Why BUSH ?U impoverished a nation!

[Soulja2Luv]

Dont you find bush 2 B a inadiquit PRESIDENT!Everything is aimed at 1 thing making the rich richer!What he did in reaction 2 the 9 11 tragedy was a precurser 2 the neglect we saw after Katrina!We have a child running our country!And it cant be just coverd up! It is more than obvious that BUSH has failed as a president and he makes a better coke head!Thank GOD he cant be made president by our fake superior judges 1 more time!Not only can the man not write his own speaches the man cant even think properly!What has this tyrant done positive 4 us as a nation?Since he has been president the price of everything has gone up everything but minumum wage that is!More familys are suffering and more people are dieng.
Could we compare BUSH 2 some1 like washington or even lincoln? Hell no and mentioning his name with those gr888 men is blasfamy Bush is a JOKE and nothing he has done has been a gr888 thing.Unless neglect and harasment are conciderd good deeds!Bush has a policy 2 take care of poor people its called BULLETS no matter if they are AMERICAN or afgany or araqy his way of fixxing problems is armed soldiers 2 opress!Fact of the matter is he is a BOY sending men 2 kill poor people and while he does this he does nothing 2 help the homeless and hungry right here in america!Who has benifited from the BOY leader corporations OIL mostly thats who the extremly rich minority!Just name 1 good thing this PUPPET of the superior court has done besides makeing the rich richer and the poor a little more worthless!
I say FUCK U BUSH just as u do 2 me everyday i cant drive my car as much because the gas prices are 2 expencive!And i say FUCK U BUSH again 4 makeing it harder 4 me 2 buy food 4 my children!And FUCK U BUSH 4 leaving all those people 2 die after the storm!

[>>Flyboy<<]

And you think a dumb assed democrat (Kerry) would of done better? He couldn't make up his mind on what to say during the elections, how do you think he would of handeled this shit!!!! Although I'm no great Bush fan the blame is through out government and it's easy if you're uneducated and uninformed to blame the guy at the top....

Oh the oil crisis - for your information, how are American oil people making money when 60% of our oil is being imported?

You're rambling - make sence and try to use a spell check :rolleyes:

[Soulja2Luv]

EYE can C your 1 of the CATTLE following blindly!
Propaganda and lies you think people like STALIN HITLER CEASER NAPOLEON didnt have problems 2? DEATH is DEATH WRONG is WRONG BET you figure the best solution is assassination IF MARTIN LUTHER KING was PRESIDENT think we would fear children N schools?Do you think things would be the SAME?

[>>Flyboy<<]

IF MARTIN LUTHER KING was PRESIDENT think we would fear children N schools?Do you think things would be the SAME?
YES - AND YOU'RE RAMBLING LIKE A FOOL!

[Soulja2Luv]

CALL me whatever you look like the FOOL child acting off impulse! OUR government needs 2 BE FIXXED .

[>>Flyboy<<]

CALL me whatever you look like the FOOL child acting off impulse! OUR government needs 2 BE FIXXED .

Yes it does, but bringing up a slain civil rights leader into this doesn't make sence! Why don't you ask yourself these questions....

Why was there such a lapse in communiacation between state and federal governments?

Whey do we continue to import 60% of our oil

Why didn't the US develope an alternate energy plan back in the 1970s!

Why are the poor left behind in this country, what is the government at all levels doing to help and what are those poor doing to help them selves!

No this country isn't perfect, but you know what, I've been to about 15 different countries including parts of Africa, Asia, Europe and Central America and this place, by far, even in the mist of this tragedy is the best place in the world to live.......

Bottom line, wheather you're rich or poor, black or white, Republican or Democrat, you can only rely on your government, any government for that matter so much. There comes a point where you need to make things happen for you and find where or when you could MAKE the government work for you.....

[seven]

And you think a dumb assed democrat (Kerry) would of done better?

I think anybody else could have done better than Bush on many issues!

Just like to note:

When people have an opinion that conflicts with yours you shout our that they are rambling and than you attack them (present company included) with character insults.

Kind of like you can't believe they would dare question our government or make notice to anything our government needs to direct more attention to because areas of their leadership needs to be improved.

Yep, this is exactly what Republican Extremist are famous for!

What the Hell are Forums for anyway???? This is a place for people to share the thoughts that are rambling in their head... can this be argued???

As if your opinion is superior to everyone elses and if they bring up a topic that you do not approve of anyone discussing you are Einstien and they are immature and uneducated with no right to think or make comments.

People come on here to communicate their opinions and have discussions and search of support or any kind of understanding to the opposite opinion.

I'd also like to mention that I've notice that you get very touchy and defensive when anybody brings up an issue on racism.

Everytime someone brings up this topic to consider,.... there you go starting your character attacking...

These things are very easy to want to consider when it comes to the Hurricane Katrina diaster.

However, if any racist commentary is mentioned >> you are quick to "LOL."

I'm beginning to think you are a White Extremist AKA Racist...

Before you respond to that make note that I typed the word Extremist and Racist.

If I'm being mislead by my thoughts, please by all means, help me understand differently. I would absolutely be wrong about this!

