What is the rest of the world is saying about Bush and Hurrican Katrina?

[pstans]

What is the rest of the world is saying about Bush and Hurrican Katrina? Thanks to Bushflash (http://www.ericblumrich.com).

In a calamity of biblical proportions, the question that refuses to go away is why the administration of President George W Bush responded so inadequately to a disaster that was waiting to happen.
Hurricane Katrina - Too little, too late from US government, IRISH EXAMINER

America is also angry with rescue services that left thousands to die, and angry with President Bush, who during a national crisis continued vacationing and muttering cliches.
America's Yom Kippur , YEDIOTH AHRONOTH (Israel)

The decline in internal security was also evident in the authorities' failure to detect and prevent the attacks of September 11, 2001. Four years on, Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath are a stark reminder that Mother Nature can unleash dangers as destructive as any terrorists.
Brutal side of US exposed in New Orleans , THE COURIER-MAIL (Australia)

The hurricane has left the US grappling afresh with issues of race and class in a society that is getting more polarised.
Katrina selects its victims , DECCAN HERALD (India)

There was something terribly discomforting about George W. Bush's visit to the ravaged Southeast of America.
Bush and Katrina: Affair to remember , GULFNEWS.COM (UAE)

Outsiders don't come here. Cops don't come here. And, in the maddened wake of Hurricane Katrina, rescue teams haven't come here, either.
The human baggage of Iberville , Toronto Star (Canada)

Bush will be left to explain why thousands of Louisiana National Guardsmen were not available to help feed, protect and evacuate the citizens of New Orleans because they were in ... Iraq.
Bush at bay, The Guardian (UK)

President George W. Bush pays back the good Christian Americans who elected him despite his illegal act of slaughter in Iraq by sitting in his Texas ranch for two days after the most horrific suffering was visited on the area around New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina.
George W. Bush abandons Americans, Pravda (Russia)

[speedoo]

1. Holy shit. He is finished.

He may serve out his term, but he is toast.

[speedoo]

3. Recommended, by the way.

Nice work, OP.

[lizzieforkerry]

4. I recommended it too.

Unbelievable.

[AuntiBush]

8. America Can't Afford for * to finish his term.

No. We can't take it any more.

[MaggieSwanson]

2. Damn.

They know it; they see it...why won't the rest of America wake up?

[ktowntennesseedem]

6. Why won't the rest of America wake up?

Because the rest of America is still tuning in to Faux and Rush and the other talking heads that spew right-wing propaganda on behalf of their beloved pResident.

I spent the afternoon at my parents' house today, and for most of the time Faux News was rolling along on the TV blissfully in the background. I try to keep the peace with my very conservative family, and we know never to discuss politics. But after about an hour of listening to all the "good news" out of NO and the gulf region, (B*sh speaking here, traveling there, Pickles waving to the crowd, happy reunions and rescues, interviewing obviously pre-selected victims who were still "hopeful" even though a week had passed with nothing but empty promises from FEMA, etc.), I did make one comment that went something like this:

"Why did it take so long for our government to organize and deploy the resources for recovery? Forecasters knew the storm was coming toward the gulf for at least a couple of days; if they had made decent plans, all they would need to do to determine where the storm hit and wait for the wind to die down. Our response to 9/11 was immediate, and we had no idea anything like that could have happened. What if terrorists had blown up a levy--how long would it have taken to send in relief?"

Nothing to get anyone riled up, just food for thought. And it was likely the first bit of even indirect criticism about this catastrophe they have heard.

[laugle]

15. Please tell us, what was your parents response

to what you said. were they just silent--if so, that is propably a good thing?

[babylonsister]

5. That last blast isn't accurate, which makes me question

the others. Links, please?
Having said that, Bush was in Arizona and San Diego on Monday and Tuesday, I'm thinking. I have no links for my meanderings, but they are to be had here on DU when the volume here lessens, if it does.
Rummy was at a ball game last Monday night, IIRC.
Condi was in NY buying shoes and going to Broadway plays as late as Tuesday or Wednesday last week.

BTW, the quote from Pravda about the illegal acts of slaughter in Iraq could well be true. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me.

[Wheezy]

9. Bush was definitely in AZ (an hour from my house) on Monday,

Flew to CA that eve, and spent much of Tues in CA. He flew home to TX Tues night, spent the night in Crawford, and returned to the white house (after doing a gulf coast fly-by) Wed afternoon.

[pstans]

19. Here is a link

http://www.ericblumrich.com

The story is there. When I copy and pasted it, the links to the news stories didn't follow, but they are they.

