--- IMPORTANT CONTEXT: Another reason Aaron Broussard is so upset

[Armstead]

There is usually more to situations than meets the eye. Aside from reacting to the obvious devestation, Aaron Broussard was probably resisting saying a big "We warned you but you didn't listen" when Katrina struck.


From his bio on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Broussard

Broussard was president of Parishes Against Coastal Erosion (PACE) and in a June 14, predicted: "With the National Hurricane Center predicting another active hurricane season, PACE President Aaron Broussard said he fears that it is going to take a major storm and significant loss of life before the nation acts responsibly..."


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Here's that press release. (Note to Mods:This is a press release so copywrite doesn't apply, and am including the whole thing)


http://www.americaswetland.com/article.cfm?id=241&cateid=2&pageid=3&cid=16

Press Releases June 14 2005
Parishes Against Coastal Erosion (PACE) Response to the Bush Administration's June 14, 2005 Policy Statement on the Proposed Energy Act of 2005

By Parishes Against Coastal Erosion

Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, NOAA and other federal and state agencies along with university experts agree that nowhere in the world is a coastal region losing wetlands and protective barrier islands faster than Louisiana. About this there is no doubt. It is predicted that by 2050, one third of coastal Louisiana will have vanished into the Gulf of Mexico. Our coast and its wetlands is a system on the verge of collapse. Without wetlands to buffer storms, our people and property and the nation's energy supply are at risk. Oil and gas pipelines and facilities, which provide 25% of the Nation's energy needs, are more vulnerable with each storm. Oil and gas activities and federal actions to control the Mississippi River for navigation and flood control are largely responsible for the drastic loss of our coastal. PACE believes we are completely within our right to ask the federal government to share money generated from offshore oil and gas revenues with the coastal states that bear a disproportionate burden in supporting this nation's energy needs.

Louisiana's congressional delegation has urged Congress for more than a decade to return to the state a fair share of the revenue from the production of offshore oil and gas both because of the impact of offshore production on Louisiana and because interior states get 50% of revenues from oil and gas production on federal lands.

The president has supported the concept, but has backed off when it comes to funding the restoration effort. PACE believes Louisiana can no longer afford to wait. Louisiana urgently needs guaranteed resources to thwart a catastrophe that is not being given the sense of urgency that it demands.

We believe the case has been made. Louisiana's wetlands - America's WETLAND - is crucial to the nations oil and gas production, commercial fisheries, navigation and commerce and national security. Restoring the damage hastened by years of inland and offshore drilling is clearly a national responsibility.

The President, in this Policy Statement, has failed us. To sidestep this as a key issue would be a serious deficiency, in the Energy Bill, and the entire nation will suffer as a consequence.

Our Louisiana legislature this month passed a constitutional amendment requiring any new offshore oil and gas revenue to be put in a trust fund dedicated to coastal erosion.

Louisiana has made a commitment. Now, it's time for the President to step up to the plate and support funding to prevent the untold damage to the ecology, economy and potential loss of life in large numbers.

With the National Hurricane Center predicting another active hurricane season, PACE President Aaron Broussard said he fears that it is going to take a major storm and significant loss of life before the nation acts responsibly.

The PACE organization's frustration with the Administration's Statement was reflected in St. Bernard Parish President, Henry "Junior" Rodriguez's comment that "Louisiana contributes much to this Nations energy needs. It's time we take a hard look at our alternatives and consider whether we want to keep up this level of oil and gas production."

If you have any questions, please contact Jefferson Parish President and PACE President, Aaron Broussard.

[Skidmore]

1. And * punished them by not declaring those parishes

disaster areas before Katrina struck for the following demand on the oil industry:

"Our Louisiana legislature this month passed a constitutional amendment requiring any new offshore oil and gas revenue to be put in a trust fund dedicated to coastal erosion."

[rbajai]

2. Yesterday I had a revelation about Broussard.

Okay, bear with me here. Now I believe *'s lack of response with Katrina was purposeful. It was to send the message that government will not and cannot help you in a time of disaster. It was to create such a horrible - mind-bending situation (Psy-Ops) that people will be forced to think differently. Therefore, * is probably happy that Broussard is saying that "Bureaucracy murdered people." Because it's what * wants them to think. Why??

Read today's Washington Post article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/25/AR2005092501224.html?referrer=email&referrer=email

[Armstead]

3. I agree and disagree

I don't think govt. lack of response was purposeful. Instead I see it as the logical of this administration's focus on stripping government services down and a logical consequence of right-wing policies and crony caspitalism.

But I do agree that, like after 9-11, the administration looked for ways to capitalize on Katrina to expand the military side of govt. and advance it's real agenda of crony capitalism.

[rodeodance]

4. just the lack of not being aware and concerned that disaster might happen

was the problem pre and post katrina.



......I don't think govt. lack of response was purposeful. .....

[Village Idiot]

5. I think Broussard managed to stay "on message" perfectly...

Disparaging those who are hating and blaming without the facts - and it will be a while before all facts come to light - as divisive and ignorant opportunists, seeking to turn Louisiana's tragedy into political capital...

He's pretty entertaining, and I, for one, was surprised at just how articulate he was in defense of all those who are working so hard to help the victims...

[Armstead]

6. He does seem like an interesting fellow

Came up with a lot of obscure historical and literary allusions.

I must admit that his obsession with "buring at the stake" seemed a bit odd. It could be taken a number of ways. But I'll assume that wasn't meant to be taken literally.

Would be interesting to learn more about him in non-crisis mode.

[pacalo]

10. "Burning at the stake" is as relevant today as during the 1600's.

The modern phrase equivalent is "You're either with us or against us."

If you're not "with us", we'll figuratively burn you at the stake by assassinating your character.

Broussard's use of that analogy told me that he must have a lot contempt for this administration's McCarthy-like attitude bottled up inside. So do I, because I got it right away.

Edited to add: Thanks for finding & posting the information about Broussard's commitment to coastal erosion. He's not only an interesting person, he's genuine. He's been a community leader for as long as I can remember. You won't find any black marks against him. Under better circumstances, he's a very congenial & likable person.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

7. We can say "He told you so", for him. Nominated.

[Armstead]

8. Thanks. I think the context is important in the Big Picture

Gov. Blanco issued a similar release this summer about the same issue.

She invited Mr. Bush to visit the coastline at the time to "educate him" about the problem. But I guess Mr. Bush was too busy mountain biking at the time.

[Armstead]

9. kick

[thethinker]

11. Our infrastructure is deteriorating

Our tax dollars are not being spent to make needed repairs on the infrastructure.

Last night the local television station mentioned how old and weak the dam is on Lake Livingston. They were worrying about it not holding the flood waters.

The federal tax dollars that should be used to maintain the infrastructure are being used to make wars and make Haliburton richer.

The country is starting to fall apart from lack of maintenance.