By no means am I making attack on White People so please refrain from going there.... I happen to have some great friends that are white! :D

[Wallis]

Our government needs to be fixed. Yes, that is a true statement. But now the following question has to be answered: what are you (you and everyone else) doing about it?

We Americans have taken such a laisse faire attitude towards our politics. We really allow these various political machines to put forward "leaders" as plausible candidates, and then these machines force down the American throats that these people are "best" for America.

Next, nothing happens in a vacuum. Name any president, including Washington, and you will find that he has inherited a cornucopia of problems that he may not have had anything to do with in the first place.

The short-sightedness of the American people (with their thirty-minute sitcom mentality) is that

1. The President is all-powerful. (NOT!)
2. The President is responsible for EVERYTHING that goes on in this country.
3. The President is not only responsible for everything but that he has the power to fix everything.

If #3 were even close to being true, then why not just change the government of the United States to something more like a dictatorship or kingship? Ah, but even those systems are so basically flawed to exasperate what inadequacies we identify now.

The President is not the government but a convenient scapegoat when Americans perceive that government isn't helping them. There are so many layers of government. Thank God! And, if you want a real trip, do some investigation on the types of government each state has: they are widely different from each other.

Lastly, we want the government to help us. What kind of new thinking is this? This isn't how Americans made this country? We helped ourselves. What are we: socialist Britons? We Americans are losing our moral fiber of being in that we band together and help ourselves. But the social state that we started during the Johnson administration (we could go back to the Roosevelt administration to see the roots) has continued to erode the original American backbone of self-reliance and brotherhood. Instead, we increasingly hear the cry: government help us. And when government fails--and it will fail, as decried by government officials elected or appointed--we are quick to point to the President as "it's all his fault." As if Congress had nothing to do with the governing of America.

I beginning to start a tirade, so I'm going to stop. Flyboy did make a poignant remark: we have to understand our government at all levels before we start making flagrant remarks about anyone in government.

What do they teach in schools these days?

[seven]

I believe the first thing we should do about it is Talk about it.

Wake The People!

Our Constitution reads "For the People" ...

NOT
"For the Lobbist"
"For the Oil Companies"
"For Corporate Giants"
"For the Have's and excluding the Have Not's"

The only way anything can get started is by communicating and getting the message out to as many as you can because change like the one that is required will have to be done by people in numbers.

Talkie talkie is necessary so that people can vote for our leaders by the mass that is needed because it is ignorance and lack of awareness that keeps electing incompotent leaders...

[seven]

Have you seen the conditions of these domes the people are left in?

Barbara Bush quoted, "And so many of the people in the arenas here, you know, were underpriviledged anyway. This is working very well for them."

Referring to our President I'd like to state, "I guess that's just the way he was raised!" which is unacceptable for his job position.

I hope for the people's sake, many are writing or calling their congressmen expressing their disappointment and requesting to have our President impeached.

If Clinton goes up for Impeachment for Monica, I believe our President being on vacation despite the obvious threats of thousonds of lives that have now been taken is substantial.

:( Bush didn't return to Washington from his vacation until 3 days after the hurricane hit???? Eeeek!!

This is inarguably a failure of judgement from the top of the Federal Government.

[seven]

My daughter came home with news that they have a ton of new students from New Orleans and all the classes are requesting class donations for these homeless children and their families.

That's one thing we are participating in our community.

My husband has been working all week since the diaster directing his Companies victims and their families to safety, booking them flights to Houston, greeting them at their Corporate Office with grooming kits (toothpaste, soap, etc...), $1500 Wal-mart gift cards, and rooms in Corporate Suites to rest until further plans are in place.

Being that we live in Houston, we have the opportunity to participate in this tragidy, as I mentioned before, much of the escape is in my back yard.
(literally behind us is the Elementary, Middle, and High School walking distants from behind us where the kids walk to school, and my husbands office is a 10 minute drive behind us.)

[seven]

Question:

In the 4 years since 9/11, Has the Governments advancements in making us safer and that they will have a more effective response to catastrophic events?

And I quote JStewart "Clearly the answer is 'Oh shit! We're in trouble!'

I have mentioned before: I will not deny that I honestly believe we live in the Best Country in the World...

:confused: Standing by our Government because of loyalty to our Country, a Group, a Party or whatever reason I do not and am trying to understand, is insanity to me.

On top of all the other disappointments this Administration has delivered, to stand by them blindly defending their incompetence for whatever reason there is to be
:confused: :confused: :confused:

There is no other reason to believe that "Bush's Followers" have all "drank the Kool-Aid" and are all hypnotized by Bush and Rove's 'direct attention on anything but the criminal negligence of skating through this Presidency'.

When did job performance stop being important on holding the title of "Chief and Commander"?

[Wallis]

Seven, I share most of your concerns.

People ask me if I miss America, and I, quite frankly, admit that I do not.

You know that you can walk down almost any street in Korea at any time of the day or night and feel safe? Yes, there are parts of the big cities that I would not do this. But I felt completely safe even at three o'clock in the morning.

Perhaps I can attribute Korea a bit to Berlin where I lived for three years surrounded by East German and Soviet troops. Now that was the safest city in the world. What happened after the wall came down? You couldn't get me to stay even for a few hours in Berlin!

