Leaving N.O. ~9:30 AM - probably heading North - political blowback from Gustv

[garthranzz]

For those of who asked for an update.

My take on political blowback from Gustav.

Even if, G-d Willing, New Orleans escapes the worst and we're back in time for the NFL opener :) during the RNC convention people WILL remember Katrina.

They'll remember that Bush didn't care and let the city drown.

They'll remember that McCain did his best Marie Antoinette impression. Apologies will only reinforce that.

If Obama & Co. play it smart, they can use sympathy for BushMcCain as a weapon against them - their remorse is of course accepted, but it underscores, even more than Iraq, their poor judgment, and that for all their claims of compassion, they just don't get it.


And this point should be repeated over and over and over - Why is New Orleans even worrying about levees breaking, storm surge, etc? Where the hell was the $30 billion needed to make the city safe, safe as Amsterdam is? Where's the money for restructuring the blueprint along the higher grounds of the area (yes it exists)? Where was the massive effort to rebuild the marshlands, the best defense, stripped away because of, in large part, BIG OIL? Where was the investment in renewable and alternate energy to reduce global warming that's producing this kind of storm in the first place?

In the pockets of Haliburton and lobbyists.

If Bush-McCain had really cared, then they would have fixed their mistake before another storm hit.

[hedgehog]

1. No one should lose their home this way. G-d bless!

[malaise]

2. Absolutely

I hope they hold the convention. Blow back is coming.

As one caller said on CSpan this morning, Gustav is near and the election is near but people should remember only one NEAR - Never Elect Another Republican.

[KharmaTrain]

3. This WIll Be A "Tar Baby"

I honestly don't see how Commander Huff'nPuff can turn this situation in his favor...especially if he goes down there.

He ignores it at his peril as we're sure to see a split screen of the repugnican swillfest on one side and the hurrican slamming into NOLA on the other. And be assured the corporate media will gladly fill in memories of what happened 3 years ago.

Even worse is him showing his crusty face down there trying to play pResident...once again trying to interject himself in a tragedy for his own gain. This isn't going to bullshit anyone...specifically those who have evacuated and are seeing this shitstain trying to exploit their situation. The images of boooooshie in Jackson Square are too fresh...after the show is over, the town goes dark again.

Sorry, the GOOP doesn't get a Mulligan here.

My suggestion to Senators Obama and Biden are to keep connected, but comment only when needed. This is the GOOPs week to hang themselves...and hang they will. It doesn't mean squat to be there while the damage is happening, it's being there during the clean-up and healing that will be more beneficial. If anything, Biden could call for an emergency session of Congress and push through relief and fast...show action, not posturing.

[Pab Sungenis]

4. Watch the Freepers try to spin this to their advantage.

"Look! See all the money we saved by not rebuilding it the first time? Now we don't have to do it all over again!"

[Sancho]

5. Too bad that Crawford is not on the coast!

Big oil and erosion ruined the protective coastlines around New Orleans and many other coastal cities.

Tampa Bay no longer has scallops (phosphate run off) and the Everglades are dying.

It is time to understand that the GOP has no intention of doing anything except destroying the world for a buck. NO DRILLING!

[Pooka Fey]

6. K&R Hugs, keep safe, and thanks for posting this.

:hug: