Posted on 08/28/2007 4:43:56 PM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007
The Katrina and Rita Hope and Recovery Summit in New Orleans hosted by US Senator Mary Landrieu on Monday had an almost surreal texture to it.
Aside from the mixture of University Presidents, law enforcement agents, housing advocates, business leaders, President Bushs Gulf Coast Coordinator, Don Powell, participating in the all-day event, it included an element of political show businessrock star Presidential candidates running for the top position in the land, and yes, talking about Katrina. The Presidential discussion was peppered with questions by Soledad OBrien of CNN.
Without doubt, the Presidential forum was not the sole substance of the program but, indeed, was the crown jewel.
Throughout the day, the experts discussed Katrina-plus two. Wednesday will be the second anniversary of Katrina engulfing New Orleans. There was plenty of business on the table such as high crime, low housing, weak levees, and questionable federal commitments.
But, the fireworks and the glamour really started when the Presidential candidatesDemocrats Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Republican Duncan Hunter took the sole stand facing OBrien.
Former Republican presidential hopeful, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee had spoken earlier during the day and was not a part of the Presidential candidate face-OBrien evening discussion. Huckabee argued that Katrina could occur anywhere in the United States through the form of many types of natural disaster and was not limited to New Orleans or the Gulf Coast. He mentioned that Arkansas had its own disaster risks and the universality of disaster and response mechanism was critical in American government.
Without doubt, the Presidential focus upon New Orleans was a show full of spice and hot sauce.
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Candidates Clinton and Edwards were somewhat predictable in their responses since they have presented them recently at different forums in New Orleans. Both candidates were substantially critical of President Bush, his administration and the Republican Congress for their responses post-Katrina. The GOP had been in power of the federal government since the beginning of 2007.
Unquestionably, Hunter took the most heat as he attempted to focus upon the importance of self reliance and de-emphasized the need to rely upon the federal government. That philosophy obviously did not sit well with the moderator, OBrien or with the audience.
In many respects, there was a dichotomy between two republicans, Huckabee and Hunter, two individuals who personally provided service to the Katrina victims. While Huckabee focused upon the devastation quality of nature, Hunter, to the dismay of many in the crowd and seemingly to Soledad OBrien--engaged in a debate with the CNN moderator over the philosophy of rebuilding New Orleans and the type of hurricane protection needed. Hunter implied that the federal response should be dependent upon the number of people needing protection and said that government, in general, was incompetent.
In many ways the Presidential candidate discourse underscored the division among Republicans in Congress and the total disdain that the leading Democratic Presidential candidates have for President Bush and his Katrina policies
The superstar forum also underscored that-- like Iraq--New Orleans has no easy answers. The political volley, in many ways, might define the Presidential debate and Primary season over matters dealing with homeland security, natural disasters and infrastructure.
Hillary Clinton implied that New Orleans needed hope, recovery and results. In this very political season, it is obvious that the solemnity of Katrina anniversary of 2006 has evolved into the politics of begging for solutions and needed money during this second year post-disaster.
The Hope and Recovery Summit provided solitude to some and questions to many. It also established a format where New Orleans, disaster recovery and US infrastructure gets greater light--even in a venue that was under murky water, for weeks.
Former Republican presidential hopeful, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (”former candidate”?)
The GOP had been in power of the federal government since the beginning of 2007. (what?)
The Hope and Recovery Summit provided solitude to some and questions to many. (The summit provided solitude? Did no one show up?)
Glad to know that the best and the brightest are journalists.
Hunter scores again!
Man I wish more people would vote for him in the straw polls. This guy’s definitely the best candidate for president.
It’s weird how the perverts in the Democratik party are always whining that we need to forget 9-11 and “move on,” while at the same time, they are shoving their dumbass hurricane down our throats at every turn. It’s time for the ‘RATS to get over Katrina, get a life and “move on.” Dumbasses.
“Here’s what Hunter did:
Two years ago, when I entered New Orleans with Rescue Task Force, the onslaught of flood and destruction dominated this great city. With Andrea Becks, former NFL cornerback Scott Turner, Yuma Mayor Larry Nelson and businessman Roy Tyler, we brought food, water and 1,000 beds to the folks who were in the city and the refugee centers.”
WOW! Hunter rolled up his sleeves, and actually helped out, but is also not afraid to talk about PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
Oh, Mercy no!! Someone told them the truth!! UGH! The public can't deal with the truth!
Bless Duncan Hunter. Time to republish Emerson's Self Reliance and hand it out in the schools.
I’m a cynic. I don’t get all twitterpated by politicians. They pull their pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us (well, maybe except Larry Craig! LOL).
I’ve honestly tried to find enough reasons to kick Hunter to the curb. But he just seems to get better and better.
I haven’t read the entire thread, but don’t I remember him being one of the first down there (NOLA) and he actually helped?
Don't know about Huckabee.
Huckabee was probably telling the victims they needed a diet anyway or praying for people like Hunter to help them. That seems to be his two strong suits. Seriously though, with Huckabee in a next door state, it stands to reason he did something I should think. And Huckabee even admits he likes Duncan.
Huckabee probably tried to take their smokes.....
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1887878/posts
I can’t remember. How many people died because of Katrina?
The Katrina and Rita Send Us Some Mo Free Guvmint Money Summit in New Orleans
I’d have to look, Pappy.
The last figure I heard on TV was 1600.
Too many in any case, for a lot of reasons.
I’ve read that Hunter is a kind man, and I believe it. Not only did he help with Katrina, but he helped his brother with a program to pass out water to illegals so they wouldn’t die from thirst, this from a strong border control guy.
“John Hunter of San Diego organized the initial waster-supply efforts, WITH HELP FROM HIS CONSERVATIVE CONGRESSMAN BROTHER, Rep. DUNCAN HUNTER (emphasis mine) from the Imperial Valley, because he “had to do something” about people dying virtually in his own back yard.
Congressman Hunter has opposed illegal immigration for his entire 18 year tenure, and believes that great border patrol is the way to go. Nevertheless, he supports his brothers efforts to save lives.”
http://immigration.about.com/library/weekly/aa073100a.htm
Hunter is tough, but kind, and his actions prove this.
He tells New Orleans’ folks that they need to take personal responsibility (tough), but helped them out (kind).
ONLY a rat could critisize Hunters compassionate and inspiring speech! Unbelievable.
BTTT!
Hunter is awesome.
Don’t build below sea level...
Don’t build below sea level...
Don’t build below sea level...
When you are told to leave, leave...
When you are told to leave, leave...
When you are told to leave, leave...
You can pretty much kiss the GOP goodbye then. Huckabee, along with Governor Perry of Texas and Governor Pawlenty of Minnesota, are a new breed of RINOs. They're not the quisling, backstabbing type of RINOs like Lindsey Graham. They're a Robocop, reincarnated Nelson Rockefeller.
Hunter sounds like Bush Junior when he quotes all of these invisible dollar amounts, most of which has yet to be seen on the street a full two years after the storm. Some help.
That’s odd. We had millions of dollars of electrical equipment we ordered get delayed because of the demand in NO for electrical gear and wire.
Well I agree that this speech is wonderful and very inspiring. Thank for posting it.
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