Democrats versus Republicans

[hellosailor]

Woof, that's going to require a hardcopy and full caffienation before I can even splice in the blanks from the references and try to read it through.

Landmines and Quagmires: "Public emergencies" is a damning phrase because there are multiple and conflicting definitions of it. For instance, each of the 50 states has been operating under a continuing legal "declaration of emergency" since the Korean War. This was co-ordinated, and has been continued, for the admirable purpose of allowing the National Guard to have their jobs held open for them while they were on duty in Korea--and afterwards.
Try tracking down the number of federal "declarations of emergency" that are still legally in effect today--it ain't pretty, we are legally in multiple states of emergency, so this legislation can literally read "Right now" rather than in the event of major public emergencies.

Also odd that it enumerates the National Guard as part of the "armed forfces" since the NG are the Federal Militia, and militia by definition ARE an armed force. Duh?

The intent of the legislation may be admirable, but wasn't that what the Mad Hatter said about 'the very finest butter' ?

Then again, this is the same White House that sadly actually had a conference with the Attorney General to debate using the Insurrection Act to send forces in to New Orleans--when any idiot with a seventh grade education could have told them, there was no "insurrection" in N.O. so that act simply could not be applied. But, an ordinary militia call-up would have been perfectly legal. (And could have been done on the state level, as well.)

I fell like I'm living in Springfield Nuclear and while Homer's chasing the donut cart, the monkeys have gotten loose in the control room, punching all the buttons.

As to why the SeaBees and other military response weren't sent into N.O.? There's nothing in the Posse Comitatus Act that prevents their domestic use. It only prevents them from being used against the population. They could have run relief, evacuation, etc. with no conflicts at all. The only restraint against them would be using them for enforcing the "domestic tranquility" aka law enforcement. Which is not an Army job anyhow, any where, even in Iraq!

But, apparently neither the White House nor the AG could figure that out.

[PBzeer]

It's too bad that this all can't be laid at Bush's door, then at least there might be some light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately though, it's endemic to both parties, and the only light we will see is that of the onrushing locomotive.

[hellosailor]

John, I think too many "good old boys" on both sides took this as an opportunity to screw the other side. What the military politely call a goatf*** and there's just no polite word that quite rings the same.

Since the first level (city of N.O.) was black and Democratic, and the second level (state of LA) was white and Democratic...One has to wonder just how incompetent the entire Louisiana political system is. Which is not to single them out, because during 9/11 our own Rudy "El Fasciste!" Giuliano also dropped the ball pretty much completely, as did our state governor.

The national Nooze may have given the impression that everything was under control in NYC, but in point of fact? City and State leadership (ahem)ed the pooch on that one as well. The only difference in New Orleans, was that the spectacle was spread out over such a wide area that it was impossible to pretend it was under control--much as some folks tried to play it that way.

This was all part and parcel of the very serious contrarian debate about NOT setting up a democracy when the first US was formed. (Note to aliens: This is the second, not first, US government) There were serious doubts that the people could keep a functioning democracy running, and that's one reason that not everyone was entitled to vote.

[RAGNAR]

hhh

[RAGNAR]

mmm

[PBzeer]

Actually, it's much simpler than that. You've aptly described many of the mechinisms employed, but the only reason they succeed is because people have lost, or perhaps, more aptly, given up a sense of community. Not the community of diversity and "it takes a village" sophistry, but that of doing right by their neighbor. As a culture, we have given up the ideal of helping each other, in exchange for the dubious security of having the "gummit" do it for us. (That in itself, being a long and sordid tale)

Philosophy, not linked to reality, is the refuge of small minds, who seek to justify their actions, without the inconvience of consequences.

[Giulietta]

I got a good one for you...apparentely G.W.Bush is a comedian, also..

They're showing footage of him at a large meeting saying:

A year ago only 30% liked me, My Attorney quit and my Vice President shot a guy...those were the good days....

I don't know...is that for real?? The President of the US?? am I missing something??

[Idiens]

You mean -
President Bush Impersonation - 2006 White House Correspondents Dinner - Google Video

[Giulietta]

No...the one I saw was filmed yesterday at a meeting with old men in red coats...I missed what it was...

[PBzeer]

It's supposed to be like that Giu, a traditional type of thing, Called the Press Club dinner. Go to CNN website and you can read about it.