In Search Of Utopia: Our National Embarrassment

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September 01, 2005

Our National Embarrassment

I am watching CNN this morning and the video coming from New Orleans and the Hurricane Zone is horrible. People are dying. People are without food and water. People are without hope...

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- Thousands of people forced from their homes by Hurricane Katrina have crammed into the New Orleans convention center, where they've had no food, no water and no word on when help would come.
And people are dying.

CNN's Chris Lawrence described "many, many" bodies, inside and outside the facility on New Orleans' Riverwalk.

"There are multiple people dying at the convention center," he said. "There was an old woman, dead in a wheelchair with a blanket draped over her, pushed up against a wall. Horrible, horrible conditions.

"We saw a man who went into a seizure, literally dying right in front of us."

People were "being forced to lived like animals," Lawrence said -- surrounded by piles of trash and feces.

He said while he has seen police SWAT teams drive by in armored vehicles, no one has stopped to talk with the refugees.

I saw a video of someone's mother or Grandmother, dead in a wheelchair, pushed against a wall at the Superdome, covered with a blanket. Another grandmother complained of not having food for two days.

That people are still dying after FIVE days is a National Disgrace. This was an act of God, one that was expected and anticipated for days before hand. In fact, New Orleans has been a Hurricane Victim waiting to happen for years, so none of this should have come as a surprise to anyone...

The failure of Homeland Security to move quickly and have sufficient resources to aid the people of the Hurricane Stricken Region is yet another example of the ineptitude of the Bush Administration.

Those of you who voted for Bush with the idea that he was the best candidate to protect the Homeland, have now had your wakeup call. It does not matter the type of disaster. Had this been a terrorist attack, it is likely the same thing would have happened. At a time when the people of Luisiana needs them the most, their sons and daughters of the National Guard are far away fighting a useless war in Iraq. While Billions are wasted and even LOST in Iraq, the pumps and Levy's needed to protect one of our most beautiful and historical cities were neglected by our National Government.

Our Homeland Security appears to have learned nothing from 9/11. Police are not equipted to handle the scope of the disaster. Radios dont work. Police are taking gas from abandoned cars to fuel their cruisers. Coordination between FEMA, Homeland Security and local authorities has been a disaster. This disaster has been made 100 times worse by the incompetance of a Government that has bungled every major operation they have undertaken since first taking office five years ago.

This is NOT one Bush is going to be able to avoid responsibility for. Nor will it be one that Conservatives will be able to spin. It is a disaster of unparalleled proportions, and the responsibility for much of what has happened sits squarely at the door of this administration.

UPDATE: Jay Tea of Wizbang fame, has already posted a scathing comment to this post accussing Lefties of insensitivity to the problems on the ground in New Orleans:

"Things in the South are horrible. And while the Right side of the blogosphere is doing everything they can to help the people, the liberals are busting their asses, doing everything they can to make sure the "right" people get the blame. They'd much rather sit around and shriek in outrage, looking for someone to pin the blame on, than get off their self-indulgent asses, pry themselves away from their circle-jerk of political correctness, and actually step up and DO something about the problem themselves.
It's reminiscent of the illegal alien situation. The problem must be solved PERFECTLY, with no one getting their feelings bruised, or absolutely nothing at all can be done.

And in both cases, the liberals don't seem to mind if dozens, or thousands, or millions of people continue to suffer and die, as long as the liberals can make goddamned sure that they have plenty of bodies to lay at the Right's feet. In fact, for some, the more the merrier.

I'm putting my money where my mouth is, David. I'm helping Kevin coordinate our own relief efforts -- and it's not just because one of our own is one of those in trouble, and happens to be positioned to do some good. Where the FUCK is the massive movement from the Left to help those people?

On second thought, maybe it is best if you folks just stay out of the way while we do the real work. I'm trying to recall the last time liberals got involved in something serious and didn't majorly fuck it up. So keep on playing your little masturbatory political games -- we've got REAL work to do."

