President Bush to speak to the nation 9am

FoxNews

[Dog]

President to speak at 9am ...

[DeeOhGee]

I didn't make myself clear. I'm not blaming the President, his budget or the war in the Middle East on this. Improvements wouldn't have - couldn't have - happened instantaneously (especially given the slow rate of government), and certainly not in time to guard against Katrina. And even it may not have been enough; I don't know if anything could have adequately guarded against a Cat 5 storm (especially if only designed for a Cat 3).

But my point is this:

If the President blames a lack of preparedness, he had better be willing and able to respond to such criticisms, and he had better have a good justification for WHY the funding was cut. Because you KNOW the accusations will be there.

[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

OMG!

The speech was worse than I thought.

Terrible reaction to a massive disaster.

This is a speech that should not have been given--better to give no speech at all. Boy did this give the libs fodder!

I wish the President Bush would have said how $500 million a day is being spent by FEMA. I don't see $500 million a day by FEMA for the disaster. Does anybody else?

The RATs are disgraceful and I believe all this "speech" did was give them fodder to raise hell.

[dawn53]

Insurrection act info and a wealth of other info on emergencies. Insurrection Act sort of suspends Posee Comitatus

http://www.homelandsecurity.org/bulletin/Primer_ChallengestoPreventionandPreparedness.htm

Quelling Civil Disturbances: The Insurrection Act (10 U.S.C. § 331 et seq.)

State and local governments have primary responsibility for quelling rebellions (32 C.F.R. § 215.4(a).
The President may use the military (including the Federalized National Guard) to quell

(1) civil disturbances in a State (upon the Governor's request),

(2) rebellions that make it difficult to enforce Federal law, or

(3) any insurrection that impedes a State's ability to protect citizens' constitutional rights and that State is unable to unwilling to protect these rights.

Before committing U.S. troops, the President must issue a proclamation for rebellious citizens to disperse, cease, and desist.
Some government attorneys believe that the Insurrection Act is subject to a very liberal interpretation.

[dakine]

For this TV deprived, what the "hell" was what?

[jpsb]

I liked what he said, he is 100% correct, and did not play a blame game, he's going there himself to find out that the hell is going on, which is what leaders do, lead.

[cicero's_son]

The problem is, these kinds of conversations are happening all over the US right now. And it's not just "hicks" and Democrats who are having them.

Bush is in serious trouble. This Katrina disaster is a torpedo aimed at the heart of his presidency. If the administration doesn't WAKE UP to the frustration, disappointment, desperation, and outrage that are building over this, it will be a disaster for the Republican party.

[billclintonwillrotinhell]

This is a huge mistake, he has no reason to be there, it will draw a number of needed security personnel away from where they are needed most, its a PR stunt, and a bad one, he ought to send his own helicopter in for search and rescue.

One of the many things I can't stand about Bush is that he learned a lot from Bill Clinton when it comes to photo ops. It's style over substance, baby!

[armymarinemom]

Question to all:

Does congress have to declare Marshall law before active duty Military is deployed to a region like NO?

[A Citizen Reporter]

Exactly right, and he has the class not to criticize them by name, when it appears that the mayor of NO is in complete mental breakdown.

[JustaCowgirl]

I'm a life long Republican but the lack of response

Right. Sure you are.

[prairiebreeze]

Thank you for the transcription and although I couldn't see the broadcast of the remarks, they seem fine to me. I certainly don't read anything in the transcriptions here that made the remarks a "mistake" or "embarrassment" or "what will bring down the Bush presidency".

Lots of questionable smells in the air around FR lately.

[looney tune]

Well, if that was the case, they still knew it in advance the city would flood. Why did the President have to tell the mayor to effect mandatory evacuation? Try as you may to point the finger at the administration, hurricanes are a way of life in coastal areas. Planning should be done on city and state levels. That said, this storm is of Biblical proportions & no planning can fully compensate for that.

[Rokurota]

How has Bush failed?

[Licensed-To-Carry]

Seminar poster alert....

[ncpatriot]

That was a message to the Gov and NO mayor...

I heard that too. I am glad he finally said it. To me, the president appears frustrated with local govt.

Today the president will shine because he will be with the people.

[sola_fide]

Bush IS NOT failing. He's the POTUS for pete's sake; he is not Supreme Dictator of all He Surveys (despite what the DUmmies might think.) He did what he was supposed to do: offer ASSISTANCE to the local and state authorities. However, it sounds like in his most recent remarks that the Feds are fed up with the lack of leadership from the local and state authorities and you will now see the Feds take the lead.

[MEG33]

He should have stopped the hurricane.

[prairiebreeze]

Clinton would have made it a 30-minute "uplifting" speech, then he would have actually done little. Pres. Bush is a man of few words but real action.

You nailed it, bump!

[dakine]

"Marshall law"

Who's Marshall?

[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

Walk around the flames heading your way because you are right.

$500 million a day being spent by FEMA for the disaster??? Where???