The Blame Game, funny when you point one finger 3 point back

[Numbknots]

A pretty fair commentary?

Tim


Beyond The Blame
by James Robison
It has been said, “When you squeeze a grape, you find out what it’s really like.” Under pressure, the juice inside a grape comes out and the taste is either sweet or sour. Until a grape is squeezed, you don’t know the truth about it.

America is being squeezed. The unfolding disaster in my neighboring state has squeezed this country in a way only matched by the terrorist attacks of 9/11. But instead of unifying the country, this natural catastrophe has brought out a lot of sour grapes.

Some call it the “blame game,” but it’s far more serious than that. The insane rush to point fingers and destroy people as they try to cope with the difficult recovery that lies ahead is disgraceful.

Blame the citizens of the Gulf Coast for not evacuating. Blame the mayor of New Orleans for not getting everyone out of harm’s way. Blame the governor of Louisiana for not being prepared for the aftermath. Blame the president for not moving in quick enough. Blame the oil companies. Blame the rich. Blame white people. And on and on…

While we need to learn from this calamity in order to better prepare for the future, the slash-and-burn mentality of some politicians, reporters and so-called “reverends” is as putrid as the water flooding the streets of New Orleans.

I went to Mississippi last weekend to deliver aid to those in need. What I witnessed with my own eyes was as inspirational as it was devastating. While those on the sidelines of the hurricane bicker and lay blame, those caught in the storm reacted in ways that merit praise.

In the town of Picayune and other small communities about 40 miles from New Orleans, churches took the lead in caring for people. Even if they lacked supplies, they offered manpower and emotional support. I heard several people curse the government in one breath and thank the pastor in the next. Across the country, churches continue to provide what government cannot -- prayer, counsel, and a personal touch. In a dozen states, churches and faith-based ministries, like our own LIFE Outreach International, are currently helping to shelter families seeking refuge while sending in supplies to support those people rebuilding their lives.

Even two former presidents from opposing parties, Bush and Clinton, have unified in their efforts and pledged support through local churches. In this time of crisis, the church is proving itself to be the pillar of American strength that it has always been. When the faith-based community was squeezed, a sweetness poured out that will heal many hurts and inspire real hope for the future.

Another notable presence in the ravaged areas was private business. Wal-Mart was the only store in the area with electricity, gas and groceries. The company flew in generators and trucked in ice so that people could access the necessities to survive. Other companies – from large corporations to mom-and-pop shops – donated time, money and goods and delivered it quickly.

Non-governmental organizations, like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, funneled money generously donated by individuals and groups worldwide to meet the needs of the hurricane victims. Without their help, the Gulf States would have spiraled deeper into hopelessness and chaos.

Our focus should remain on the positive reactions to the disaster. Certainly, everyone involved in crisis management will assess their performance, cite areas of improvement, and plan better in the future. But all of the “Monday morning quarterbacking” serves no constructive purpose.

Speaking of quarterbacking, the National Football League opens its regular season this weekend – even as the New Orleans Saints search for a new home after the destruction of the Superdome. The first game of the season features the three-time champion New England Patriots. This is a team that has mastered the game of football. Yet this is a team that still makes mistakes and loses a few games.

One thing you never hear from the Patriots after a loss is a bunch of badmouthing and blaming. The quarterback doesn’t trash the defense. The linebackers don’t blame the running back. And nobody – NOBODY – calls for the coach to resign. Instead, they unite as a team, assess their needs, revise their strategy, and come out stronger the next week. The teams that degenerate into dissension always doom themselves to a losing season.

America could use a few Patriots. This is the time to unite, not divide. On the football field, there is not black or white. There is no Democrat or Republican. There is no rich or poor. There is just one team.

If we will appreciate the great things we do have in this country, be thankful for the aid that has come to those in need, and build upon the foundations that made this country strong, we will become champions once again. If not, then Hurricane Katrina was just the beginning of the real disaster.

