These are not the rantings of a left wing, liberal group. These are the sober facts being reported by well-respected news organizations. I’m just tired. Very, very tired. This administration is never to be held to fault for anything. Speaking out against this administration in any way, shape, or form has been branded anti-American and as giving comfort to the enemy. The enemy this time is Mother Nature and I don’t think she gets any comfort from anything, good or bad, that is said about the Bush Co.
We don’t know if global warming contributed to the catastrophe by warming the waters in the gulf, thus fueling the hurricane. We do know that funds to build up the levees and increase drainage in the city were repeatedly and dismally reduced by this administration. We do know that the response to the crisis has been pathetic (apparently we learned nothing from the post-invasion of Iraq). These are things that should be discussed, and even screamed about. People should be held accountable for some of the lives that are still being lost.
Read on.
From the Chicago Tribune (Published August 31, 2005)
Funding cuts led way to lesser levees
Excerpt: Despite continuous warnings that a catastrophic hurricane could hit New Orleans, the Bush administration and Congress in recent years have repeatedly cut funding for hurricane preparation and flood control. The cuts have delayed construction of levees around the city and stymied an ambitious project to improve drainage in New Orleans’ neighborhoods.
The Times-Picayune (Published August 31, 2005)
Feds’ Disaster Planning Shifts Away From Preparedness
Excerpt: Louisiana’s elected officials were quick to seize on the disaster to press for long-requested federal financial assistance in shoring up Louisiana’s coastline. The coastal wetlands erode at a rate of 24 square miles a year and expose south Louisiana to increasing danger. Until recently, efforts to squeeze coastal protection money out of Washington have met with resistance. The Louisiana congressional delegation urged Congress earlier this year to dedicate a stream of federal money to Louisiana’s coast, only to be opposed by the White House.Ultimately a deal was struck to steer $540 million to the state over four years. The total coast of coastal repair work is estimated to be $14 billion.
The Washington Post
Critics Say Bush Undercut New Orleans Flood Control (Published September 2, 2005)
Excerpt: As recently as July, the White House lobbied unsuccessfully against a plan to spend $1 billion over four years to rebuild coastlines and wetlands, which serve as buffers against hurricanes. More than half of that money goes to Louisiana.
New York Times
Gazing at Breached Levees, Critics See Years of Missed Opportunities (Published September 2, 2005)
San Diego Union Tribune
Bush, lawmakers accused of shortchanging projects (Published September 2, 2005)
The list goes on and on and on.
That’s before we even get to talk about the mismanagement of the crisis…
