New Orleans district, Corps officials said. I've been here over 30 years and I've never seen this level of reduction, said Al Naomi, project manager for the New Orleans district... The cuts mean major hurricane and flood protection projects will not be awarded to local engineering firms. Also, a study to determine ways to protect the region from a Category 5 hurricane has been shelved for now .

<snip>

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4200/is_20050606/ai_n14657367

Lori Price

[Liberty Belle]

1. Nominating -- Blood of New Orleans will be on Bush's hands.

kick!

[rodeodance]

2. we only had money for war efforts.

[TomInTib]

7. And the LA Gov is no relation to him. n/t

[Lori Price CLG]

8. Right, if only Halliburton could have made some money it... n/t

[vickitulsa]

16. I'll bet some of his pals get fat contracts (without bids) to rebuild

NO and a lot of the region in the aftermath....

And the National Guard issue, THAT is what's still worrying me most. They have been needed ALREADY, surely. They will be needed, those local NG troops of the southern states affected, VERY BADLY in the coming days. Who will prevent looting? Who will man the barricades and intervene in fighting and other catastrophe-related human behavior that is sure to occur? Who will drive trucks of supplies in to the most hazardous areas afterward to reach stranded survivors and bring out the injured?

I think it will be so very clear that our NG troops are NEEDED HERE AT HOME where their own families are, to do the sort of thing they signed up for when they joined ... but instead they are trying to get news of their families going through hell here while they're in combat in Iraq!

Man... what a nightmare for them and for the people in the path of this killer storm who will NOT have their help when they need it most....

Waytago, Georgie!

~VV

___________________________________

[Usrename]

21. My son was in NG after Opal. Bad, but without the casualties epected

from this storm. I really don't think looting will be an issue. Search and rescue will be the mission on Tuesday.

[ultraist]

22. Oh, ya! There will be no bid contracts to rebuild the damaged areas.

I think we can count on that, as well as "lost" money. :eyes:

[rodeodance]

4. he will blame someone else for the cuts--not that the msm will bring

this to the light of day.

[Lori Price CLG]

5. Thanks. This one could do Bush real damage (hopefully). n/t

[Igel]

17. Probably not.

Congress could always put the money in the budget. The cuts in emergency preparedness spending in previous and the the current year could. But what was previously proposed for the year *after* such a storm hit, probably not.

After all, we're talking about a budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year, at least in this case. And knowing what effect a Cat. 5 storm had on N.O. would raise precisely the questions that the study (that would have been carried out next year) would have had to address.

[Usrename]

23. A little too late to do any good - in this years new highway bill

from Shreveport Times,May 11, 2005 By John Hill

"In Washington, U.S. Sens. Mary Landrieu and David Vitter separately announced the U.S. Senate had adopted an amendment to the bill that gives priority in the "national corridors" pot of money for emergency evacuation routes. That, they said, gives I-49 another shot at the federal money."

[Dawgs]

67. I might be wrong, but I think the 'fiscal 2006' year goes from...

July 2005 to June 2006(Feds).

[tx_dem41]

69. No....it goes from October 1, 2005 thru Sept. 30, 2006. n/t

[tammywammy]

70. You're wrong

The fiscal year starts on Oct 1 and ends on Sept 30.

[Roland99]

32. While the funding cut is atrocious and undermines our nation's safety

how is the death of anyone on his hands?

"In fiscal year 2006"

This is 2005 right now. The cuts aren't in place yet.

Perhaps this storm will be enough to wake up Congress and have those cuts rescinded.

[MadisonProgressive]

37. I agree

As much as I despise that man, he has enough blood on his hands without us trying to pin this on him. Let's stay real, people.

[mitchum]

44. AND the hands of ALL of his supporters

[Cobalt Violet]

3. What an Idiot.

[NVMojo]

6. Right ...no conspiracy here ...move on ...my ass.

[ultraist]

9. Nice find! I'm not a bit surprised. What an asshole.

** that is, not you! LOL!

[jsamuel]

10. what plans were there for the 1/5 (poor) left behind?

Who didn't make plans for them?

Why?

[Lori Price CLG]

14. No plans. And, I hope the Superdome holds... n/t

[wanpete]

11. No surprise here. If it helps the average man...cut it

if it helps big business, Halliburton, etc...push it through. I pray there won't be a lot of loss of life, but if so...let this too rest on *'s shoulders.

[fishnfla]

12. The chimp cant do a goddamned thing right.

snakebit

[Inland]

13. And how much did we spend on flood control in Iraq, I wonder. nt

[annabanana]

15. GW to New Orleans.."Drop Dead", , , , , , n/t

[Usrename]

18. Good subject .. this is what it's all about

been watching Sen. Landrieu (LA) rail about this on the Senate floor for years...knew in my heart she wasn't fibbing

[sunnystarr]

19. From the same article

Landrieu said the Bush administration is not making Corps of Engineers funding a priority.