[heymagic]

We'll come though this, it's our nature. I'll disgree with Mr. Robison trying to sugar coat the problems. Problems can't be fixed until identified, acknowledged and analyzed. If blame and fault need to be placed so be it. Blame and fault are good things if learned from. FEMA is a disaster in it's self. 5 of the 8 top officials had no experience before FEMA. The Red Cross turned away thousands of gallons of bottled water, they wanted cash instead. The whole system was unprepared and then broke down. People in charge need to do so both on sunny days and in the middle of a storm. If they can't 'command under fire" then they need to be replaced with someone more suited to the task. Galveston was leveled 100 years ago, this was not an unheard of disaster. Disaster management..management would or should include a plan for before, during and after, not just a knee jerk reaction days and weeks later.

Is the mayor of New Orleans to blame ?? Yup, as well as the governors of the affected states and the Feds. The fact that there didn't seem to be any realistic plan for coping with this disaster is someone's fault. Mass shelter should have been planned for ahead of time. Provisions supplied and protection provided. Planned evacuation is fine, but in any area the roads will only hold so much traffic. Plans for the ones left behind weren't adequate if even there.

We can do better, and need to.

[SomeSailor]

I agree there. Every senior official who could have done better... should be critiqued on this. The people are paying REALLY good money for these folks. Mike Brown (FEMA Director) was fired from his last job (with full pay severence), so I suspect he's ready for what's coming.

Imagine if this had been a terrorist attack? It's much more likely than a CAT5 hurricane.

[Randygh]

How well are we prepared for the aftermath of a 8.0 magnitude earthquate with a shallow epicenter under Elliott Bay? Utilities would be gone due to ground shifting, freeway overpasses would look like the Oakland Expressway after it collapsed, older structures would collapse, infernos from ruptured natural gas pipelines would be widespread, roads and highways might be impassable, health care facilities would be overwhelmed and telecommunications hampered due to collapsed cell towers. All of this could happen with no advanced warning. At least with a hurricane residents receive notice of the impending tempest and storm surge. Could the above scenario also be the result of a terrorist nuclear blast?

On another subject, I recently read a book, "The Fleet the Gods Forgot." The book is an excellent recount of US-Japanese battles in the southwest Pacific Ocean at the beginning of WWII. One story recounts the journey of sailors in a small gig that island hopped in Indonesia to avoid capture. The sailors avoided islands with native muslim villages. Seems that the muslim natives would kill the sailors or inform the Japanese of the sailors whereabouts. Wow, 60 years ago the muslims hated Americans and Osama wasn't even born!!! With the fourth anniversary of 9/11, we all need to be vigilant for suspicious activities by individuals or groups that want to harm us.

[Numbknots]

When I copied the commentary I was sure it would get response in light of the content.

The way I see it, now is the time to do all that we can to minimize the loss of life, control the spread of infectious disease, and find "temporary" refuge for the 10000's of displaced citizens of all effected areas.

Their will be plenty of time to analyze, criticize and hire and fire at all levels.

Here is another article that is circulating for what its worth?

Tim

Who’s Responsible For New Orleans?

by D.C. Thornton @ 11:58 pm. Filed under Commentary, Blogosphere

If critics of the Hurricane Katrina disaster are going to play the blame
game, they should at least play according to Hoyle.

A comment to a Blogs for Bush posting sums up my thoughts on the issue
clearly. I’m re-posting it here in its entirety:

In case you aren’t familiar with how our government is SUPPOSED to work:
The chain of responsibility for the protection of the citizens in New Orleans
is:

1. The Mayor
2. The New Orleans director of Homeland Security (a political appointee of
the Governor who reports to the Governor)
3. The Governor
4. The Head of Homeland Security
5. The President

What did each do?

1. The mayor, with 5 days advance, waited until 2 days before he announced a
mandatory evacuation (at the behest of the President). Then he failed to
provide transportation for those without transport even though he had
hundreds of buses at his disposal.

2. The New Orleans director of Homeland Security failed to have any plan for
a contingency that has been talked about for 50 years. Then he blames the
Feds for not doing what he should have done. (So much for political
appointees)

3. The Governor, despite a declaration of disaster by the President 2 DAYS
BEFORE the storm hit, failed to take advantage of the offer of Federal
troops and aid. Until 2 DAYS AFTER the storm hit.

