More on Katrina [Ben Stein]

American Spectator ^ | September 12, 2005 | Ben Stein

[johnb838]

The Congress can do two things that I can think of right off the top of my head:

1) They can lay out the failings of Noggin and Blanche-o Dubois in all their gory detail. This may not be reported by the MSM.

2) They can direct where every penny of the $52 billion relief package is spen, if they have the votes. I suppose what I mean is that if they can cut open the corrupt, pus-filled tumor that is the corpse of LA politics, and spread it out on the table, then even if the msm won't report it, the stench might be enough to withhold the graft from the grifters and see that something gets done.

Personally I'd rather see a military governor appointed like in Reconstruction, but I suppose that isn't going to happen.

[concretebob]

I believe he was the Chief Economic Advisor in RR's second term.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[concretebob]

SECTION 4: Each Superintendent of Education for each school district in Louisiana that remains substantially operational following the passage of Hurricane Katrina shall coordinate with local law enforcement agencies and peace officers to ensure that at least one peace officer ride in each bus and at least two marked law enforcement vehicles accompany every ten buses;

The devil is in the details. Note the italicized phrase.
This was to be implemented AFTER the hurricaine passed.
WTF!!!!!??????

[andy58-in-nh]

I didn't see the reference, but I remember it well. The difference perhaps, is this: in '68 the Chicago cops ceded their authority by letting their anger and frustration get the best of them. In New Orleans, the news media claimed authority by celebrating their anger and frustration at the Bush administration.

[Beaker]

I've always liked Ben Stein. He hit every nail right on the head.

[cowboy_code]

Ben Stein is smarter than most liberals are prepared to think.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

I'd rather see a military governor appointed like in Reconstruction

If Bush were going to do that, he shoulda done it in time to do some good - before Katrina hit, in time to evacuate NO. 'Course that's foolishness; how would the National Guard/Army go about evacuating a citizenry which didn't trust them and (in many cases) wouldn't even evacuate after NO was inundated?

But obviously, FReepers don't trust Gov. Blanco. Certainly the Federal government shouldn't simply shovel gigabucks in the general direction of NO and just trust that it'll find its way into actual reconstruction of NO. Let NO/LA either fend for itself in reconstruction, or let them agree to close federal control over the work we pay for. No governmental disbursement without representation!

[peacebaby]

great read! if everyone knew.

[bitt]

Hey, Bommer, I was just looking for your "the Man"...too bad you had to remove it....

is there a private url that we can access it?

[Bommer]

Nice try but you looked over Matthew 7:6

"Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Is not the truth holy?

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

The real story is that the mainstream media rioted.

The real story is that the mainstream media frequently and predictably "riots."

In fact, Katrina and its "media riot" is a replay of Andrew and its aftermath. In Andrew as in Katrina, a Democratic governor (Lawton Chiles) withheld a call for federal disaster aid, restricting a Republican President Bush (41 instead of 43) in his ability to act decisively. And after Andrew as after Katrina, the media "rioted" against the president.

This (barf alert) thread makes that quite clear. The difference between Katrina and Andrew, on the one hand, and the hurricanes with which FEMA was faced during the Clinton years, is that Andrew was more damaging than all those faced by Clinton's FEMA taken together - and the damage from Katrina is vastly more than that caused by Andrew.

The media riot after Katrina is simply a reportercrat war on perspective.

[Linda1956]

Bommer, I don't know what else to say. All I know I am trying me best to 'walk the walk' and I feel the president is also. Reread your own post, and recognize that no matter what the President says, he'd be casting pearls before the swine of the MSM.

[Translates]

He's a brilliant writer who certainly appreciates our military. If interested here's a link http://www.benstein.com/stein2.html

[Beaker]

Ben Stein is smarter than most liberals are prepared to think.
I wholeheartedly agree. However, "Thinking liberal" is an oxymoron at its finest.
A lot about the Katrina situation has really upset me, but the way that Bush handled it is not on that list by any means. This is not his fault in any way, and he should not be blamed or criticized. And the fact that the liberals are using this tragedy as an excuse to Bush Bash is disgusting.

[F.J. Mitchell]

BUMP to the top!!

[Freee-dame]

When clear-headed analysis was called for, they instead gave us a hissy fit.

I have yet to see a time line or the straight facts about what was or was not available to eat and drink in the Superdome. According to the NYTimes, there was food and water but it ran out. Also that the plumbing was functioning until Wednesday. Too bad the MSM forgot that they were in the NEWS business and think that they are in the spin business.

[I_be_tc]

bttt

[Conservative4Ever]

I agree...news reporting should be impartial and unemotional as much as possible. Cool heads should prevail.

[Purple GOPer]

I haven't been able to get on everyday, but I am still sending out the ping.

Tell me if you want on.