Zorn: Bush may scorn blame game, but he has to play

[Inland]

Good column on the inevitability, and postive effect of laying blame.


Bush may scorn blame game, but he has to play
Eric Zorn

Published September 8, 2005


http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0509080187sep08,1,6110911.column?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

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Using the therapy-speak term "blame game" as if this were a psychodrama and not a scandal trivializes a dispute that's not only unavoidable, but also necessary and even helpful.

Did the expressions of outrage and frustration directed at Washington by New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, local emergency management director Terry Ebbert and many commentators speed relief efforts and save lives?

We may never know. But it's hard to believe that the massive infusion of relief supplies and personnel that hit New Orleans Friday wasn't at least partly an effort at damage control by those badly stung by bitter accusations that they weren't doing enough.

The clamor for accountability and the threat of consequences have a way of grabbing a person's attention and inspiring him to do better, not next time, but right now.
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[maddiejoan]

1. If * doesn't want the "Blame Game" ---

Maybe we should go back to the "Plame Game". heck, I'm easy.

[skooooo]

2. Why don't we just go straight to the "indictment game?"

That's more appropriate anyway.

[MurrayDelph]

6. I'd settle

for Truth or Dare!

[1gobluedem]

3. Always love hearing from Eric Zorn; he's my landlords' son!

Aren't I lucky to have such progessive landlords? Eric is a terrific writer and always right on.

[Inland]

4. Yes, I too am a wolverine; Zorn was a year or two ahead, wrote for

the school paper, the name of which I don't remember.

He's pretty good.

[1gobluedem]

5. The Michigan Daily n/t