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More on Katrina [Ben Stein]
American Spectator ^ | September 12, 2005 | Ben Stein

Posted on 09/12/2005 6:00:49 AM PDT by Quilla

Fact: Katrina was a devastating storm. It left terrible damage to innocent people's lives and to property throughout the Gulf South.

Fact: There have been other storms as damaging and some far more damaging. What, then, is different about this storm? Here are a few tentative thoughts.

First, the incompetence of the local and state authorities in Louisiana and especially New Orleans was breathtaking. To issue a mandatory evacuation order without providing means of transport is almost criminally irresponsible. To take citizens to shelters where they would be beaten, robbed and raped and to provide no police protection for them was astoundingly incompetent. To allow armed gangs to shoot at rescuers was almost beyond belief.

Second, the response of the federal government is described as slow, and it was slow at first. But can anyone name a natural disaster in which more federal troops, supplies, and money have been dispatched as quickly as they have been done in this disaster? Bush's response has not been unusually bad, but amazingly powerful and swift. In other hurricanes, survivors have been left for weeks on their own. In Katrina's case, the whole affected area has been covered with money and aid and troops to restore order on a scale and with speed never seen before.

Third, the networks and newspapers have been quick to cry racism because so many of the victims were black. This is total nonsense. New Orleans is a mostly black city. Obviously, most of the victims of the storm would be black. No one has been able to point to a single instance in which black victims were mistreated because of their race by whites. In fact, just the opposite has happened. The whole story is of rescues and salvation by people of all races aimed at people of all races. In a gesture never seen before, the whole heart of the nation has taken in poor, bereft black families and sheltered them absolutely without regards to race. This is a mirror of the basic goodness of Americans and the disappearance of racism as an acceptable action basis of American life. It is also a measure of the total absence of racism in the heart of George W. Bush. The media may play this as a story of race versus race, but that is pure incendiary fantasy, and dangerous nonsense.

What is the real story of Katrina is (I suggest) not so much that nature wrought fury on land, water, people, property, and animals, not at all anything about racism, not much about federal government incompetence. The real story is that the mainstream media rioted.

They used the storm and its attendant sorrows to continue their endless attack on George W. Bush. Wildly inflated stories about the number of dead and missing, totally made up old wives' tales of racism, breathless accounts of Bush neglect that are utterly devoid of truth and of historical context -- this is what the mainstream media gave us. The use of floating corpses, of horror stories of plagues, the sad faces of refugees, the long-faced phony accusations of intentional neglect and racism -- anything is grist for the media's endless attempts to undermine the electorate's choice last November. It is sad, but true that the media will use even the most heart breaking truths -- and then add total inventions -- to try to weaken and then evict from office a man who has done nothing wrong, but has instead turned himself inside out to help the real victims.

In the meantime, George Bush does not lash out, does not attack those who falsely accuse him of the most horrible acts and neglect. Instead, he doggedly goes on helping the least among us. I don't know how he does it, but we are very lucky he does. As for truth, it eventually may be salvaged from the flooded neighborhoods of The Crescent City, but not as long as there is a lie to use to hurt an honest man trying to do the best he can, and hundreds of thousands of brave, tireless men and women who do more than point fingers and tell tales. The Katrina story is a disgrace to the people who are "reporting" it while pouring gasoline on a fire. They and their crusade against George Bush are the real stories, and they are dismal ones.


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: benstein; katrina; katrinafacts; mediabias; neworleans; presidentbush
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To: over3Owithabrain
i>I get the same reaction. But I think we're dealing with a guy here (W) who really believes this Christianity stuff. The fact is, Scripture plainly calls for that type of response to hatred. I admit, weak Christian that I am, that I don't grasp and can't act in the same manner

You know if this was Constantine and leading our country as a Christian country, I would say yes. But he's not. He's not doing much to defend Christianity,(especially against the ACLU) and as a the most powerful leader in the world, not defending the truth against the MSM lies only cripples his ability to have a powerful voice to lead as well as cripples the belief in those that believed in him to have elected him and support him as well!

141 posted on 09/13/2005 9:06:10 AM PDT by Bommer
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To: ohioWfan
Hey, thanks for the ping!

