Katrina's POLITICAL aftermath (keep the political discussions HERE)

I listened to Rush Limbaugh a little today, as I am occasionally wont to do (only to know what the enemy is saying, of course). You could really tell how much he was struggling when even the soundbites he played from Democrats that were supposed to illustrate how "those liberals have gone wacko" actually sounded really reasonable and convincing.

I also love the new Republican song: "Let's Not Point Fingers (It's The Mayor's Fault)"

-- Hurting (Hurtingchie...), September 8th, 2005.

-Rep. Joe Barton - TX
-Jeff Flake - AZ
-Virginia Foxx - NC
-Scott Garrett - NJ
-John Hostettler - IN
-Steve King - IA
-Butch Otter - ID
-Ron Paul - TX
-James Sensenbrenner - WI
-Tom Tancredo - CO
-Lynn Westmoreland - GA

Tom Tancredo, you'll remember,

...asked House Speaker Dennis Hastert not to send federal disaster aid to officials in Louisiana, calling state and local government there incompetent and corrupt.

In a letter to Hastert on Wednesday, Tancredo urged the speaker to create a "bipartisan select committee" of members of Congress to oversee federal disaster spending in Louisiana.

Before joining FEMA, his only previous stint in emergency management, according to his bio posted on FEMA's website, was "serving as an assistant city manager with emergency services oversight." The White House press release from 2001 stated that Brown worked for the city of Edmond, Okla., from 1975 to 1978 "overseeing the emergency services division." In fact, according to Claudia Deakins, head of public relations for the city of Edmond, Brown was an "assistant to the city manager" from 1977 to 1980, not a manager himself, and had no authority over other employees. "The assistant is more like an intern," she told TIME. "Department heads did not report to him." Brown did do a good job at his humble position, however, according to his boss. "Yes. Mike Brown worked for me. He was my administrative assistant. He was a student at Central State University," recalls former city manager Bill Dashner. "Mike used to handle a lot of details. Every now and again I'd ask him to write me a speech. He was very loyal. He was always on time. He always had on a suit and a starched white shirt."

I guess it's impolitic to say this, but the NPR folk who moonlight at Fox strike me as Hume-cowed, easily-intimidated pussies and sell-outs (literally; surely their Fox salaries dwarf what NPR pays them).

Al Gore arranges for his own damn plane, personally evacuates victims and declines interviews. [www.dailykos.com]

- George Bush pulls Coast Guard and firemen off duty to be his backdrop as he finally pretends to give a shit on Friday, but his never-ending smirk betrays him. [www.dailykos.com] Said photo-op halts delivery of three tons of food. [rawstory.com]

- Rep. John Conyers wants to spare Katrina victims from the brutal new bankruptcy laws. [rawstory.com]

- Senator Rick Santorum suggests fining Katrina victims for being such a pain. [news.yahoo.com]



- Rumsfeld throws a party for Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom. [www.defenselink.mil]

- Cindy Sheehan and the Veterans for Peace stop their anti-war tour to take Camp Casey to Lousiana and start round-the-clock relief efforts. [www.vfproadtrips.org] (also, they need help. send them supplies)



- Congressional Republicans wanted a $231M Bridge to an Alaskan Island with 50 residents [www.salon.com] and got it.

- Congressional Democrats wanted to fund FEMA and give the Army Engineers the $40M they requested for New Orleans' Levees [dailykos.com] and lost.

- Howard Dean "has suspended political fundraising for now, directing all funds that come in to the relief effort, postponed the DNC fall meeting that was scheduled for this week, and granted leave to any staff member who wishes to aid in the relief effort." [www.dailykos.com]

- Speaker of the house Denny Hastert misses the vote for Katrina aid to attend a fundraiser. [www.google.com] In fact, most Republican fundraisers are still in full gear. [rawstory.com]



- Hillary Clinton calls for an independent investigation [news.yahoo.com]

- George W. Bush vows to investigate himself. [www.silive.com]

- Tom DeLay cancels an investigation started in the House. [www.cnn.com]

- Hillary Clinton says fuck the fuck off. [www.forbes.com]

- Harry Reid submits a plan allowing Katrina victims to receive Medicaid with no hurdles or copayments and getting them student loans. [www.democrats.org]

- Tom DeLay and Roy Blunt suggest we aid the economy with tax cuts for the rich. [fullcoverage.yahoo.com]

Bush attacks the real problems facing the gulf coast... like the minimum wage being too high...

http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/08/news/economy/katrina_wages.reut/

In a notice to Congress, Bush said the hurricane had caused "a national emergency" that permits him to take such action under the 1931 Davis-Bacon Act in ravaged areas of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Bush's action came as the federal government moved to provide billions of dollars in aid, and drew rebukes from two of organized labor's biggest friends in Congress, Rep. George Miller of California and Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, both Democrats.

"The administration is using the devastation of Hurricane Katrina to cut the wages of people desperately trying to rebuild their lives and their communities," Miller said.

The Davis-Bacon law requires federal contractors to pay workers at least the prevailing wages in the area where the work is conducted. It applies to federally funded construction projects such as highways and bridges.

