Bush Senses Renewal during tour

[Mephisto]

Bush senses 'renewal' during tour of Gulf region

August 28, 2006

BILOXI, Mississippi (AP) -- President Bush returned Monday to the first scene he saw a year ago of Hurricane Katrina's devastation, and declared "a sense of renewal" in the region still struggling to come back from the storm's battering.

"Amazing what the world looked like then and what it looks like now," Bush said, marveling at the air conditioning and electrical service in the newly constructed home visible behind him. "People can't imagine what the world looked like then."

When Bush first saw the neighborhood, it was littered by debris of all sizes, cars in trees and homes battered to bits.

Bush said "there's still challenges." Other parts of the neighborhood, which is only rebuilt in patches, and a woman he consoled on a trip here last year, demonstrated just that. Sought out by the White House to meet Bush again, she said before his remarks that she has come far -- but not far enough.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/08/28/bush.ap/index.html
____________

And, as usual . . .

"Bush's itinerary looks a lot like previous trips, many of them criticized as featuring too much staged contact with supportive locals and overly dominated by meetings with officials. The White House released almost no information on where Bush was visiting until minutes before he was too arrive, in part to lessen cumbersome security needs. But the practice also has the result of further shielding him from more freely interacting with residents."

from the same link
____________

First glance

"The prospect of a hurricane bearing down on GOP Gov. Jeb Bush's home state adds new urgency to the Administration's already scheduled plan to showcase improvements in federal disaster preparedness over the past year. But as the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina looms, there's little they can do to spin the situation in and around New Orleans, where progress has been made but disarray continues to prevail."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3626796/

[headscratcher4]

"In an event with echoes of his prime-time speech in Jackson Square here last September, Mr. Bush spoke in a working-class neighborhood in Biloxi against a backdrop of neatly reconstructed homes. But just a few feet away, outside the scene captured by the camera, stood gutted houses with wires dangling from ceilings. A tattered piece of crime-scene tape hung from a tree in the field where Mr. Bush spoke. A toilet sat on its side in the grass."

From today's NYTimes....the Administration's strategy is to put a happy face on it, obviously, but don't look to far behind the curtain or you'll see the real difference between Bush's reality and the reality that the people down there are experiencing....

[Mephisto]

"In an event with echoes of his prime-time speech in Jackson Square here last September, Mr. Bush spoke in a working-class neighborhood in Biloxi against a backdrop of neatly reconstructed homes. But just a few feet away, outside the scene captured by the camera, stood gutted houses with wires dangling from ceilings. A tattered piece of crime-scene tape hung from a tree in the field where Mr. Bush spoke. A toilet sat on its side in the grass."

From today's NYTimes....the Administration's strategy is to put a happy face on it, obviously, but don't look to far behind the curtain or you'll see the real difference between Bush's reality and the reality that the people down there are experiencing....

I'm surprised they still go the length to support their "all is well" BS - their credibility as far as most things go is suffering pretty badly.

[Katana]

From another MSNBC story just now:
“My message to the people down here is that we understand there’s more work to be done, and just because a year has passed, the federal government will remember the people,” Bush said in Biloxi. “This is an anniversary, but it doesn’t mean it ends. It’s the beginning of what is going to be a long recovery, but I’m amazed by the opportunity. I’m amazed by the hope that I feel down here.”
Given how stacked the Bush audiences usually are in his favor, the applause during this was surprisingly half-hearted. It is hard to look around New Orleans one year later and think that his comments are nothing more than bullsh!t.

[Apollyon]

Well how is Nagin supposed to fix New Orleans when NYC can't even take care of a hole in the ground after 5 years?

[Mephisto]

From another MSNBC story just now:

Given how stacked the Bush audiences usually are in his favor, the applause during this was surprisingly half-hearted. It is hard to look around New Orleans one year later and think that his comments are nothing more than bullsh!t.

Hey, you're just not looking on the bright side! At least they're getting the FEMA house-trailers re-keyed. :)

http://www.motorhomeclub.com/viewtopic.php?t=15328&sid=54705a2466b58f24e37637c7f0eb6c86

(edited to add) And speaking of house-trailers, I wonder if anyone here would object to living in a government-sponsored house-trailer if they had lost everything else? Think of the sex, the parties and the general debauchery . . . ;)

[WildCat]

So how long should it take to rebuild a city? Just wondering. Other questions that come to mind are: Where will the workers come from? Where will they live? What incentives will/are be(ing) offered to get them to work there? To what standards/codes will the new homes be built?

Most of the logistics for all this are local responsibilities, even if the money comes from the feds, no?

[Charlie Monoxide]

It really irks me that politicians spends lots of my hard earned taxes on telling me what a great job they're doing. I would prefer they take that money and ACTUALLY do a great job and let the media tell me for free ....

