Bush, etc.

[Moochie]

I gather that some of the vitriol aimed at Bush predates Katrina. But who can blame those feeling angry?

It's pretty damn clear that the authorities' response was lacking in every regard. Seems to me that unless they get a few years' warning, they just cannot respond usefully to anything, whether it be Katrina or some problem elsewhere on the globe.

Now, I think there is a reason for this shabby state of affairs.

Maybe those sticking up for the government ought to have a damned good look at what makes their country tick.

Moochie

 

[rwguinn]

I gather that some of the vitriol aimed at Bush predates Katrina. But who can blame those feeling angry?

It's pretty damn clear that the authorities' response was lacking in every regard. Seems to me that unless they get a few years' warning, they just cannot respond usefully to anything, whether it be Katrina or some problem elsewhere on the globe.

Now, I think there is a reason for this shabby state of affairs.

Maybe those sticking up for the government ought to have a damned good look at what makes their country tick.

Moochie

and you are a citizen of which US state?
We in the US are expected to appreciate and respect any and all other countries and cultures.
except our own--and we are expected to accept any and all criticism with the same response we give our wives "You're right. I'm sorry"
Ain't gonna do it. Mend your own fences, please, before you gripe about ours.

 

[Zep]

Re: Re: Bush, etc.

and you are a citizen of which US state?

According to our PM, our US state is called "Australia".

 

[rwguinn]

Re: Re: Re: Bush, etc.

According to our PM, our US state is called "Australia".

I think that was my point...

 

[Gayle]

Maybe those sticking up for the government ought to have a damned good look at what makes their country tick.

As an American with a fair amount of patriotic feeling and pride, I did not find this statement at all offensive.

It seems to me that taking a good look at what makes our country tick is an on-going job for any informed citizen, during good times and bad.

Being reminded of that by an Australian does not wound the part of me that gets choked up at the thought of Woodie Guthrie singing about the Gulf Stream Waters ....

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/thisland.htm

 

[Zep]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Bush, etc.

I think that was my point...

I think you missed mine.

 

[rwguinn]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Bush, etc.

I think you missed mine.

quite possibly. A lot of US money (my taxes) seems to leave the country never to be seen agan...

 

[rwguinn]

As an American with a fair amount of patriotic feeling and pride, I did not find this statement at all offensive.

It seems to me that taking a good look at what makes our country tick is an on-going job for any informed citizen, during good times and bad.

Being reminded of that by an Australian does not wound the part of me that gets choked up at the thought of Woodie Guthrie singing about the Gulf Stream Waters ....

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/thisland.htm

Being reminded does not bother me. FN's heaping scorn on our system whilst accepting money, technology, and other forms of aid seems just a bit hypocritical-and that's how I saw the OP.
Respect works 2 ways.

 

[Moochie]

Woody

As an American with a fair amount of patriotic feeling and pride, I did not find this statement at all offensive.

It seems to me that taking a good look at what makes our country tick is an on-going job for any informed citizen, during good times and bad.

Being reminded of that by an Australian does not wound the part of me that gets choked up at the thought of Woodie Guthrie singing about the Gulf Stream Waters ....

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/thisland.htm

As it happens, I just saw Bound for Glory again -- now *there* was a man!

Regards,

 

[jmercer]

Being reminded does not bother me. FN's heaping scorn on our system whilst accepting money, technology, and other forms of aid seems just a bit hypocritical-and that's how I saw the OP.
Respect works 2 ways.

Maybe I can make you feel better about this.

I'm a former US Marine, served during Vietnam; I pay my taxes, I'm educated (MA in Comp/Sci), I'm registered to vote (and I do vote); I'm a productive member of society and work at a highly respected, community oriented not-for-profit enterprise.

I gather that some of the vitriol aimed at Bush predates Katrina. But who can blame those feeling angry?

It's pretty damn clear that the authorities' response was lacking in every regard. Seems to me that unless they get a few years' warning, they just cannot respond usefully to anything, whether it be Katrina or some problem elsewhere on the globe.

Now, I think there is a reason for this shabby state of affairs.

Maybe those sticking up for the government ought to have a damned good look at what makes our country tick.