How has America become safer after 9/11? I don't think so. In fact, the more I read, the more convinced I have become that America is moving towards a police state.

What's the latest on identity cards?

Has the FBI been visiting your house lately when you are not home?

I know this forum is monitored, but since I have nothing to hide I really don't care. But what if I were to write certain words that will trigger the alarms with those new snooping software programs that "watch" the net?

Despite all the rhetoric, I don't see that America is any safer. We're depending on people to shoulder the safety aspect, and with the work ethic in the United States . . . . God forbid that we should take security responsibility for ourselves! That's what we pay government to do, right? [not]

Sorry, but I feel I'm becoming a bit more emotional on this, so I'll end here.

[seven]

Interesting you should mention "Police State"...

That's exactly what we are seeing a lot of around here!

We moved all the way out to the Suburbs quite a distance from the city (no city buses, minimal crime) to get away from all of that, raise a family where we can feel they are safe... you know, American Dream out in Surburbia! Where our police men are bored!

Now they are all driving around monitoring alert. I hate that this is what's changed and I hate even more that I'm relieved that their around me and I need that to feel safe!

However, I count my blessings that I still have my bed to sleep in, I still get to lecture my kids about watching the television before finishing their chores and homework, and I get to type away on this computer because the roof is still over my head and the rain didn't get it all wet!!

Pray that things get back to the way they were? There is a long road of adjustments.... but I am thankful that the adjustments are quite trival compared to so many other mothers who once resided in New Orleans! :)

Right now we are part of the strong that need to participate in helping the weak and to be the examples we want our children to witness!

My daughter's birthday was on the 1st, my son's is on the 8th, and I'm on the 13th. (Poor Pop, he says it's Christmas in this house in September! Luckily we had the last one in July so he wouldn't be alone the month of his birthday!)

My daughter has already given some of the birthday money she's recieved to some of the new kids from Louisana without us asking her too. I just had to share that. I thought it was so great! :)

[>>Flyboy<<]

I think anybody else could have done better than Bush on many issues!

Just like to note:

When people have an opinion that conflicts with yours you shout our that they are rambling and than you attack them (present company included) with character insults.

Kind of like you can't believe they would dare question our government or make notice to anything our government needs to direct more attention to because areas of their leadership needs to be improved.

Yep, this is exactly what Republican Extremist are famous for!

What the Hell are Forums for anyway???? This is a place for people to share the thoughts that are rambling in their head... can this be argued???

As if your opinion is superior to everyone elses and if they bring up a topic that you do not approve of anyone discussing you are Einstien and they are immature and uneducated with no right to think or make comments.

People come on here to communicate their opinions and have discussions and search of support or any kind of understanding to the opposite opinion.

I'd also like to mention that I've notice that you get very touchy and defensive when anybody brings up an issue on racism.

Everytime someone brings up this topic to consider,.... there you go starting your character attacking...

These things are very easy to want to consider when it comes to the Hurricane Katrina diaster.

However, if any racist commentary is mentioned >> you are quick to "LOL."

I'm beginning to think you are a White Extremist AKA Racist...

Before you respond to that make note that I typed the word Extremist and Racist.



As can be seen it seems that when you have a loss for words you start throwing in the name calling, I do my name calling at the front end, I let you why I think you're an idiot and then give my explinations, it works better that way!!!!! :D

1. Have I ever said anything with regards to race or ethnicity in anything I wrote?!? You are imagining things (maybe lack of Prozak), as a matter of fact I am a so-called "minority" as classified by the Government (Notice I didn't say you white folks cause I didn't assume you were white. I differ from you as I measure my reposnses before a make a comment or assume anything):D Throwing out acusations like that just shows how much of a pinhead you really are!!!! Note the bold type too!

2. I don't blindly support Bush or my government for that matter. I am totally at odds with this adminstration with regards to abortion, stem cell research and the embracing of what I call the "Christian Fundelmentalist Agenda." The only why I somewhat suppot this admistration is I find the Democratic party had been hijacked by a bunch of hypocrites, but that debut is for another forum........

3. At this point it didn't matter who was the President, the outcome of this tragedy would of been the same. There has never been a natural disaster like this and as Lt. General Russel Honore, the guy in charge of the military in the area said, "There's no point blaming or trying to blame anyone at this point, a vote was taken and Katrina had a vote, and her one vote won, deal with it."

[seven]

As can be seen it seems that when you have a loss for words you start throwing in the name calling, I do my name calling at the front end, I let you why I think you're an idiot and then give my explinations, it works better that way!!!!! :D

1. Have I ever said anything with regards to race or ethnicity in anything I wrote?!? You are imagining things (maybe lack of Prozak), as a matter of fact I am a so-called "minority" as classified by the Government (Notice I didn't say you white folks cause I didn't assume you were white. I differ from you as I measure my reposnses before a make a comment or assume anything):D Throwing out acusations like that just shows how much of a pinhead you really are!!!! Note the bold type too!

Did not make accusations or call you names... Check again, I believe I stated that I'm beginning to think.... I did not make any confirmations or any assumptions, I believe I said, I'm am being lead to believe.

I also noted something along the lines of the fact I would love to be wrong and if I was pledging you to correct me.