4. The Director of Homeland Security positioned assets in the area to be
ready when the Governor called for them

5. The President urged a mandatory evacuation, and even declared a disaster
State of Emergency, freeing up millions of dollars of federal assistance,
should the Governor decide to use it.

Oh and by the way, the levees that broke were the responsibility of the
local landowners and the local levee board to maintain, NOT THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.

The disaster in New Orleans is what you get after decades of corrupt
(democrat) government going all the way back to Huey Long.

Funds for disaster protection and relief have been flowing into this city
for decades, and where has it gone, but into the pockets of the politicos
and their friends.

Decades of socialist government in New Orleans has sapped all self reliance
from the community, and made them dependent upon government for every little
thing.

Political correctness and a lack of will to fight crime have created the
single most corrupt police force in the country, and has permitted gang
violence to flourish.

The sad thing is that there are many poor folks who have suffered and died
needlessly because those that they voted into office failed them.

For those who missed item 5 (where the President’s level of accountability
is discussed), it is made more clear in a New Orleans Times-Picayune article
dated August 28: NEW ORLEANS (AP) — In the face of a catastrophic Hurricane
Katrina, a mandatory evacuation was ordered Sunday for New Orleans by Mayor
Ray Nagin.

Acknowledging that large numbers of people, many of them stranded tourists,
would be unable to leave, the city set up 10 places of last resort for
people to go, including the Superdome.

The mayor called the order unprecedented and said anyone who could leave the
city should. He exempted hotels from the evacuation order because airlines
had already cancelled all flights.Gov. Kathleen Blanco, standing beside the
mayor at a news conference, said President Bush called and personally
appealed for a mandatory evacuation for the low-lying city, which is prone
to flooding. (emphasis mine)

The ball was placed in Mayor Nagin’s court to carry out the evacuation
order. With a 5-day heads-up, he had the authority to use any and all
services to evacuate all residents from the city, as documented in a city
emergency preparedness plan. By waiting until the last minute, and failing
to make full use of resources available within city limits, Nagin and his
administration f**ked up.

Mayor Nagin and his emergency sidekick Terry Ebbert have displayed lethal,
mind boggling incompetence before, during and after Katrina.[…]As for Mayor
Nagin, he and his profile in pathetic leadership police chief should resign
as well. That city’s government is incompetent from one end to the other.
The people of New Orleans deserve better than this crowd of clowns is
capable of giving them.If you’re keeping track, these boobs let 569 buses
that could have carried 33,350 people out of New Orleans–in one trip–get
ruined in the floods. Whatever plan these guys had, it was a dud. Or it
probably would have been if they’d bothered to follow it.

As for all the race-baiting rhetoric and Bush-bashing coming from prominent
blacks on the left, don’t expect Ray Nagin to be called out on the carpet
for falling short. You want to know why? Here’s why:It’s more convenient to
blame a white president for what went wrong than to hold a black mayor and
his administration accountable for gross negligence and failing to fully
carry out an established emergency preparedness plan.

To hold Nagin and his administration accountable for dropping the ball
amounts to letting loose the shouts and cries of “Racism!”. It’s sad, it’s
wrong, but it’s standard operating procedure for the media and left-wing
black leadership.

Mark my words: you will not hear a word of criticism from Jesse Jackson Sr.,
Randall Robinson, the Congressional Black Caucus, the NAACP, or Kanye West
being directed toward Raymond Nagin. Why? Because he is a mere black
politician instead of an effective elected official who happens to be black.
In the mindset of more-blacker-than-thou blacks, black politicians who are
on their side can do no wrong.(links via Sister Toldjah, Balloon Juice, and
Ramblings’ Journal)

Update: JunkYardBlog points out more evacuation plans at the state level
which weren’t implemented

[heymagic]

Just got home and see the middle of "Dateline" on Katrina. RCMP rescue team arrived 2 days before FEMA. Local sherriffs, fire depts, mayors all with complaints against FEMA. If you dismiss half as exageration or misinformation it's still a crime and tragedy.

