"What do you expect the President to do?"

[berni_mccoy]

The next time I hear this from a repug, I'm going to SCREAM at them. I know screaming won't do anything to help explain that the President should be responsible to his duty, but I really can't take the stupidity of the right to defend their president's EVERY INCOMPETENCE!!!

Here are just FIVE things that a REAL PRESIDENT would do that Bush has failed to do or could have done:

1. Hurricane season starts on June 1st. As hurricane strengths have been building, the last thing to do is to cut funds from Hurricane disaster recovery budgets (even if it was for next year). In fact, more funds should have been allocated, but I guess the HUNDREDS of BILLIONS of dollars going to OIL companies and DEFENSE contractors in IRAQ has sapped the treasury.

2. Get a team of advisers to help understand the most likely disaster scenarios when they realized either a Cat 4 or Cat 5 Hurricane was going to hit near (or directly) New Orleans. This would help the president decide what scale of military reservist operation would be required.

3. When the Hurricane Katrina was already rated a Cat. 4 hurricane before it's peak as a Cat. 5, it was known that it was going to hit New Orleans or very close to it, the president should have made an Address to the Nation (even if JUST by radio) to declare the following:
a. A call-up of whatever necessary number of the nearly a million military reservists to go on stand-by for preparation for the disaster (the hurricane took a couple days to arrive, they could have been getting ready) as well as deploying all-terrain vehicles and a fleet of choppers to help with the evacuation.
b. Preparation of relief funds to help in rebuilding the city; if the hurricane completely missed, these funds would be returned
c. To immediately revoke the budget cuts for Hurricane disaster recovery.
d. For those who could not be evacuated, military personnel would ensure they got to the Super Dome and ensure uninterruptible (military grade) communication systems were in place. Ensuring extra medical staff were available for the sick, ensuring military grade generators were in place and ensuring sanitation facilities could be maintained.
e. Let the people of the gulf coast know that America Stands With Them in their TIME OF NEED.

4. After the destruction occurred, the president could announce to the nation that plenty of military rescue boats were in place to patrol the neighborhoods for stranded people and get them to safety. The reserves of the Army Corps of Engineers (especially those familiar with New Orleans) could immediately begin work on dike repairs and getting pumps online (instead of allowing the water to keep rising in the city as he goes to fund raisers and plays guitar). A final acknowledgment of the tragedy and assessment of the damage to with assurances that the government would step in to help people recover from the disaster.

5. The last, minimum thing, the president could have done was immediately give leave to the soldiers in Iraq who have immediate family in the disaster area so they can return home and help or search for their family members.

The FREEPERS are right that the President CAN NOT STOP a HURRICANE, but they are WRONG in that he CAN DO SOMETHING to prevent the loss of life and ensure the security of the people and what little they have remaining in the disaster area.

If the President screws up this bad on something as basic as a natural disaster, what gives anyone ANY HOPE that he is doing ANYTHING TO PROTECT us against TERRORISM.

The plain simple fact is that BUSH and his CABAL of CRIMINALS only CARE ABOUT HOW MUCH LOOTING of AMERICA they can get away with!

Let's not let them GET AWAY WITH IT ANY LONGER.

on edit: spell check

[babylonsister]

1. Recommended, and berni mccoy for prez! You make

a lot more sense than anyone else I've heard!

[WhoWantsToBeOccupied]

56. I'll take any random DUer over what we've got!

[yorkiemommie1]

2. excellent suggestions

write Letter to Editor?

btw, george, there's LOTS of BRUSH to clear down there!!!

[mcar]

46. Yes, please do write a LTTE

The OP makes some great points and very nicely rebuts that silly repuke argument.

"What's * supposed to do?" Lead, assholes.

[madeline_con]

3. Nothing more need be said here.

Well put. BRAVO! :applause:

[NRaleighLiberal]

4. He has underperformed to such a spectacular degree that....

no one - especially his base - expects anything from him. He has turned the presidency into a total figure head position....we've gone backward 50 years in the past 5 because of this clown.

[orpupilofnature57]

5. Dispense the wealth of this country in a democratic, compassionate, and

in that Christian way, he talks so much about.

[BrainRants]

6. Recommended-This is what a REAL leader would do.

Not sit in CA playing the freakin' guitar like an idiot.

[theHandpuppet]

7. I also want to know...

... why with so many military and air bases in nearby Texas that emergency evacuation centers haven't been set up already!!!!!! The President COULD ORDER THIS TO BE DONE and should have already!!!!!

[Oak2004]

42. There's a part of me that is wondering if

all those military resources are being deployed --

to rescue the oil infrastructure there.

Deep in my heart I'm sure that rescuing people is not the number one job of FEMA at this moment.