[graywarrior]

7. Kick and recommended.

[Triana]

10. MORE - much more...the whole world knows bu$hit is a failure...

Mexico's El Universal

The slowness with which the USA's federal emergency services have joined the rescue operation has already generated great political tension... There is no doubt that the lack of well-timed responses to assist the population will have political costs for President Bush's Republican Party in the next federal elections.

Colombia's El Colombiano

It is now urgent that the world's leaders take heed of nature's warning, look at the evidence and realise that the climate, on a global scale, is changing. This is already known from scientific reports, but they continue to ignore it, to play it down, or not to care about it.

Argentina's Clarin

Katrina had more than the power of the wind and water, because, now, when they have subsided, it can still reveal the emptiness of an era, one that is represented by President George W Bush more than anyone.

Spain's El Pais

Up until Monday, Bush was the president of the war in Iraq and 9/11. Today there are few doubts that he will also pass into history as the president who didn't know how to prevent the destruction of New Orleans and who abandoned its inhabitants to their fate for days. And the worst is yet to come.

Spain's La Razon

Proving that even the gods are mortal, it is clear that the USA's international image is being damaged in a way that it has never known before. The country will probably be able to recuperate from the destruction, but its pride has already been profoundly wounded.


MUCH MORE...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4211320.stm

[ailsagirl]

11. Good comments by the rest of the world but...

do you think it will matter? He's gotten away with
everything so far, even an illegal war (so unforgivable).

I hope this does it for him but I've been so sure so many
times and damn if he didn't just waltz away, Scot free.

The miserable piece of garbage that he is.

[nolabels]

12. The rest of the world knows but it citizens don't (or don't want to)

I feel for all of his victims just like anybody else. The things I seeing though is that reality is yet to catch up to him, the next catastrophe could be even worse. Karma and Shiva can sometimes be a mother when they work in unison. Our country is turning into a tinder box so be careful.

Just your average simpleton here :hi:

[berni_mccoy]

13. With Bush In Charge

America is becoming the "Village Idiot" of the global village... not pretty.

[wakemewhenitsover]

14. "Muttering cliches." Love it.

[laugle]

16. recommended

[Up2Late]

17. All you really had to do is watch the BBC World News Night last week

They didn't pull any punches either.

Or in todays report, the BBC News here said that their are 60,000 Armed Men patrolling the streets of New Orleans! WTF?

AND They have Video of the Shoot out on the bridge!

Click "Latest News in Video and Audio" Button at the top right of the page at this link: <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/default.stm#>

Then click at the bottom where it says:

"News bulletins
One, Six and Ten O'Clock News" to view this.

[Contrary1]

18. About the same thing we are:

http://www.watchingamerica.com/

France:
Catastrophe Sparks New Debate Over Wisdom of Iraqi War

Is it at all reasonable to spend hundreds of millions dollars for war in Iraq when America is unable to protect its own citizens? According to this editorial from France's Le Monde newspaper, the emerging debate in the United States may be a 'turning point' every bit as significant as September 11.

Yemen:
Katrina Repays 'Superpower' Arrogance

The United States has been humbled by the man/woman upstairs. In this op-ed from the Yemen Times, the author, who appears to believe that the U.S. has never before felt nature's wrath or needed assistance, hints that Katrina was divine retribution for an arrogant superpower. But he is quick to add that no pleasure is taken in the suffering of innocent people.

Germany:
German Minister Says Part of Blame for Katrina Goes to Bush

Recently it was in the movies, now they’re real - the pictures of destruction that Hurricane Katrina has left in her wake remind us of nightmarish scenes from science fictions films by directors like Roland Emmerich. No single storm can be traced back to climate change, but three things can be scientifically proven beyond doubt. First, natural catastrophes are drastically increasing in frequency and magnitude. Second, climate change has made the generation of storms and floods in North America and Europe more probable. And third, mankind is contributing much to climate change by emitting greenhouse gases.

Israel:
An Amazed World Watches a Superpower’s Sluggish Response to Disaster at Home

Five days after Hurricane Katrina devastated three Gulf states of the United States leaving thousands dead and one million homeless and in deep distress, President George W. Bush flew in. The horrifying spectacles of suffering and the immensity of the calamity were far worse than he imagined. The US president witnessed needs of Third World proportions and a state of anarchy, with armed gangs looting, robbing and raping refugees, that recalled the streets of Somalia. Patients were dying unattended in the hospitals where even medicines had been stolen in violent attacks.

Italy:
Storm Reveals Leader Who Divides America

Bush's performance after 9/11 was 'his zenith,' and New Orleans 'his nadir.' It isn't only America that needs a unifier in the White House, the world desperately does, but unfortunately, according to this op-ed from Italy's Corriere della Sera, Katrina shows that George W. Bush 'does not look up to the task.'

More of the same: http://www.watchingamerica.com/