As to the shot about decades of corrupt democrats, well corruption knows no political bounds or parties.

Still, we need to get the affected people moved, healed and back on their feet ASAP. Then the land, cities and economy needs to be rebuilt. While this is going on we need to deal with any persons or organizations that failed to meet or provide expected performance. Poor or negligent management need to be removed now, not later.

[Numbknots]

Gene,

Right oh! Looks like putting in an Admiral (USCG) to take over the FEMA effort is a good start.

It would be great if "WE" as American citizens could each take in an individual, or family if able and commit to them a place to stay, and our helping had to get the a job, and perhaps then we could restore unity in this country and do as the pioneers did when they encountered major set backs to settlement. IE: Indian raids, the plagues, and fires such as the one in SF.

Tim

[bradvo]

Tim, I was thinking around the same lines as taking someone in and have talked to my associates at work about this also. We all have the same big issues and that is what are you going to get? meaning after seeing so much film footage I have to tell ya , I would not want some of those folks in my house. Hate to say it but true- if there was some sort of interview , or informational way to tell what kind of person your bringing into your home I think it would help.
Nothing like coming home and seeing somebody smoking your last cigar asking if ya could pick more up???( might not be best anology)
I know it sounds crude but gotta tell ya , it is a big concern and I do not think I am willing to take the gamble. Guess it would be easier for me to send money.
I do have soft spot for single moms though, since one of my daughters happen to be one. I can see how tough that is.
Brad

[heymagic]

We went the money route . I'm not nice enough to share my home , we don't even have a guest bedroom.

[Numbknots]

Great to see so many helping out! There is one local church in our area that has had a "steady" line of semi trucks that are being filled with donations by locals. (they are working the donation drop at least 16 hours a day---if all of those of us that weren't affected pitched in around the country, (and continue to do so for months ahead) the rebuilding would be taken care of by private citizens with nothing more then "emergency aid" from the State and Local Government (isn't that the way it is supposed to work?

We are going to have another "fall" house cleaning tomorrow!

Tim

[Go Aweigh2452]

They say that if every American donated $100, they could rebuild NO... That does not include all the outlying towns that were wiped off the map, just NO. Amazing what a country we live in. When the chips are down, we come up. Awesome.

My cadets at school are heading up their own food drive. They approached me, we discussed it and how best to do it. They want to run it for the school. Additionally, they are running a penny/change drive where the high schoolers can drop change during lunch into containers for the Salvation Army and other organizations. Pretty cool.

You old farts like me don't have to worry about todays youth... they are doing well and understand the cost of citizenship.

[heymagic]

At our race this weekend Subaru was selling ball caps for $5.00 and sending the proceeds to Katrina survivors.

[Numbknots]

We here an aweful lot about the relief going to NO, hope that other effected areas in MS are getting their needed emergency relief as well.

I would encourage others to also consider stepping up their giving to "Faith based" proven charities as well.

Many of the outlying areas while not destroyed, have no power and sometimes no water and for sure are feeling the effects of limited gasoline supplies or are not able to go to work (if they commuted to the the affected areas.

We should all be in it for the Long haul.

Tim

[Roel Jansen]

Of course the disaster in NO is daily on TV and Radio over here.
A couple of years ago we had the danger of breaking dikes and a million people were evacuated. Fortunately the dikes held and the people could go home when the danger was gone. Measures were taking to restore the old natural way of some rivers. In 1953 we had the big flood when about 90% of the Province of Zeeland was flooded. After that tragedy the Government decided to built the Delta works to prevent that from happening.
Both occasions were felt to be National items and not a political! What I s missed here and at BOC is what was suggested by the press in the early hours of the tragedy in NO, that as it is a Democratic city president Bush reacted late. Total unbelief for me that this could have been suggested! Until at BOC the political discussion about who is responsible burst out and is also starting here. Sorry, but I didn't knew that the US is so divided and it looks that there is a dangerous deep hatred among the members of the two political parties! I think, unite, start evaluation about what should and could be done to prevent this first! Go on, clean up the mess and restore NO and if you guys can't do it who in the world can? Remember the destroyed cities in Europe after the war. Rotterdam over here and Dresden in Germany are good examples!
BTW not being a firm Bush administration supporter but I must say I think he is doing it International much, much better in his second period than in his first!. (So you see what a meeting in Margraten can do! ;)

