[txzman]

"Until it is in politicians’ best interests to see that the people are well protected, they won’t. "

Uh, it's called 'voting them out of office'. Too bad that is a concept unknown in American government and political culture. Politicians use our money to bribe people who vote for them, plain and simple.

[squirt-gun]

Until it is in politicians’ best interests to see that the people are well protected,......

IMPOSSIBLE TASK FOR ANYONE OR ANY GOVERNMENT!

People must do whatever is necessary to first protect themselves.... But No governemnt can assure that everyone is "well protected" at all times and in every situation.

[DB]

Actually I'm not too keen on giving the army corp of engineers whatever they want out of my pocket.

San Francisco and LA are likely going to be significantly wiped out by earthquakes one of these days. Perhaps the army corp of engineers should get trillions of dollars to shore up the tectonic plates on the west coast... After all, government is a failure if it fails to protect me (from my own choices)...

[joesnuffy]

Had La and NO had governments well known for corruption
or had simply listened to the Prez...

Had the individuals prepared for such a disaster...

The human toll would have been substantially less...

To lay this terrible storms damage at the feet of GW is
from lying mouths who will use any opportunity and anyone
to seize power and stay in power..

One thing Katrina did for America and that was to further reveal the depth of depravity many of our so called leaders have sunk to.

imo

[joesnuffy]

Had La and NO had governments well known for corruption
or had simply listened to the Prez...

Had the individuals prepared for such a disaster...

The human toll would have been substantially less...

To lay this terrible storms damage at the feet of GW is
from lying mouths who will use any opportunity and anyone
to seize power and stay in power..

One thing Katrina did for America and that was to further reveal the depth of depravity many of our so called leaders have sunk to.

imo

[manwiththehands]

They just had to cut the pork. But the pork was their real priority, as it has been for political leaders of both parties for decades.

Republicans have been just as bad, if not worse than the Dems. A recent "highway bill" comes to mind ...

[Zacs Mom]

"The Bush administration’s domestic response to 9/11 — to consolidate federal emergency avoidance and preparedness services into a giant bureaucracy staffed with politically loyal but not necessarily expert hands — has proven a dismal failure. "

has proven a dismal failure?

With this statement the editor of the Manchester Union Leader proves himself to be
a gigantic ASS!

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

The Bush administration’s domestic response to 9/11 — to consolidate federal emergency avoidance and preparedness services into a giant bureaucracy staffed with politically loyal but not necessarily expert hands — has proven a dismal failure.

Uh...forgive me if I'm wrong, but didn't Congress mandate the consolidation of all of those agencies into the new Department of Homeland Security against strong Bush Administration opposition. How is that President Bush's fault?????

[Soul Seeker]

1) Bush doesn't preach small government.

2) The administration went along with it, but the choice to expand the government was that of Congress.

3) Congress allocates money.

4) The people of LA could have protected themselves from incompetant corrupt politicians by not voting for welfare handouts and along party (D) lines.

5) It was a damn Hurricane you fools! Now Bush controls the weather I take it.

[PGalt]

There are crucial differences between political parties for the discerning eye. The obvious clear and present danger is The Democratic Crime Syndicate. We VOTE them into extinction. That shot heard around the world will be a warning to all.

[goldstategop]

I doubt that anything will change. The response to Katrina is designed to buy votes. Will it address the underlying problems? Our political system is designed to favor handouts over core services. It makes politicians' lives a whole lot easier to bear even if its not so good for the country's future.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[wildcatf4f3]

Putin 2008!!!

[Gritty]

Great editorial!