Charlie (the medium is the massage) Monoxide

[Apollyon]

Most of the logistics for all this are local responsibilities, even if the money comes from the feds, no?
If NO is being run anything like Orlando after hurricane Charlie, then the answer is yes. FEMA will oversee some of the operations, like dumpsights, but it's up to the local municipalities to organize the logisitics of the cleanup.

[Mephisto]

So how long should it take to rebuild a city? Just wondering. Other questions that come to mind are: Where will the workers come from? Where will they live? What incentives will/are be(ing) offered to get them to work there? To what standards/codes will the new homes be built?

Most of the logistics for all this are local responsibilities, even if the money comes from the feds, no?

You're absolutely right, and yet Nagin was elected a second time. I guess you don't go changing mayors in the middle of a hurricane. ;)

Still, the problems are local, and I'm willing to bet that the treatment of the most willing workforce may slow the rebuilding:

Hard Times in the Big Easy

Gary Younge

Just as the Carthaginians hired mercenaries to do their fighting for them, we Americans bring in mercenaries to do our hard and humble work," wrote John Steinbeck in Travels With Charley. "I hope we may not be overwhelmed one day by peoples not too proud or too lazy or too soft to bend to the earth and pick up the things we eat."

Almost fifty years later the economy still cannot function without migrant labor. "Because natural population increase is unlikely to provide sufficient workers, immigration will play a critical role in sustaining the labor force growth needed to maintain overall economic growth," the Immigration Policy Center concluded in November.

The paradox is that the country's political culture cannot function without scapegoating migrant laborers either. In December the House passed the Sensenbrenner bill, one of the most draconian pieces of anti-immigrant legislation in a generation. Meanwhile the vigilante Minutemen, no longer content to "patrol" the borders looking for illegal immigrants to "arrest," have taken to chasing day laborers at pickup sites, shouting, "This is America, not Mexico!" Every weeknight CNN airs xenophobic diatribes from Lou Dobbs posing as the friend of the common people.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060313/younge
_____________

"On Thursday, Mayor Ray Nagin raised the issue of illegal aliens working to rebuild New Orleans at a townhall meeting. Nagin wondered how to "make sure that New Orleans is not overrun by Mexican workers," and his speech ended in a standing ovation."

http://katrinacoverage.com/2005/10/08/new-orleans-jobs-and-federal-funding-scandal.html
___________

After Katrina: Continued controversy

At a town hall meeting in October 2005, Nagin said: "I can see in your eyes, you want to know, 'How do I take advantage of this incredible opportunity? How do I make sure New Orleans is not overrun with Mexican workers?'" [53], referring to the influx of Mexican laborers coming to New Orleans to help rebuild the city. Hispanic groups, including the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, criticized Nagin's statement as prejudiced [54], although those attending the town hall meeting reportedly applauded — many in the area believe the jobs should instead go to local workers displaced by the hurricane.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Nagin

[Mephisto]

It really irks me that politicians spends lots of my hard earned taxes on telling me what a great job they're doing. I would prefer they take that money and ACTUALLY do a great job and let the media tell me for free ....

Charlie (the medium is the massage) Monoxide

At least they always remember to wear their blue denim shirts so that we'll identify with them. ;)

[Katana]

So how long should it take to rebuild a city? Just wondering. Other questions that come to mind are: Where will the workers come from? Where will they live? What incentives will/are be(ing) offered to get them to work there? To what standards/codes will the new homes be built?

Most of the logistics for all this are local responsibilities, even if the money comes from the feds, no?

How about this? This is potentially inflammatory, but should we be rebuilding while the levees are not thought capable of withstanding anything above a category 1 hurricane? Do we want to risk going through all of this again?

[Mephisto]

How about this? This is potentially inflammatory, but should we be rebuilding while the levees are not thought capable of withstanding anything above a category 1 hurricane? Do we want to risk going through all of this again?

I agree, I think "shoring up" the levees would have been the first priority. A year has passed and it's apparent more thought is going into tourism than making the city safe.

NEW ORLEANS (AUGUST 14, 2006) – Amid a storm of controversy involving festivities, the City of New Orleans toned down its official grandiose plans. Instead, New Orleans Hurricane Katrina memorial activities themed Remembrance, Renewal, and Rebirth on Sunday August 27, 2006 and Tuesday, August 29, 2006 are more sober than initially planned

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/articles.aspx?aid=7913
___________

It seems that Willie Nagin and his Chocolate City Council won't get to celebrate surviving Katrina because a bunch of spoilsports think we should respectfully mourn those who lost their lives. ;)

[WildCat]

How about this? This is potentially inflammatory, but should we be rebuilding while the levees are not thought capable of withstanding anything above a category 1 hurricane? Do we want to risk going through all of this again?
That's what I was getting at w/ my question of what standards/codes the new homes will be constructed to. Seems to me new homes should be raised up, and perhaps no construction at all should be allowed in the lowest areas. But this apparently conflicts w/ keeping NO a "chocolate city", in Nagin's words.

