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Politics : View from the Center and Left -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Rambi who wrote (3260)	9/3/2005 11:05:22 AM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 541925

Having National Guard units familiar with the lay of the land, able to supplement the police, might have been nice. If you live in a place like central Texas or Oklahoma or Kansas where things are flat, square and even, maybe it's hard to conceptually adjust to extreme terrains like swamps or mountains? Similarly, Louisiana National Guard might be less than useful in Minnesota in the winter. There's always something to be said for the home town advantage. Lousiana boys (and girls) are born with webs between their toes (like ducks), at least that's what we say. Lousiana boys and girls go out in the rain without an umbrella. Louisiana boys and girls don't need mosquito repellant. We just let them bite. (Before West Nile, anyway.) We understand Louisiana dialects, too.

To: Rambi who wrote (3260)	9/3/2005 11:10:00 AM
From: epicure	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 541925

We'll see what comes out of it. It seems to me that rescue assistance for tsunami assistance was quicker than assistance to those in NO. And this "In any case, the notion that, in a time of war, we should set keep higher percentages of our Guard on the sidelines just in case there's a natural disaster of unprecedented proportions seems difficult to defend." If the war is a stupid war, and shouldn't have been started in the first place, then it's easy to argue that the guard should be at home. I find it hard to believe that a 25% reduction in staff, or whatever it is, doesn't affect results- in all other businesses it would. I also don't believe materials were available, and I KNOW money has been diverted from infrastructure, since that is right out there in the open. While the left is certainly wrong to blame it all on Bush, the right is wrong to try to save him from the crap he has but this country through because of his lousy war in Iraq. Billions spent there, are billions not spent here- and I won't believe anyone who tells me that didn't make a difference- and in a heck of a lot more places than NO. What we should do now is find some ways to save the money we are pouring in to Iraq, and do some rebuilding in our own country.

To: Rambi who wrote (3260)	9/3/2005 11:12:47 AM
From: Rambi	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 541925

Agree with you about focus, but that's lacking right now because of all the emotion and missing facts. My husband and I were talking about the blame game last night, and he said he had little patience with it at this point since it is sort of a random "who can we blame now?" reaction. E.g.,the airlines were being criticised for not continuing to fly longer to get people out; Delta in particular is being lambasted for stopping flights Saturday at midnight, while American and some others went on through the next morning. Anyone in the industry knows there are specific and complicated safety procedures in place for pending storms-equipment moved to safety, crews gotten out, and of course, most seriously, never flying when there is risk. (Southwest flew the latest and admitted they pushed the envelope because of some delays). However, it's exactly that kind of detailed safety plan that needed to be in place in all areas, and wasn't. So now people are criticising those who did the right thing for their company and people? Anyway-- Washington, DC, September 2, 2005 – The Department of Homeland Security, the Air Transport Association and the Department of Transportation today announced that the airline industry has launched “Operation Air Care” to provide emergency airlift to more than 25,000 New Orleans residents stranded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. “DHS is truly grateful to the airlines for their immediate and generous contribution to help us to bring hurricane victims to safety,” said Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Jackson. “This extraordinary civilian airlift is unprecedented in U.S. history, and is a shining example of how America can come together to help those in need,” said ATA President and CEO James C. May. “Our member airlines have willingly offered to help the federal government get the job done and we will continue these efforts until they are no longer needed.” "We've cleared the runways and are watching the skies to make sure these humanitarian flights get in and out safely," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. "From the moment Hurricane Katrina passed, the DOT has been working around the clock to put the people and equipment in place to sustain a massive airlift operation." The plan, which was crafted late in the evening Thursday, allowed the first flight to New Orleans at 8 a.m. today. Participating airlines will provide aircrafts and service to airlift evacuees. Flights will depart from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to sites designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, such as Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Passenger carriers participating in this effort include Alaska, America West, American, ATA, Continental, Delta, Jet Blue, Northwest, Southwest, United, US Airways, and Air Canada. Cargo carriers also are providing support, including ASTAR Air Cargo, Federal Express and UPS Airlines. This all-volunteer effort is being coordinated by the Air Transport Association and its member carriers, who are providing aircraft and crews who have volunteered their time to this incredible effort. The Air Transport Association is the trade group representing the nation’s leading airlines. ATA members transport more than 90 percent of all passengers and cargo in the United States.