Real Kato Blog: The Culprit

Why weren't the levees strong enough to hold back the floodwaters? Why didn't the New Orleans wetlands protect the city against the storm surge? Hmmm.

There's a story that's been showing up a lot around the blogosphere. John pointed out a Salon.com article, highlighting the fact that in 2004, the Bush administration significantly cut funding to the Army Corp of Engineers' project to strengthen the New Orleans hurricane defenses. That included strengthening the levee system, and replenishing the wetlands that protect against storm surge. The reason for the funding cuts? To pay for the costs of the Iraq war, and the Bush tax cuts. And hmm, by saving a few million dollars back then, it's now gonna cost us a few billion dollars in recovery and cleanup. Boy, THAT sure worked out.

You can also read about it on Editor and Publisher. "At least nine articles in the Times-Picayune from 2004 and 2005 specifically cite the cost of Iraq as a reason for the lack of hurricane- and flood-control dollars." Wonkette noted that people in the EPA are calling the New Orleans floodwaters "Lake George", after finding that one of the levees broke in a place that had not yet been reinforced due to federal budget cuts.

Although I may not be able to blame Dubya for hurricane Katrina itself, I can certainly blame him much for the catastrophe that followed. He bears personal responsibility for the death and misery of tens of thousands of people, because it was his policies that caused us to be unprepared for this disaster. GRRRR. Oh, and boy, don't you think we'd have a lot more National Guard troops available to help control the anarchy in New Orleans, if they weren't all off in Iraq?

I. Blame. George. Dubya. Bush.

This one of those times where bloggers might be able to make a difference. If enough of us talk about it, and we talk about it LOUDLY, then hopefully the mainstream media will take notice.

A spot check of gasoline prices in my area yesterday: most places listed $3.29 for regular unleaded. I found $2.99 at a couple of places. Funny that $2.99 seems like a bargain now.

Permalink 6 Comment

Posted by Ken in: commentary, politics

Comments

Comment #1 from Nicholas (Guest)
2005 Sep 2 - 11:08 am : #

How is the gas hysteria at your office? It was in full swing where I work. People were going on and on about buying gas cans, locking fuel caps, topping their tanks off, $6.00 gas............

Mass hysteria.

Comment #2 from Ken (realkato)
2005 Sep 2 - 3:29 pm : #

Yeah, it's getting there. Most people seemed convinced that gas will hit at least $4.00, and a lot of people are buying as much gas as they can right now, worried that it will run out.

Crazy. The only thing I'm thinking about doing is buying a bicycle.

Comment #3 from John C (Guest)
2005 Sep 2 - 8:04 pm : #

Dude, it is like $3.59 up here, and many stations are out.

Comment #4 from John C (Guest)
2005 Sep 3 - 12:35 am : #

I am also offically promoting my blog in your blog. People who like this article should like my new one.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/ohbejuan/12645.html
Keep up the good work Ken

Comment #5 from Brian (Guest)
2005 Dec 4 - 5:43 pm : #

Whoa Ken! I had no idea you were harboring so much hatred dude. In person you seem like a nice guy.

If I remember correctly the Army Corp of engineers claimed that even their upgrades couldn't have saved New Orleans from the Cat 4 strength of Katrina, especially since the upgrades were not for where the levees broke!
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/12539792.htm

Bush may be a half-assed president, but where are you gonna find a person with integrity that would allow themselves to be torn apart by a ruthless media, just look at what they did to Clinton over some silly felatio. They just don't exist. So we end up with the choice between a Turd sandwich and a Douche as presidential candidates in '04.

Oh well, not trying to lay flamebait, just voicing my opinion. Thats what this is for right? Bush is by far not an awesome President, but he's no Stalin or Hitler either, but by fact filtering and propaganda some people believe he is.

Just listen with a somewhat open mind or you'll end up like the religious right sheep of Jerry Falwel.

Anyway I'm voting for Smegma/Chode '08

Comment #6 from Ken (realkato)
2005 Dec 5 - 12:02 am : #

Brian, I have no idea what you just said.

Comments are closed for this post.

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