Here's why Democrats need to point fingers.

[chieftain]

The Republican spin machine is in high gear already.
Fournier of AP writes a piece which says that funding was inadequate under Clinton, too. So since everyone is too blame, no one, and certainly not Chicken George, is to blame.
The media event today has Barbour and others repeatedly lying about what a great job FEMA is doing. Chertoff and Brown spew facts about what has been authorized to be sent. So the deprivation and suffering we are seeing with our own eyes cannot be true.
And most despicable of all, the RW thugs are blaming the victims.They should have evacuated. New Orleans has a culture of violence.Or in other words, compassionate conservatism in action.
The fact is that Rove has changed the old rules of the game.It used to be that when your opponent was self destructing, you stayed silent. It used to be that when slimers like the SwiftBoatLiars told tall tales, you stayed silent.To stay silent when confronted with liars of this audacity and venality is to always lose.
We should be judicious in our attacks but we need to tell the American people the truth about these incompetents and crooks. Otherwise they along with their henchmen in the MSM will convince the nation that this was the most "efficient and effective" operation in US history.
If we don't speak out, we will have left the public in the unenviable predicament of having to choose between believing the pResident or what the RW will convince them are their lying eyes.
We have to speak out. We need to assess responsibility. We need to lay blame. Yes, we need to point fingers.

[sendero]

1. This is why...

.... I've just lost all hope for the "don't bash Bush, it's bad politics" bunch. They are part and parcel of what is killing the Democratic party. They continually overestimate the intelligence and class of the American public, and then we suffer at the polls.

The Repugs will spend more time and energy trying to shift the blame than they will addressing the problem. Anyone who thinks that taking the "high road" (as if telling the truth is the low road) is going to serve the country or Dems well is a fucking moron.

[Fovea]

2. If the funding was too low under Clinton

I would love them to explain why they then slashed it radically.

These are not even *good* excuses. This is a kindergarten pouty excuse.

I thought this was supposed to be the 'grownup' administration full of MBA wisdom. I think ** is singlehandedly lowering the value of an MBA.

[FightingIrish]

3. If pointing fingers means holding people accountable...

it is definitely time for finger pointing. This is *'s real accountability moment. Unfortunately we all know that this will mean promotions for the biggest bunglers.

[chieftain]

6. Yeah. Mike Brown is probably in line for

a Medal Of Freedom.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

4. Exactly!

We need to elevate issues and keep them in front of people, constantly. Here is an example of why. Last night I'm in the local supermarket and as my things are being rung up the young cashier asks me how I'm doing. I reply I'm fine, after all, I could be in New Orleans. She looks right at me, the confusion all over her face, "why? what's going on there?"
I couldn't believe it. "Never mind" I said, taking my stuff and leaving.

[chieftain]

10. The Republicans have figured out that the only way to

reach people like that is to speak in slogans repetitively eg. the constant repetition of "fair and balanced". Democrats tend to speak in white papers and wonder why people like the young woman don't pay attention to us.

[Inland]

5. Right!

Republicans say "This is no time to point fingers---and Clinton did it"

"This is no time to assess blame--and here's my story on why I'm not to blame for everyone to hear while you censor yourself."

[chomskysright]

7. KICK!!!! Take off the gloves: LINK THE Repukes w/ everything you've got...

to this tragedy. think people: WHAT'S IN KARL ROVE'S HEAD RIGHT NOW?

Challenge the media w/ their 'rescue images'

[LittleClarkie]

8. They're too busy trying to save lives to point fingers right now

How much you want to bet that's why we don't see them. Word is, for instance, that Boxer is busy looking for ways to circumvent the Prez so that help can be gotten to these people. Think she's the only one? I doubt it.

And that's why they will probably lose the PR war. Because the Republicans are the only ones with TIME for spin. Remember that. We're the ones who actually give a shit. The Republicans are just looking for ways to spin this away from THEM.

[chieftain]

9. I am sure that you are right, but we better start fighting a two

front war ASAP. We need to do both: provide help and win the PR battle.Our rhetoric need not be overheated but it needs to be factual and repetitive.It is our duty to make sure they don't escape responsibility for this. I just saw Andrea Mitchell say that the Clinton Administration underfunded FEMA. We can't let these RW talking points stand unrefuted.

[ticapnews]

17. That's why the mayor called for a moratorium on

God-Damned press conferences (his words) because he was sick of hearing about help on the way when it wasn't arriving. "Get off your ass and do something." It was beautiful.

[AX10]

11. KICK

[gratuitous]

12. Remember, "later" never comes

Whenever the Republicans, caught elbow deep in the cookie jar, try to persuade us that "now is not the time to point fingers," it's the best time to assess responsibility and lay some blame. Mostly because it will smack the Republicans right on their point incompetent little heads.

When Republicans say we should assess the situation "later," it's odd how "later" never really comes. "Oh," they say, "that's ancient history. Time to move forward, America. Let's not wallow in whatever mistakes might have been made in past. You're hurting the country by dwelling on this."

And if that's not the answer, they'll crank up the Mighty Republican Wurlitzer, spewing so much disinformation and downright lies that soon nobody knows what's real anymore. They're doing it right now with the New Orleans disaster. Suddenly it's impossible to point a finger of blame with any certainty: The corrupt Bush administration and its incompetent officials? But what about those roving gangs that nobody's actually seen? What about all the rapists? Why didn't those victims get out of New Orleans when they had the chance (never mind that the concept of a "chance" to evacuate means very little to people without money or means)?

These villains need to be brought to justice. Keep up the pressure. Point some fingers. I gar-on-tee that any honest appraisal will fault the Republicans far more than the Democrats.

[Julius Civitatus]

13. Chimpy is never responsible for anything, don't cha know?

Get on with the program. It was all Clinton's fault.

Move along, nothing to see here...

[MirrorAshes]

14. well said! keep the pressure on! nt

[Dr Fate]

15. The DEM "strategists" who lost the last 3 elections will never hear this.

Forget it.

[chieftain]

16. I will never forget my astonishment at reports that Kerry

advisers were surprised that the Republicans would lie the way they did. We are dealing with serial liars and professional propagandists who would make Goebbels proud.