Bush "I'd rather they beat up on him (Brownie) than me or Chertoff."

[Pirate Smile]

Katrina: The 'Scapegoat'

Newsweek

March 27, 2006 issue - The Bush administration maintains top officials were unaware until the next day, but e-mails show that by the late evening of Aug. 29, some policymakers were told the damage to New Orleans might be worse than depicted on TV.In an e-mail to Homeland Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson at 11:05 p.m., Patrick Rhode, a top aide to FEMA chief Michael Brown, reported that a FEMA official in New Orleans had described a 200-yard levee breach near Lake Pontchartrain, that people were being rescued from housetops, that there were "unconfirmed random body sightings" and that 60 percent of the city seemed flooded. Earlier, in an e-mail to Homeland Secretary Michael Chertoff's chief and deputy chief of staff, Brian Besanceney, Chertoff's top media adviser, warned that "unconfirmed" reports from New Orleans "are far more serious than media reports are currently reflecting." Still, Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke insisted to NEWSWEEK his department was receiving "conflicting information." And in the continuing feud between administration supporters and the former FEMA chief, Brown's lawyer accused House GOPers and the White House of making Brown the "designated scapegoat." Brown's lawyer claimed Brown was told that at a Sept. 6 cabinet meeting, President Bush, after being informed the press was attacking Brown, said: "I'd rather they beat up on him than me or Chertoff." The White House had no comment.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11902206/site/newsweek/

[tanyev]

1. Fabulous leadership!

:grr:

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. The man demands loyalty, but has none to return.

I hope, I sincerely hope, that someday there will be a sociology-psychology class that will study and analyze how this man became the leader of this great country and allowed to inflict so much pain on so many. I predict that there will be as much study on Bush's ascension and fall, as there was about Hitler.

[MADem]

16. Excellent point, and succinctly made!!

It's a real theme with the BushCo WH, ain't it??? There's the king, who must be protected at all costs, and the principals, who get almost as much cover as the king...but everyone and anyone else in that insane royal court can be picked up and tossed under a bus without a moment's notice.

[supernova]

35. I keep saying they aren't republicans, they're monarchists

and so are their fan base.

[Stephanie]

18. Loyalty is a one-way street for George Bush.

Watch, he will even throw Cheney overboard.

[formercia]

24. Streets are named after Fearless Leader

One Way...

[rambler_american]

53. Not streets but two cities in Massachusettes

named after bush: Marblehead and Athol.

[rfranklin]

25. Simple--big money and a psychopathic personality....

Bush desperately wants to believe that he is in charge, yet feels deep down that he is an imposter. He is willing to sacrifice anyone to maintain his "omnipotence." Rove is the angry little fat boy who saw his opportunity for revenge by using Bush, who had access to the big money boys who wanted to stomp on the little people of the middle and lower classes who had gotten too uppity during the post WWII years with their Social Security, their unions, their equal rights for women and minorities, their taxpayer financed lawyers and leftwing media. Bush is just their puppet and he knows it in his heart of hearts.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

28. Not just limited to BushCo

that is the way the entire biz world seems to work now.

[The Backlash Cometh]

31. I've said it many times before. Running government like a business

was a bad idea. These croniest are so superficial, and public service requires passion, compassion, dedication and unselfishness. Those are not qualities that will move you up the promotion ladder in business.

As far as contact and networking goes, those relationships disappear once someone gets caught. "Word gets out on the street." Suddenly, it became an isolated situation and the person who got caught is out on his own.

[imouttahere]

37. For BushCo, the point is that they don't want ANY government...

except of course, to pay for wars!

[ClintonTyree]

44. Well, he's run another "business" into the ground.........

just like every other business venture he's been involved in (except the Texas Rangers, the taxpayers took the loss there). The only thing that's saving him now is the Treasury's ability t print more money, otherwise the country would be bankrupt.

The man isn't qualified to manage a 7-11. Our first, "CEO" president.........hopefully, our last. :eyes:

[The Backlash Cometh]

49. I think the pattern is clear. There are some people who are just

NOT suited for public service. If they're using their public positions to get access to public money or to weaken laws in their chosen private industries, then they just don't qualify.

