Roland Martin: Bush's Post-White House Goal Should Be Rebuilding the Gulf Coast

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN: Commentary: Bush's goal should be rebuilding Gulf Coast
By Roland S. Martin
CNN Contributor

(CNN) -- Since we heard so much about pigs and lipstick during the general election campaign, courtesy of Sarah Palin, I've tried hard not to use the often-recited reference in a column or on TV or radio since.

But after listening to President George W. Bush try mightily to characterize the federal response to Hurricane Katrina as swift and fast, there is no doubt that this cowboy is trying his best to paint a coat of lipstick on that pig, and it is still a smelly, snortin' pig....

***

I would have far more respect for Bush in this regard if he could simply look in the camera and say, "We failed. The state, the city and the federal government, we all failed. And folks, I failed. And my greatest regret was not stepping in and making sure all that was necessary got done."

Yet the man who has refused to admit mistakes just can't do that.

It is my desire that as Bush rides off into the sunset, focusing on his presidential library, he makes rebuilding the Gulf Coast his primary post-presidential role. Clinton has his Global Initiative, targeting the health needs in Africa.

Bush should spend his time in New Orleans, the rural parts of Louisiana, and portions of Mississippi and Alabama helping to rebuild homes, offering to do fundraisers, as well making it his mission to oversee the revitalization of this important region.

He clearly failed when he was president. Maybe he can take advantage of this second chance.

Mr. President, stop with the excuses. You failed. Now do some good where it is sorely needed.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/16/martin.bush/index.html

[Ichingcarpenter]

1. Bush and Cheney thought he meant the Gulf Coast off

of Saudi arabia

[DeepModem Mom]

4. Good one! nt

[tomreedtoon]

2. Given how incompetent he is, do you REALLY want Bush to do it?

He'd undoubtedly rebuild it by setting off a pocket nuke and making New Orleans a parking lot.

[shraby]

3. The way Bush screws everything up, I wouldn't want

him within 2 states of New Orleans.