C. GATSBY'S Weblog: "you will learn the truth and the truth will make you free. John 8:32

Bush campaigned last year on securing America from a terrorist attack and assuring all Americans that he would respond to any catastrophe quickly and efficiently. Bush was taken to task on his promises and failed miserably.  We now see that it was another Bush lie. With advance warning of days before Hurricane Katrina's landfall, Bush and his Homeland Security Chief sat idle.

 

Bush was squandering precious time in San Diego commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Allied victory over Japan, while New Orleans flooded and citizens died. Bush waited until returning from yet another long vacation before commenting on Katrina at the White House. Bush stated that no one could have foreseen the levees breaking. For your information Mr. Bush, your own FEMA placed the levee system on its priority list for emergencies prior to the hurricane. Not to mention that numerous articles in magazines and newspapers foretold doom with regard to New Orleans' levee system since 2002. Also, since 2002, Bush rejected numerous requests by the Army Corp of Engineers and Louisiana's congressional officials to allocate money to reinforce the levees.

 

Also, Americans have seen the true “flip/flop” man at work.  First, Bush praised Brown during his first tour of Alabama after the storm’s wrath telling him, "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job."  Bush also stated that the federal government’s response was good.  Bush’s own Homeland Security Chief stated that New Orleans' reports of suffering at the Superdome were exaggerated.

 

Now, we find Bush backpedaling, stating after three weeks of numerous deaths and injuries that the response was not adequate and he accepts full responsibility.  Does he really care or is he more concerned about his own popularity and ego?

 

America needs more capable and honest leadership!

 

BY CHRISTIAN GATSBY

 

 

New Orleans’ mayor, Nagin cares very little about the lives of his constituents. Two days before Katrina hit Louisiana, the Red Cross started to preposition its assets and Bush declared an impending disaster, Nagin did not properly evacuate his city.

Nagin claimed he could not use the numerous school buses and other vehicles before the storm’s wrath because he had “no drivers.” Not true. Some drivers were available and also state and local police, the National Guard and volunteers could have augmented the driving pool. Plus, Nagin’s staff turned down Amtrak’s offer to evacuate some of the stranded citizens.

New Orleans' comprehensive emergency plan clearly states: "Conduct of an actual evacuation will be the responsibility of the mayor of New Orleans. The city of New Orleans will utilize all available resources to quickly and safely evacuate threatened areas. Special arrangements will be made to evacuate persons unable to transport themselves or who require specific life-saving assistance. Additional personnel will be recruited to assist in evacuation procedure as needed. Approximately 100,000 citizens of New Orleans do not have means of personal transportation."

In July, 2005, Nagin aired a public service announcement on evacuation: "You are on your own." Why didn’t Nagin coordinate a new evacuation plan if he new for months that the city’s previous evacuation plans was faulty?

Since 2002, the federal government has given New Orleans eighteen million to plan and prepare a levee catastrophe. Mayor Nagin has no accountability for how the money was spent.

Now the Mayor wants to reopen parts of the city with a tainted water supply and a severely damaged levee system even though the Federal Government cannot assure the safety of the returning people. Once again, Nagin cares little about the safety of his constituents.

Next year if residents of New Orleans are smart, they will recall Mayor Nagin and hire a more intelligent, hardworking, honest, caring person who actually cares about its people.

by Christian Gatsby