[heymagic]

Hi Roel,

In normal on the street conversation this doesn't seem to be a political issue. Some media people and politicians keep stating it is. Most people don't seem to think so. Some noise about racial issues, but in reality that's not so true either. I don't think it will become a true political issue either. There was/is some bumbling going on but that is more bureaucratic that political.

I believe over here Bush is at his lowest approval yet, the majority of my customers indicate he is still consider a dimwit at best. However everyone on them still says " Thank God Kerry didn't get elected.."
Pretty good indication that the national parties both failed the American public last election.

Seems to be lots of support for Edwards growing here in the backwoods. Next election will be interesting. Between the war and fuel issues the Republican party will take some hits, but I think the Dems will be held accountable for their lack of positive action also.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Edwards??? He'd be eaten alive... no experience, no foreign, hardly any state side... his own state didn't vote for him... Yeah, I like to see him run for sure...

OK, rant over... the following is from the Commanding Officer of Iwo Jima... might give a better perspective on what is REALLY happening...

Subject: IWO Update - 6 Sep 05
Hello All;
Since I took over IWO JIMA over a year ago, I felt as though I had control of the destiny of the ship.* I thought I lost it today, the first time ever, and that we were merely reacting to events rather than controlling them.
Within the first 24 hours after arriving pierside in New Orleans, IWO JIMA has become many things.* We are one of the few full service airports in the area and have been operating aircraft on and off our deck for almost 15 hours each day.* We are also one of the only air conditioned facilities within a ten mile radius and though we have had problems making water from the polluted Mississippi, we are also the only hot shower within miles.* All day long we have been accommodating local policemen, firemen, state troopers, national guard, 82nd Airborne division personnel with hot showers and hot food.* I met an ambulance team from Minnesota who just drove straight to New Orleans when they heard of the tragedy and have been supporting hospitals free of charge for the last week.* They hadn't had a hot meal in over a week and were grateful to have the opportunity to have lunch onboard.* The Deputy Commander of the RI National Guard reported to me that he had guardsmen who were whipped, but after a hot shower and an IWO JIMA breakfast were ready to hit the patrols again.* Rarely have I seen so many smiling, happy faces than on these people.* After two weeks in the trenches sleeping on concrete floors, no shower, and eating MREs, good ship IWO JIMA has been a Godsend.* I had an opportunity to talk to the Director of Homeland Security for a few minutes in my cabin.* I asked him if there was anything more I could do for him, he asked if he could get a shower.* I was glad to turnover my cabin to him.* The local FEMA coordinator and his logistics and security teams were on my quarterdeck this afternoon asking permission to set up their command center on the pier next to the ship.* While they had sophisticated command and control equipment, they had no place to berth their 250 FEMA members.* We were glad to give them a home.* Contrary to the press, all the FEMA people I met had been on station since last Sunday (before the Hurricane hit), never left the area, and have been in the field ever since.* The command duty officer was told that one state trooper had driven 80 miles to get to the ship.* He said that the word was out:* Come to IWO JIMA.* We expect that the flood gates will open on us.
