Senators To Investigate Bush's "Immense Failure" Regarding Katrina

[JABBS]

Two key U.S. senators will open a bipartisan investigation into what they described as an "immense failure" of the government response to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), who heads the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), the panel's top Democrat, said they plan to begin an oversight investigation Wednesday.

"We intend to demand answers as to how this immense failure occurred, but our immediate focus must and will be on what Congress can do to help the rescue and emergency operations that are ongoing," the senators said in a joint Sept. 2 statement.

"It is also our responsibility to investigate the lack of preparedness and inadequate response to this terrible storm," they said. "(I)t is increasingly clear that serious shortcomings in preparedness and response have hampered relief efforts at a critical time."

The Senators have scheduled an initial briefing by DHS officials for Committee Members and Senators from affected states on Sept. 7. The briefing will be closed to the media, but the Senators will schedule a press availability after the briefing.

***

The statment came after Bush faced blistering criticism for his administration's response to Katrina.

"This is a national disgrace," Terry Ebbert, head of New Orleans' emergency operations, told MSNBC. "We can send massive amounts of aid to tsunami victims but we can't bail out the city of New Orleans."

***

Bush, who has been criticized for a slow response to the disaster, admitted yesterday morning that "the results are not acceptable" and pledged to bolster relief efforts.

"We'll get on top of this situation," Bush said, "and we're going to help the people that need help."

***

This article first appeared at Journalists Against Bush's B.S.

[doublethink]

1. Yea whatever .....

sorry for being skeptical, but I see another whitewash, cover up coming. More scape-goats to be had. Bullshit excuses, some long drawn out 800 page report which won't have a damn thing to what we have seen with our own eyes. No accountability from the top. Peace.

[SledDriver]

2. With 28 pages missing.

probably the ones concerning the funding for the levees that went to tax cuts for the wealthy and Iraq.

[doublethink]

18. Someone needs to inform ..

Susan Collins and Joe Lieberman that this Catastrophe is still ONGOING. And would they please attempt to use their time as public officials more wisely in the near future. Like maybe concentrate on getting these people some more desperately needed help? Just the fact that they can take the time to announce some cockamamie 'investigation' while these people are still dying, trapped, starving, dehydrating, proves to me that YES our FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS FAILING US. RIGHT AT THIS VERY MOMENT. AND THE TWO OF THEM ARE CULPRITS IN THIS FAILURE. :wtf: My investigation only took one paragraph, saved taxpayers a lot of money. And hopefully got these two Senators priority's straight. Please pass this on. Peace. :)

[global1]

3. It's Already Decided......

it's the LA Governor and NO Mayor's fault.

[JugDack]

35. Sad, but true. Bush won't be hurt much by this. -nt

[1932]

4. Do you think Bush will claim that emergency preparation plans are

top secret. Bush and Cheney will only give evidence in a one hour interview, handwritten notes only, Senators only (no staff members) allowed to attend?

[NoQuarter]

16. Don't forget,

No notes shall leave the room.

[Stinky The Clown]

5. Hey Joe .... I gotta idea for ya .......

.... quit yer day job and get one doing voice-overs for sad sack characters and whiney shit-fer-brains old guys ....... k?

[NoQuarter]

17. Or,

you could be *'s butt-boy.

[OneGrassRoot]

24. Alf.......lol

Remember that show "Alf", in the 80s, I believe. A furry alien character. But the guy he lived with....Joe Lieberman always reminds me of him and I can't take him seriously!!!!

[katsy]

6. A "closed to the media" briefing???

Isn't the media the reason we all knew (as best as MSM can cover) what was going on? What are you going to do? Rewrite history?

WTF is this all about and what fucking good is it? Politicians investigating politicians? I mean "briefing" not investigating.

Hello washington you screwed up. That's right you motherfucking bloodsucking shit for brains thieving lying sons of whores maggots... you're going to cover up and lie for that pig bush!

Phuck you.

Open the phucking briefings.

You screwed the 9/11 families... we won't be fooled again.

Closed briefing????? Here let me save you whores some big money and predict your answer: "Everyone did the best they could under the circumstances."

Phuck you... that is not good enough.

[doublethink]

9. Yea closed to the Press ....

business as usual ... oh and it says ""immense failure of the government" -snip- it doesn't exactly say Federal Government ...... Why don't they just skip it and save my tax dollars on this bullshit? The blame will never be placed where it should and they know it. Damn do they think we haven't seen this M.O. before? Peace.