Perhaps Jay needs to look around the Liberal Side of the blogsphere before he makes such accusations:

In Search of Utopia

Patridiot Watch

The Rogue Angel

Crooks and Liars

Rox Populi

Billmon

Oliver Willis

Comments from Left Field

Dan Gillmor

Loaded Mouth

Ratboy's Anvil

The Progressive Blog Alliance

Ezra Klein

And that took me all of 30 seconds and was less than 1% of my Leftie Blogroll. Jay... Piss off. Because you Right Wingers want to stick your heads up your ass and pretend that this was a simple act of God, that NO ONE is responsible for, does not mean we should do it. It is time someone called this administration to accounts for the ridiculous policy and budgetary decisions that have led to so many deaths in the South.

You and your ilk would prefer to ignore the issue of responsibility, not just because the responsibility falls at the door of the President you voted for, but because YOU are partially responsible. You voted for this man, knowing well his record. YOU pushed his credentials for protecting the country. YOU supported a WAR that has drained the country of just the resources needed to address this kind of disaster. Yes Jay, you and everyone else who supported Bush, share responsibility. So YES, you should be working hard to help the people affected. It is the decent thing to do, the right thing to do. When it is over, six months or a year from now, you can stop working. We will join you in the effort to help those in need. But we will condemn the people who are responsible, AND we will hold them accountable, whether you chose to or not. And you are part of those who we will hold responsible.

If that hurts your feelings or embarrasses you, perhaps it should. Perhaps the time has come for ALL of you to step back, get off your own high horses and realize that you made a HORRIBLE mistake. One that today is affecting tens of thousands of Americans, including one of your own. One who pooh poohed Global Warming, which may have contributed to this disaster, and who supported the very war that took the Louisiana National Guard away from home at a time when they are desperately needed. With thousands missing, and an unknown number dead, I wonder how many of those troopers can concentrate on fighting your war right now, while the status of their own families are in doubt.

That is being an American.

Oh and Jay, while you are ranting about Liberals taking political advantage of the dissaster, perhaps you should read this Op/Ed from your own hometown and VERY CONSERVATIVE newspaper:

"Katrina already is measured as one of the worst storms in American history. And yet, President Bush decided that his plans to commemorate the 60th anniversary of VJ Day with a speech were more pressing than responding to the carnage.
A better leader would have flown straight to the disaster zone and announced the immediate mobilization of every available resource to rescue the stranded, find and bury the dead, and keep the survivors fed, clothed, sheltered and free of disease."

Posted by David A at September 1, 2005 12:16 PM
Filed Under Hurricane Katrina, Hypocrisy, Politics | 1375 Words

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Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Our National Embarrassment:

» Request For Help - Hurricane Katrina from The Rogue Angel
Update: Over at ISOU, a commenter noted that the Liberal Blogs for Hurricane Relief has been set up as well. [Read More]

Tracked on September 1, 2005 06:24 PM

» Charity and Bipartisanship from Loaded Mouth

Over on ISOU, David is working with The Commissar to create a
bipartisan fund drive for Hurricane Katrina relief.

[Read More]

Tracked on September 4, 2005 04:38 AM

Comments

This is so emblematic of LiberalThink, I think I may have to vomit. Repeatedly.

Things in the South are horrible. And while the Right side of the blogosphere is doing everything they can to help the people, the liberals are busting their asses, doing everything they can to make sure the "right" people get the blame. They'd much rather sit around and shriek in outrage, looking for someone to pin the blame on, than get off their self-indulgent asses, pry themselves away from their circle-jerk of political correctness, and actually step up and DO something about the problem themselves.

It's reminiscent of the illegal alien situation. The problem must be solved PERFECTLY, with no one getting their feelings bruised, or absolutely nothing at all can be done.

And in both cases, the liberals don't seem to mind if dozens, or thousands, or millions of people continue to suffer and die, as long as the liberals can make goddamned sure that they have plenty of bodies to lay at the Right's feet. In fact, for some, the more the merrier.

I'm putting my money where my mouth is, David. I'm helping Kevin coordinate our own relief efforts -- and it's not just because one of our own is one of those in trouble, and happens to be positioned to do some good. Where the FUCK is the massive movement from the Left to help those people?

On second thought, maybe it is best if you folks just stay out of the way while we do the real work. I'm trying to recall the last time liberals got involved in something serious and didn't majorly fuck it up. So keep on playing your little masturbatory political games -- we've got REAL work to do.

