This is a sad state of affairs, and should be an embarrassment to the Bush Administration: Shortcomings in aid from the United States government are making New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin look to other nations for help in rebuilding his hurricane-damaged city. Nagin, who has hosted a steady stream of foreign dignitaries since Hurricane Katrina hit in late August, says … Read More
The White House Loooooves That “Executive Privilege” Thing
Two days ago: The White House was told in the hours before Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans that the city would probably soon be inundated with floodwater, forcing the long-term relocation of hundreds of thousands of people, documents to be released Tuesday by Senate investigators show. A Homeland Security Department report submitted to the White House at 1:47 a.m. on … Read More
Breaking News: SCOTUS Upholds Physician Suicide Law
With all this talk about Alito, people seem to forget that the U.S. Supreme Court is actually in session. CNN is reporting that it just upheld Oregon’s physician-assisted suicide law. Here’s the blurb from SCOTUSBlog: The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that the U.S. attorney general does not have the power to bar doctors from prescribing lethal drugs for use … Read More
One More For The Road
As you probably know, there were so many hurricanes and tropical storms this year that the National Weather Service used up all of its pre-selected names and had to go to Greek names (Tropical Storm Alpha, Hurricane Beta, etc.). Mother Nature’s still at it though, and is determined to eat her way through the Greek alphabet before the year’s end. … Read More
Breaking News: From The War On Evolution Front Lines
CNN and MSNBC have "breaking news" that the federal judge in the Dover, PA "intelligent design" case has issued an opinion. Details are coming, but it appears to be a victory: "intelligent design" cannot be taught in Pennsylvania schools. Frankly, I’m not celebrating. I’m still too embarassed as an American that this is even an issue. UPDATE: MSNBC has the … Read More
Nature Not Done Fucking With Us
While we were all worried about terrorists, Mother Nature reminded us that she is the real bitch goddess, and sent Katrina our way. Apparently, she’s still pissed. For one thing, Mount St. Helen’s is acting up again. But the big whammy in her arsenal may not hit us for another 24 years. April 13, 2029 to be exact: Steve Chesley … Read More
Did You Know This?
You may be aware that the death toll for Katrina officially stands at roughly 1,300 (and still rising slowly), but were you aware that 6,644 people are still unaccounted for?
The Michael Brown E-mails
Ex-FEMA director Michael Brown is the gift that keeps on giving, as a symbol of Bush Administration incompetence. From the New York Times: In an e-mail message sent on Aug. 29, the day the hurricane struck, Mr. Brown exchanged messages about his attire with Cindy Taylor, deputy director of public affairs at the agency, according to the report. "My eyes … Read More
Bush Reinstates Wages In Katrina-land
A sign of a weak White House, with good results: WASHINGTON – The Bush administration will reinstate rules requiring that companies awarded federal contracts for Hurricane Katrina pay prevailing wages, usually an amount close to the pay scales in local union contracts. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., was among congressmen critical of the administration’s decision to waive the requirement and who … Read More
The Pollari-Hadley Connection
Josh Marshall, not one to give in to hysterics and histrionics, points to an article in today’s Italian Daily La Repubblica — an article which, if accurate, could "rock the foundations of official Washington". I strongly urge you to read the whole thing, including Josh’s cautionary caveats, but here is the gist: It’s about the forged Niger/uranium documents. Back in … Read More
Brown Dined While People Died
I thought Katrina-related Michael Brown stories were soooo September 2005, but I was wrong. The amount of indifference and incompetence is scary: Later, on Aug. 31, [FEMA regional director] Bahamonde frantically e-mailed Brown to tell him that thousands are evacuees were gathering in the streets with no food or water and that "estimates are many will die within hours." "Sir, … Read More
Fred Flintstone’s Wife Is A Real Bitch
Oh, great — more Bush photo-ops: Wilma Now Most Intense Atlantic Storm Ever Hurricane Wilma brought heavy rains to Central America and Mexico on Wednesday as it swirled into the most intense Atlantic storm ever recorded, a Category 5 monster packing 175 mph winds that forecasters warned was "extremely dangerous."
Katrina Death Toll
1,337 at the moment, it seems. Are you somewhat surprised? And Wilma’s coming (*groan*). UPDATE: And look where Wilma is heading…