Early this morning we received our first medical emergency: an elderly woman with stroke-like symptoms.* Throughout the day we received about a dozen medical emergencies, the most serious was an elderly man who was stabbed in the chest and was bleeding to death.* The doctors performed surgery on him and saved his life.* I toured the hospital ward; all our charges were elderly and disadvantaged individuals.* As with Hotel IWO JIMA, we expect to see many more casualties tomorrow.
Our curse appears to be our flight deck and our extraordinary command and control capabilities.* Our challenge today was the tidal wave of Flag and General Officers that flooded onboard, 17 total, virtually all without notice.* I couldn't believe there were so many involved in this effort and they all wanted to come here.* They poured onto the flight deck in one helicopter after another in order to meet with General Honore, the Joint Task Force Commander.* The majority showed up around the same time and all wanted to leave at the same time, making it a nightmare for our flight deck team to control and coordinate flights on and off the ship for all these admirals and generals while supporting the humanitarian effort.* I spent most of the day running around the ship getting these people off and on helicopters and in and out of the meetings and command spaces.* It was like herding cats.* But the ship performed superbly and "flexed" to meet the challenge.* Regretfully, we expect nearly 20 admirals and generals onboard tomorrow for more meetings.* To add to the challenges, virtually all of these commands are sending liaison staffs to help coordinate issues, and already a number of admirals and generals have "permanently" embarked.* The Inn is full.
I talked to one of the FEMA team members who had also worked the disaster relief for 9/11.* I asked him how much more difficult was the Katrina relief effort compared to 9/11.* He said it was without measure: thousand of times worse than 9/11.* He couldn't articulate the magnitude of the destruction.
Despite all the challenges, I think we regained control by the end of the day.* We are forearmed for tomorrow's onslaught.* At our evening Dept Head meeting, I asked all my principals to tell me what the stupidest thing they heard or saw today.* The list was enormous.* But the most absurd item was when my Tactical Action Officer, who runs our 24 hour command center (CIC) got a phone call from the Director of the New Orleans Zoo.* Apparently, there was a large fire near the zoo.* It was so intense that the fire department had to abandon the cause, but military helos were heavily engaged in scooping up giant buckets of water and dumping in on the blaze in an effort to put it out.* The director complained to us that the noise from the helos was disturbing the animals, especially the elephants, which he was most concerned about, and asked us to stop.* The TAO thanked him for his interest in national defense.
It is inspiring to meet and talk to such a huge number of individuals who are doing the Lord's work to recover this city.* They have had little sleep, little food, no showers, working 16-18 hours a day, and in some cases no pay, and they are thanking ME for a hot meal!* Only in America.* We have turned the corner.* It will take an awful long time, but we have turned the corner.
All the best, RSC
*
____

