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Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-09-05 07:21:35 +0000

I honestly tried to be politicaly impartial when I wrote the above. Upon third and fourth reading of "'from nerdy lefties' to 'clear headed centrists' to 'bile filled neo-cons'," I recognized I failed. I should find "nerdy righties" or "bile filled uber-liberals" to fill the voids. Still shakingly angry

Posted by frame609 on 2005-09-05 07:36:38 +0000

Manch Vegas weighs in.

Posted by tgl on 2005-09-05 12:48:33 +0000

I got your nerdy righty, right... here.

Posted by tgl on 2005-09-05 15:19:33 +0000

I'm sure the head of FEMA (like the head of EPA and probably every other department) is a political appointment. I don't think that's necessarily wrong. Here's the problem with 5 years of Republican rule: When you put people in leadership roles within the government, who believe, fundamentally --ideologically-- that government is the problem, not the solution, you shouldn't be surprised when government fails the people. What if the next CEO of Ford did not believe that automobiles were wothwhile things to produce? Wouldn't the shareholders riot?

Posted by tgl on 2005-09-06 03:09:12 +0000

Ha! I had not read Krugman before my last post. The similarities of our criticism is not surprising, considering I've drunk the Kool-Aid.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-09-08 04:52:31 +0000

More here.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-09-08 04:53:19 +0000

...and some more here

Posted by tgl on 2005-09-08 17:21:32 +0000

Ha! "soft bigotry of low expectations" Classic.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-09-09 18:01:20 +0000

Brownie relieved of job! Say Yes to accountability!

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-09-15 22:52:19 +0000

Unable to link. See Tom Tomorrow at villagevoice.com

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2006-08-30 15:35:14 +0000

Brownie did a heck of job protecting the Prez from the press. But now he can speak his mind because he has nothing to loose.

Posted by MF DU on 2006-08-30 16:08:10 +0000

Very sad - one year later and everyone is still fingerpointing. The blame game continues while that energy could be used in helping people that are still suffering. I have to say that Barbara Bush's offensive comment about people in Houston's shelters having it better there than they did in their ghettos of New Orleans before Katrina is even more offensive after hearing it again and seeing the lack of progress down there. That said, as much as I love the man as a filmmaker, Spike Lee doesn't help matters on the other side of the political spectrum by insinuating on talk shows (Specifically on Bill Maher)that the Army Corps of Engineers purposefully destroyed the levees with dynamite to rid New Orleans of African Americans. I also heard this is insinuated on his 4 hr 'When the Levees Broke' documentary, but I haven't seen it yet - It's been captured, proprietary eponymed, or whatever, just haven't sat down to watch it yet. If the net result of the film gets more help to the people in New Orleans, I would probably be willing to overlook the half baked conspiracy theories.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2006-08-30 16:21:11 +0000

Please remember, that they did blow up the levees before. It happened.

Posted by MF DU on 2006-08-30 16:29:58 +0000

Conspiricies definitely do happen in America (Watergate, Iran Contra, etc.), but when they do happen, the truth always comes out. To make any kind of conspiracy argument, wouldn't we also have to assume that the powers responsible for the conspiracy would have to be ultra secretive, organized, and leak free? Sound like the Bush administration to you? Im so tired of half baked conspiracy theories of 911 and Katrina. If the government cant be organized enought to do anything else, how are they going to orchestrate a plot to keep a large number of Americans in the dark? I dont give this administration (or any other administration for that matter) that much credit. People are stupid and always talk about what they know.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2006-08-30 16:31:36 +0000

"People are stupid and always talk about what they know." Wow, I couldn't disagree more.

Posted by MF DU on 2006-08-30 16:32:55 +0000

I know - at this point this argument is a waste. We've been here before.

Posted by tgl on 2006-08-30 17:01:09 +0000

One of my biggest problems with the Bush administration is that they _are_ ultra-secretive... and an extremely tight ship when it comes to leaks. One of the few things this administration does right is maintain it's organization. Unfortunately for Iraq, Afghanistan and New Orleans residents that means to ensure government money flows smoothly into the pockets of Big Oil and the military-industrial complex, without disruption over things like "competence" and "foresight" and "good planning". --- We are now finding out that the Plame leak comes from Armitage, persona non grata from a department loathed by Bush's closest advisors? Wow. Didn't see that coming...

Posted by bizquig3000 on 2006-08-30 17:03:09 +0000

Whaddya say we make t-shirts with Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka with the caption: "People are stupid and always talk about what they know."

Posted by MF DU on 2006-08-30 17:07:57 +0000

wrestling fan, huh? Im not sure I get the joke, though...

Posted by tgl on 2006-08-30 17:12:46 +0000

Not sure how much of Brownie's mind was made up before or after he made a fool of himself in Congressional hearings.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2006-08-30 17:14:04 +0000

"Suicide is the new black."

