MyDD :: Bush Diverts Relief Workers For Photo-Ops

Bush Diverts Relief Workers For Photo-Ops

by Scott Shields, Wed Sep 07, 2005 at 01:04:08 AM EST

I had a whole post working on the administration's scapegoating of Michael Brown, but this story is so disgustingly outrageous, I scrapped it. Usually, I don't like just parroting points being made by other blogs. Sometimes, though, it's necessary to make sure that stories like this get the maximum possible exposure.

The Salt Lake City Tribune ran a maddening story about the inept FEMA coordination of some of the first responders coming into New Orleans from other areas around the country.

Firefighters say they want to brave the heat, the debris-littered roads, the poisonous cottonmouth snakes and fire ants and travel into pockets of Louisiana where many people have yet to receive emergency aid.

But as specific orders began arriving to the firefighters in Atlanta, a team of 50 Monday morning quickly was ushered onto a flight headed for Louisiana. The crew's first assignment: to stand beside President Bush as he tours devastated areas.

This is disgustingly indicative of the Bush administration's priorities right now. Rather than saving lives, they've been focused on image, spin, and message craft. While claiming that criticism is taking up valuable time for rescue operations, they seem to have no problem finding time to spin Bush's failures into photo-ops.

These firefighters are there to help people who are truly suffering, often at great cost to themselves. It's safe to say that they never intended to go all the way to Louisiana to rescue the President's poll numbers.

Tags: Republicans (all tags)

Permalink :: 8 Comments :: Post a Comment

Why should we be surprised? (none / 0)

Sending 50 firefighters for a photo-op. How self-serving is that? Shameless.

Incompetent leadership followed by selfish behavior followed by no accountability.

This cycle continues to repeat itself in the Bush Administration without any accountability from the MSM and Congress. Will this finally end?!?

by Bill Felmlee on Wed Sep 07, 2005 at 01:23:17 AM EST

Re: Why should we be surprised? (none / 0)

What is shameful is that the MSM is ignoring this. It is the THIRD time he has hindered the rescue effort for a photo-op, THE THIRD TIME!!!

BlueNC - Progressive NC Politics

by Robert P on Wed Sep 07, 2005 at 10:04:39 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Cancel a Credit Card for Bush! (none / 0)

hahaha! someone over at dkos came up with a damn great idea!

if you have one (or several) credit cards, cancel it (or one or all of them) and specifically tell the bank that it is because of bush.

use whatever colorful descriptors you wish - "criminally incompetent troglodyte" or "unfit to govern his pants," etc.

just make sure they know their loss of business is a function of your displeasure with bush!

cheers!

by Cedwyn on Wed Sep 07, 2005 at 02:49:12 AM EST

The Tradition Lives On (3.00 / 1)

Anyone shocked by this has not been watching Bush since he came on the scene. In fact, the entire thrust of the Republicans for the last 15 years or so has been more about image than reality.

Memo to neocons: I respect your right to have an opinion, but I just don't want to hear it anymore.

by blogus on Wed Sep 07, 2005 at 06:09:41 AM EST

That picture is from Friday in Mississippi (none / 0)

According to the Yahoo picture search, what you have posted is: U.S. President George W. Bush walks with firefighters while touring Hurricane Katrina damage done to the Biloxi, Mississippi area September 2, 2005.

I have been unable to locate a picture showing Bush in Louisiana Monday with firefighters. I don't doubt the stunt was planned, but I wonder if it happened. It appears Bush only went to Bethany church that day.

by Quiddity on Wed Sep 07, 2005 at 09:15:58 AM EST

Disgusting (none / 0)

I am thoroughly disgusted by this President and his crony Administration.

by Ronin on Wed Sep 07, 2005 at 12:03:08 PM EST

You People Just Have No Respect For Beauty. (none / 0)

http://www.korea-dpr.com/users/jisge/

by blues on Thu Sep 08, 2005 at 01:51:38 AM EST

good (none / 0)

Good story!
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by kevinliao on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 11:33:32 PM EST

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