Subject: IWO Update - 7 Sep 05
Hello All;
We finally had a chance to have Captain's Call this morning.* The ship has been running at full speed for 8 days straight with a myriad of changing missions and requirements piled on top of us.* I thought it best to tell the crew where I thought this was going and what impact we have made.* I told them that as with any contingency operations there is that initial surge of energy and inspiration that often times gives way to frustration and tedium; I did not want them to underestimate the magnitude of what they were accomplishing each day by their hard work on the flight deck, the galley, the well deck, CIC, Radio Central (JMC), on the pier, and in the engineering spaces to support this great undertaking.* Every job on the ship is important and the contribution of IWO JIMA has already been enormous.
Our contributions have been growing.* Today, we opened our doors to 900-1,200 Army, National Guard, and local law enforcement personnel to take showers and get hot meals.* We were getting overwhelmed.* There was a steady stream of 60 to 100 every hour on the quarterdeck asking to come onboard and get refreshed.* The word has obviously gotten out.* One Army Captain told the Command Master Chief that his unit of 60 soldiers had come from 60 miles away because his general told him to "go to IWO JIMA and they'll take care of you."* We couldn't say no.
Not satisfied with the record-setting flight operations yesterday, the flight deck team nearly doubled the number of aircraft hits.* At one point the team was bringing in Army Blackhawks two at a time, one group after another in perfect sequence.* It was an impressive sight to behold.* Medical casualties continued to come onboard the ship, some by stretcher and ambulance, others by air or boat.* After yesterday, the Medical folks reworked their procedures, so today everything flowed smoothly.* Supply department has served up thousands of meals; the mess line never closes.* Deck department got back to their roots and conducted boat operations and a sterngate marriage with TORTUGA's LCM-8 landing craft, moving more supplies to our sister ship.* But lest we forget, the bedrock of IWO JIMA's strength lies in three simple things: electricity, air conditioning, hot water - all provided by the uncomplaining engineers.
But of all the manifold capabilities of good ship IWO JIMA, medical, logistic, and air support, our command and control capabilities have moved to the forefront.* It almost sounds surreal but IWO JIMA has literally become the headquarters, the "center of the universe" for all Federal recovery efforts - DoD as well as civilian.* It is on this ship that the myriad efforts have all come together.* Yesterday, for the first time ever, some 17 admirals and generals got together with the Joint Task Force Commander, General Honore, face to face to coordinate the numerous and ever growing military recovery and support efforts.* Today, the same cadre of admirals and generals were back onboard but this time accompanied by the civilian side.* FEMA has now established their headquarters on the pier along side (and onboard IWO JIMA) to better coordinate their efforts with us.* But with this has come an ever growing number of staff members embarking on the ship.* Our population has grown from a crew of some 1,200 to nearly 2,500 (including several hundred guardsmen and soldiers living onboard) with all the detachments, augments, and now senior staffs. I think we are now up to one three-star, one two-star, and four one-stars embarked good ship IWO JIMA.* We are bursting at the seams.* We have spent the vast majority of our days taking care of and chasing down the myriad staff members.* It is like herding cats, except these cats fly on and off our flight deck periodically.
I had a chance to meet Governor Blanco of Louisiana and her Lieutenant Governor today when she came onboard for the giant 1200 briefing with General Honore and were later joined by Admiral Nathman and Vice Admiral Fitzgerald.* The ships Ready Room was bursting at the seams with senior officers and high officials - you had to step outside just to change your mind.* I had seen the Governor on TV many times.* She looked different in person: tired and worn out.* She told me that she was averaging about 4 hours of sleep a night, but smiled, "I guess that's about what you get in the military."* You could see the severe strain of the past weeks events.* I quoted her the famous line from Churchill the night be became Prime Minister of wartime Britain, "that it was as if I were walking with Destiny, and that all of my past life had been but preparation for this moment and this trial."* The recovery from the damage of Hurricane Katrina is an unprecedented trial for the Governor and many, many others.* My observation is that America, throughtout her history, has always been slow to respond, but once that powerful engine gets into gear it is massive and unstoppable.* I suspect this will also be the case for the Gulf Coast.
It has become our tradition at the evening department head meeting to go around the room and have each person list the stupidest or silliest thing they heard or saw during the day.* As you can imagine, the log book is overflowing with accounts.* Yesterday it was the helos and the elephants at the zoo.* Today it was me.* I have been inundated with doing interviews:* CNN, Pentagon press, Regina Mobley and Channel 13 news, the Boston Globe, Carla McCabe and the Army Times, and finally Greta Van Susturen.* We did a spot with Greta on the pier this morning with the massive bow of IWO JIMA in the background and helos flying on and off the ship with great noise - an impressive backdrop for this puffed up officer.* As I was being interviewed by Greta, a pair of Blackhawks swooped onto the flight deck sending up a great wind which blew off my ball cap.* I instinctively scrambled after it before it blew into the water.* When I turned around the FOX News photographer looked at me and smiled, "I got that on film."
Look for me chasing my hat down the pier on the next Fox News spot.
All the best,
RSC