I would have missed this.

142 posted on 09/13/2005 9:11:40 AM PDT by andyandval
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To: andyandval
No problem. I think Stein captures the complete wrongness of the image of President Bush that the left is giving to the American people.

It's a must read, IMO.

143 posted on 09/13/2005 10:15:57 AM PDT by ohioWfan (If my people which are called by my name will humble themselves and pray......)
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To: Bommer

Well, you're probably not happy then that he has just apologized for botching the initial federal response to Katrina. Thanks W - setting the stage for Hillary in '06!


144 posted on 09/13/2005 10:34:57 AM PDT by over3Owithabrain
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To: over3Owithabrain

No; quite pissed as a matter of fact!


145 posted on 09/13/2005 10:39:25 AM PDT by Bommer
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To: cajungirl
I think temper tantrum is good but the MSM had an orgy is more what I saw. An orgy of every possible vanity,,self congratulation, meanness, vindictiveness, untruthfulness, mongering both race and rumor.

I was thinking during the coverage that the MSM very well exhibited its pathology of an almost a perverse gratification in wallowing in tragic news and dead bodies.

I knew that they were that way, but it seemed to be almost to the point of certain persons requiring confinement for their own good. I haven't seen such glee and excitement in the dead and maimed since I watched the James Spader movie, Crash.

146 posted on 09/13/2005 11:00:18 AM PDT by Ghengis (Alexander was a wuss!)
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To: ohioWfan

WONDERFUL article. I went to the website, got the article, and sent it to EVERYONE on my e-mail list. You tell 'em Ben Stein!


147 posted on 09/13/2005 11:19:59 AM PDT by Linda1956 ("Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13)
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To: bethtopaz

You can't e-mail the President from the White House site anymore, but I can give you an address that you CAN e-mail him from. Just give me a holler. So far, I've had the great honor to received 2 snail mail letters from the White House and signed by George Bush!


148 posted on 09/13/2005 11:22:06 AM PDT by Linda1956 ("Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13)
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To: Bommer

"You know if this was Constantine and leading our country as a Christian country, I would say yes. But he's not. He's not doing much to defend Christianity,(especially against the ACLU) and as a the most powerful leader in the world, not defending the truth against the MSM lies only cripples his ability to have a powerful voice to lead as well as cripples the belief in those that believed in him to have elected him and support him as well!"

You have to remember something; George Bush is "walking the walk", much more effective than "talking the talk" which we've heard many politicians do and falsely. He is leading by example, the same as he did during the 2000 debacle. Remember back then, Al Gore was running off at the mouth just about every day. George Bush remained silent then, letting the attorneys do their job, and I, for one, am proud of him as a fellow Texan and as a fellow Christian.


149 posted on 09/13/2005 11:38:18 AM PDT by Linda1956 ("Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13)
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To: Linda1956
He is leading by example, the same as he did during the 2000 debacle.

And what example is that? I'll take the blame for what is not my fault? If they call be a bigot, I am one because I won't refute it? Even Christ exposed the Pharisees for the liars and hypocrates that they were!

150 posted on 09/13/2005 12:01:44 PM PDT by Bommer
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To: Baynative

Glad you found it. I shouldn't have used its nickname, but I was in a hurry. It is the most important thread on FR for my sanity.

You might want to get on the ping list, - GretchenM has it - so you wont ever miss the review of the many public appearances the President has every day - that so many of our newspapers are doing their best to keep from the American public.


151 posted on 09/13/2005 12:12:28 PM PDT by maica (Do not believe the garbage the media is feeding you back home. ---Allegra (in Iraq))
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To: Bommer

"And what example is that? I'll take the blame for what is not my fault? If they call be a bigot, I am one because I won't refute it? Even Christ exposed the Pharisees for the liars and hypocrates that they were!"

Please refer to Matthew 7:1-5.

All of us are imperfect and sinners. They murdered the only sinless man, Jesus Christ.


152 posted on 09/13/2005 1:17:50 PM PDT by Linda1956 ("Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13)
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To: Quilla; Neets; Darksheare; scott0347; timpad; Conspiracy Guy; NYC GOP Chick; MeekOneGOP; Fedora; ...

