Bush "approves" of Cheney's explanation

Today GW Bush went on the record as approving of Dick Cheney's explanation of the shooting incident last weekend that left Harry Whittington in the hospital. For those unfamiliar, Cheney accidentally shot Whittington while quail hunting in Texas. Almost 24 hours later, the owner of the quail hunting ranch gave a statement to the local Corpus Christi newspaper.

After almost five days of silence, Cheney gave an interview to Fox News anchor Brit Hume where he discussed the trauma of the incident - for both he and Whittington - but felt the way the incident was handled with the media and the use of the ranch owner as administration spokesperson was the proper course of action.

This is what the administration does not get:

1. It is obvious to anyone that this was indeed an accident
2. When an elected official is invloved in an accident, especially a shooting, it is best that the information be released to the public quickly (get your version out there first)
3. Appoint someone from the administration/press office as spokesperson - not a private citizen whose version of events differs from the VP's
4. Don't wait almost five days to have the VP make a statement. It makes him appear as if he feels he is unaccountable to the american people AND it inflames the media (just ask Scott McLellan)

On it's face, this is just a terrible accident. No one personally condemns Cheney (though his gun handing skills are in question). The larger problem is the way in which this administration simply waits to see how the media and public reacts to a situation and then measures the level of "spin" necessary to quiet dissent.

As is well documented, this is one of the most secretive and unforthcoming administrations in history. They feel no direct obligation to the american people, despite the overuse of self-serving jingoistic phrases. The hunting accident is just another another, sillier example.

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A short break

Autumn break is over & blogging will resume this week.

Barbara Bush thinks evacuees better off

Barbara Bush further demonstrates the disconnect the entire Bush family seems to have not only for the plight of the poor in this country but also the sentiments of average American.

The quote says it all...

From an interview with "Marketplace":

"And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway," she said, "so this is working very well for them."

The NY Times article here
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Saints & Sinners - Katrina Fallout

The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina has aroused passions, both positive and negative. Conservative, liberal, black, white and everyone in between has begun to offer money and support, praise and criticism.

I had the opportunity to lend a hand with the relief effort this weekend by conducting online searches for lost family members at the Astrodome. I was absolutley amazed at the generosity of the City of Houston and Houstonians. Not only was there an outpouring of material support - food, clothes, toys, etc. - but the level of volunteerism was beyond belief.

I was in an area where evacuees, friends and family could request online database searches for loved ones and also register instructions/meeting places/contact info. There were quite literally thousands of volunteers. We actually had volunteers assisting us by bringing us food and drinks. Volunteers serving other volunteers!

Despite the good work being done currently, the first week produced a clear list of failures and successes, saints and sinners.

Saints:

• The Coast Guard - solid work
• The City of Houston & Houstonians - as mentioned previously, amazing generosity and organization. So many people are volunteering, they are actually having to turn people away. A+
• Several of the "mainstream" media who placed themsleves in the thick of it. I have been somewhat critical of CNN in the past, but Anderson Cooper has done some great reporting.
• New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin (part deux) - while I consider him a sinner also, he did manage to get motivated after the levee break on Tuesday. His comments can be found here

Sinners:

• FEMA - The agency is an absolute disgrace and regardless of bureaucratic protocol failed in almost every respect.
• Michael Brown (FEMA Director) - completely out of touch, incompetent, and despite President Bush's praise, needs to be fired. The praise, by the way, was classic "spin" and an attempt to deflect mounting criticism.
• Homeland Security - first test of the department, receives a grade of F
• Michael Chertoff (Director of Homeland Security) - Failed to react, prepare and coordinate the relief effort. Also out of touch with the suffering and currently shifting in to "spin" mode (as witnessed by his evasive attitiude when questioned by Tim Russert on Meet the Press).
• Governor Kathleen Blanco - Where the heck has she been?
• Mayor Ray Nagin - failed to adequately prepare for the storm and didn't really catch on until the levee breach.
• New Orleans Police who abandoned the scene - up to 200 left and walked off the job
• George W. Bush (last but not least) - a truly miserable leader with an unbelievable disconnect. He took several side trips around the country before the press backlash forced him to finally begin to deal with the situation. If the American public doesn't hold his feet to the fire on this one, we are in real trouble.

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Why is the relief taking so long? *Leave your comments

I have a few theories, but would like to know what readers think about the relief effort thus far.

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Dispite strained relationship, Chavez offers oil

On the heels of offensive comments by Pat Robertson and increased tension with the Bush administration, Venezeula offers aid to Hurricane Katrina victims.

From AFX:

CARACAS (AFX) - Venezuela has offered emergency funds and fuel to the hurricane-battered US, and is ready to send a humanitarian aid taskforce to assist US disaster recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina, the foreign ministry said.

'The government and the nation of the Bolivaran Republic of Venezuela express to the United States and its leaders their dismay over the magnitude and consquences of Hurricane Katrina,' the ministry said in a statement.

'Venezuela reiterates the offer of President Hugo Chavez to send fuel and humanitarian aid to the United States to help alleviate the effects of this catastrophe.

' But US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said that he is 'not aware of any such offers' of aid or oil from Venezuela.

Caracas's offer comes after months of deterioration in the relationship with Washington, which has branded Chavez a 'negative force' in the region.

Chavez had threatened to cut off oil supplies to the US, and after US evangelist Pat Robertson called last week for the US to assassinate Chavez, the Venezuelan leader accused Washington Monday of 'giving protection to a terrorist, who is demanding the assassination of a legitimate president.'

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Pat Robertson claims his statements were misinterpreted

Misinterpreted? Maybe if you have no understanding of the English language (or possibly hearing impaired). The context is clear, the meaning obvious. Time to re-read the scriptures or go back to sunday school, Mr. Robertson. Leave the political spin to the professionals.

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see previous post

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Pat Robertson
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Prominent Christian calls for murder

The face of Christianity?

No stranger to kooky proclamations, CBN's Pat Robertson called for the assassination of Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez. Fully absent any understanding of Christian principles, not to mention the ten commandments, Robertson advocated the use of U.S. covert operations to "take him out". Even more ludicrous was his muddy explanation of the danger that Mr. Chavez posed to the U.S. in the form of an old cold-war scare tactic (communism) and the more recent incarnation, global terror.

As off base and un-Christian as his comments were, he did express the underlying desire of many in the administration and conservative alike - that is, the removal of Chavez and the return to a more U.S. friendly government in one of the world's most oil-rich nations.

Oil being the most important factor in the divide between Venezuela and the U.S., it has lead our policy and framed the debate despite attempts to elevate it a more philosophical discussion of the nature of democracy. Without the economic component -oil- there would be little concern as to whether Chavez is socialist or an america-loving, right-wing evangelical.

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Brilliance:

"If he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that
we really ought to go ahead and do it. It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war." - Pat Robertson, 700 Club

One more (couldn't resist):

"The feminist agenda is not about equal rights for women. It is about a socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians." - Pat Robertson, fundraising letter, 1992

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