I think it's extremely shortsighted, Landrieu said. When the Corps of Engineers' budget is cut, Louisiana bleeds. These projects are literally life-and-death projects to the people of south Louisiana and they are (of) vital economic interest to the entire nation.

Unfortunately this hurricane is a hell of a way to get funds to NO. Let's all pray that there's a NO left to receive the funds.

[usregimechange]

49. please include link

[Lori Price CLG]

52. Cool username, 'usregimechange.' :) Here is the link to original:

Link to original:

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4200/is_20050606/ai_n14657367

Lori

[BrightKnight]

20. New Orleans / climate change accountability demonstration.

Someone should organize the New Orleans and climate change accountability demonstration from hell.

We can afford all of the pork in the "energy" and "transportation" bills but we cannot afford to save New Orleans.

How much is it going to cost to deal with this after the fact.

Neocons belong in prison not government. They must be held accountable for their actions.

[Usrename]

27. Prison? That would be an awfuly kind and forgiving outcome.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

24. Oh, Lori...you're being SO harsh on our beloved Junta-Leader!!....

Everyone knows he had to pay for his illegal wars and tax-cuts for the wealthy somehow!

Take it from those who can least afford it! Brilliant!

[Lori Price CLG]

25. Wait 'til you see my comments during Bush's treason trial, LOL!! n/t

[sellitman]

41. I want to be a fly on the wall listening!

:evilgrin:

[osaMABUSh]

26. Director of NO Homeland Security just dissed * live on 4 WWL

http://www.wwltv.com/perl/common/video/wmPlayer.pl?title=beloint_wwltv&props=livenoad

Head of New Orleans HS just gave a backhand slap at Bush on loss of wetlands on LA coast which will lead to worse flooding. He said every mile of lost wetland leads to a foot higher storm surge. Also, said the $3 gallon gasoline and higher will be another outcome of storm and joked that he wished he could buy oil futures right now.

Also, mentioned that 3,000 Guard apparently recently back from Iraq will help out.

[vickitulsa]

39. Oh damn I missed that -- had the sound muted on the WWL

broadcast since the last commercial. Wish I could have heard that! I can only guess at how frustrated so many HS employees are with the decisions this administration keeps making. Most of those workers probably take the job hoping to really do some good things for their communities, then to have important projects shelved or cut ... man, it has to hurt. I'm glad one of them spoke out!

But the idea of 3,000 NG troops just back from Iraq working this homeland disaster gives me pause, too. Imagine what guys ('n' gals) just back from combat with hair-trigger nerves will do when idiotic civilians here do stupid things during this disaster.... I doubt they will have much patience with 'em~!

At least they're HERE -- and accustomed to extreme conditions, though not these particular ones. From desert sand where water is scarce to their home states where flooding is imminent and the rain is pouring down ... what a drastic change! And a little bit sudden for them, no doubt.

God help us all, and the troops who try to protect and assist us in times when we need them. I'm sure they'll do their best. :patriot:

~VV

___________________________________

[huskerlaw]

28. Perhaps we should give Bush a pile of sand

and a shovel...and send him down to the French Quarter to try to save it. All by himself. 20 feet of chemical-laced water should teach him a thing or two. UUUUUGH.

[KittyWampus]

29. oh dear, more damning info.

[vanboggie]

30. No National Guard, No Equipment, No Hurricane/Flood Protection

Thanks for keeping America safe, Idiot Boy.

[Lori Price CLG]

31. But, Halliburton, ExxonMobil, and Rudy Giuliani have made a *killing.* n/t

[vanboggie]

60. There I go again

Forgeting American ideals, LOL.

[FreedomAngel82]

33. Just more to show me

that Bush is pure evil.

[poverlay]

34. We're going to be feeling the pain for decades.

Society will be feeling it for centuries to come.

[milkyway]

35. No worry. Halliburton will offer to rebuild New Orleans (for a slight fee,

of course). There won't be any time for that annoying contract bidding.

[Deja Q]

36. That only hurts people. Don't worry, the oil rigs will still be given

funding.

[Lori Price CLG]

42. Right. In the aftermath, we have to check to see how much $$$ Exxon-

Mobil receives from US taxpayers to 'rebuild' its oil rigs.

Profit Soars at Exxon Mobil
Surging Oil Prices Lead to Company's Best Second Quarter

Friday, July 29, 2005; Page D02

Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest publicly traded oil company, said yesterday that second-quarter profit rose 32 percent, to $7.64 billion, as Asia and North America used more crude oil and gasoline.

<snip>

Exxon Mobil and other oil companies may benefit from $2.6 billion in subsidies in the energy bill that is nearing passage in Congress.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/28/AR2005072802085.html

Lori Price

[carols]

38. NOW can we impeach him?

Of course his bought and paid for scientists probably told him that the jury is still out on whether or not New Orleans could take a direct hit from a Category 5 hurricane, but they promise to study it as soon as they get finished debunking the theory of evolution...