"Does anyone know what Vice President
Bush called this in 1980? Anyone?
Something-D-O-O economics.
"Voodoo" economics."

153 posted on 09/13/2005 1:17:50 PM PDT by Watery Tart ("First, New Orleans Mayor Ray Naga… Nogg… Nagg… Not gonna work here anymore, anyway!" ~~Bob)
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To: Quilla; cowboy_code

PING.... FABULOUS post.


154 posted on 09/13/2005 1:20:30 PM PDT by Hi Heels (Guns kill and cause crime? Dang, mine must be malfunctioning....)
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To: Watery Tart

Actually, I like the sound of "Condi for President" in '08. She's got class, a wonderful education, refuses to be a doormat to the far left; she's everything that Hillary isn't.


155 posted on 09/13/2005 1:30:45 PM PDT by Linda1956 ("Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13)
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To: bethtopaz

I e-mailed Beth the way to write to the President, and I will share this with all of you.

Go to www.conservativealerts.com . There you can e-mail any of the elected officials, including the President.

My last e-mail was on August 11, 2005, after Cindy Sheehan had started her shinanigans. It was printed in the hard copy of the Wilson County News out of Floresville, Texas. It reads as follows:

"Stay the Course in Iraq"

August 11, 2005

Dear President Bush,

Mr. President,

I have been following in the news about parents of fallen soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan protesting about their loss and demanding special time with you to air their grievances.

I, too, am a parent of a soldier who went to Iraq and, praise God, returned safely. My son enlisted with the purpose of going to fight in Iraq and is ready to return as soon as he is ordered. Unlike these complaining parents (and I do feel for their loss and pray for healing in
their suffering the terrible loss of a child), I understand why my son enlisted and support him 100% in his efforts.

People tend to forget that military service is on a voluntary basis. I realize that there are those who joined the National Guard before the war who joined only for the extra pay, never dreaming that someday they would be called into service. I also realize that some enlisted in the service, again for the extra pay, the benefits and the free education, never dreaming they would be called to defend their country. These people I do not have much sympathy for in their mutterings and grumbling, as they enlisted, in my view, under false pretences.

Then there are those like my son, Pvt 1st Class Matthew Hazel who enlisted to go to Iraq. There are also young soldiers such as my son's best friend from childhood
who enlisted in the Marines, Danny Keller. Danny was one of the 1st ground troops to enter Iraq the day after his 20th birthday and was on the decoy mission to rescue Jessica Lynch.

Both of these young men are from a tiny area south of Somerset, Texas. Neither have complained. Both are ready to return to action. Both are now 22 years old. They aren't complaining and neither are their parents.

Stay the course in Iraq and elsewhere, Mr. President. I know it's tough going right now, but as you know, anything worthwhile is worth fighting for, and fighting these terrorists is one of, if not THE most important things this country needs to be focused on, for us and for our children
and grandchildren.

Again, I am proud of you as a fellow Texan and as a fellow Christian.

Sincerely,
Linda Willis-Riojas


156 posted on 09/13/2005 1:57:48 PM PDT by Linda1956 ("Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13)
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To: roses of sharon
Bastards, how many times will we allow them to do this... They write history...

Don't give up. They used to do the same thing in the Soviet Union and it didn't last forever. Lying, despicable media, indoctrination of the children, nasty, vicious, corrupt politicians. We don't have the gulags but these bastards would if they could. We conservatives are all that stands in their way.

157 posted on 09/13/2005 2:13:37 PM PDT by johnb838 (I got nuthin to say,)
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To: andy58-in-nh
The real story is that the mainstream media rioted

Do you catch the reference to the post-mortem report on the 1968 Demorat convention in Chicago that called the reaction of the authorities a "Police Riot?"

158 posted on 09/13/2005 2:15:40 PM PDT by johnb838 (I got nuthin to say,)
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To: Quilla

BTTT


159 posted on 09/13/2005 2:19:06 PM PDT by Richard Kimball
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To: Quilla

The Rats are adamant that it must be a non-congressional 9-11 commission style inquiry. Wonder why.


160 posted on 09/13/2005 2:19:30 PM PDT by johnb838 (I got nuthin to say,)
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