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I just want to make this clear.
Aug. 31st, 2005 12:22 pmThe blood of the people of New Orleans is on the hands of George W. Bush.
Let me start with my weakest argument. The magnitude of the hurricane was a result of global warning, and Bush's decision to pull out of the Kyoto Protocol.
Now, that IS a very weak argument. I mean, we can't know that there is a direct casual relationship, and, anyway, it's unlikely that the effects of living up to our agreements with regards to Kyoto would have been significant enough to make THAT much difference. Yet. Of course, the fact that hurricanes like this are going to become more and more common over the next few decades -- that's clearly Bush's fault, but it's harder to pin this one directly on him.
But there are other, stronger arguments.
Bush cut the funds to repair the crumbling levees that failed and flooded the city. Those funds weren't there because of the Republican tax cuts, and, even more significantly, the war in Iraq.
The Louisiana National Guard, who would have been on hand to repair dams, fill sandbags, and help keep order, is in Iraq. We're taking the war to the terrorists, which means that the National Guard is not available to do their job of, y'know, guarding the nation.
So: the extent of the damage in New Orleans -- a level of destruction not seen in the first world since 1945 or so, and not seen in the United States since the nineteenth century (I can't think of anything to compare to this since the Chicago fire and the burning of Atlanta) -- is a direct result of the policies and decision made by George W. Bush.
Let's not forget that.
Let's do what we can to help -- but let's not forget that the extent of the damage and devastation is a result of human incompetence, greed, and evil, and the human in question is President George W. Bush.
Let me start with my weakest argument. The magnitude of the hurricane was a result of global warning, and Bush's decision to pull out of the Kyoto Protocol.
Now, that IS a very weak argument. I mean, we can't know that there is a direct casual relationship, and, anyway, it's unlikely that the effects of living up to our agreements with regards to Kyoto would have been significant enough to make THAT much difference. Yet. Of course, the fact that hurricanes like this are going to become more and more common over the next few decades -- that's clearly Bush's fault, but it's harder to pin this one directly on him.
But there are other, stronger arguments.
Bush cut the funds to repair the crumbling levees that failed and flooded the city. Those funds weren't there because of the Republican tax cuts, and, even more significantly, the war in Iraq.
The Louisiana National Guard, who would have been on hand to repair dams, fill sandbags, and help keep order, is in Iraq. We're taking the war to the terrorists, which means that the National Guard is not available to do their job of, y'know, guarding the nation.
So: the extent of the damage in New Orleans -- a level of destruction not seen in the first world since 1945 or so, and not seen in the United States since the nineteenth century (I can't think of anything to compare to this since the Chicago fire and the burning of Atlanta) -- is a direct result of the policies and decision made by George W. Bush.
Let's not forget that.
Let's do what we can to help -- but let's not forget that the extent of the damage and devastation is a result of human incompetence, greed, and evil, and the human in question is President George W. Bush.