2. I don't blindly support Bush or my government for that matter. I am totally at odds with this adminstration with regards to abortion, stem cell research and the embracing of what I call the "Christian Fundelmentalist Agenda." The only why I somewhat suppot this admistration is I find the Democratic party had been hijacked by a bunch of hypocrites, but that debut is for another forum........

Hallelujah! Thank God!



a vote was taken and Katrina had a vote, and her one vote won, deal with it."

Exactly! I wish someone would deal with it! I hope somebody is held accountable for the neglegince of the importance this diaster what going to be. I can't say enough that it was not a suprise attack so somebody needs to get fired.

This is Fema's job! Mike Brown was not affective in being the head of this Diaster Mangement. Definately there should be an investigation because if there is a faliure management in what a whole departement exist in, then somebody needs to be held accountable.

Job Performance on a responsibility this important should matter, needs to matter, and if vital for the lives of the people that it is responsible for.

"deal with it." and get over it... as you agreed on in another tread... The Catholic Church did that with their molestation, and blowing it off (no pun intended) is the reason it kept on happening (pretending like it wasn't a big deal) and further continued to destroy lives.

[>>Flyboy<<]

Did not make accusations or call you names... Check again, I believe I stated that I'm beginning to think.... I did not make any confirmations or any assumptions, I believe I said, I'm am being lead to believe.

OH REALLY, THEN WHAT'S THIS?!?!

I'm beginning to think you are a White Extremist AKA Racist...
:eek: :eek: :eek:




"deal with it." and get over it... as you agreed on in another tread... The Catholic Church did that with their molestation, and blowing it off (no pun intended) is the reason it kept on happening (pretending like it wasn't a big deal) and further continued to destroy lives. AGREE!

[seven]

OH REALLY, THEN WHAT'S THIS?!?!I'm beginning to think you are a White Extremist AKA Racist...

:eek: :eek: :eek:
That is me not directly accusing you, that is me stating, and I quote: "I'm beginning to think... LOOK!"

Not directly calling you names.... HA!
as I said: (below)

Did not make accusations or call you names... Check again, I believe I stated that I'm beginning to think.... I did not make any confirmations or any assumptions, I believe I said, I'm am being lead to believe.

I also noted something along the lines of the fact I would love to be wrong and if I was pledging you to correct me.
Now enought already!!! I'm beginning to feel like we're married!! :rolleyes:

[unlawflcombatnt]

And you think a dumb assed democrat (Kerry) would of done better? He couldn't make up his mind on what to say during the elections, how do you think he would of handeled this shit!!!! Although I'm no great Bush fan the blame is through out government and it's easy if you're uneducated and uninformed to blame the guy at the top....


If Kerry actually did have trouble making up his mind, it was only because he had a mind to make up. Bush has got so little going on upstairs that he has very little to be confused about. With little intelligence, and few ideas, it's pretty easy to make a decision. His only message was "stay the course." Just what does that mean, exactly?

[seven]

If Kerry actually did have trouble making up his mind, it was only because he had a mind to make up. Bush has got so little going on upstairs that he has very little to be confused about. With little intelligence, and few ideas, it's pretty easy to make a decision. His only message was "stay the course." Just what does that mean, exactly?

That's pretty good. :D

I don't think that Kerry had that much trouble making up his mind, I could go on and on about the flipping and flopping on issues on the other end...

But I believe the stigma of Kerry having trouble making up his mind was a bunch of propganda and it's unfortunate that it worked as well as it did...

I just wish that the Democratic party would spend more time expressing what they STAND for instead of wasting their time trying to defend rumors the they start (giving the cheap shots attention is exaclty how bullying works!) and freakin ignore them and spend more time addressing the issues that need attention!

[cob1639]

I just wish that the Democratic party would spend more time expressing what they STAND for instead of wasting their time trying to defend rumors the they start (giving the cheap shots attention is exaclty how bullying works!) and freakin ignore them and spend more time addressing the issues that need attention!

Rush Limbaugh (although totally discredited by his views on drug abusers then his own subsequent drug abuse) has said one thing lately that I actually agree with - Democrats just criticize the president and republicans in general, while offering nothing to fix anything. Democrats lack leadership and a cohesive message and/or platform.

Alas, Republicans have control of all 3 branches of the gov't and we have the highest deficit ever - that's not "Conservative". The Medicare drug program isn't "Conservative" You can still get an abortion, your family can still pull the plug if you're Teri Schiavo esque, and you still can't force people to pray to Jesus in school. They are failing their missions.

Republicans have the ball in their hands but don't know what to do with it. Democrats are running around crying like little bitches, screaming "LET ME PLAY!!! I WANNA PLAY!!! IT'S MY TURN!!! WAA WAA WAA!!!

[>>Flyboy<<]

And that's why we need a third party or the masses have to stop favoring the 2 party choice currently the status quo.

[cob1639]

And that's why we need a third party or the masses have to stop favoring the 2 party choice currently the status quo.

The only "Bi-Partisan" action I see actually occuring in our near future would be to squash any 3rd party challenger. If they don't do it to themselves like the reform or Green parties did.

[>>Flyboy<<]

The only "Bi-Partisan" action I see actually occuring in our near future would be to squash any 3rd party challenger. If they don't do it to themselves like the reform or Green parties did.

