Bush and His Sinking Ship

[BayStateBoy]

As the Bush Administration is bombarded with terrible news in the last 72 hours, we are reminded of similarities to the Titanic.

The Captain (Smith) and the White Star Line Director (Ismay) make fatal decisions regarding navigation and speed sacrificing passenger safety for profit and publicity.

Numerous telegraphic ice warnings are either overtly ignored by Capt. Smith, or are never relayed to the bridge. Complacency rules.

Maritime regulations regarding lifeboats were sadly outdated. Design suggestions for up to 64 lifeboats had been rejected by White Star.

Watertight compartments are a huge selling point, but very deceptive as they only extend up to E Deck. (water just sloshes over the tops as the bow descends). Proposal to extend bulkheads up to C Deck had been rejected by White Star as inconvenient in the servicing of First Class passengers.

Participation in the very lucrative North Atlantic shipping routes was done with disregard for passenger safety both in terms of lifeboats and the dangers of hypothermia.

The ship's status is a closely guarded secret. Only some crew and lst class know the "truth" about the fatally damaged ship.

Atmosphere remains upbeat. The music plays on as the bow disappears under the water. Crew constantly denies any real danger.

Even when the distress rockets are being fired, many passengers just don't "get the message."

Even after the ship breaks apart many believe that the stern will become its own "lifeboat."

The "California" sits about 8 miles away with her captain asleep and her telegraph shut down as Titanic sinks.

The "mortality" is comparable to the class divisions on the Titanic. Gates from the 3rd class are locked preventing many in steerage from reaching the boat deck.

A pampered lst class has monopolized the lifeboats and enjoys music and drinks up until the sinking.

Ismay eschews any responsibility and escapes in a lifeboat.

Inquiries in America and Britain are a cover-up.

Monetary compensation to the victim's families are a joke.