Posted on 03/11/2006 6:03:52 AM PST by yankeedame
Faith Hill, Tim McGraw Blast 'Humiliating' Katrina Cleanup
Country Stars Lash Out in Anger Over Conditions in Storm-Ravaged States
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill say playing
politics while people are dying "erases everything
that's great about our country."
(March 8) - Faith Hill and Tim McGraw -- two stars who usually stay out of politics -- blasted the Hurricane Katrina cleanup effort, with Hill calling the slow progress in Louisiana and Mississippi "embarrassing" and "humiliating."
The country music artists -- who are natives of the storm ravaged states -- were at times close to tears, and clearly angry when the subject of Katrina came up during a news conference today. They had met with reporters in Nashville to promote their upcoming Soul2Soul II Tour, but when asked about the hurricane cleanup, the stars pulled no punches.
"To me, there's a lot of politics being played and a lot of people trying to put people in bad positions in order to further their agendas," McGraw, a 38-year-old native of Delhi, La., told ABC News Radio.
"When you have people dying because they're poor and black or poor and white, or because of whatever they are -- if that's a number on a political scale -- then that is the most wrong thing. That erases everything that's great about our country."
McGraw specifically criticized President Bush. "There's no reason why someone can't go down there who's supposed to be the leader of the free world … and say, 'I'm giving you a job to do and I'm not leaving here until it's done. And you're held accountable, and you're held accountable, and you're held accountable.
"'This is what I've given you to do, and if it's not done by the time I get back on my plane, then you're fired and someone else will be in your place. '"
Hill: 'I Fear for Our Country'
The president had actually spent the day in New Orleans, getting a close-up look at boarded-up buildings and mountains of debris, noting that the city still suffers "pain and agony."
Along the president's route, some frustrated residents held up signs in protest, one asking "Where's my government?" and another telling the president to "cut the red tape and help us."
Hill, who grew up in Jackson, Miss., echoed those sentiments. So overwhelmed, she uncharacteristically unleashed an epithet, calling the situation, "Bull- - - -"
"It is a huge, huge problem and it's embarrassing," she said.
"I fear for our country if we can't handle our people [during] a natural disaster. And I can't stand to see it. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out point A to point B. . . . And they can't even skip from point A to point B.
"It's just screwed up."
Earlier in the day, McGraw and Hill had reason to celebrate. Their duet, "Like We Never Loved At All," was nominated by the Country Music Association as the Vocal Event of the Year.
The couple rarely voice political opinions, though they've been active in raising money for Katrina victims.
McGraw is a member of the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet, and in the days after the hurricane, he and Hill joined a mission to take supplies to Gulfport, Miss. At the Sept. 2 "Concert for Hurricane Relief," he appealed to fans to reach out with donations.
But under most circumstance, McGraw relies on easy charm when dealing with the media. In 2004, he actually told Time magazine, however lightheartedly, that he was thinking of going into politics. "I want to run for the Senate from Tennessee … Not now, but when I'm 50, when the music dies down."
"Wouldn't Faith make a great senator's wife?" he joked.
Then again, maybe he wasn't joking.
03-09-06 04:42 EST
Copyright 2006 ABCNEWS.com
To bad, they're good artists.
About 10 years ago, a massive wildfire raged through an area about 25 miles north of where I live. Homes were burned, the land was charred and the people who lived there lost everything.
Well, its been 10 years and the federal government has STILL not come to the rescue.
Imagine that!
Boy is she beautiful ........... and stupid.
"Wouldn't Faith make a great senator's wife?" he joked.
He ought to run and see how far mouthing a few words will get him.
Tim and Faith gave $7500 each to the DNC for 2004, so their mouthing off is no surprise.
stupid runs on both sides of the river
SHUT UP AND SING!!!!!
Sigh. Evidently Tim's unaware that the governors don't report to the president.
Awww, Barbie and Ken are upset! Let's reorganize our national policies to get them out of their pouty mood. After all, they're important celebrities.
Well gollygee, what do they think about the ports?
Just a couple egos more overcome by their celebrity.
This just made me laugh. "Vocal Event of the Year"? Must be so nice to be soooooo important.
SHUT UP AND SING!!!!!
Or go make some more babies.
...and they are great friends with hannity!
LLS
We had a Cat 4 Tornado this past summer in the next town over. (Southern WI) FEMA says they can't have any money for infrastructure repair or to help people get back on their feet. No $2K debit cards for them to spend on tatoos and lap dances, no Sir! (The Red Cross was on the scene within moments, though. Don't care for their politics and creative financing, but they were the only ones to show up to help.)
44 MILLION in damage to that town, corn and soybean crops a total loss, one dead, many hurt and disabled for life. Countless horses, pigs, cows, sheep, goats, chickens and barns lost, too. A friend of mine, who is close to 70 has lost his income for a few years while he rebuilds his Farm Market.
Why didn't Faith Hill come sing for us, as we cleared everything imaginable from farmer's fields and neighborhoods? I mean, the Country Club was damaged, too. You would think that would've drawn SOME sympathy from the Country Singer Elitists? ;)
Some people never do learn and love to pass the blame away from themselves.
No, actually he can't, unless "Governor" Blanco signs off that he is allowed to do so. The little that remains of "state sovereignty" prevents him from doing so. Mr. McGraw is an ignorant idiot.
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