[katsy]

11. This is crazy.

You're right... why bother.

[FloridaPat]

7. How about an independent council and I get to pick the person.

[Botany]

8. Welcome to the real world US Senate ......

...... failures in the bush admin?

a la Casablanca ....... "I am shocked!"

btw .... as long as you are looking .... Ohio 04 .... DSMs ....... Plame ......
Haliburton contracts ............ election 2000 ........ 9/11 ........ funding for
levees ....... FEMA ....... Cheney dead or alive? ...... Jeff "Man Cannon" Gannon .....
....... the budget surplus ........ no child left behind ...... wetland development ....
AWOL bush ...... Ray Lemme ...... bush family Saudi connection ..... Salmon
(pacific wild run) going extinct ...... Media manipulation ..... PNAC .......


the sad thing is I could go on and on .....

the asshole has to go!

[WildClarySage]

10. This just reeks of damage control, not fact-finding.

[chomskysright]

12. blather on, US Senate: YOU'VE LOST US...

[shance]

13. Bullshit on investigations. While they have their head up their asses,

people are dying.

These pathetic people we call leaders.

They are so fucking scared they can't come out of their meetings to do anything like fucking LEAD.

WHERE IS HARRY REID?

Talking about the Estate tax? Harry, while you've been fly fishing, there's been a little emergency.

Where is NANCY PELOSI? Talking about bipartisanship with the Republicans who most are which are now raping this nation and enabling the killing that is happening in New Orleans? We've seen enough of the footsy under the table. It just seems to promote more wars and killing? Might try another tactic now Nan.
New Orleans is turning into IRAQ. The Administration is cutting off aid to New Orleans residents and turning people back at the State Lines. What does that sound like to you? IT's looking like that's the plan.

WHERE THE HELL ARE OUR LEADERS?


Disclaimer: Conyers,the Congressional Black Caucus and a handful of others.

[Botany]

14. but maybe hidden inside the FEMA fuck up & W's guitar were ......

...... STEROIDS?


now you know congress will be all over that shit. Could we hope for
a cum stain on Scotty Mc's blue shirt?

hey congress, hint water is wet

[JABBS]

15. Check out this photo

http://www.democrats.com/node/5875

[girl gone mad]

19. LIEberman? It will be a whitewash. N/T

[doublethink]

20. ........

:kick: Just for the morning people, heads up.

[robbedvoter]

21. Ha!ha!Ha! Does the 911 commission ring a bell? Clinton will be

found guilty.

[zann725]

22. Lieberman investingating the Pugs? The one he kissed on camera?

This is a sham...heading off any REAL investigation as to the TRUE criminal behavior and intentional negligience of this Admin.

Where are the TRUE Dem's...Boxer, Durbin, Kennedy, Kerry? There names and voices are nowhere here.

[Panda1]

23. Lieberman? I smell exoneration.

Investigation? Excuse me while I vomit.
Like he helped us out in 2000? No thanks.

[Totally Committed]

25. My thought, exactly!

I smell Schmomentum!

TC

[seemslikeadream]

26. So is Kissinger on board yet?

[Don Claybrook]

27. This is no time to be placing blame

I'm sure Lieberman's investigation is going to be positive, look toward the future. I'll bet he'll empanel a blue ribbon committee to look at the causes of hurricanes and what we can do to make insurance companies less liable the next time a hurricane attacks our proud nation. I'm thinking Arlen Spector should be pulled into this one too. He's pretty good with an investigation, you know.

Always look to the bright side: be the first on your block to get a fleur de lis magnet with American flag overlay for your car.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

29. and do a 9/11 commish which ignores admin failures?

Yeha, I can believe that.

[EVDebs]

28. Privatization responsible for the five day wait ? Corruption too ?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2058525

[TankLV]

30. LIEberman and a repuke? Well this should be entertaining.

I wonder if it will be "impartial" and get answers like the 911 "investigations"?

This is a sick joke.

Please. Anybody but LIEberman!

2 repukes.

Just great.

Oh - and "closed" hearings?

My. Fucking. God.

What a waste of paper.

[texpatriot2004]

31. It is an "Immense Failure." Colossal in my book. n/t

[nicknameless]

32. Token female + token Democrat = whitewash.

[Lochloosa]

33. The briefing will be closed to the media?

Why bother....:wtf:

[Q]

34. I wouldn't trust Lieberman to investigate anything...

...as he has in the past helped coverup many Bush failures and misdeed...such as Enron.