Do you think Bush should have cut short the longest presidential vacation in history after Katrina hit?

Question

http://www.linktv.org/video/1871

Answer 1

Sorry, I can't watch the video because my speed/bandwidth... well, sucketh. Anyway, never fear Blackwater was there! Even though there are conflicting accounts of who they were under contract to (Homeland Security? Louisiana state? Private firms?) or if there even was a contract initially. I seem to remember an episode of Bill Moyer's Journal (PBS) containing an exerpt of an interview with Erik Prince saying they had no contract initially, they just "went where they were needed". How's that for para-military efficiency?
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/10192007/blackwater.html
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/091005A.shtml
http://www.blackwaterusa.com/btw2005/archive/090505btw.html

OK, so you're more interested in what the Bush family did? Greece was just one of many countries offering aid... that Bush refused. Specifically, Greece offered two ships to be used as offshore medical and temporary refugee quarters. Bush turned down that offer, instead awarding a FEMA contract (with brother Jeb's help) to Carnival Cruise Lines to the tune of $192-$325 million.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Hurricane_Katrina:_Profiteering
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,168203,00.html
http://katrinacoverage.com/2005/09/30/coburn-obama-want-carnival-answers-greece-offered-free-ships.html

Venezuela offered $1M, oil, food and equipment for Katrina victims, but the US turned them down saying unsolicited offers can be "counterproductive". The day after Katrina struck, Cuban doctors, skilled in disaster relief and setting up field hospitals volunteered to help. However, Bush played politics and snubbed (ignored) Castro's offer of medical personnel and supplies.
http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/view/1778/1/116/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9311876/
http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/2889

Does it make me "anti-American" to say that during a natural disaster when other countries offer help... we should put the politics aside and graciously accept the offers of assistance?

Iceman: Thank you!! I hope you don't mind, I've added your links to my 'Katrina' file. I didn't know that Iran, Afghanistan and Indonesia had also offered assistance for Katrina victims. It makes me very sad and ashamed that the US, in the aftermath of 9/11 and Katrina, has squandered so much good will from so many nations... for the sake of petty politics. Thanks again for the info!

Answer 2

NO. What good would he have done? What would his job there be? What part of the Constitution of the United States gave the federal government any duties or responsibilities following the hurricane? What, exactly, were those duties and responsibilities? Please list the Article, Section and paragraph or clause number. When the mayor of New Orleans deserted the city and the residents decided to stay despite warnings about the storms, they took full responsibility for their actions and choices. After 2 years how many of the former residents of Louisiana are STILL drawing a check from the federal goernment because they are too lazy to find a job?

Answer 3

Yes, he should have gone and stayed among victims for couple days. Why? He would have realized how victims of a disaster feel, and my be just may be he would have end the wars ? I wonder how many Iraqis have gotten killed since Aug 2005 ??

Best Regards.

Edit: Above Kitten : You forgot one other country that offered help? See the links please.

Edit: sagacious_ness: You are very welcome, 100% ok with me to add links to your list. and i always enjoy your indepth and accurate answers, keep it up, you are doing great.

My Best Regards.

Answer 4

Somehow Alabama and Mississippi recovered from Katrina a lot quicker than Louisiana despite being harder hit than Louisiana. Could it be that they had better leadership instead of incompetents like Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco (pronounced "Blank-O") because this woman did not have a clue as to how to handle an emergency.

In a area that is as hard hit as New Orleans was, the First Responders are Local and then State---City police and firemen, city transportation and emergency services personnel, state police and finally the State National Guard.
FEMA is primarily a Federal financing agency, providing funding to the locals after the crisis is stabilized to help them respond and rebuild. This is why FEMA shows up 3 to 4 days AFTER the disaster strikes. Again, FEMA is NOT a first responder.

Answer 5

Of course, our nation's leader should have been in NOLA and done whatever it took to order the National Guard or another national entity to help in this nightmare. Most of my family is from NOLA, including an 84-yr. old aunt, who has since had to move out of state from her home of over 60 years. She knows the true story of the man-made disaster that was Katrina and blames the current administration and Army Corps of Engineers for not providing preventive measures. There was much blame to go around, including the state and local governments in the aftermath, but the initial source of responsibility was the federal government's.

Answer 6

For what purpose? Do you think he's a God and could have done something about it?

Answer 7

Why the hell do you liberals want the government to bail you out of everything wrong with your life?

Answer 8

Junior should have cut short his vacation in August of 2001 when he was told in his Presidential Intelligence briefing that AlQuaeda was planning an attack on American soil.

Answer 9

His vacation had to be extended so he could finish reading My Pet Goat.

Answer 10

No.