[samplegirl]

8. You can bet your ass that if this hurricane

was in Flordia.......Bush would of been there even if for a photo-op
carrying buckets of water.

[babylonsister]

23. Oh, he'll show up when it's convenient for HIM! nt

[Stephanie]

9. 4.a. Act like a responsible adult instead of the class clown >

His behavior is appalling.


Yesterday >



Today >

[fob]

10. Per your #5 - I said to myself that bush* has a perfect opportunity

to blunt the war criticism by IMMEDIATELY getting ANY/ALL LA National Guard members serving in Iraq on a fucking C-130 and have them in New Orleans on an ASAFP status and that if he* didn't, then he*s truly the political clusterfuck we all know he* is.

So far he*s done as expected, just went golfing and to a fundraiser.

[babylonsister]

25. But thinking's "hard work"! nt

[Im with Rosey]

11. Go ahead and scream!

You have raised extremely valid points. You are absolutely right about every issue you addressed. Therefore, if you want to scream, go ahead, just don't forget to use hand gestures also.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

12. Ride your bikes! Don't buy anything you don't need

Once business starts hurting he will be
held accountable.

It's coming sooner than you think Georgie!

[Donailin]

13. Pat attention!

Bush is at war. . . WITH America.

We are the enemy.

[ClintonTyree]

14. Merci Beaucoup........

today, we are all New Orleansians. Kicked and nominated as well.

[billkurtmeyer]

15. Oh, you forgot -- Cut his f-ing vacation short and be Presidential for

once! Or did anyone tell our bubble boy pResident that there was a hurricane?

[LunaSea]

16. ANYTHING but fundraising and vacationing!

[krkaufman]

60. Nero fiddled whilst Rome burned...

... and Georgie picked while N'Orleans flooded.

edit: Ha!, I see from the name of your JPG file (nerobush) that my post was unnecessary. Maybe an addition of "Nero fiddled..." to the JPG would help-out those not getting the link.

[DoYouEverWonder]

17. You don't understand

Bush loves disaster. There is nothing he enjoys more then death and destruction. The worse it gets, the happier he'll be. That's why Congress must convene NOW and demand his immediate resignation.

[MichiganVote]

18. I expect that asshole president to get off his ass, quit playing guitars,

pick up a pen, sign a few orders and get these gas prices down. Short of that he can hoist his fat ass friend Cheney out of a chair to offer some real compassion to the American people. That's what I expect. Instead neither of these two bastards have offered up anything but prayers. These people don't need prayers now, they need help.

[radar]

19. Kick Ass Take Names

Show why he was elected numero uno, a-number one, head honcho, big boss man.

I seem to recall the big selling point for gettting elected to a 2nd term was the idea of being a better leader over John Kerry; able to use the 1st 4 years as CinC to handle any danger "better than the other guy."

[tk2kewl]

20. You have said everything I have been thinking and so much better

than I could have.

I had asked some questions here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4516667&mesg_id=4516667

and i think you have done a damn good job answering almost all of them.

and, if you don't mind I am copying your post and sending it to my Senators

[crispini]

21. I EXPECT HIM TO GIVE A SHIT.

I expect him to knock off his pansy fundraising and his photo-ops and WORRY and THINK about things he COULD do. LIKE ME. I get the feeling that *I* am more worried than HE is!!!!

[Nothing Without Hope]

22. well said. Recommended and bookmarked so I'lll be ready the next time

I hear that whiney refrain from a Bush-lover. I have been rebutting them, but this really lays it out well.

OUR National Guard should be in the hurricane-devastated areas. They should have been there as soon as there was evidence that the storm was coming. Those levees should have been strengthened, the search & rescure and food/water distribution plans ready to go.

How many people have died while Bush and McCain were grinning and eating cake during the fundraiser? How much of the damage and flooding could have been prevented with better preparation and trained personnel deployed with the right equipment?

Bush has been so cavalier I have been wondering all day if he actually GAINS from the devastation and death in these southern states. Certainly his oil buddies will be happy with the higher prices. And most of the deaths were of people who would probably not vote for him and wouldn't donate much if they did.

Did Bush benefit? Is that why he looks so happy, not just his usual sociopathic hollowness?

[Hissyspit]

24. I want the president to NOT go to a fundraiser at a grand hotel...

[Hissyspit]

26. He can NOT be an insensitive ass. (for starters) n/t

[lapislzi]

27. I expect him to PRESIDE

It's in his fucking title. Even a moran like him oughta be able to figure it out. PRESIDE.

He could start by showing up once in awhile. I realize true empathy or compassion is beyond him, but let's start with something simple like showing up.

...even that appears to be too much to ask.