Yep - becuase te stats-quo is scared of that element and loosing their monoply in the electoral system. A third party will pull votes from both parties upsetting everything......

I would be happy if the most leftist politcians "left" the Democratic party and formed a Socialist Party. This would bring the dems more to the middle and representative of the "common man." But what's worse that the 2 party monoply is an issue I published on another thread and i show it again......

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE

REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT!

2008 Election Issue!!

GET A BILL STARTED TO PLACE ALL POLITICIANS ON SOC. SEC.
This must be an issue in "2008 ". Please! Keep it going.

--------------- -------------------
SOCIAL SECURITY:
(This is worth reading. It is short and to the point.)

Perhaps we are asking the wrong questions during election years.

Our Senators and Congresswomen do not pay into Social Security and, of course, they do not collect from it.

You see, Social Security benefits were not suitable for persons of their rare elevation in society. They felt they should have a special plan for themselves. So, many years ago they voted in their
own benefit plan.

In more recent years, no congressperson has felt the need to change it. After all, it is a great plan.

For all practical purposes their plan works like this:
When they retire, they continue to draw the same pay until they die.

Except it may increase from time to time for cost of living adjustments..

This is calculated on an average life span for each of these two Dignitaries. For example, Senator Byrd and Congressman White and their wives may expect to draw $7,800,000.00 (that's Seven Million, Eight-Hundred Thousand Dollars), with their wives drawing $275,000.00 during the last years of their lives.


Younger Dignitaries who retire at an early age, will receive much more during the rest of their lives.

Their cost for this excellent plan is $0.00. NADA....ZILCH....

This little perk they voted for themselves is free to them. You and I pick up the tab for this plan. The funds for this fine retirement plan come directly from the General Funds.

"OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK"!

>From our own Social Security Plan, which you and I pay (or have paid) into every payday until we retire (which amount is matched by our employer) - we can expect to get an average of $1,000 per month after retirement.

Or, in other words, we would have to collect our average of $1,000 monthly benefits for 68 years and one (1) month to equal Senator Bill Bradley's benefits!


Social Security could be very good if only one small change were made. That change would

be to:
Jerk the Golden Fleece Retirement Plan from under the Senators and Congressmen. Put them into the Social Security plan with the rest of us,
then sit back.....
and watch how fast they would fix it..

If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe good changes will evolve.

How many people can YOU send this to? Better yet.....
How many people WILL you send this to??

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE

REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT!
KEEP IT GOING!!!!
2008 Election Issue!!

[Wallis]

Story (http://*******.com/9vocq )

Louisiana Officials Could Lose the Katrina Blame Game
By Jeff Johnson
CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer
September 07, 2005

(CNSNews.com) - The Bush administration is being widely criticized for the emergency response to Hurricane Katrina and the allegedly inadequate protection for "the big one" that residents had long feared would hit New Orleans. But research into more than ten years of reporting on hurricane and flood damage mitigation efforts in and around New Orleans indicates that local and state officials did not use federal money that was available for levee improvements or coastal reinforcement and often did not secure local matching funds that would have generated even more federal funding.

In December of 1995, the Orleans Levee Board, the local government entity that oversees the levees and floodgates designed to protect New Orleans and the surrounding areas from rising waters, bragged in a supplement to the Times-Picayune newspaper about federal money received to protect the region from hurricanes.

"In the past four years, the Orleans Levee Board has built up its arsenal. The additional defenses are so critical that Levee Commissioners marched into Congress and brought back almost $60 million to help pay for protection," the pamphlet declared. "The most ambitious flood-fighting plan in generations was drafted. An unprecedented $140 million building campaign launched 41 projects."

The levee board promised Times-Picayune readers that the "few manageable gaps" in the walls protecting the city from Mother Nature's waters "will be sealed within four years (1999) completing our circle of protection."

But less than a year later, that same levee board was denied the authority to refinance its debts. Legislative Auditor Dan Kyle "repeatedly faulted the Levee Board for the way it awards contracts, spends money and ignores public bid laws," according to the Times-Picayune. The newspaper quoted Kyle as saying that the board was near bankruptcy and should not be allowed to refinance any bonds, or issue new ones, until it submitted an acceptable plan to achieve solvency.

Blocked from financing the local portion of the flood fighting efforts, the levee board was unable to spend the federal matching funds that had been designated for the project.

By 1998, Louisiana's state government had a $2 billion construction budget, but less than one tenth of one percent of that -- $1.98 million -- was dedicated to levee improvements in the New Orleans area. State appropriators were able to find $22 million that year to renovate a new home for the Louisiana Supreme Court and $35 million for one phase of an expansion to the New Orleans convention center.

The following year, the state legislature did appropriate $49.5 million for levee improvements, but the proposed spending had to be allocated by the State Bond Commission before the projects could receive financing. The commission placed the levee improvements in the "Priority 5" category, among the projects least likely to receive full or immediate funding.

The Orleans Levee Board was also forced to defer $3.7 million in capital improvement projects in its 2001 budget after residents of the area rejected a proposed tax increase to fund its expanding operations. Long term deferments to nearly 60 projects, based on the revenue shortfall, totaled $47 million worth of work, including projects to shore up the floodwalls.