[SomeSailor]

Seems to be lots of support for Edwards growing here in the backwoods.

As it should be. I saw him on MSNBC last week. Really impressed me. He was one of the first to call it as I see it as well there in NOLA.

MSNBC transcript (http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9312441/)

He's also taken a $40,000/yr job at UNC's Center for Poverty and Opportunity John Edwards New Post (http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/3-25-2005-67588.asp)

He spoke clearly and compassionately about what is wrong with the system down there, the failings of the local leadership, the welfare economy and what most likely cost most of these people their lives. No bumbling... partisan rhetoric or rallying. I was genuinely impressed.

If a vote was held today... he'd have my vote.

[Numbknots]

SS,

I am surprised??? I would think that the Demos could do better? Then again I don't know who the Reps could endorse that would do better? I don't agree with all that our current president is doing, but really do any of us really have a better plan to handle the diversity of challenges facing this presidency???

As one person said to me lately, "If you don't know God, now is probably a good time to introduce yourself, If you do know God, Now is probably a good time to better your relationship. And if you don't believe there is a God then you are where you choose to be, so you should be totally satisfied right?


We are all in for some trying times ahead, so be prepared and embrace the change.

Tim

[Randygh]

My business donated to the American Red Cross. I have much more confidence in our US military, The Salvation Army and the Red Cross than the NO, Lousiana and federal relief agencies. Our local churches are sending supplies, clothes and money to the devastated areas too. Hopefully, when NO is rebuilt there will be a less decadence and corruption. Jobs should be available for all those willing to work and rebuild their lives. I am a capitalist, but this is one instance where I believe federal subsidies for rebuild efforts are necessary for companies to hire workers, provide materials for reconstruction, and assist in infrastructure repair/rebuild.


One of my daughter's high school classmates, a good friend, was called back from Iraq last week. He joined the Marines right after graduation and was trained in refrigeration maintenance and repair. He was shipped to Iraq in Jan. and we suspect he was called back early to possibly help with the relief efforts. Sure glad he came back uninjured. He's a good kid, someone we can all be proud of.

[SomeSailor]

SS,

I am surprised??? I would think that the Demos could do better?

I really think they should ease up on the whole God issue in politics. I personally find it a bit over the top. The separation of Church and State gets pretty trounced on when both sides want to be on the right side when it comes to religious matters.

I voted for Bush... but I sure have to shake my head most times when I see him on TV. He's about the least statesman-like President we've had in my memory.

[Numbknots]

SS,

I agree that most politicians seem to always hit the high ground when it comes to religion, when at least a few that I can think of surely don't "practice what they preach?

As for separation of Church and State? As you surely know the original founders had quite a different idea and intent when they they wrote it into our countries documents. For sure it has been convoluted to the inth degree.

[SomeSailor]

I understand well what the separation of church and state was intended to mean... I just worry that we're leaning into religion to solve all our political woes. Even worse, were are nuturing a government of theocrats that are making decisions based on their own religious beliefs instead of the rule of law.

I voted for a politician... a Congressman... a Senator... a Commander in Chief... or even a Mayor... not a priest.

[Numbknots]

SS quoted:
I understand well what the separation of church and state was intended to mean... I just worry that we're leaning into religion to solve all our political woes. Even worse, were are nuturing a government of theocrats that are making decisions based on their own religious beliefs instead of the rule of law.


Mike,

This is where we differ and where I believe that we have strayed as a nation? The founding fathers set up this nation as a nation under God, (written all through our founding documents, they very much so leant unto what they (the majority) believed to be both the creator and "their" source of wisdom/direction, and devine guidance. When I went to "public" school this was still taught as "factual history" not written out of history as it is today.

I do cast my votes for those elected officials that I believe to most closely follow my "religious beliefs" as well as to follow what they proclaim to be theirs.

To me (my opinion) find a huge difference between "religion and Christianity" One being a personal relationship and the other being mainly a signboard, or often times just a guise for what ever one wants to interprete?

I am not very schooled and I know you are, so I likely don't have the ability to articulate and write what I often mean to say, however I do stand on my beliefs and in times of trouble and in the face of fear I find my FAITH in God somethin I can trust to get me through it.


Tim

[SomeSailor]

It's a difficult subject to talk about without stepping on someone's toes, but I think we run the danger of polarizing our country in ways I suspect our founding fathers never meant to.

You have your own religious convictions, but the largest group from a religious standpoint, does not make a majority (in this country or others). When we start describing our political enemies as "evil" and "godless", we run the risk of sounding like we're on some crusade. And that is what we don't need. Religious tolerance is one of the things this country has been based on, and one of the things that makes this such a great place.

There are over 34,000 secular groups of Christianity in this world. Each in conflict with others. Tolerance is the key. The same goes for Islam, Hinduism, Chinese Folk and Budism.