Posted on 09/05/2005 6:23:09 AM PDT by Born Conservative
A "terrifying panorama" post-Katrina
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The scale of the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina leaves many press commentators outside the US shaking their heads in disbelief.
While some focus on the environmental implications, others look at the growing political storm, and its potential impact on President Bush.
Today, in important areas of the Gulf of Mexico and, in particular, New Orleans there is a terrifying panorama of desolation and millions of human beings who live in the most powerful country in the world are suffering the tragedy of a catastrophe that is difficult to imagine.
New Orleans may go down in history as the first major city in an advanced country to be lost to the process of global warming... We sincerely hope that the Bush administration will take the call from Hurricane Katrina and reconsider its energy and environmental policies and replace ostrich-like escapism with leadership in the global effort to deal with the crisis of global climatic change.
This Katrina hurricane is a 'warning' by God over President Bush's reactionary behaviour on the Kyoto Protocol. The US government should wake up from this big disaster, truly take up its responsibilities as a great nation, and become the forerunner in protecting the global climate.
Katrina has wrecked not only the physical corporality of civilization. Now there are unmistakable signs in the hurricane's aftermath of the collapse of ordered society. Communication has become virtually impossible. There is no power, no fuel, no food. And looters are at work. This in the United States, the most powerful nation that has ever been.
The American meteorological service provided real-time precise information but the leadership failed in preparing for the anger of the weather...What is scary after Katrina is to see the biggest superpower in the world helpless, even if temporarily.
This hurricane disaster, while bringing huge harm to human resources and property for the residents of New Orleans, has also provided a rare opportunity for the White House to regain extensive popular support... the losses are far greater than in the 9/11 terrorist attack, therefore 'Katrina' has brought a most arduous test for Bush.
The disaster is obviously a challenge for Bush... like every predecessor, he is thinking of his lasting reputation. And, if you will excuse the expression, he does not want to see that reputation blown apart.
Every natural disaster comes in two waves. First the wind and rain arrives, then the political storm.
The disaster could become a trump card for the White House if it allows the Iraq war and its opponents to fade into the background.
But if he [Bush] fails to get a grip on the chaos within a few days, his words could become his undoing.
The fast and safe evacuation was white, leaving behind poor black people, as if time had stood still between the racial unrest of the sixties and today.
Not even the monstrous Katrina will drag the USA into recession.
Bush's desperate efforts to redress the situation did not stop the virulent criticism aimed at his 'indifference'... on the first day of the hurricane [he] was still on holiday.
What is certain is that the tragedy has that has razed to the ground the states of Louisiana and Mississippi has shown up the weak flanks of a country which, taken up in the last few years with its imperial adventures, has ignored matters that are much more important for the well-being of its citizens.
Scores of 'mini' blunders in the giant American blunder that included loss of control, lack of a chain of command, heavy fog with all that has to do with the distribution of powers and the chatter-stricken elected public figures.
We sympathize with the American people in their predicament after Hurricane Katrina. But the real hurricane is the Iraqi resistance that does not target innocent [Americans].
One of the pillars of the Bush era has been his ability to connect with middle America. Will Bush be thrown a lifeline, thanks to the hurricane? Or, disconnected from his popular support base, will he limp on as a governor that does not govern - the lame duck of American political jargon - until the end of his term?
Though its death toll is much lower [than the Asian tsunami], in one respect Katrina may be more shocking: the possibility that human activity contributed to the hurricane's strength... Even small changes in temperature can produce disproportionately large weather events.
There must be truth to the adage that when the United States of America sneezes, the whole world will catch its cold.
It is difficult to make light of one fact: that climate changes are at play, which are causing increasingly violent events... Katrina was just a warning.
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Oh no!
i'm getting that pressurized, salty feeling in my cheeks.
what a bunch of cooks.
You'd think this was the first cat 5 storm in history the way they are talking.
This is an excellent response to the left and all their spin about the federal government's response to the hurricane:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1477689/posts
Read at your own risk. You may be scared to death to learn that the Liberal tree-hugging weirdos are forming public opinion around the world. True, there are some rational comments here, but for the most part they are bleeding-heart, drama-queen reactions.
They say we are helpless; I marvel at what has been done since our military got in there. Think of it in real terms. Thousands have been relocated and taken in by their fellow Americans, and they are being fed and clothed. They are not living in tent cities. AND THE WORLD SHOULD TAKE NOTE - WE - AMERICANS - WILL TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN IF IT TAKES THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
Australia, you forgot to add that we're shooting the crimminals just like you would.
Thank you, Prague.
This is helpful: A list of countries that won't get my tourist dollars.
Thanks; that IS an excellent post! I have it bookmarked.
The left elite won't miss the chance for a power grab.
If President Bush is to be critized for the slow response to Katrina; maybe Senator Kennedy could explain how a slow response can happen in the face of an emergency.
The reason the US is not buying into the Glow Ball Verming crap is because of stupid reactions such as this.
BTW world, thanks so much for caring enough to wait a whole two seconds before you started kicking us. We'll remember that next time there's a problem in your end of the world. Oh, for sure our government will respond, but as for the charity of the US people you have depended on for so long, our wallets will stay shut. (Pssst, you might want to investigate what the US charitable contributions have been to the various world tragedies)
Rev. Jackson is alive and well, working for a newspaper in Germany...
If they are in awe (as anyone should be) then they should also be in awe at the magnitude of the response from the government, as well as the challenge. Like none other we've seen, maybe more than any country has seen.
The thread got pulled but can also be read here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1477440/posts?page=652#652
I see NO reason why anybody should expect anything different from these ignorant morons who are collecting thier information and basing thier assumptions upon Bush bashing liberal biased news media.
"when the United States of America sneezes, the whole world will catch its cold."
...when the US is wounded, the left swoops in with the salt.
Prague's Hospodarske Noviny:
"Not even the monstrous Katrina will drag the USA into recession "
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