No new state money had been allocated to the area's hurricane protection projects as of October of 2002, leaving the available 65 percent federal matching funds for such construction untouched.

"The problem is money is real tight in Baton Rouge right now," state Sen. Francis Heitmeier (D-Algiers) told the Times-Picayune. "We have to do with what we can get."

Louisiana Commissioner of Administration Mark Drennen told local officials that, if they reduced their requests for state funding in other, less critical areas, they would have a better chance of getting the requested funds for levee improvements. The newspaper reported that in 2000 and 2001, "the Bond Commission has approved or pledged millions of dollars for projects in Jefferson Parish, including construction of the Tournament Players Club golf course near Westwego, the relocation of Hickory Avenue in Jefferson (Parish) and historic district development in Westwego."

There is no record of such discretionary funding requests being reduced or withdrawn, but in October of 2003, nearby St. Charles Parish did receive a federal grant for $475,000 to build bike paths on top of its levees.

Earlier this year, the levee board did complete a $2.5 million restoration project. After months of delays, officials rolled away fencing to reveal the restored 1962 Mardi Gras fountain in a four-acre park featuring a new 600-foot plaza between famous Lakeshore Drive and the sea wall.

Financing for the renovation came from a property tax passed by New Orleans voters in 1983. The tax, which generates more than $6 million each year for the levee board, is dedicated to capital projects. Levee board officials defended more than $600,000 in cost overruns for the Mardi Gras fountain project, according to the Times-Picayune, "citing their responsibility to maintain the vast green space they have jurisdiction over along the lakefront."

Democrats blame Bush administration

Congressional Democrats have been quick to blame the White House for poor preparation and then a weak response related to Hurricane Katrina. U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), ranking Democrat on the House Government Reform Committee, joined two of his colleagues from the Transportation and Infrastructure and Homeland Security committees Tuesday in a letter requesting hearings into what the trio called a "woefully inadequate" federal response.

"Hurricane Katrina was an unstoppable force of nature," Waxman wrote along with Reps. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) and Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.). "But it is plain that the federal government could have done more, sooner, to respond to the immediate survival needs of the residents of Louisiana and Mississippi.

"In fact, different choices for funding and planning to protect New Orleans may even have mitigated the flooding of the city," the Democrats added.

But Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) suggested that Waxman "overlooks many other questions that need to be asked, and prematurely faults the federal government for all governmental shortcomings; in fact, local and state government failures are not mentioned at all in [Waxman's] letter."

Davis wrote that Waxman's questions about issues such as the lack of federal plans for evacuating residents without access to vehicles and the alleged failure of the Department of Homeland Security to ensure basic communications capacity for first responders might "prematurely paint the picture that these are solely, or even primarily, federal government responsibilities.

"This is not the time to attack or defend government entities for political purposes. Rather, this is a time to do the oversight we're charged with doing," Davis continued. "Our Committee will aggressively investigate what went wrong and what went right. We'll do it by the book, and let the chips fall where they may."

The House Government Reform Committee will begin hearings on federal disaster preparations and the response to Hurricane Katrina the week of Sept. 12. The House Energy and Commerce Committee is schedule to hold hearings on the economic recovery from Katrina beginning Wednesday morning.

[>>Flyboy<<]

Very Interesting Wallis. Seven and I went around the other day on several articles she pulled from people complaining about the Federal funding shortfalls on this project, this now sheds light into some of the mismanagement at the Louisiana State level.....

One of the articles attempted to show a 20 million dollar shortfall in project funding and that was being used to blame the Feds for not preventing this tragedy. With a 17 billion dollar state budget it almost seems petty if not political to bring up a 20 million dollar shortfall, but even so it still boggles my mind how anyone would just let this project go stagnant at the state level. It's like not fixing a hole in your roof, assuming a family member would pay the whole thing and then later finding out they are only giving you 1/4 of the amount needed for the repair. Do you attempt to raise money to flx it, or just leave it and blame that family member when the roof leaks?!?!?

Issue bonds, raise state taxes, do something, but just don't sit there and whine and allow the levees to rot because the Feds didn't pay for the full project. Federal funding is a supplement in situations like this and If State leaders squander away money and a tragedy like this happens, they can only blame themselves....

Although the Feds aren't out of the woods yet, there is still much blame to go around, I guess this just somewhat levels the playing field.....

[cob1639]

Is it too hard to just say these people were let down by their government on all levels? As I previously mentioned, Whenever they bought beer or cigarettes or gas or long distance or speeding tickets or whatever else they pay for exceedingly in taxes - they pay for this kind of protection. Local, state and federal. It cannot be denied that FEMA didn't know that those people were at the convention center. The director said it himself. I knew before they did. That is unacceptable.

There was food at MSY airport + There were hungry people at the Superdome + There were choppers in the area doing rescues. How can you say "Well I needed to be told to feed hungry people with food that was provided for that very thing." That is an absolute cop out. This is what I'm talking about when I say everybody is blaming everybody else.

I have not, and will not defend ANY level of government on this issue. food + hungry + choppers + still hungry = FAILURE.