[AnnieBW]

28. Bubba Would've Been There !

Say what you like about Bubba, but the man knew how to handle a natural disaster. First of all, his FEMA director knew his stuff. Second, even if there wasn't anything that he could have done personally, he would have been in the WH Situation Room getting updates as they came in. Third, he would have been on TV reassuring people that everything was in place to help them rebuild. Fourth, he would never have put the National Guard in a position where they weren't available.

[SammyWinstonJack]

38. Yes and bu$h hamstrung FEMA immediately upon entering Office.

What do those repugs have to say about that? Clinton had a plan to handle this catastrophe and bush threw it out just like he did the Hart Rudman report on airport security. :grr:

[central scrutinizer]

29. Apparently Terry Schiavo was more important than this

Remember, Bushco interrupted his vacation (gasp!!!) to fly back to DC to sign that ridiculous, ghoulish bill that the Repugs passed. Also, he didn't interrupt his August, 2001, vacation to deal with the memo titled, "Al Qaeda determined to hit targets in US" or his current vacation to even walk across the road to talk with Cindy Sheehan.

[tlsmith1963]

30. The Freepers Can Stuff It

Bush is an incompetent, greedy pig. He is the worst President ever. Of course he could have done something to prepare for the hurricane. He could also do something about the gas prices. But because he is so utterly useless, of course he is screwing up. When he did that speech from San Diego, I left the room & went outside. I watched a squirrel, & the squirrel was a lot more entertaining.

Tammy

[proud2BlibKansan]

31. A-Fucking-Men!

The least this president could have done is cancel his fundraising appearance today (or was it yesterday?)

He has no heart. That should be obvious to anyone with a brain. His defenders are just incredibly ignorant.

[electron_blue]

32. You're speaking like a real leader

Yes, that is exactly what Bush should have done. Even one or two of those things on the list would have been great.

[osaMABUSh]

33. We are prepared for nothing. Homeland Security? FEMA?

fuck 'em.

So you'd think after 9/11 we'd have some plan and funds in place that would work after a disaster. Especially, in a place like NO where everyone knew this would happen sooner or later.

[berni_mccoy]

34. The response from the Federal government is ABSOLUTE PROOF

That we are completely UNPREPAIRED for a terrorist ATTACK!

FREEPERS: What if New Orleans had been attacked with a WMD? Do you think the response would have been ANY BETTER? THINK AGAIN then work with us to IMPEACH this SOB!

[philosophie_en_rose]

35. "So sad. So sad. But he needs to get on with his life."

:puke: Loathing of Bush increasing....

How about supporting actual human beings on AMERICAN soil? What about fighting "terror" (and what else can we call the effects of the hurricane?) at home?

What is it going to take for the Chimpy McShrub not to be rewarded for being 81 billion short and days too late?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

49. 'We fight them over there, so we can't take care of disasters here'

[Redstone]

36. Well said, well done.

I salute you.

Redstone

[AuntiBush]

37. The Looting of America

That sums it up! Great Post!

[all.of.me]

39. excellent post.

but the **very very very** minimum he could do would have been to make an official statement with condolences as soon as we knew the extent of the damage. even that is wishful thinking, though...

[berni_mccoy]

40. Mayor of NO just spoke on Aaron Brown

Said, yes, he wishes the Gaurd was there today to help and Aaron Brown said the question everyone will be asking is "Why AREN'T they there?"

Many many deaths.

Many many stranded, especially those with special medical needs.

NO controls 25% of the oil delivering and refining and it's basically shut down. Expect gas and oil prices to skyrocket.

Again, why is no one there to help?!?!?!?!

[EC]

41. I'm really concerned for all that will be homeless

if he's not careful or makes his usual mess out of this, I'd be afraid of this starting a real homeless, depressive atmosphere.. The south was poor to begin with, now with all the lose, and I'm sure there is going to be a lot of insurance non-payouts, since they don't seem to pay for anything without a fight anymore...

[LiberalCompassionate]

43. I don't expect THIS pResident to do ANYTHING remotely humanistic

I just saw on MSNBC shithead-in-chief giving a press conference with a destroyer as a backdrop - he was going on about the "ferocity" of the hurricane and its going to take "hard work". He continued to spew but that's when I grabbed the remote in a frantic rush to get this friggin lying POS off of my screen and hit a button, any button.........gahhhh!:puke:


You nailed it - Let's not let them GET AWAY WITH IT ANY LONGER.

I am so angry, disgusted and worn out with the helplessness I feel with this incompetent, self serving, evil administration. Millions of people (in addition to the millions of people in two other countries that are even more miserable since they were "freed" by the Chimperor) are suffering due to the hurricane's effects and this shit is playing politics, again, by showing his evil personage in front of a military prop. He is one arrogant sonofabitch.


