More evidence of incompetence

But from Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco who failed to order the use of school and city buses to evacuate the city.

I'm still disappointed that the National Guard failed to enter the city for four days, but much of this situation would have been mitigated had the local authorities used all methods at their disposal to evacuate the city.

Where's the criticisn of Nagin

Where's the criticism for Governor Blanco? Why were these school buses in a lot instead of being used to evacuate people from New Orleans?

Kanye West

Shut the hell up.

Quite frankly, you're an ass to the greatest degree. That's exactly what we need, more people whining instead of doing. What the hell have you done, Kanye, to help your brothers?

An interesting read

And an interesting counterpoint as to why it took almost four days to get significant numbers of National Guardsmen into New Orleans.

It sorta brings you back to reality, and, for that, I'm grateful.

www.AndrewSullivan.com - Daily Dish

Man, there are times when I wish Andrew would shut the hell up. He's simply the most hysterical blogger I've ever read. Bush was calling for a greater New Orleans, one stronger than before, and not malicious nor in bad taste in the least.

But, then again...

Maybe it's completely reasonable that it's taken 4 days to get significant numbers of National Guardsmen into New Orleans. The questions are these:

1) How long does it usually take to get the National Guard mobilized in emergencies?
2) Was the National Guard preparing on Saturday/Sunday when Katrina was ramping significantly back up in strength?
3) Were they ready and just unable to get into the city?

These questions must be asked because one of the functions of the National Guard is to provide relief during times of civil emergencies. I don't expect the National Guard to be miracle workers. I do, however, expect the National Guard to restore civil order when the police are overwhelmed. Is this unreasonable?

Pats vs. Giants

So I went to the Pats game last night, and let me tell you that, if I were a Pats fan, I'd be extremely worried if Tom Brady were to be injured. It was a pathetic showing by the Pats second stringers. Doug Flutie should not be playing ball.

On another note, my Cowboys beat the Jags 27-20.

Idiot

Is it me, or does this CNN article make out Michael Brown to be an incredible bastard?

Talk about tone deaf.

An embarrassment

Andrew Sullivan puts in words exactly how I feel: that the response following the disaster in New Orleans is bordering on the absurd.

There had better be a damn good reason why troops could not be on the ground within three days of the passing of the hurricane. My opinion of the federal government and, indeed, George Bush, is taking a nosedive. I cannot help but feel visceral disgust.

Reports of Looting by Cops and Firemen in New Orleans

I hope that this story of looting by police and firefighters is not true, but if it is, they should be found and punished to the fullest extent of the law.

This disaster has shown just how base even Americans can get. It's saddening and disheartening.

Did New Orleans Catastrophe Have to Happen?

From Editor and Publisher, a very disturbing article alleging that, due to lack of federal funding, projects started to protect New Orleans from floods and hurricanes were never finished and thus contributed to the devastation of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina.

However, buried in the article was that protection from a category 4 or 5 hurricane was not there, and that a study for that situation wouldn't be completed for 4 years.

The main questions are:

1) Would the projects not completed because of lack of federal funds have protected the city? (Would they have even been completed on time?)

2) What were the contributions of the state and local governments in relation to the federal government?

3) Was there a causal relationship between spending on protecting New Orleans and the Iraq war budget? (The article mentions that there was, but offers no direct proof)

Regardless of the answers, I suspect that if this information is publicized, it will do serious damage to President Bush and may well lead to the defeat of the Republican party in the 2006 elections.

I'm extremely unhappy that a major city that is prone to severe weather was left vulnerable for so many years.

The National Guard

I think that it's time to send in all the National Guardsmen that we can in order to restore law and order in New Orleans.

Response to schadenfreude

Read this article by James K. Glassman at Tech Central Station defending reason against the disgusting exploitation of our tragedy in New Orleans by the likes of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

CNN.com - Conditions deteriorate in New Orleans - Aug 30, 2005

If there is one truth to civilization it's this: without law and order, we return to our most primitive, atavistic selves. We become no better than animals.

We must restore order in New Orleans by any means at our disposal.

Christian Schools Bring Suit Against UC - Los Angeles Times

Good on the UC system for refusing to accept science courses that promote creationism.

I hope all schools of higher education follow suit.

German Papers: Katrina Should be A Lesson To US on Global Warming

Simply disgusting.

And I'm sure that the tsunami and earthquake that killed a quarter million people in southeast Asia was a lesson for us, too? I find it appropriate that the word for delighting in the suffering of others is schadenfreude.

lgf: How Phony Can They Get?

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.

Cindy Sheehan is a fraud and should be dismissed as such.

Via Little Green Footballs.

Sharpton Driver Arrested for Speeding

Sure, Al, we believe you. We believe you when you say that your driver wasn't pursued by police for speeding over nine miles.

A War to Be Proud Of

Read this important piece by Christopher Hitchens.

We've got nuts, too

Fred Phelps and his bunch of wingnuts are an embarrassment to humankind. They're also a bunch of people that I wouldn't mind wiping off the planet. Insulting our soldier at funerals is about as low as you can go.

Cretins.

They don't want peace

I'm glad to see that even the New York Times has come to the conclusion that, for the Palestinians, there will never be peace until Israel is destroyed.

Suge Knight shot at pre-VMA party

This probably wouldn't have happened at the Country Music Awards.

One more reason why rap and hip-hop are trash and gather people who are trash.