Ok - even further, If you were a chopper pilot at MSY airport and you had that equation in your face, how much trouble do you think you would be in if you dropped some of that food off. If you broke protocol to feed hungry REFUGEES in the Superdome? (If you seek refuge, you're a refugee - no matter what Jessie Jackson or Oprah says) That is not a state or local issue - that is a HUMAN issue.

Who freaking cares whose fault it is? They got screwed by their gov't. Even the chopper pilot with the LA, US or NO government at the top of their paycheck.

[>>Flyboy<<]

Is it too hard to just say these people were let down by their government on all levels? [QUOTE/]
That's the point!!!!! The folks at the state and local level need to accept more of the blame.

There was food at MSY airport + There were hungry people at the Superdome + There were choppers in the area doing rescues. How can you say "Well I needed to be told to feed hungry people with food that was provided for that very thing." That is an absolute cop out. This is what I'm talking about when I say everybody is blaming everybody else.

I have not, and will not defend ANY level of government on this issue. food + hungry + choppers + still hungry = FAILURE.

And again during those rescues some of the helicopters came under fire - far and few but it happened. I worked and flown on helicopters and with the exception of flying in a war zone, if I was conducting resuce operation in NO and came under fire, you know what my reaction is "Fu#k Em!" At that point I could care if anyone lives or die. I'd land my chopper at MSY, pop open a beer and say let God sought em out!!!!!!

It sucks to be shot at in a helicopter when you can't shoot back! :rolleyes:

[>>Flyboy<<]

Is it too hard to just say these people were let down by their government on all levels?
That's the point!!!!! The folks at the state and local level need to accept more of the blame.

There was food at MSY airport + There were hungry people at the Superdome + There were choppers in the area doing rescues. How can you say "Well I needed to be told to feed hungry people with food that was provided for that very thing." That is an absolute cop out. This is what I'm talking about when I say everybody is blaming everybody else.

I have not, and will not defend ANY level of government on this issue. food + hungry + choppers + still hungry = FAILURE.

And again during those rescues some of the helicopters came under fire - far and few but it happened. I worked and flown on helicopters and with the exception of flying in a war zone, if I was conducting resuce operation in NO and came under fire, my reaction would be "Fu#k Em!" At that point I could care if anyone lives or die. I'd land my chopper at MSY, pop open a beer and say let God sought em out!!!!!!

It sucks to be shot at in a helicopter when you can't shoot back! :rolleyes:

[cob1639]

That's the point!!!!! The folks at the state and local level need to accept more of the blame.


And again during those rescues some of the helicopters came under fire - far and few but it happened. I worked and flown on helicopters and with the exception of flying in a war zone, if I was conducting resuce operation in NO and came under fire, my reaction would be "Fu#k Em!" At that point I could care if anyone lives or die. I'd land my chopper at MSY, pop open a beer and say let God sought em out!!!!!!

It sucks to be shot at in a helicopter when you can't shoot back! :rolleyes:

Again, was there more than ONE incident of that occuring? NO - just the one. Now you're using it as an excuse for the poor response.

[>>Flyboy<<]

Again, was there more than ONE incident of that occuring? NO - just the one. Now you're using it as an excuse for the poor response.

Not an excuse - the response and leadership at NO was poor, agree - no, to me it would be a personnel choice not to have a 9mm round go through my seat!!!!

I crashed in a helicopter once - a small bird could bring down a Black Hawk - crashing sucks, you avoid things that make you crash. People shooting at you is one of them!!!!! :cool:

[>>Flyboy<<]

Not an excuse - the response and leadership at NO was poor, agree - no, to me it would be a personnel choice not to have a 9mm round go through my seat!!!!

I crashed in a helicopter once - a small bird could bring down a Black Hawk - crashing sucks, you avoid things that make you crash. People shooting at you is one of them!!!!! :cool:

Oh - one last thing, the Tsunami earlier this year in a poverty sticken part of the world that killed thousands - how many relief helicopters were shot at by survivors??? :confused:

[seven]

Oh - one last thing, the Tsunami earlier this year in a poverty sticken part of the world that killed thousands - how many relief helicopters were shot at by survivors??? :confused:

Good Question!

But I feel that the answer has some relation to:

How much FASTER was the Tsunami diaster RECONIZED and how much SOONER was our relief offerered half was across the world by our Government on what initially was a suprise event?

The possibility of the Tsunami was completely unknown to us and an event that actually was something we could honestly state was no way to prepare ourselves for.

(Lines were down and it took me 2 days to finally contact my brother who is living in Thailand, by the time I finally reached him, relief was already present and oganized.)

Also take note: ONE helicopter got shot at, after devestations which were predicted had already occured.

Come on now, I just saw an interview with NBC's Brian Williams who was sitting in the New Orleans Superdome before the hurricane hit waiting to cover this diaster.

If the news media knew and were riding out the hurricane inside the Super Dome...

There's no good reason it took as long as it did to start seeing relief effort.

[Soulja2Luv]

DROPed by a 9? Come on aleast 50 caliber! With all the space age metals nvolved lol!Anywayz you took part n what theaters of war?

[>>Flyboy<<]

Good Question!

But I feel that the answer has some relation to:

How much FASTER was the Tsunami diaster RECONIZED and how much SOONER was our relief offerered half was across the world by our Government on what initially was a suprise event?

