Hurricanes aren't political, but...

[bain_sidhe]

disaster relief *could* be, if bu**sh**'s past performance is any guide.

Yesterday, somebody made a post about trying to blame bu**sh**'s environmental policies (global warming) for hurricanes - and especially Ivan. Yes, that was a somewhat callous focus on the political implications of what could be - if it hits N'awlins - the greatest human tragedy this country has seen on probably over a century. Tens of THOUSANDS could die, drowning in a toxic soup of chemicals, sewage, oil and water, simply because they're too poor to leave. People rebuked the poster for even *thinking* of trying to take political advantage of such a tragedy. Rightly, I think... but it also started me thinking... bu**sh** has a history of using even the most horrific events both for his own political gain and to "reward" those who support him, and "punish" those who don't. Witness the fact that he has consistently shortchanged "blue" states in homeland security funds, even though those areas (particularly NY and CA) are at greatest risk for terrorist activities, while Wyoming is so awash in counter-terrorism funds they can't figure out how to spend them all.

IF Ivan hits New Orleans, what would bu**sh** do? In the first place, LA has a Democratic governor and Dem. senators - not to mention that New Orleans' heavily Democratic population contributed a great deal to those Democratic victories. Would bu**sh** drag his feet on disaster relief to insure that the infrastructure is still so crippled that those people won't be able vote in November? Or would he rush relief through in the hopes of earning their "gratitude" (and votes) in November? I don't know... but, like I said, while hurricanes aren't political, we have absolute PROOF that bu**sh**'s response is likely to be, and it both worries and infuriates me. The fact is, I honestly don't believe the so-called-man has enough human decency to NOT use such a disaster to his political advantage. What do you think?

[amber dog democrat]

1. I am thinking this is a bad thing for the Chimp.

Should, god forbid, that Ivan actually go straight to NOLA I wonder at how much our over taxed economy and emergency relief services will be able to respond.

considering how there is yet another CAT 5 brewing out there my sense is that we are going to get hammered beyond the government's ability to provide sufficient help in the weeks that will follow.

Sure looks like global warming to me - but that is besides the point.

Catastrophes have a way of bringing down ruling dynasties.

[bain_sidhe]

2. I'm also thinking that we should "pre-empt" any foot-dragging

by getting the idea out there that to do so would be a political attempt to benefit from human misery... we know (or at least I think) that bu**sh**'s response will be politically calculated - we should try to make sure that the calculation favors immediate help instead of foot-dragging. There needs to be a clear political price for footdragging that overwhelms any hope of depressing Democratic turnout in LA by foot-dragging.

IMHO, that is.

[mimitabby]

3. disasters

this is disastrous for the US economy. The insurance industry
has not recovered really from 9/11
There is just "so much" reserve to pay for claims you know.
And there are a lot of claims from Charley and Frances.. who knows
what Ivan's going to do!

It can't be good for smirky either

[amber dog democrat]

4. yup and wait til Jeane gets here.

Another Cat 5 brewing in the Western Atlantic is only going to make things worse.

There was a professor once who said that three things seem to be the necessary ingredients for a revolutoin

Disassocitation or lack of connection of the ruling class from the public

Wooden headed leadershp

Some kind of major catasthrophe

I wonder if we are not headed in that direction.

I am glad i live 500 Mi inland from the Texas Gulf.

[bain_sidhe]

5. I'm not talking about insurance

Although, I agree, three hurricanes in a row IS an economic disaster for this country. But I'm talking about federal funds and assistance. bu**sh** "found" $2 Billion for Florida within a few days. Will he do he same for a state NOT governed by his little bro? I know our relief resources are strained, but he's willing to go into the red to give his cronies tax relief. Is he willing to do the same to give American citizens disaster relief? The point is, we need to make sure he doesn't use "over-strained" disaster relief system as an excuse for foot dragging.

[snowbear]

6. Ivan

Reporter, Douglas Brinkley, just reported on CNN that that serious consequences could result in Louisiana as a result of a coastal erosion situation that should have been addressed, but has fallen on deaf ears by the Federal Government.

From the sounds of it, Governor Blanco (D) of Louisiana has been heavily involved in every board, committee, planning group, you name it- and has been on top of this problem since becoming Governor.

If Louisiana sustains damage that could have been reduced by taking the actions she's been asking for all along, I'm sure Bush will be hearing from her. LOUDLY.

[bain_sidhe]

7. I'm not communicating very well!

Sorry! I read a story about that too, somewhere. Not CNN, but making the same point about the coastal erosion situation - but that's a debate for AFTER the relief efforts.

Let me try again - my biggest worry is that he will - as he has before - let people suffer if he thinks it will benefit him in Nov. We need to make that politically impossible, by allowing for no excuses for not responding immediately with "overwhelming force" with whatever disaster relief is needed. It could be something as simple as denying - loudly and often - that we would even *think* that Bush would take political affiliation into account when allocating disaster relief resources. IF Ivan hits New Orleans, the most important thing is to make sure that there's an all out effort to help the people there. And I worry that if bu**sh** sees a political advantage, and no political cost, to delaying that help, he *would* delay it. So make it TOO COSTLY. Create a (sorry, I know some people hate this word) "meme" of about whether he's going to "play politics" with aid, so that he CAN'T play politics with aid. See what I mean?

[bain_sidhe]

8. Sigh.

Well, maybe Ivan will come ashore in the unpopulated part of the panhandle. Of course, there are still people there, but they have a better chance of getting away if they're not stuck in a traffic jam of thousands of people who are all trying to do the same.