Posted by: Jay Tea at September 1, 2005 12:58 PM

Obviously, you missed this:

http://www.grupo-utopia.com/blog/isou/archives/2005/08/help_for_the_vi.php

Or maybe you didn't.

And you on the Right SHOULD be busting your ass to help. It was the policies of the man you put in office that contributed to the scope of this dissaster. As for Paul... Well as a Christian I feel for him, but politically, I have no sympathy. He is seeing the HOMELAND SECURITY he voted for in ACTION.

Posted by: David Anderson at September 1, 2005 01:06 PM

Dave, let me tell you I've talked to folks in the Midwest and many of them feel the same way. WHERE WAS THE NATIONAL GUARD the morning after the hurricane. I thought that Homeland security had MREs and medicine stored in regional locations after 9/11....At least Congress is coming back in session. BUT what about the grandmothers, what about the little baby I saw on CNN on the side of the freeway with a fever....Didn't our military helicopters get to Tsunami area faster than New Orleans? PLUS even with blogs/user-generated media -- somehow we have no concerted voice. We need a people's national TV station -- put those blogs/podcasts/home videos on a separate TV channel-- People's television -- let your detractors talk too -- but let them show us how they are feeding and giving water to those people in NEED NOW -- let them do it on a Peoples' TV -- call it right an left as far as I'm concerned-- but GET IT ON THE AIR....IPTV -- who's broadcasting guerrilla style...left or right? I wanted to see inside that stadium-- I wanted a videographer on-site at the Convention Center in New ORleans last night when 3 people were killed--when bullets flew at the National Guard this morning. Capture this. But most of all I want CHANGE -- we cannot continue to depend on a non-profit RED CROSS to solve our problems. Homeland Security needs its own teams/troops. There are lots of unemployed people in the rest of the US that would be willing to get on a bus and go to the area to distribute food/water for Homeland Security Work Corps or Help Corps. We need a homeland PEACE CORPS or HELP CORPS. js

Posted by: Joyce Schwarz at September 1, 2005 01:35 PM

David, let's go to the tote board:

Wizbang: Three distinct fundraisers going, and a fourth slated to go out at 8:00 this evening.

In Search Of Utopia: Six distinct postings blaming Bush for the disaster, and a single posting with a button. Gee, I hope you didn't strain yourself putting that up.

This is the biggest disaster to hit this country since 1906, and it very well may surpass the San Francisco Earthquake. There will be a time for trying to affix blame, but NOW AIN'T IT.

You know, I don't have the time, the energy, or the stomach to get into a partisan fight over this. You wanna have some kind of competition? I got two auctions going, with $280 already pledged, and they've only been up for a total of six hours between them. Round up as many of your circle-jerk buddies from the Progressive Blogger Alliance (which, if you recall, I inadvertently inspired) and we'll take you all on.

I'm willing to bet that you can't get your cronies together and coherent enough to match what Kevin, Paul, and I are doing. In fact, I'll bet most anything -- you propose the stakes.

Because when it all comes down to brass tacks, you people are all talk and no action. We saw that with Kerry, we see that every time we turn on the network news or pick up a mainstream newspaper, and we see it every time we force ourselves to read your blogs.

Posted by: Jay Tea at September 1, 2005 05:20 PM

You are just making yourself look worse Jay. This is not a competition. You made a statement, that Left Wing Blogs are not participating. I proved you wrong in 30 seconds. That is REALITY my friend. And the only competition going on right now is the one for lives, how many more people will die because of the absolute inneptitude of the Administration you voted in. Chew on that for a bit.

Posted by: David Anderson at September 1, 2005 05:27 PM

I have an announcement to make:

In a private e-mail to David, I have conceded this argument.

He wins -- by default.

After carefully considering the matter, I have decided that organizing and running fundraisers for hurricane victims is more worthy of my time than continuing this pissing match about who to blame for whatever. When the crisis has passed (and I fear that it hasn't even peaked yet), then it will be a time for looking into specific causes and accusations and investigations and recriminations. Until then, David, enjoy your victory.

Then turn on the TV and see the people who paid its price. You could have been organizing the PBA or your blogroll to help them; instead you deemed it more worthy of your efforts to make damned sure that EVERYONE KNEW that it was Bush, Rove, Cheney, Halliburton, and god knows who else's fault that this all happened.