Bush's executive order suspends the requirements of the Davis-Bacon law for designated areas hit by the storm.

from Julia Butterfly Hill

HURRICANE KATRINA GRASSROOTS RELIEF EFFORTS:

In response to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, a growing network of grassroots organizations and local initiatives has blossomed to meet the critical needs of New Orleans residents and displaced citizens. Most of these efforts have received little or no mainstream attention, but they deserve your generous support today!

American College of Nurse-Midwives - Blankets for Babies Campaign
The Blankets for Babies Campaign has been established to help mothers and their babies who have lost their homes due to Hurricane Katrina. Distribution centers have been set up by nurse-midwives in Dallas-Ft. Worth and Galveston, Texas. Thousands of families are being offered shelter and support, and many midwives will be providing health care services. They have graciously agreed to accept and work with local relief efforts to distribute your donations. Donors may send ready-to-use blankets and baby clothes to either of the following addresses:

Texas Health Care Nurse-Midwives
1050 South 5th Avenue, Suite F
Fort Worth, Texas 76104.
Phone (24 hour) is 817-870-3686

Carolyn Nelson Becker, CNM
Dept of Ob/Gyn UTMB
301 University Blvd
Galveston, TX 77555-0587

Questions? Please e-mail [email protected].

Hurricane Housing (a project of MoveOn.org)
Hurricane Katrina has left hundreds of thousands of people homeless.
But thousands of people throughout the region are stepping up to offer
free shelter to those in need. Nearly 200,000 beds have been volunteered so far! Click below to offer housing or find shelter for those in need:
http://www.hurricanehousing.org

Louisiana Domestic Violence Victim's Hurricane Relief Fund
The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV), a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1982, is establishing a Hurricane Relief Fund to assist victims of domestic violence and child victimization who are displaced and affected by Hurricane Katrina. To donate, call the LCADV office at 225-752-1296.

New Orleans Network
This online network allows people to connect with and support the New Orleans refugees in their area. It is also serving as a way for New Orleans refugees to find each other in their exile communities and organize to take back their city and make sure that it is rebuilt in ways that serve ALL New Orleans residents. Soon, there will be also exile community bulletin boards, discussion boards, resource listings, advocacy how-tos, events calendars, etc. To donate to the Network, please call 713-857-4694 or visit:
http://www.neworleansnetwork.org

Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary
After the devastating destruction of hurricane Katrina, there has been a mass influx of people evacuating to Houston, Texas with their beloved pets. Noah's Ark is providing a safe haven and temporary home for displaced animals. Upon arrival at Noah's Ark, all animals receive food, vaccinations, de-worming, necessary blood work, heartworm prevention and any other necessary medical attention. Please help the sanctuary care for these animals that need us so much. To donate, call 281-351-NOAH or visit:
http://www.noahs-ark-sanctuary.org

Tides Foundation Rapid Response Disaster Relief Fund
The Tides community has a history of supporting victims of natural and civil disasters across the globe. The Fund works to ensure money is received by effective grassroots and advocacy organizations working for short-term relief as well as long-term economic and structural change in New Orleans and the affected region. To donate, please visit:
http://www.tidesfoundation.org/RR_0905.cfm

Underwear and Feminine Supplies Collection Project
In response to growing need, Ama Mama Holistic Healthcare will be a deposit station for NEW, sealed-in-their-original-packaging or un-washed (with tags attached) underwear for men, women, and children. All sizes from toddler to adult (including Depends-type) will be accepted. Please consider odd sizes and whimsical children's styles. Also, all types of tampons and pads are critically needed. Please send your donations to:

Ama Mama Holistic Healthcare
c/o Katrina Relief
2146 Encinitas Blvd. Ste. 105-106
Encinitas, CA 92024

If you have any questions, please call Barbara E. Herrera, LM, CPM at 619-379-2448 (cell) or 760-944-3987 (office).

Veterans for Peace Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort
Vets for Peace is now set up in Covington, Louisiana in support of hurricane relief efforts for the people of the region. They are supporting The Red Cross with critically needed power, medical supplies, kitchen service, food distribution, internet communications and trained medical personnel. To contribute to this effort, please visit:
http://www.vfproadtrips.org

I know all of our hearts, minds, and spirits are with the people who are suffering and struggling to survive, and those who lost their lives, in hurricane Katrina itself and as a result of the horrible lack of preparedness and response from the United States government.

This is a sad and challenging time for our human family. It is incredibly painful for me to witness the consequences of a government that seems to be able to find billions for war and planetary destruction, yet is somehow unable to take care of people because they are poor and mostly people of color.

My heart also weighs heavy thinking about the destruction and pollution caused to the already devastated Gulf and all the life that struggles to survive in its water, as well as the animal companions who are left injured, hungry, and homeless. We at Circle of Life are each reaching out to help in the ways that most speak to us, and we have compiled a few resources for those of you who are looking for ways to help those in need outside of the usual huge organizations that are typically highlighted during these times of crisis. Although they do good work, and I acknowledge them for it, a lot of the support sent to them is used and lost in the running of the bureaucracy.