[calimary]

71. Truly. So have I. Whenever I hear some politician talking about how

government oughta be run like a business, I almost break out in hives.

Government IS NOT, NEVER WAS, and WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE run like a business. Its very reason for being has nothing to do with being run like a business. Business is run to MAKE A PROFIT. PERIOD. That's its sole reason for being. Government has other objectives, mainly the protection and benefit of the common good. PERIOD. There's nothing about profit in there. If these people want to run government like a business, perhaps they should simply stick to the private sector. They nave NO BUSINESS trying to bring business into government. The two should be as separate as church and state, AND the three branches of said government are supposed to be.

[The Backlash Cometh]

72. Amen.

I'll just add that government is meant to secure the infra-structure of this country and is ESPECIALLY necessary when other social structures fail. If it becomes a slave to the same factors that effect corporations, then it will also be susceptible to bankruptcy. That's why government is given special compensations. If there is any argument to be had, it's where should government be focusing its attention? Should it be a social safety net for the poor & the rest of us? Should it encourage R&D? Should it take over vital national security infra-structure like ports and airport security? Should it protect the consumers from fraudlent private corporations?

Democrats would say yes, And Republicans would generally nit-pick.

[Blutodog]

57. Ur right!

As they say in the Corp. world "Shit rolls downhill"

[mark11727]

66. "THE BUCK STOPS.... AHHH, SOMEWHERE ELSE"

[Mnemosyne]

2. We know * is a coward, confirmed once again. n/t

[SpiralHawk]

17. George AWOL Bush wimps out again

At least he is consistent

[Mnemosyne]

39. That is the one thing we can give that little coward credit for,

consistency! Good call SpiralH! :rofl:

[Stephanie]

19. The Crawford Coward, in hiding on his "ranch."

I didn't know! Blame Brownie!

[Mnemosyne]

38. Yella bellied varmint! Need to sic ole

Dead Eye Dick on 'im! Like a lil kid, ner ownin' up to naught he dun. Course Dead Eye taint no better bout fessin' up to nuttin much.

[liberal N proud]

3. As expected,

The White House had no comment.

[vixengrl]

5. Damn. Sometimes Bush shows the refreshing honesty--

of a very small, very spoiled child. Of course he'd rather "they" beat up on someone else--that's kind of how it is in Bush's world. But did it ever occur to him that that "beat up" experience isn't political, isn't a media-driven thing, it's just the disapprobation the Administration *should* get when the ball is dropped, and damn it all, they're the ones who should be accountable.

[acmejack]

6. The buck stops there!

Harry Truman would kick this jerk so hard in his ass that it would take a surgeon to get his shoe out of *'s butt.

[ClintonTyree]

45. Yet 33% of the American people think he's a "strong leader"....

"steadfast", "courageous", "honest" (I guess he IS being honest here) and other glowing descriptive adjectives. Slimy buck-passer pops into my mind, with no more courage than a dormouse. Miserable failure also come to mind, but that's another story.

[rpannier]

55. That's because those 1/3 are also buck passers

In every society there are people who love to pass the blame off to others.

[RazzleDazzle]

58. They're misreading belligerence and stubborness for

strength. Pity, too. But many are beginning to wake up.

[momster]

60. He thinks 'the buck stops here' means

he gets all the dollar bills.

Speaking of which, the last couple of times they've shown his office on tv with his great big and very clean desk, I haven't seen 'the buck stops here' sign. I did see it on Condi's desk...hmmmm.

[salin]

7. Not the first time he has said such a thing...

he told then Army Sec. White, on the stage at an event as West Point, that he was glad White was taking the heat (per Enron connections and favors by the govt) rather than he/Bush having to take the heat.

For a guy who claims that loyalty is SO important - you would think that those who work with him would realize that said expected Loyalty only flows one direction.

[BootinUp]

8. Hey Brownie, you're doin a heck of a job, keep exposing the lies.

[rodeodance]

9. nominate and will send to all i know

[Frustratedlady]

10. Whatever happened to....

"The buck stops here!" Is that too old-fashioned for our fearless leader? I wonder how his people will feel about their positions, after reading that comment? Whatta boss...whatta boss!