I'm sure that's a great comfort to the dying.

Posted by: Jay Tea at September 1, 2005 05:37 PM

Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Matthew 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

Matthew 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Posted by: Rogue at September 1, 2005 06:01 PM

I'm not sure why a pissing contest was needed but I'm really glad that a truce was found.

FWIW Liberal Blogs for Hurricane Relief has been set up and at last check we've got about $61,000+ collected. I hope that adding the url doesn't mess the comments section up. If so I'm really sorry. Also FWIW MoveOn.org has a Hurricane Housing Listing set up.

I certainly hope it goes without saying that left, right, liberal, progressive, conservative, black, white, blue, purple, orange, male or female, please give.

And I think that most everyone is giving. That aspect of it is not a partisan issue. It's an issue of humanity and I think that most Americans as well as most people around the world are good and caring and want to help. (I guess that's just the bleeding heart liberal in me but when it comes right down to it, I have seen that innate goodness time and time again and I will never stop believing in it).

As for the legitimate points David has made: They will not go away (and there's a little FEMA issue that could have been added as well but I won't go there right now). They will still be there when the dust settles ~ and that has absolutely nothing to do with generosity and human spirit.

To co-opt it into something partisan is disgraceful and I'm really glad that there will be no more of that. I find it completely repulsive that this tragedy can be exploited in that way. But I couldn't just let it stand that no one on the left is doing anything. That is patently absurd.

Posted by: etherealfire at September 1, 2005 06:02 PM

Wow, another great researching job by Jay Tea. I'm sure he's doing his side of the 'sphere proud.

Posted by: tas at September 1, 2005 06:16 PM

Like I said to you in my response to that email Jay, this is not about contest, and the only winners and losers in any case are those who live and those who die. I am glad to see your Paul-a-thon went so well, and that you are expanding to include other Katrina victims.
Nevertheless, attempts to, "silence through shame," are mal advised. You will recall when I was asking people to donate to the red cross here in Costa Rica to help flood victims, Paul made a post accusing me of pocketing the money, hard to do since the link was for the Reg Cross. Sort of Ironic that Paul would find himself in the same shoes, and irony of ironies...That you would be raising money for HIM. So shove it Jay, you are only looking more immature by the moment.

Posted by: David Anderson at September 1, 2005 06:27 PM

Please, feel free to continue this petty bickering. You'll understand if I have more important things to do.

Posted by: Jay Tea at September 1, 2005 06:32 PM

P.S. I also find it ironic, that your little PRIVATE fundraising effort has to date raised less than $1000. With a number three ranking on the TLB and 10's of Thousands of hits a day? Que Raro (How Strange), is that why perhaps you changed the focus from helping Paul, (With the possibility of some of the money going to other victims), to this sudden reccognition that there are others out there besides Paul. People who probably would not read Wizbang, even if they could.... Hmmmm?

Posted by: David Anderson at September 1, 2005 06:33 PM

Petty bickering, Jay? Oh please. Feel free to fuck the hell off. You come in here and claim that the left does nothing, you're proven fucking wrong, and now you call it "petty bickering" and try to lift yourself above everything that YOU started? Fuck you. Don't run your mouth off if you can't back it up.

Posted by: tas at September 1, 2005 07:59 PM

"I have more car magnets than you"

Posted by: zencomix at September 1, 2005 09:18 PM

Doesn't matter if the left or right sides of the blogosphere is helping more or less, the fact is that the area is so bad, it's hard getting any aid to the disaster victims. Let's hope the workers there get things better so aid can arrive.

Posted by: T-Steel at September 1, 2005 11:12 PM

I had to work all day and was Shocked to see the reports comming from the convention center and all over New Orleans when I got home. I have friends missing and I pray they ( Arriema, Bonnie, Dannial Tannious)are OK. We (USA) Have And Have Had The Resources To Rescue These People. All we needed to do is drop some food and water. What is the proplem here? Its not right and left, Its a critical situation. If we cannot handle Katrina, we are in serious trouble. The whole world is watching the Worlds Greatest Power floundering. There are babies dying. We cannot allow that. Lets get to work!

Posted by: chuck newnham at September 2, 2005 12:14 AM