FOUR DAYS?

As you can tell from my previous post, I am totally pissed off by the lack of federal government response to the crisis in the Gulf area. I have watched, much to my dismay, this president use his "trip" to the area today for more opportunistic photo ops with people in AL and MS. I *think* he might be in LA right now, but I bet he only does an aerial tour of New Orleans. For once, the servile media, has begun to criticize this president and his misguided policies regarding the environment, domestic spending, and disgusting war-waging abroad. There have been some great editorials in the NY TIMES about this being a "Can't do government" that likes to wage- war, slash environmental polices, but not spend any kind of money on preventative measures that might (just might) have averted this massive crisis. The most devstasting images I've seen have been the dead bodies outside the convention center (supposedly 1000 National Guard troops have been marching into the center earlier this afternoon, but the dead bodies continue to decay in 95 degree weather). People are apologizing for looting a rite-aid because they need diapers, band-aids, and other necessities that have been promised to them for days--but have never ever materialized. Bush condemns "lawlessness" and says there has to be a 100% crack-down on looters. This administration we are living under (or should I say suffering under) is lawless. And, I know I'm not saying anything new here, but when the majority of people who are gonna fucking die as a result of the US government's negligence (and it is criminal) are mostly poor and black--don't tell me race and class don't matter in this country. This hurricane was not a tornado that appeared on the horizon without warning. I am disgusted.

Meanwhile, in between all the horrible images on tv, reporters keep reassuring everyone that the oil pipelines will be ok. The market is going to be ok. Gas prices are going up, but the market will stabilize so everyone can have a nice Labor Day holiday.

Oh, and the hearings for John Roberts are still on schedule for next week. What a break for Bush and Co. The population can be distracted with New Orleans, while Roberts and his despicable record can move right on through . . .and we all know he'll be appointed. We all know this hearing process is a sham. Just when the plight of poor blacks actually makes the news--we can look forward to a future Supreme Court justice who didn't really believe in civil rights "issues" during the Regan administration or wage gap issues for women . . .what perfect timing.

As for Iraq: Well over 100,000 civilians are dead and close to 2,000 soldiers. On August 31st, Bush gave another press conference (I'm with the New Orleans Mayor who said we needed to put a moratorium on press conferences) to say we were in Iraq (gasp!!) to protect the "vast oilfields" from falling into the terrorists hands. Oh my god. This IS NOT a legitimate presidency.

And, what's gonna happen to dear Pat Roberts? That story seems to have faded from the news. Here we have a person in power (at least in major religious circles) calling for the assassination of Hugo Chavez. Wow. And, incredibly, he said we didn't need to have a "war" to accomplish this (that would be too expensive), but we could just use our "operatives" and the "oil" would be safe. In an apology this week, Roberts wanted to clarify that he never said "assassinate"-- rather, "take out" Chavez which in Roberts feeble, evil mind could also mean "kidnap".
I can't fathom how many international laws have been broken with these comments . . .but I know nothing will happen and the 700 Club will continue to broadcast to the flock of faithful.

Ok, I'm gonna go now. I'm too mad to type anymore.