There... is that better?

Because as I see it, Australia and England are and have been two of our staunchest allies for a long time. I can accept a little criticism from my friends - especially when it's a valid issue.

 

[Moochie]

Maybe I can make you feel better about this.

I'm a former US Marine, served during Vietnam; I pay my taxes, I'm educated (MA in Comp/Sci), I'm registered to vote (and I do vote); I'm a productive member of society and work at a highly respected, community oriented not-for-profit enterprise.

I gather that some of the vitriol aimed at Bush predates Katrina. But who can blame those feeling angry?

It's pretty damn clear that the authorities' response was lacking in every regard. Seems to me that unless they get a few years' warning, they just cannot respond usefully to anything, whether it be Katrina or some problem elsewhere on the globe.

Now, I think there is a reason for this shabby state of affairs.

Maybe those sticking up for the government ought to have a damned good look at what makes our country tick.

There... is that better?

Because as I see it, Australia and England are and have been two of our staunchest allies for a long time. I can accept a little criticism from my friends - especially when it's a valid issue.

Thank you, Mr. Mercer.

Some of us still entertain thoughts of what America could be. Guess we may have watched too much American TV and cinema.

One thing's for sure, though, ordinary American folks have everything in common with their brothers and sisters in Australia and in Britain. Heck, many of us have family in both countries.

And as much as I disdain our present government here in Oz, I was awfully glad that it donated $10 m to the relief effort in Katrina's aftermath on our (the citizens of Australia) behalf within days of this tragic event.

Regards,

 

[billydkid]

I gather that some of the vitriol aimed at Bush predates Katrina. But who can blame those feeling angry?

It's pretty damn clear that the authorities' response was lacking in every regard. Seems to me that unless they get a few years' warning, they just cannot respond usefully to anything, whether it be Katrina or some problem elsewhere on the globe.

Now, I think there is a reason for this shabby state of affairs.

Maybe those sticking up for the government ought to have a damned good look at what makes their country tick.

Moochie

A ton of it predates Katrina and for a variety of reasons.

 

[IIRichard]

I can waive the flag but won't since I agree that Oz tralia has been a staunch and true ally.

Katrina was a test of what would have happened if Al Quida had blown the levees, just a storm, not a truck bomb or worse, a big bomb on the river side. Guess what, NO and Louisiana flunked. The Feds get a "C" at best.

It's been pointed out elsewhere that NO got substantial flood control funds over the past four years and did what?

The NYP couldn't talk to the NY FD on 9/11. The NO cops couldn't talk to the NO FD. After awhile, they had no commo. The school buses could have been ordered to high ground. They're now in water at least up to the crankcases. And on and on.

WE, meaning the electorate, congress, the states and local municipalities have got to get our respective acts together. How many reading this have their immunizations up to date? How many have a few days drinking water stored in the basement. Does your flashlight work? Got a solar or crank powered radio?

I live in Connecticut and while we don't get hit as often as the Gulf states, we do have to be prepared. These days we should all be prepared.

Oh, and thanks Australia, you're a good friend.

IIRichard

 

[delphi_ote]

WE, meaning the electorate, congress, the states and local municipalities have got to get our respective acts together. How many reading this have their immunizations up to date? How many have a few days drinking water stored in the basement. Does your flashlight work? Got a solar or crank powered radio?

Hey, don't forget duct tape! You're absolutely right. We're on our own here. The appointed officials in charge of FEMA and Homeland Security just aren't taking things seriously.

Oh, and thanks Australia, you're a good friend.

I'll second that.

 

[valis]

FEMA

I guess I am the only guy who heard him but.....

Between hurricanes last year a FEMA offical was on a local radio station and said bluntly that people are expected to have enough supplies to last two to three days until fedaral help can arrive.

Planning for hurricanes is a loca resposibility. I can't belive the mayor of NO is getting a pass on not having shelters stocked and usable.

I think the idea of taking tens of thousands of people from the lowest income areas of NO and sticking them in the Superdome with no food. water or security was downright criminal.

That, IMO, is the racisim of the event. No one wants to blame the mayor because 'well we just don't hold those people to the same standards as everyone else'.