:cry:

[berni_mccoy]

44. Here's the reason why no reservists will be called into duty

The remaining reservists who haven't served a consecutive 24 months are going to be used for Iraq...

http://www.spacewar.com/2004/040915201050.ed58ojoi.html

The story is from a year ago and shows that over half of the reservists have been active since Sept. 2003.

Bush won't "waste" any time of the military that he can use for Iraq...

[suegeo]

45. My first thought upon reading that question...

My first thought upon reading that question...What do you expect the President to do?

was

I expect this President to go there and participate in the looting.

[bklyncowgirl]

47. Get his ass back to DC and start acting like he gives a shit. nt

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

48. Giuliani post 9/11 would be a reasonable model. Hunker down, make

it clear you are on this crisis at all times. Project calm. Answer a lot of questions and discuss what's being done.

Calm does not equal obliviousness.

Speeches to boost Iraq War support should obviously have been cancelled.

[Princess Turandot]

63. Say what you want about Giuliani, but it was crystal clear on day 1..

that he was as devastated as everyone else was and that he was in charge. "The loss will be greater than any of us can bear" but NYC will overcome this vs. "well, ya'll know, this will increase oil prices. Oh, and call these charities & donate because as the wealthiest country in the world, we can't handle this federally."

Clinton (and probably even Giuliani) would be waist deep in water by now in NOLA instead changing into their pajamas. After all, it's almost 8:30PM so the President must be getting ready fir bed.

[spinbaby]

50. Wouldn't it be great to have a real president?

A president who was in the White House paying attention when Katrina was in the Gulf aiming at New Orleans.

A president who could show some compassion instead of mumbling from prepared note cards.

A president who wasn''t strumming a guitar while New Orleans sank.

A president who would mobilize resources--resources that were here instead of off fighting a war on "terra."

A president who personally kept us updated on the recovery effort.

A president who would skip the flyover tour of the disaster area and instead send the presidential helicoptor to help with the relief efforts.

[Auntie Bush]

51. How about talking to the people from his heart spontaneously with

leadership instead of waiting for someone to write a speech for him to read.

I guess he can't do that because he has no heart and little compassion so he can't think of a thing to say that wouldn't prove that he is a callus incompetent fool. His controllers couldn't allow him to risk more criticism and jeopardies his poll numbers.

If only we had someone like Bill Clinton to join this nation in grief and cooperation with the world community.

[blackcatpgh]

52. kick, great post n/t

[hvn_nbr_2]

53. Pretending that global warming doesn't exist guarantees dozens more...

like Katrina and probably even worse over the coming years. Not to mention other kinds of catastrophes around the world. People all over the world will curse the name of George W. Bush for centuries.

[Misunderestimator]

54. Now that would have been a nice plan...

Any plan would have been better than what we apparently had.

Nominated... and thanks for the post.

[0007]

55. Great post b_m

Indeed it is worth my vote.

[myrna minx]

57. Amen to that.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[One_of_8]

58. Here is my LTTE, and thank you

for your excellent comments. I hope you don't mind that I used them, with modifications. I'm submitting this to my local paper, The Press Democrat in Sonoma County, CA:

Dear Editor,

The recent hurricane in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama has devastated that area, leaving many dead, and untold numbers homeless. I am frustrated that our Administration did not take pre-emptive action to lessen the impact of this natural disaster. Here are a few things that President Bush should have done, once it was apparent that a Category 4 or 5 hurricane was going to hit the Gulf Coast.

1. Gather a team of advisers to review and analyze the most likely disaster scenarios. Use that information to decide what level of military reservist operation would be required. Then send all available military reservists to the Gulf Coast for disaster preparation, and deploy all-terrain vehicles and choppers to help with the evacuation.

2. For people who could not be evacuated, military personnel could help transport them to the Super Dome. Immediately send in military reservist physicians, nurses and EMTs, to ensure sufficient medical staff to tend to the sick and injured, along with military grade generators.

3. After the hurricane had passed, ensure that military rescue boats were in place to patrol the neighborhoods for stranded people and get them to safety. In New Orleans, the reserves of the Army Corps of Engineers could begin work on dike repairs and getting pumps online (instead of allowing the water to keep rising in the city).

4. Finally, the President could demonstrate his support for the troops in Iraq, by granting immediate leave to those soldiers who have immediate family in the disaster area, allowing them to return home to help search for family members.

It is true that no one, not even the President of the United States, can stop a hurricane. However, there are many things the President could have done to lessen the suffering and damage of those in the path of the hurricane. Simply cutting his vacation short by one or two days isn’t one of them.

[Cleita]

59. Well, I would expect him to admit he's incompetent and resign.

Good points on your post about his negligence and malfaesance.

[RageFist]

61. How about proactive

as opposed to reactive?

[donheld]

62. Shout it out

Must be heard.