[Apollyon]

I agree, I think "shoring up" the levees would have been the first priority. A year has passed and it's apparent more thought is going into tourism than making the city safe.

NEW ORLEANS (AUGUST 14, 2006) – Amid a storm of controversy involving festivities, the City of New Orleans toned down its official grandiose plans. Instead, New Orleans Hurricane Katrina memorial activities themed Remembrance, Renewal, and Rebirth on Sunday August 27, 2006 and Tuesday, August 29, 2006 are more sober than initially planned

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/articles.aspx?aid=7913
___________

It seems that Willie Nagin and his Chocolate City Council won't get to celebrate surviving Katrina because a bunch of spoilsports think we should respectfully mourn those who lost their lives. ;)
In a further sign of respect for the tragedy, during memorial activities women will be limited to exposing only one breast.

[Katana]

That's what I was getting at w/ my question of what standards/codes the new homes will be constructed to. Seems to me new homes should be raised up, and perhaps no construction at all should be allowed in the lowest areas. But this apparently conflicts w/ keeping NO a "chocolate city", in Nagin's words.
I figured you might be, but I really wanted to ask the question of not how but whether we should be rebuilding.

Depending on where you are in New Orleans, you could be 5-10 feet below sea level. The city was built upon swampland leaving it's ground damp and soggy.

Result? The city is sinking.

From a Science Daily article from 2000:
New Orleans) -- By the year 2100, the city of New Orleans may be extinct, submerged in water. A future akin to the fabled sunken city of Atlantis? Yes, according to Dr. Chip Groat, Director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in Washington, D.C., "With the projected rate of subsidence (the natural sinking of land), wetland loss, and sea level rise," he said, "New Orleans will likely be on the verge of extinction by this time next century."
New Orleans is sinking three feet per century--eight times faster than the worldwide rate of only 0.4 feet per century. Currently, New Orleans, on average, is eight feet below sea level--11 feet in some places.

Many of the low-lying barrier islands will disappear by 2050.
I don't think that housing standards will make up for this. Is it reasonable to spend millions on rebuilding houses that we cannot adequately protect with the levees (at least not yet) on ground that is this unstable?

NO is Sinking (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5035728.stm)
This talks about the fact that some scientists believe that it was this sinking that may have contributed to the failure of the levees. The pace of the sinking, particularly in the areas around the levees, was found to be unexpectedly brisk, which resulted in the levees falling to a height that was insufficient to ward off the storm surge.

[WildCat]

I figured you might be, but I really wanted to ask the question of not how but whether we should be rebuilding.
It has to be rebuilt. It is a major port and is a major refining center. You can't simply relocate the mouth of the mississippi.

But of course, it has to be done right.

[Garrette]

You can't simply relocate the mouth of the mississippi.
Damned liberal defeatist mentality.

[Apollyon]

You can't simply relocate the mouth of the mississippi.
This is especially true since they elected him as mayor again.

[WildCat]

Here's a pic I took last April in NO. In this area, the water was ~3.5' deep as you can see from the water mark. Raise this area up about 4' and you're good to go.

Yes, the barrier islands are disappearing but engineering snafu that caused the islands to disappear can be corrected to build them up again. It would be a giant project to be sure, but look at what has been done in the Netherlands and is being done in Venice to preserve those areas.

http://home.mindspring.com/~turniton/COTC/IMG_0137.jpg

[Katana]

This is especially true since they elected him as mayor again.
:D Good one.

I hear you, WildCat, but should we be rebuilding the portions of the city that are below sea level? I don't know if that's feasible, and I know that the poorest of New Orleans live in those areas. I'm not objecting to rebuilding homes for those folks. They can little afford it. But why are we (tax dollars, donations) paying to rebuild in those areas, setting ourselves up for future disasters?

[Mephisto]

In a further sign of respect for the tragedy, during memorial activities women will be limited to exposing only one breast.

:) For which they'll receive a HALF string of beads. :)

[Mephisto]

This is especially true since they elected him as mayor again.

:) Man, Apollyon you're on a roll! :)

[Mephisto]

Here's a pic I took last April in NO. In this area, the water was ~3.5' deep as you can see from the water mark. Raise this area up about 4' and you're good to go.

