[goldstategop]

Where is the god Bush? Why hasn't he come to rescue us? Why isn't he holding Rita back? If Bush doesn't perform a miracle or two, its all his fault!

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Reagan Man]

This is like a bad movie.

[sinkspur]

White said that large numbers of federal Transportation Security Administration workers had failed to show up for work at the airport on Thursday.

The brain-surgeon-brigade decided to bolt?

Manetta should have dispensed with the security checks at IAH.

But, there were delays due to flight cancellations as well. Bush's fault, though. He should have been down there frisking the senior citizens.

[MJY1288]

I just saw a live shot of the Highways and there is NO TRAFFIC JAMS right now

[Just Lori]

I don't see anywhere in the article that anyone is blaming the President for anything.

[KarinG1]

I hear they've started calling Rita a category 4 storm. I'm sorry, but I already had breakfast. We'd probably call it about a one-and-a-half in Texas. I am frankly rather disappointed. We need some rain.

[Deetes]

We had to know the Rats would blame Bush.

[COEXERJ145]

According to some idiot liberals on another website (not DU), it is Bush's fault because he ordered the evacuation simply to see if it was possible to evacuate a major city. If the evacuation fails, thousands could die but since most are poor and/or black, Bush doesn't care since they didn't vote for him anyway.

[montag813]

So (Houston's) white mayor is to blame for failing to produce 10-lane highways out of thin air, and is given no credit for getting his people out safely. But New Orleans' black mayor was not to blame for failing to get a single person out of his city, leaving hundreds of school and municipal buses in lots, and is totally excused for the deaths of over 400 Cajuns, who drowned as a result.

Now I understand what the media means about "having a national discussion about race".

[A message]

had gone awry, in part, because too many people attempted to flee the city at once.

Well that settles it, everyone who lives in an area prone to hurricanes or tornadoes or earthquakes should be given an evacuation time slot.

In fact we should regularly have major city evacuation drills kinda like we did in grade, middle and high school.

How on earth can those uncaring Republicans in power not think of these things.

/ sarc off

[msnimje]

Bush should be impeached right this minute for not releasing to Texas and Louisiana the secret government "People Fax Machines" now sitting in Warehouses in Bethesda Maryland.

[msnimje]

It really is unforgivable!! Look at all those LIVING, DRY, SAFE and INTACT Families trying to get out of harms way before the storm!

[newzjunkey]

Those TSA workers should come back to find they have no jobs. They need to be FIRED. No pension either.

[kenth]

Bush should have immediately ordered the inbound lanes turned around. IMMEDIATELY! He should have had some federal marshals come in and stop the inbound traffic, have them all do three-point turns and head out of the city. Again, do I really need a sarcasm tag?

[Ken H]

If you have XM, listen to the Houston traffic-weather channel, XM 226.

Gas trucks out delivering gas. I-10 west in decent shape. All tolls waived on toll roads. Some jams (didn't catch where), but overall I got the impression traffic is moving reasonably well.

[yoe]

They call for a mandatory evacuation and then are surprised at the number of cars trying to leave - after boasting of their plans. Huh? Keeping the ingoing interstate closed to traffic trying to leave was a little shortsighted IMHO. Opening that to outbound traffic directed by the National Guard and leaving one in bound lane open would have alleviated a lot of head ache. Well DUH Mayor and Governor…………………

[CharacterCounts]

Houston could learn from Detroit. Half the population evacuated from Detroit decades ago.

[Caipirabob]

Well, is Karl Rove and President Bush trying to kill of of Galvaston or not? I get so confused...

[bert]

Interstate 77 comes up out of North Carolina into Virginia where for a brief time it merges with I 40. At that point, I 40 increases to 4 lanes to carry the combined traffic.

However at the merge point, I 77 is reduced to one lane and the merge to one lane slows traffic considerably. On holiday weekends the slowdown at the merge point backs up and slows traffic down all the way back into NC, a distance of 40 miles or so. This point is miles away from a city or populated area. It is "out in the country".

In Texas, a merge point could be felt perhaps a hundred miles back.

[Pietro]

"White said that large numbers of federal Transportation Security Administration workers had failed to show up for work at the airport on Thursday."

Reminds me of the movie Raising Arizona:

"Alright, all you hayseeds freeze"

"Hit the floor"

"What is it you want us to do young fellow? If'n I freeze I can't hit the floor, and if I hit the floor I'll be in mot--"

"Hit the floor!"

"Ok, then"