The possibility of the Tsunami was completely unknown to us and an event that actually was something we could honestly state was no way to prepare ourselves for.

(Lines were down and it took me 2 days to finally contact my brother who is living in Thailand, by the time I finally reached him, relief was already present and oganized.)

Also take note: ONE helicopter got shot at, after devestations which were predicted had already occured.

Come on now, I just saw an interview with NBC's Brian Williams who was sitting in the New Orleans Superdome before the hurricane hit waiting to cover this diaster.

If the news media knew and were riding out the hurricane inside the Super Dome...

There's no good reason it took as long as it did to start seeing relief effort.

You bring up good points Seven - there was plenty of warning of the impending hurricane and electonic buoys off shore were reporting 30 foot waves. This infomation was relayed to all levels of government......

And today the FEMA director resigned (he was probably asked to - the chopping is starting)

[>>Flyboy<<]

DROPed by a 9? Come on aleast 50 caliber! With all the space age metals nvolved lol!Anywayz you took part n what theaters of war?

WRONG! In speaking in terms of military helicopters are partially armored, but for the most part "dust off" or medevac helicopters stateside carry no armor.

A well place round (9mm) will disable a military helicopter but the chnces are slim. Civilian helicopters are paper thin and can be brought down by a bird strike in the right place....

I never saw war (thank god). My experience on helicopters come as a civilian. In the military I worked on fix wing aircraft........

[seven]

You bring up good points Seven - there was plenty of warning of the impending hurricane and electonic buoys off shore were reporting 30 foot waves. This infomation was relayed to all levels of government......

And today the FEMA director resigned (he was probably asked to - the chopping is starting)

YES, I reconized this, Thank Goodness some of this irresponsibility is being attended too!
(Need more chopping...)

[Soulja2Luv]

Good thing your not flying nano technology a B B gun would bring you down! I find the fact a 9 mm gun can wreck a few thousand dollar instrument of superiority 2 B scarey! Especially after we invested so much N space technology and super bullet resistent metals.But regardless of the weapon or modern technology N the form of killing machines! It all comes down or is useless when put against people with BRAINS! And 1 idea can be stronger than any nuclear BOMB!

[>>Flyboy<<]

Good thing your not flying nano technology a B B gun would bring you down! I find the fact a 9 mm gun can wreck a few thousand dollar instrument of superiority 2 B scarey! Especially after we invested so much N space technology and super bullet resistent metals.But regardless of the weapon or modern technology N the form of killing machines! It all comes down or is useless when put against people with BRAINS! And 1 idea can be stronger than any nuclear BOMB!

And I have to say insome instances you are correct!

[cob1639]

And I have to say insome instances you are correct!

:confused: Holy crap! You two agree on something?!?! :confused:

[>>Flyboy<<]

:confused: Holy crap! You two agree on something?!?! :confused:


Amazing?!?!? :rolleyes:

[Wallis]

I wrote a book on DUSTOFF (true story), so I am very familiar with the ins and outs of the Huey that was used. That bird could take a lot of hits. Most of them went down because the pilot was hit. Now, the RPG exploding inside of the aircraft was a different thing.

By the way, during the tsunami recovery operations, some of the rescuers were "fired" upon. Don't remember all of the details, but when rescuers approached the villages of one of the islands to see if the islanders fare well or not, they were "fired" upon, as these islanders do not take kindly to anyone from the outside world.

[>>Flyboy<<]

I wrote a book on DUSTOFF (true story), so I am very familiar with the ins and outs of the Huey that was used. That bird could take a lot of hits. Most of them went down because the pilot was hit. Now, the RPG exploding inside of the aircraft was a different thing.

By the way, during the tsunami recovery operations, some of the rescuers were "fired" upon. Don't remember all of the details, but when rescuers approached the villages of one of the islands to see if the islanders fare well or not, they were "fired" upon, as these islanders do not take kindly to anyone from the outside world.

Great information Wallis! It's amazing, never heard much about the Tsunami ops being fired on!

Wow - I've seen your book!

I woked on Hueys for a guy that used to rent them for mainly movie work in California. We had 4, 3 UH-1Hs and 1 UH-1B. I wrote one of the first civilian maintenance programs for the FAA so we could fly these things over the LA basin.......

Yes the Huey is a robust machine - I was on a test flight after we rebuilt one acquired from an Army DRMO center and we got 2 chip lights, the guy who owned it flew on and landed a lot longer than I would of liked to stay in the air, to make a long story short, we changed a transmission and a 42 degree gear box.......

All in all - helicopters have great capability and vunerability, even the most robust combat helicopters could be brought down with "the magic BB" if hit in the right spot.....

[cob1639]

All in all - helicopters have great capability and vunerability, even the most robust combat helicopters could be brought down with "the magic BB" if hit in the right spot.....

I'm FOR ejection seats in helicopters.

[>>Flyboy<<]

I'm FOR ejection seats in helicopters.

I'm for airplanes, they're safer, especially if you're getting shot at!

[cob1639]

I'm for airplanes, they're safer, especially if you're getting shot at!

Yeah, but you need a runway. Plus a chopper eject is bloodier!

[>>Flyboy<<]

Yeah, but you need a runway. Plus a chopper eject is bloodier!

Only if you go up!