BTW, George...that's Chertoff or me not me or Chertoff.

Always has to be first, whether he's walking with someone or wanting attention.

[rodeodance]

11. got to keep the top people clean (just like the abuse scandel)

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

12. Wow.

This is so distressing to hear/read.

Please post this in GD as well so others can read it. I will post a link there.

Thanks for posting this.

[Totally Committed]

13. So much for "the buck stops here"....

No ownder the rest of the government has such a hard time with taking full responsibility. The President can't and won't, no matter how many chances he gets to step up to the plate and do so.

TC

[Vickers]

14. What was that about bringing personal responsibility and honor back

to the White House?

Oh, that's right, they shit-canned that one right off the bat.

[Maccagirl]

21. That's one mantra they jettisoned

immediately after all the lies and incompetence were exposed from day one.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

15. Accountability is something that happens to other people.

BushCo in a nutshell.

[rodeodance]

20. says it all about Bush and the 'responsility" he said he assumes.

[sellitman]

22. The "Great Job Brownie" quote was a plant I guess?

A plant to make Brownie the scape-goat. Brilliant!

Unfortunately now that the truth is out Dim Son look evermore the Ass.

[NJCher]

23. even I gasped at this one

Seasoned bush watcher, going on 10,000 posts. And I gasped and shook my head.

Yes, I, too, hope that someday we study how this nothing of a person became the president of the U.S. It is as worthy of study as those of other nefarious leaders like Pinochet, Hitler, etc.




Cher

[salin]

26. Flashback... so bush is briefed about how serious

it appears to be... but then pays NO attention? His staff have to put together a DVD of clips from news coverage... days after the Hurricane hit - to get him to even pay attention?

And yet there are still religious fanatics who think this is what God wants for us? A leader who can't even bother to follow up and learn whether the real damage was as bad or worse than what he had been briefed about as an impending huge disaster?

[merh]

27. Well sure he would, the weed-n-chief is a coward

We all know that - he's scared of horseys and he is scared of his mother and he is scared of real work and he is scared of war and loud noises that guns and bombs make.

He is a coward and he would rather they pick on the other guy than him.

No surprise here. :mad:

[C_U_L8R]

29. Biush is a pathetic shitstain

the worst president ever

[Julius Civitatus]

30. What an A-HOLE!

Seriously.

His entire life he has always had an underling to take the flack for him.

There are monarchies in the world with less privileges than this guy had, seriously.

[terrya]

32. There's a profile in cowardice for you

And you know...I don't doubt that account of Bush for one second. "The Buck Stops Here" is a completely alien idea to him...it's "blame everyone else first" with this coward.

[WestSeattle2]

54. Please, read this article in today's Seattle Times.....

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002874787_quadsoldier19m.html


then compare and contrast the two men in the article, with that jerk in the White House.

[quiet.american]

59. Extremely poignant - you should post this in it's own thread.

Rumsfeld didn't even have the presence of mind to understand immediately that this young troop could not shake hands with him....

This young man's brother is a God-send....

[flygal]

63. wow

just wow. :hug:

[elehhhhna]

33. "conflicting info" = it's horrible vs. it's exteremely horrible

[yorkiemommie1]

34. to be such a chickensh*t coward is bad enough

and to make such a chickensh*t statement is unfathomably arrogant and vile.

[mac56]

36. What do you suppose will be Snotty Scottie's explanation for this?

nm

[DeepModem Mom]

40. Great catch, PS -- definitely on DMM's Journal list of DU post recs! nt

[Peanutcat]

41. Who's our bwave pwesident?

Who's our bwave widdle pwesident? Georgie, that who!

[roseBudd]

42. DUers if you only do 1 thing today click thru and rate it a 5!!!

It's only got 25 votes so far. Then go to another computer and do it again.

[JohnnyLib]

43. pure *

Terrific post. Seems to me this shows the emporer without his clothes.

[Raksha]

46. Welcome to DU, JohnnyLib!

:toast:

[yurbud]

47. "the buck stops with my butler...Brownie! Get out there & take you licks

I'm busy with Bulldog..."

