Is Brown firing 1st time Bush didn't get his way?

[enid602]

Although not terribly significant (and certainly too late), Bush's firing/reassignment of Brown is noteworthy in that it appears that Bush is bowing to public pressure. Can anyone on the board REMEMBER Bush compromising or not getting his way since he took office? Iraq and Bolton don't come to mind. Far as I know, he hasn't lost enthusiasm for SS destruction. This is a scary thought folks, but this might be the FIRST TIME in his life that Georgie has not gotten his way.

[PretzelWarrior]

1. Brown ain't fired yet

so....this is nothing new. Bush always does this to attempt taking heat off.

[Avalux]

2. He wasn't fired.

He just went back to Washington to wait for the next disaster. He's still collecting a paycheck, courtesy of us taxpayers.

[cami715]

14. Call the White House 1-202-456-1111 or 1-202-456-1414

Tell them relieving him of the duty in the Katrina disaster area is not enough. He in both incompetent and obviously a liar. He must be fired.

I did call and the aid who answered interrupted me several times to tell me he was no longer in charge in the Gulf area. But I told him that was not enough.

WH surely seems on the defensive!

[enid602]

21. suggestion

Done. Thanks for the suggestion.

[benburch]

3. Was he fired or NOT?

I have heard many different things.

[VolcanoJen]

9. He was relieved of onsite command, that's all that is known.

It's confusing. The headlines say "FEMA Chief Replaced," but what they really mean is he was replaced at the disaster site, but was not replaced as the chief of FEMA.

As far as I can tell, he still has his title, he still has his job, and he's still collecting what is likely a fat paycheck courtesy the US taxpayer.

The press needs to follow up on this pronto... for example, if there was a devastating earthquake on the west coast tomorrow, would Michael Brown still be responsible for emergency response?

[LittleClarkie]

24. And people like Rush are spinning it as a promotion

He was needed to oversee other things badly. Have to look at the big picture dontcha know.

I don't think Bush Co. is admitting jack squat yet.

[ewagner]

4. He still got his way

He didn't "fire" him.....he just deflected the criticism.

[OneGrassRoot]

5. seems to me the fact that Brown keeps his job

and the pay WE'RE providing means dickhead didn't lose at all. It's an admission of failure to those of us with any sense, but to his followers, they probably see it as a good move. Get Brown out of the spotlight so the liberal media can't continue to attack Bush and his judgment (lack of).

[alcibiades_mystery]

6. Brown didn't get fired

That's how they're massaging Bush's wounded ego.

We need to keep pushing!

[enid602]

11. glimmer

Whether he was fired or merely reassigned, it looks like Bush was FORCED to do something he did not want to do, and indeed said he would not do. Not a huge victory for rational people in the US, but a glimmer of hope nonetheless.

[DrDan]

7. he's fired - just not publically

fired on a Friday - junior did learn something when studying business

[tjdee]

8. The SEC chair was let go, the Treasury Secretary left...

But he *is* getting his way, because Brown isn't *fired* like he should be.

[enid602]

19. SEC, Treasury

I don't recall the instance with the SEC chair, but Bush did circulate the rumor last year that the treasury spot would be opening up. He was looking for replacements, but not finding any takers among academia or serious economists. For obvious reasons. But this example does not seem to be of the same magnitude or nature as this Brown thing. His arm is really being twisted in a way that I would have thought impossible just weeks ago.

[Walt Starr]

10. They PROMOTED the bastard, they didn't fire him. n/t

[enid602]

12. bushco

Fine. If that's the case, why doesn't he 'promote' Cheney, Rummy, Condi and Bolton why he's at it. I don't care what kind of windowdressing Bushco puts on Brown's firing/reassignment/promotion, Bush appears to have been FORCED to do something he did not want to. Come, now, can ANYONE on DU remember the last time Bush did not get his way, or was FORCED to back down from a previous decision.

Such humanity on the part of Bush, while not humble in nature, nonetheless gives me hope that he is perhaps not the anti-christ.

[electropop]

13. No no,

Being forced to do something is not the same as acting morally. He is the anti-christ.

[enid602]

15. gimme a break

Give me some hope, electropop! At least for a few moments.

[electropop]

16. Didn't say there's no hope.

This disaster is finally clearing the scales from many eyes. Bush's numbers are plummeting among Republicans. My prediction: He will be impeached and gone by August 2006. I am very hopeful, especially now. Genocide is a very high price to pay to get rid of a dictator, but it does focus attention on this stinking cesspool of a regime.

It's not realistic to hope Bush would ever act morally, but it is realistic to expect him to be booted out by Congress. They are fighting for their political lives now.

[enid602]

17. right on

I hope you're right. Keep up the positive thinking.

[politicat]

18. and anyone who has dealt with a thwarted bully is nervous....

They're not exactly easy to deal with.

[enid602]

20. bully

Hmmmm. . . I hadn't thought of that. In that case, what can we do? Certainly not back down. We'll have to keep your advice in mind, and be prepared for the worse. The very worse. Still, if we can create and maintain momentum, maybe we can bring him down.

[politicat]

22. Never back down, never give up, and give as good as is dished out.

We're up to it.

We're stronger than he thinks we are. That's our ace card. Bullies always think their victims are weak we're not.

[derby378]

23. But for now, we're still paying Brown's salary...

Sounds like bait-and-switch to me.

[enid602]

25. go for it

We're certainly more numerous than he, and becoming moreso as his actions with re: Iraq and Katrina continue to erode at his base. Yes, I agree with you; now is not the time to back down. Go for the jugular; not out of crelty, but to rid ourselves of evil.