Posted on 09/02/2005 5:00:38 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
Today show Tide Shifts: Relief Efforts Out, Blaming Federal Government In
Anyone seen Kathleen Blanco lately? Remember her, the Democratic Governor of Louisiana, the lady who put in a few shaky, overwhelmed performances at the beginning of the Katrina catastrophe? She seems to have disappeared off the MSM radar screen.
How about the Mayor of New Orleans, another Democrat? How many Americans can even name him? Compare and contrast with the role Rudy Giuliani played in the wake of 9/11.
Instead, Today's focus this morning was almost entirely on the shortcomings of the federal [read Republican-led] government in its response to Katrina.
Katie Couric spoke of "the growing chorus of criticism over the government's response this national crisis."
Chorus-leader Couric first grilled FEMA Director Michael Brown. Criticized about the lack of law and order, Brown said that by Sunday there would be 30,000 National Guard troops on the ground. That wasn't good enough for Katie, who after saying she didn't want to "belabor the point" went on to do just that, carping that "it seems like a pretty long lag time."
Katie then turned to the lack of funding to improve the levee system. "Why weren't federal funds allocated for that?"
Brown: "with all due respect to you, I'm focused on life-saving efforts now."
A clenched-jaw Couric cut him off rudely: "but that might have saved lives, Mr. Brown."
Next up was an interview of Tim Russert by Matt Lauer. He joined in the chorus of criticism, focusing on the lack of pre-positioning of supplies. "This is the United States of America appearing to be incapable of rescuing and saving its own people after five days."
Lauer then offered up some editorializing of his own. He noted that "the great majority of the peole we see suffering now are black and poor."
He then, incredibly, added: "these are the people who don't have the safety net in their daily lives. How much of a wake-up call does this have to be for people in our country."
No safety net? It's been estimated that since the beginning of LBJ's "War on Poverty" in the '60s, the federal government has spent $5-6 trillion on a variety of 'safety net' programs, from Medicaid, to AFDC, to food stamps, etc.
Even Bill Clinton, who signed an historic welfare reform bill, was eventually forced to recognize that making people dependent on government had been a failure, exacerbating the very problems the programs sought to address.
But Lauer seemed to draw just the opposite conclusion. When he spoke of the lack of a safety net and a "wake up" call, the apparent implication was that the federal government should be spending more than ever on welfare.
There undoubtedly have been mistakes made on all levels of government, and there will be plenty of time to analyze and criticize.
But the MSM already seem to be developing their strategy: focus the criticism almost entirely on the federal government, rather than on the notoriously corrupt, Democrat-led New Orleans and Lousiana governments. And offer up as a solution more government welfare spending. When socialism fails, try more socialism.
Finkelstein has degrees from Cornell University and Harvard Law School. He lives in Ithaca, NY where he hosts "Right Angle," a local political talk show. Finkelstein specializes in exposing liberal bias at NBC's Today Show.
Today Show/Newsbusters ping.
Bush declares emergency in Louisiana (Hurricane Katrina)
AP ^ | Aug. 27, 2005 | Staff
Posted on 08/28/2005 1:23:07 AM EDT by Anti-Bubba182
CRAWFORD, Texas - President Bush declared a state of emergency in Louisiana on Saturday because of the approach of Hurricane Katrina and his spokesman urged residents along the coast to heed authorities' advice to evacuate.
Bush, vacationing at his ranch, was being regularly updated about the storm, which is expected to hit land early Monday, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.
Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency continue to coordinate with state authorities in Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama, and have prepositioned supplies in areas expected to be affected, he said.
The president's emergency declaration authorizes the FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts and to provide appropriate assistance in a number of Louisiana parishes, or counties.
Authorities told residents of low-lying coastal communities to head for higher ground. The storm was expected to strengthen as it crosses the Gulf of Mexico and could become a Category 4 hurricane with wind of at least 131 mph.
"We urge residents in the areas that could be impacted to follow the recommendations of local authorities," McClellan said.
This is the Dem/media talking point now. Local ATL radio had CNN news and all they did was question the FEDERal government and even the president directly for what is happening in NO.
Why is it these self appointed elites are so base as to advocate the dissipation of self rule? Oh, wait! I get it now!
I did hear that the mayor of NO said "There are too many F****** cooks in the kitchen" - which I think is correct. No one person has taken charge. Huge contrast to 9/11 - Rudy took charge.
Better yet, local and state pinheads didn't send the prisoners away on Friday, and thus let them loose in the general population on Monday.
Congratulations, Katie! (/sarcasm)
Alas! If only the corrupt Democrat governing class of New Orleans had put the money that they stole from the taxpayers into levees and pumps!
Of course the MSM would never do that.
When fishermen from Lafayette had to come and rescue people, the government's respond was underwhelming.
I was waiting with bated breath to see if you caught Timmy Russert pointing out that the Washington Times and one other conservative newspaper were critical of the Federal Government's response.
First time I've ever heard anyone acknowledge the existance of the Washington Times on the TODAY SHOW.
Did you catch that?
Newsflash for katie colic....
The DUMBOCRAT mayor is the one to ask for the LA Guard to be ordered to State Active Duty, and the and governor accesses the request.
The Federal government has NOTHING to do with state affairs, UNTIL the governors ask for said aid.
When the local and state govts. delay mandatory evacuations till the very last minute, the local and state govt. response is almost criminal.
There are hundreds and hundreds of square miles of destruction in the South Gulf Coast that have been affected.
They were, it's called pork. Until the republicans cut it in the mid 90's we wasted a lot on it. But the MSM boneheads don't understand that a billion dollar seawall is not going to stop a cat 5 west of NO from taking 30 feet of ocean over the mississippi into NO and flushing the whole city into the lake.
I did catch that. As always, conservative or Republican politicians or media are normally recognized by the MSM only when they are criticizing other Republicans/conservatives.
And yes, my Today show posts have been later than normal. What's happening is that I am posting them first over at NewsBusters, then linking here. It's a bit more time-consuming.
A clenched-jaw Couric cut him off rudely: "but that might have saved lives, Mr. Brown."
I wish someone would ask Couric (or any of these MSM elites) exactly how rescue efforts could move any faster than they are right now. Katie's answer would be dead silence.
One should point out the diffrence between Gov Bush of FL when FL has hurricanes VS LA Gov.
Now TX is getting this lib mess and the astrodome will look like the superdome next, it to will be trashed etc. Why not use military bases for all these people they certainly have the right facilities for something like this.
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