Yes, the barrier islands are disappearing but engineering snafu that caused the islands to disappear can be corrected to build them up again. It would be a giant project to be sure, but look at what has been done in the Netherlands and is being done in Venice to preserve those areas.

http://home.mindspring.com/~turniton/COTC/IMG_0137.jpg

I'm glad you mentioned Venice, WildCat. My wife has family there and we visit fairly often (although the last time we were there was on the first day of the war in Iraq). Great lengths have been taken to assure the citizens of Venice that the acua alta (high water) doesn't flood the city. Italian engineers have come up with some pretty novel solutions:

Venice could provide gateway to 21st-century flood control method

Denise Brehm, News Office
November 6, 2002

Venice, historic city of canals and gondoliers, is planning to defend itself in the 21st century by building massive, swinging gates. The idea may conjure images of medieval drawbridges, but these high-tech gates won't protect citizens from foreign invaders. Instead, they've been designed to keep the marauding sea at bay.

After a centuries-long war with flooded streets, the Italian government is expected to decide later this year whether to proceed with a public-works project that would build a series of floodgates at three inlets along the lagoon surrounding the city. These gates, which will rest on the sea floor and swing upwards in response to rising tides, will cost between $3 billion and $4 billion and take eight to 10 years to construct.

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2002/venice-1106.html
____________

I understand Katana's stance perfectly and it does seem defeatist to renew a sunken city - I hope that amid the jumble of complaints and coercion that some thought is given to the future - unfortunately, this administration and the local government in N.O. aren't known for their hindsight OR their foresight.

[fuelair]

No, no, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!!!!! I am the great and powerful Shrub and all around you is wonderful!!!

[corplinx]

You know, typical NYT. I've been to the real devastation (no, not new orleans) three times working on rebuilding the gaming business down there. There are businesses and housing blooming like flowers, but there is debris still (tons)

The gulfport/biloxi area looked like a nuke went off at sea. It looks better now. Do they prefer Bush stand in front of the ruins of Jefferson Davis' historic home or in front of a new house? Which one shows optimism?

[Katana]

You know, typical NYT. I've been to the real devastation (no, not new orleans) three times working on rebuilding the gaming business down there. There are businesses and housing blooming like flowers, but there is debris still (tons)

The gulfport/biloxi area looked like a nuke went off at sea. It looks better now. Do they prefer Bush stand in front of the ruins of Jefferson Davis' historic home or in front of a new house? Which one shows optimism?
Neither. I feel no optimism with Bush in office.

Confession: what is NYT? God, I hope I'm not being grossly ignorant.

Thanks,
K

[headscratcher4]

The gulfport/biloxi area looked like a nuke went off at sea. It looks better now. Do they prefer Bush stand in front of the ruins of Jefferson Davis' historic home or in front of a new house? Which one shows optimism?

Perhaps Prince Gregori Potemkin will know the answer....


Seriously? Of course the optomistic picture is the better picture, indeed it is the better outcome. But, Bush here is doing a political tour through the region, trying to put a happy face on what has clearly been a disaster of government mis-management (yes, the locals are responsible for much, but the Federal government's failures were huge...do you think anyone today believes that FEMA could handle anything simmilar? Do you believe this Administration has learned any management lessons? WHat? How would you know given the lack of Congressional oversight and the only marginal effort by the Administration to hold HS Officials accountable for their lack of preperation).

In short, this is another "Mission Accomplished" photo opporunity -- typical of this Administratoin's management style...to quote the bard...full of sound and fury and signifying nothing...

[Crossbow]

Well, this is about as close as Bush ever does in admitting when he does something wrong:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/08/20060829-2.html

President and Mrs. Bush Visit New Orleans High School, Discuss Gulf Coast Recovery

...

Unfortunately, the hurricane also brought terrible scenes that we never thought we would see in America: Citizens drowned in their attics; desperate mothers crying out on national TV for food and water; a breakdown of law and order; and a government at all levels that fell short of its responsibilities.

...

[Mephisto]

Standing amidst ruins for a staged press-conference while exclaiming that the city is being rebuilt ISN'T cognitive dissonance? Oh, that's right, it's optimism. Of course, who couldn't be an optimist when they can walk away from the ruins to head back home in a private jet liner?

[Darth Rotor]

Bush senses 'renewal' during tour of Gulf region
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3626796/
You seemed to have misread. The story was:

"Bush reads from script handed to him by a speechwriter."

I saw a bit of the newscast yesterday, where he was giving a speech somewhere in Kartinaland. Even with having rehearsed it, he stumbled over some one and two syllable words, and did his usual "I need a refresher course in public speaking" thing.

What he sensed, I suspect, was his wife grimacing in frustratio as he made a hash of the speech he was given to present.

DR

[Apollyon]

Standing amidst ruins for a staged press-conference while exclaiming that the city is being rebuilt ISN'T cognitive dissonance? Oh, that's right, it's optimism. Of course, who couldn't be an optimist when they can walk away from the ruins to head back home in a private jet liner?
You know what else? I bet he actually used that airplane for transportation. He actually flew in it. Imagine that? Using an airplane for airborne transportation. What a shocker!