[Lori Price CLG]

43. LOL!!! Great comments. n/t

[Cleita]

45. Oh please let this be the straw that does it.

eom

[Lori Price CLG]

46. Pls. forward the article to media outlets. I sent to K. Olbermann, etc.

[cosmicdot]

40. "A Disaster Waiting to Happen" and "Disaster in the Making"

Cover Story and Commentary 2004

"A Disaster Waiting to Happen" 09 28 04

As FEMA weathers Bush administration policy changes, some insiders fear that concerns over terrorism are trumping protection from hurricanes and other natural hazards.

~snip~

Among emergency specialists, "mitigation" -- the measures taken in advance to minimize the damage caused by natural disasters -- is a crucial part of the strategy to save lives and cut recovery costs. But since 2001, key federal disaster mitigation programs, developed over many years, have been slashed and tossed aside. FEMA's Project Impact, a model mitigation program created by the Clinton administration, has been canceled outright. Federal funding of post-disaster mitigation efforts designed to protect people and property from the next disaster has been cut in half. Communities across the country must now compete for pre-disaster mitigation dollars.

~snip~

http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/2004-09-28/cover_story.html

"Disaster in the Making" 10 05 04

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's diminished capacity to handle natural disasters is especially worrisome to Louisiana.

http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/2004-10-05/commentary.html

[BrklynLiberal]

47. kick

[usregimechange]

48. kicking and spreading

[rumpel]

50. Just recommended this. This is so typical. Let us not let them get away

with this.

Spread the truth wide and far.

[AmBlue]

51. But, but, but....

...he rushed onto the teevee to tell us all how concerned he was about New Orleans. You know, he and his brother Jeb are MOST photogenic when hurricanes are bearing down on the mainland........ :sarcasm: off

[usregimechange]

53. kick

[ultraist]

54. He urged people to evacuate

But, of course, they failed to report that he had previously cut Hurricane funding. There would have been more funds to help people to evacuate if not for his cuts! What a fucking hypocrite he is.

[Lori Price CLG]

55. Right, that is not getting reported. It needs to be reported. Hopefully,

the word will get out about this little cover-up, and, hopefully, it will be tipping point.

Lori Price

[fearnobush]

56. Oh the Irony. Gotta kick this - nominated

[orleans]

57. BushCo: killing Americans at home

so the terrorists won't have to!

(lucky it's not an election year george!--you s.o.b.)

[Lori Price CLG]

59. I think tomorrow, he's going to be talking about Medicare 'reform' ...

(Medicare's destruction).
Bush doesn't give a damn about this country.

Lori Price

[sans-culotte]

58. It's a Slam Dunk!!

Chimpy is so screwed by this one.

[usregimechange]

61. kick!

[tammywammy]

62. Just 2 things

One, it says Congress sets the Corps budget, not the President.

And two, it's for the fiscal year 2006....we're in 2005. So I don't understand how Bush could be in trouble for budget cuts, that would have happened the year after a disaster.

[vickitulsa]

66. I caught that too, but the point is, I think, he *wants* to cut

some funding that will clearly be shown to be badly needed by this storm's effects.

Like so many of his misguided, rip-off policies and plans for us, what he WANTS to do is proven to be *wrong* by what happens now.

That's how I see it anyway. And the more climate change affects our weather and events prove it out, the more *wrong* he will be shown to be. Same with so many things ... it's like everything he touches turns to sh*t, not gold!

I figure at some point he's gonna feel like a nervous monkey in a tortuous psych test, where every time he tries to touch something, he's gonna get a big SHOCK instructing him that he did the WRONG thing! After awhile, he'll be afraid to even MOVE, and will freeze up with his little eyeballs rolling in his head, with approach-avoidance conflicts driving him totally mad..... :spank: :crazy: :hurts:

~VV

____________________________________________

[usregimechange]

63. kick

[usregimechange]

64. kick

[AzDar]

65. Oh god, is there ANYTHING he hasn't managed to screw up??

ANYTHING?????

[Lori Price CLG]

71. Yes, Halliburton, ExxonMobilm and Rudy Giuliani's profit margins. n/t

[demo dutch]

68. The question is will this make it into the news now??????

[Nothing Without Hope]

72. Part of a consistent policy: BUSH SLASHED CLINTON DISASTER RELIEF programs

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4482567
Thread title: Bush has slashed Clinton's Disaster Mitigation Program. (unbelievable)

[Lori Price CLG]

73. Just like he canceled 'Able Danger' almost as soon as he took office...

literally, *took* office.

Lori Price

[Nothing Without Hope]

74. and has a secret plan that would destroy our National Parks for political

capital:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4498464
Thread title: NY Times op/ed on secret Bush plan: “DESTROYING THE NATIONAL PARKS”

And then there's the way the Bush Administration concealed the fact that billions in Small Business loan money was funneled into Fortune 500 companies:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4494191
Thread title: BushInc caught giving BILLIONS of SBA small biz dollars to Big Business

...and so much more. We need to collect these incidents as part of the talking points to reach Bush supporters and galvanize Dem voters. We will wait in vain if we wait for the lazy, inept, and - I believe - at least partially corrupt DNC to do it.