Statement from John Kerry and Teresa Heinz Kerry on Hurricane Katrina

[Mass]

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2005_08_31.html

For Immediate Release

"Hurricane Katrina devastated significant portions of the Gulf Coast and disrupted millions of lives but she didn’t and couldn’t destroy the spirit of endurance, bravery, generosity and compassion we have been witnessing during the relief and rescue operations. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the citizens of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama as they struggle with the aftermath of this devastating storm, and to their loved ones and families viewing the disturbing photos coming out of the region. Now is the time for all of us to come together to help the evacuees, refugees and survivors and rebuild the communities that have lost so much.

"While it is heartbreaking to see the loss and destruction families are facing, it has been inspiring to see the commitment of people across state lines as they work to make things better for those who are suffering. We also would like to commend the brave men and women who are leading the rescue operations; from emergency service officers to health care professionals to the power and water teams working around the clock to save lives. Mayors, sheriffs, governors, and countless federal, state and local workers and volunteers have demonstrated incredible dedication and leadership.

"We know that many Americans want to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina as they rebuild their lives. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is responsible for coordinating relief efforts, announced that the best way to help rescue and relief efforts is to donate to volunteer relief agencies so they can help more people.

"For more information on how you can help, visit FEMA’s website or visit the American Red Cross.

"America is united strongly behind the people of the Gulf Coast and from that unity we draw strength. Thank you for your support for the victims of Hurricane Katrina."

[globalvillage]

1. Nice statement.

And even more so that they made it together.

Thanks for posting.

[karynnj]

3. Befitting the fact that they should be President and First Lady

It's times like these that I regret most that these genuinely good and caring people aren't in the White House.

[ginnyinWI]

2. thankyou, Mass

It's nice to hear from the true First Couple.

I am going into overload over * and just have to step back and focus on positive things such as this letter. You can only get so angry before it starts to eat at you from the inside. So I'm avoiding many of the shrub-bashing threads and looking for the positive ones! Thanks again.

[whometense]

4. You too, huh?

I haven't been posting much because I feel like the top of my head is about to blow off. I can honestly say that I have never in my life felt this way about anyone.

The Nero fiddling with the guitar pictures, his bland meaningless speech today, and that kid I've been hearing about on MSNBC who said, apparently, "He ain't president no more."

There just aren't words to describe how terrible a human being he is.

[wisteria]

6. Bush has become the creation of Karl Rove . And IMO Rove has

no soul. Compassion and sympathy aren't words Rove can comprehend. Remember when Bush was billed as the Compassionate Conservative? You can't say that about him now.

[WildEyedLiberal]

7. I don't think I have ever hated him more than I do now

America needs him. As much as I may hate his politics, America needs a real fucking leader during this horrible tragedy, and he's AWOL - that must be the theme of his fucking life.

[wisteria]

8. I'm angry too. Bush could have said something profound and

reassuring today, but instead we got a laundry list of what is to come. Fine, it's nice to know he's got the relief effort underway finally, but what about an emotionally charged, comforting and memorable speech? I thought leaders were suppose to calm your fears.

[whometense]

9. They are.

But he hasn't got a drop of caring or compassion in his being.

That's what we have our John's emails for - he always has a good reason for sending them, but there's that other factor - the Shadow President factor - as well. He's letting us know he's there, he knows how we are all feeling, and at least someone in Washington has a set of priorities that make sense.

[ginnyinWI]

10. one word that comes to mind is "disgust"

I'm beyond mad. He's beneath my contempt. He's an empty suit at his best, and a destroyer of America at his worst. And because he is there, taking up space, another much more worthy human being is not able to do the work he was born to do.

Here I go again, blood pressure rising! Got to calm down. My one desire, now, is that he gets exposed, bigtime, for what he really is.

[karynnj]

12. And he cheated in many ways to get that space

I do hope he is seen for the small pathetic creep he is. I especially hope that people will see that the whole born agsin thing was obviously a fraud. (There were a few commandments trampled in his climb to the Presidency and his campaign to stay there - trying to destroy the good name of others and lying is frowned upon.)

I honestly never thought after Nixon was gone that I could dislike a President so much, but Bush beats him by a country mile. There is absolutely nothing I admire in that man.

[politicasista]

5. Nice statement

JK and Momma T are genuine unlike Smirky and Pickles.

[karynnj]

11. You said it!

I just wish more people could see it - it's hard to believe that they can completely misread each couple. It was nice that they wrote this together.