Posted by tgl on 2006-08-30 17:15:04 +0000

I can't seem to lionize Brownie. "But what I regret the most: I let the American public down. I am a fighter ... but for some reason, with Katrina crashing in on me, I didn't do it." Pathetic.

Posted by MF DU on 2006-08-30 17:27:49 +0000

ok - so say I cede the point of Bush et al being very organized, capable of keeping secrets from everyone, and leak proof to keep other RSN posters happy: How are we helping the people in New Orleans right now? Are our (on a National level) discussions and theories of who did what to whom helping the people in New Orleans out, or are we essentially the younger sibling in the back seat of wailing "Its not fair - look what my jerky brother did"? There are a ton of words, opinions, and conspiracy theories. Where is the action?

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2006-08-30 17:35:41 +0000

I think we're trying to figure out who failed and why, and how to make sure hundreds of people don't die next time. Are we still 'finger pointing' with Sept. 11th?

Posted by buzzorhowl on 2006-08-30 17:48:29 +0000

Nope. We know the government did that.

Posted by tgl on 2006-08-30 17:52:34 +0000

<mirth>

Posted by MF DU on 2006-08-30 17:59:42 +0000

When you (or maybe the royal "We" rather) do figure it out, please let the rest of us rubes know whether you want a medal or a chest to pin it on. In the meantime, there are people that need food and shelter...

Posted by tgl on 2006-08-30 18:12:41 +0000

I don't get it. You have no idea what _else_ rs.n members have done to help New Orleans bounce back. Are you assuming that the only thing I've done is post about it on some lame chatboard? Aimless banter is fine for everything else, just not New Orleans? Does the same go for the Holocaust? --- Which reminds me... the wife is on her third Holocaust story collection in as many weeks. Said she was preparing for the start of the school year, her own personal holocaust.

Posted by buzzorhowl on 2006-08-30 18:19:39 +0000

Let me just say that this has been one of the best posting days in months. Thanks, everyone.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2006-08-30 18:27:42 +0000

I feel like you are treating everyone like an asshole, today, MF DU. I sincerely respect your opinion, but I think you are being an asshole today, and I need to tell you so. Sorry,. No other word works.

Posted by MF DU on 2006-08-30 18:38:30 +0000

Invite discussion that is similar to yours and celebrate it. Question people's integrity that have different viewpoints and call them liars. You do that well.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2006-08-30 18:48:17 +0000

I question integrity when people lie. When have I ever called someone a "liar" when discussing a "viewpoint"? Please, tell me.

Posted by tgl on 2006-08-30 18:54:52 +0000

Maybe we're having a misunderstanding between "viewpoint" and "statement of fact".

Posted by MF DU on 2006-08-30 18:55:21 +0000

No. Im so tired of this FUCK YOU. I dont have to justify myself to you. Im not defending a thesis or writing a paper to professor Bixtler

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2006-08-30 19:05:42 +0000

No evidense from the Prosecution? The defense rests, Your Honor.

Posted by MF DU on 2006-08-30 19:42:35 +0000

Call it what you want - I'm not in the habit of calling people who I consider my friends liars. I have in the past been called a liar on this board and had my integrity questioned for my posts. I should let shit like that roll off, but to tell the truth it hurts my feelings. Its the price you pay around here for not preaching to the choir I spose.

Posted by MF DU on 2006-08-30 20:17:36 +0000

I didnt mean to imply that people as individuals on this board have done absolutely nothing. I don't know what anyone else on the board has done, just as everyone on the board doesn't know what I have done. That is a good point I didn't see before, and I thank you for it. I wouldn't call this board lame, even though I have gotten a little 'huffy' today. Would it just be more fair to say that I am bothered that someone (anyone?) regardless of race, political affiliation, etc. that aspires to be a leader has not taken more ownership of this?

Posted by tgl on 2006-08-30 23:21:44 +0000

Of course, my vigorous defense of the plausibility of my action for New Orleans shouldn't be construed as actual action. I think the fingerpointing on the national level is helpful. It reminds people that action is still needed. For a news media that gives precedence to a self-confesed publicity hound (John Mark Karr) over a court decision striking down an NSA wiretap program... I guess I'm not surprised about what gets coverage. Of course it's political, the fingerpointg. In Brownie's case, career enhancing... what's he doing now? he's probably trying to get his name clear so he can get a job. I'm sure once the GOP gives up on milking the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 for all it's worth, the Dems will stop reminding America of the ineffective response to Hurricane Katrina. Only fair, right? It _would_ be fair to say that the situation seems leaderless, at least at the national level. Although, Mayor Nagin, Gov. Blanco and the LA Senators seem to be on it.