Some Questions about Responsibility

[maine_raptor]

Since there looks like there will be some sort of congressional investigation into what happened in New Orleans (according to AP reports), then perhaps they will look into what the president knew and when did he know it.

What happens if, as logically seems likely, there was a Presidential Daily Briefing outlining scenarios of destruction? Will there be attempts to whitewash or deep six such prior presidential knowledge like was done with the August 6, 2001 PDB?

We are already seeing the right’s attempts to shift the burden of responsibility to the Mayor of New Orleans and the Governor of Louisiana. Will this “play in Peoria “as Nixon used to say? Or has the continual passing of the blame, which has become a hallmark of the Bush years finally become too much for the silent majority to handle?

Even for the most ill-informed it is obvious that a mayor or governor does not have the power that the head of the Federal Government has. This simple fact, the comparative levels of authority between the two, belies any attempt to foist off the responsibility for this, the largest amount of human suffering in American history, anywhere else than where it truly belong – the current occupant of the White House and his minions.

[MissWaverly]

1. they can try but it won't work

the National Guard would not allow the Red Cross into New Orleans,
the mayor and the Governor are not the Commander in Chief, how can
the mayor be proactive when 80% of the city was flooded.

[donco6]

3. And now, even Fox news listeners saw that

people are not being allowed to leave the convention center. That's just criminal! What's wrong with them?

[MissWaverly]

9. I have been thinking about this a great deal

They are overwhelmed, there's always been a way to cover up their
mistakes before. Now people are dying on camera from lack of water,
it's not some rocket science why this is happening. This current administration suffers from elitist partisanship that has packed the federal government with cronies who lack the capability to respond.

[donco6]

2. I wonder if he did get briefed.

I don't think he cared for briefings. He's already said he doesn't read papers - which to me says he doesn't care to keep up with daily events. And let's suppose the NO mayor was incompetent (which I don't believe - I think he just did not have the resources available to provide any type of real assistance). At what point do you intervene as a higher power and just take over? When I see my own employees stumbling with a project, I call them in and talk it over with them and see if there's anything I can do to help. I don't wait for them to come to me! That's just irresponsible. Bush is still squarely to blame - hands down.

[Poppyseedman]

4. The first burden of responsibility

does belong to the Mayor of New Orleans and the Governor of Louisiana.

They certainly were not shining examples of leadership

It doesn't excuse the slow and mismanaged deployment of federal resources by FEMA and bush.

Do you think a republican controlled congress will hold * accountability? That is pure fantasy. Way too many other people will fall on their sword for him.

If a nuclear bomb blew up N.O. it would be different story

[Lindsay]

7. We will certainly find out now

if any of the repugs are actually human. Because if they aren't outraged, they haven't been paying attention.

[maine_raptor]

8. Both the Mayor and the Governor

Asked, begged, and pleaded for Federal assistance BEFORE the storm hit. See the news reports from Aug 28th.

Will a GOP controlled Congress hold Bush accountable? Maybe not, but and this is an important but, remember that knowledge about the Aug 6th 2001 PDB came out in-spite of GOP Congress and White House attempts to stifle the 9/11 investigation.

If a Aug ??, 2005 PDB outlining the possible consequences of a hurricane strike on New Orleans comes to light, then how can anybody, including the Prez say "We had no idea".

[TankLV]

12. Who cares about any briefing document? Don't they watch the NEWS?

We ALL fucking new - weeks before - that the storm was going to hit.

Do you foget the storm hit FLORIDA first and they continually tracked the storm CORRECTLY from day one!

There are NO EXCUSES! They KNEW. They DIDN'T CARE!

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. What specifically was the mayor supposed to do

in the midst of a hurricane and in a city with no power afterwards? He did his part by telling people to evacuate before the storm. Afterwards, he was as helpless as his citizens.

ONE state does NOT have the resources to meet the astronomical needs following a devastating storm like Katrina. That is definitely the role of the federal govt.

I strongly disagree with you that the mayor and the governor are to blame for this disastrous response.

[C_U_L8R]

5. The Buck Stops With Bush

And he can't rewrite the timeline
(though they are doing everything
they can now to distract and obscure
the facts.. as they always do)

Truth is, I think everyone is onto Bush & Rove's
little act by now.... and since it's all comes
down to fellow Americans dying on our own soil
because of Bush's incompetance... they will not
escape the wrath of the people and the inevitability
of justice. At least that is my hope.

[tabasco]

6. The attempt to shift blame is based on ridiculous lies.

The truth has emerged that the governor and mayor both requested federal assistance well in advance.

Plus, most people understand this was a national emergency, not just a city and state's problem.

The state doesn't have nearly enough resources to deal with this and most people understand this as well.

But the coporate propaganda will swing into full coverup mode and declare the greatness of the President's swift response (haha).

Those who wish to be validated in their beliefs, rather than thinking and learning the truth, will continue to support the corporate regime. This is about 35% of the Nation. The true "kool-aid drinkers" who will go down with the ship rather than admit a mistake.

[Stephanie]

10. He was briefed on Sunday

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Sat Aug-28-05

Bush returns from his Idaho vacation to his Crawford vacation home on Wednesday 8/24 and promptly disappears from view. On Saturday thousands of protestors converge on Crawford.


___________________________________

Sun Aug-28-05

On Sunday, as headlines report "Katrina Packing Wind of Nearly 175 Mph" and New Orleans is ordered to evacuate, Bush finally resurfaces in a taped appearance. He makes brief remarks about Katrina and then discusses Iraq. Transcript: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050828-1.html Later the White House issues one photo of Bush being briefed on Katrina.




___________________________________

Mon Aug-29-05

As the hurricane rages, Bush flies to Arizona for a "Conversation on Medicare." Upon landing, he presents John McCain with a birthday cake. He then flies to San Diego to spend the night at the luxury resort Hotel del Coronado, reportedly attending a fundraiser that night.








___________________________________

Tue Aug-30-05

As floodwaters inundate New Orleans and the Gulf Coast reels from the catastrophe, Bush speaks at a VJ-Day ceremony in San Diego. Afterwards singer Mark Wills presents him with a guitar. He then returns to Crawford for the night.








___________________________________

Wed Aug-31-05

Bush finally returns to Washington. AF1 flies over New Orleans so Bush can view the disaster. Back at the WH he makes his first official statement about the aftermath of Katrina.






___________________________________

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/

[mwb970]

11. My God. What a worthless jerk. (n/t)

[maine_raptor]

14. Great Post, Stephanie....Thx....eom