In all we do, we look to support and work with organizations who are community-based, creative in approach, and resolutionary. Below, you will find a list of grassroots organizations that we recommend people to support.

"When you do something,
You should burn yourself up completely,
Like a good bonfire,
leaving no trace of yourself."

he also claimed that he was a professor at central state -- nope, sez the university, just a student.

Colin Powell weighs in.

Under the "honors and awards" section of his profile at FindLaw.com — which is information on the legal website provided by lawyers or their offices—he lists "Outstanding Political Science Professor, Central State University". However, Brown "wasn't a professor here, he was only a student here," says Charles Johnson, News Bureau Director in the University Relations office at the University of Central Oklahoma (formerly named Central State University). "He may have been an adjunct instructor," says Johnson, but that title is very different from that of "professor." Carl Reherman, a former political science professor at the University through the '70s and '80s, says that Brown "was not on the faculty." As for the honor of "Outstanding Political Science Professor," Johnson says, "I spoke with the department chair yesterday and he's not aware of it."

Under the heading of "Professional Associations and Memberships" on FindLaw, Brown states that from 1983 to the present he has been director of the Oklahoma Christian Home, a nursing home in Edmond. But an administrator with the Home, told TIME that Brown is "not a person that anyone here is familiar with." She says there was a board of directors until a couple of years ago, but she couldn't find anyone who recalled him being on it.

In desperate response, Nicol Andrews is trying to dismiss the Time article that exposes all this, stating that "according to Mike Brown, a large portion [of the points made by TIME] are inaccurate". Her defense? Read on:

Nicol Andrews, deputy strategic director in FEMA's office of public affairs, insists that while Brown began as an intern, he became an "assistant city manager" with a distinguished record of service.

Speaking for Brown, Andrews says that Brown has never claimed to be a political science professor, in spite of what his profile in FindLaw indicates. "He was named the outstanding political science senior at Central State, and was an adjunct professor at Oklahoma City School of Law."

According to FEMA's Andrews, Brown said "he's never claimed to be the director of the home. He was on the board of directors, or governors of the nursing home." However, a veteran employee at the center since 1981 says Brown "was never director here, was never on the board of directors, was never executive director. He was never here in any capacity. I never heard his name mentioned here."

Ahh...and on my own personal note, since -I- am an adjunct "professor", can I be head of FEMA someday? I mean, obviously I need more practice in CV padding, but I think I can do it! I really, really do!

That's exactly the talking point that I like to hear. From the few FEMA apologists I've personally heard, they all liked to say "Liberals just want to play the 'Blame Game'!" Sons, it ain't a game here.

I was just watching local new coverage where evacuees were getting vouchers. Some were reading off names to the camera, hoping that a connection between lost family members could be made. Others were basically laying out their resumé live on-air in hopes that they could find a job and not have to live off of charity. And then one woman just went off on the president. She had her say, and they went to the next person.

I don't care what political idealogue you subscribe to, when Dick Cheney is being told to fuck off in Mississippi, the president might want to drop the whole "Blame Game" attitude.

If Al Gore were President, Fundamentalist Baby Jesus would cry and his tears would flood New Orleans.

of looters.

this is Karen Hughes, former WH communications director. She got promoted this week.

..."The images of crime being committed in the face of an awful natural disaster is hard for anyone to understand, people around the world and Americans. It sickens me as an American," she said. "How could criminals prey on vulnerable elderly citizens and children during a time of such horror?"

Like President Bush, Hughes acknowledged that the overall government response effort was flawed, but she did not include that as a reason the image of the United States might suffer as a result of the storm.

Hughes --- a longtime Bush aide and confidante --- takes the oath of office today as the State Department's undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs. Her job will be to improve America's global image...

I sort of hope not if only because I want to see Bush have to put his precious Brownie to task because the press, the people, and everyone else demands it of him.

The Brown resignation thing has been bandied about for a few days now, a fall-on-sword move. Entirely possible because Bush just hates firing people.

???

WTF??

Brown has been under fire because of the administration's slow response to the magnitude of the hurricane. On Thursday, questions were raised about whether he padded his resume to highlight his previous emergency management background.

yeah, i was thinking "paleoconservative". still, adequate military forces devoted to a task, what a concept.

but yeah, freaking out about china being the new soviet union is tipping your hand just a bit.

-
xpost well, that was quick, and pretty much telegraphed by getting the Coast Guard guys down there.

And Helprin's a total weirdo. Anyone remember his speeches for Bob Dole? I liked Winter's Tale in high school but I can't bring myself to read him anymore. Also, what's up with the superfluous knife photo there credited to "Alexandra Helprin"? Is that one of Mark's knives?

And if Brown's been "relieved" of his Katrina duties, can we please take him completely off the public payroll?

Chertof with hair?

That would be wrong and bad, and shows you do not support the war in Iraq.

Brown hasn't resigned from FEMA evidently, just moving off the hurricane relief effort. He's going back to Washington.

Oy. We even gave them the script.

Poor dear.

(Talkin' point-a?)

xpost. yeah, Dan Brown can crucified for other things