[NastyRiffraff]

48. Note to Brownie: Avoid small planes

Brownie was supposed to be a good boy and take it on the chin for the King. Except that Brownie ain't playing.

Now, I'm not one of those who think Brownie is suddenly a good guy, except in comparison to Chertoff & Bush....you can still be a slimebag and be better than THEM. But I am glad he's fighting those who want to throw him under the bus, because THOSE people have a lot to answer for.

That quote sounds exactly like the Bush we know and hate. He's had people covering for his mistakes all his life. He's never been successful at anything (except possibly cheerleading in college). The incompetents always need cover.

[KT2000]

50. Why protect Chertoff

This loser has been a real negative for * and yet he continues to protect him. The whole Homneland Security is one mess after another.
What does Chertoff know??

[WestSeattle2]

51. So typical...

of the immature frat boy we have in the Oval Office. Are there any real men in that WH? You know, ones with spines?

Looks to me like the place is chockful of chickenhawks, drunks, dry drunks, thieves, liars, and war profiteers.

And those are just the ones from Texas.

[bliss_eternal]

52. Fucking coward...

:eyes:...what else is new?

[Kurovski]

56. Remember when Bush said the White House would be run like a business?

Blaming underlings is true to that promise. It's the new "Republican Responsibility". It's why they regularly dither, whine and moan about "finger pointing". Finger pointing is just about all that's left to BushCo, and they believe it to be some kind of a defense, an "airtight" alibi for every single thing they do.

Now we know that President Happy Asshat really meant it when he said "you're doin' a heckuva job, Brownie."

[Binka]

68. It Was Mob Speak For "I Am Going To Fuck You Up"

Bush was just letting Brownie know that he was gonna get the "treatment." Bush loves to joke when he is about to murder someone. Malignant narcissist are wont to behave in that fashion. Please GOD just rid the planet of this asshole.

[Zambero]

61. The buck stops WHERE?

Oh, THERE! This is just a continuation of a pattern that was established along time ago.

Bush would rather have had someone else to go the the Nam, NOT HIM. "Get me to the top of the Guard list, Pops!"

Once he was ushered into the Guard, he figured that he'd rather have someone else take the time to show up for monthly drills, but NOT HIM.

Harry Truman also remarked that if one couldn't stand the heat they'd better stay the hell out of the kitchen. Bush on the other hand has successfully reinvented the role of Chief Executive, so that said heat can be quickly and completely delegated to a subordinate staff, thereby insulating himself from the consequences of bad decisions(or in the case of Katrina, no decision). So of course Browne, who at least gave bump-on-a-log Bush a conference call heads up before all hell broke loose, was the convenient fall guy.

Insulated or not, Bush is out of excuses at this point. One more major screwup before election day and Republicans will come a callin' for him to step down.

[zulchzulu]

62. Brownie is doing a heck of a job now...exposing Chimpy

It's about time.

[fooj]

64. Treasonous, lying rat bastard is a coward!

What a shameful human being.

Peace.

[Nutmegger]

65. Typical.

:eyes:

[opihimoimoi]

67. "Yo BROWNIE"......"Prep yo self for a SWORD FALLIN"

"You know?... fall of the Sword Time?"

[truthisfreedom]

69. it's a mafia.

[Snaggletooth]

70. Standard Operating Spinelessness

When are the American people going to wake up to Shrubya's :+
pathological fear of responsibility? :scared:

[PATRICK]

73. Now we get a more precise reading

of the first report that Bush was getting his info off the TV. In other words, he was getting his PR image information off the TV in how it would be effected by Katrina. Comically absurd, shockingly unbelievable. Now this, finally makes sense instead of the senseless first impression(like when Bush always appears totally detached and braindead).

Not completely so. They'd rather leave things at that rather than reveal Bush was closely monitoring his political position, then his defense and then of course his favorite- the immediate financial exploitation of the afflicted region. Detached? Hardly, unless you count even the tiniest smidgen of concern for the disaster victims themselves- or the truth- or the responsibility- before or after the well forecast scenarios.