August 30, 2008
— Russ from Winterset If Hurricane Gustav makes landfall as a Category 3 or higher hurricane, should the Republican National Convention be cancelled or postponed to avoid being seen celebrating while homes are being destroyed?
I can see some of the concern here, but let's face facts: Even if the Republican Party called off the party, shipped all their delegates to the Gulf Coast to fill sandbags, and donated the whole RNC/McCain campaign war chest to disaster relief, the Mainstream Media would STILL find a way to blame them personally for any damages that occur. There's no way that a genuine show of concern from the Republican Party will get ANY credit at all, so why worry about what the media will say?
Grow a pair, go ahead with your convention, and proceed to go after Obama & Biden like they're a cross between "rented mules" and "red-headed stepkids" (Rented stepkids? Red-headed mules?). Maybe if the Republicans start acting like adults and stay focused on the big picture, the public will finally realize that "feeling your pain" is a bullshit way of saying "I care about your misfortune, but not enough to let you keep an extra 5% or more of your gross income so that you could start saving for a rainy day".
But what the hell do I know? I don't have focus groups and pollsters.
Posted by: Russ from Winterset at
08:24 PM
| Comments (132)
Post contains 240 words, total size 1 kb.
Well fuck all if I care. Whatever.
But... I'd say postpone it. Postpone it now, even if the hurricane does not hit, as half your speakers and shit have allready cancelled.
So reschedule it when you can get people to show up, and get news coverage.
Posted by: Entropy at August 30, 2008 08:30 PM (HgAV0)
Posted by: ECM at August 30, 2008 08:30 PM (q3V+C)
Posted by: xander crews at August 30, 2008 08:32 PM (Jd0Cx)
Posted by: topsecretk9 at August 30, 2008 08:37 PM (5sJ00)
Posted by: topsecretk9 at August 30, 2008 08:38 PM (5sJ00)
Posted by: topsecretk9 at August 30, 2008 08:40 PM (5sJ00)
Wow, Drudge is saying Bush and McCain will probably not be at the convention. Is this unprecedented?? Hear me out; not a bad idea that the two of them stay away. I know that sounds radical, but think about it. Bush is unpopular (now, try back in 20 years) and McCain is horrible at teleprompter speeches (remember the NOLA fiasco?).
So they dont make it to the convention and SarahCuda!!! becomes
that much more in the focus. IMHO, any exposure of her is great
exposure from now until election day. Yet, McCains absence will be
notable and newsworthy because it will be the first time in history the
Presidential candidate did not show up at the convention. So McCain
will give a short speech, via satellite with trees blowing over in the
background and will look so Presidential and on the ball. The Dems will
not be able to use hurricanes against us ever again.
Sad thing is, Jindal is not going to be at the convention either and he would really fire up the base.
Posted by: Carbon Footprint at August 30, 2008 08:40 PM (g/h9/)
Posted by: grc at August 30, 2008 08:43 PM (PRn5M)
Goddam, the fucking Trig Palin Truthers at DU and Kos are really chapping my ass!
Posted by: Jim62sch at August 30, 2008 08:43 PM (ubHgw)
Posted by: topsecretk9 at August 30, 2008 08:48 PM (5sJ00)
Posted by: grc at August 30, 2008 08:50 PM (PRn5M)
Posted by: topsecretk9 at August 30, 2008 08:50 PM (5sJ00)
Posted by: PoconoJoe at August 30, 2008 08:51 PM (67ikO)
Posted by: topsecretk9 at August 30, 2008 08:51 PM (5sJ00)
Posted by: topsecretk9 at August 30, 2008 08:54 PM (5sJ00)
Posted by: The Chewbacca Defense at August 30, 2008 08:54 PM (nuuDA)
Posted by: ECM at August 30, 2008 08:56 PM (q3V+C)
There was a guy on Hannity and Colmes a week or two ago, can't remember his name. He's the guy they have on occasionally with the Power of Words pitch.
He had a genius idea. Facing facts, McCain gives poor speeches. It's just not his game. He can't fake being fake enough to give a good speech. So, scrap the idea and turn the convention into a huge town hall meeting. Make it into the Barum and Bailey version of Saddleback. It would split with worthless tradition and put him in a forum where he would blow the roof off.
Take it a step further. If McCain shows up with cameras after a hurricane disaster, the media will turn it into a "disgusting attempt to capitalize on tragedy". So, leave the convention entirely as is, but... McCain, Palin, Bush and Jindal simply don't show up. Let all the other blowhards speak. Then, in place of their speeches, let them do what they do and make a quick live video statement to the convention and talk about going back to work. No media, no fuss. Just a simple reality and responsibility. Let the video message que the media so that they are playing catch up.
Late in the week, if appropriate, do an informal town hall meeting and acceptance from one of the shelters.
Posted by: Damiano at August 30, 2008 08:59 PM (aSQmq)
We can't allow the fucking Democrats to put these natural disasters around our necks. Fuck them.
Is every hurricane a Republican scandal from now on, or something? It's insane that we've allowed the Democrats to put this albatross around our necks.
Posted by: Bart at August 30, 2008 09:01 PM (VDuLh)
A quote.
"It's horrible what happened in Louisiana, did you give anything to the poor people?"
"not even two shits."
Posted by: wickedpinto at August 30, 2008 09:09 PM (ul7te)
Posted by: topsecretk9 at August 30, 2008 09:09 PM (5sJ00)
Don't even postpone.
Follow through, but all the while remind regular americans that THEY can fix this without government doing a fucking thing.
Insty has a link.
Posted by: wickedpinto at August 30, 2008 09:10 PM (ul7te)
Posted by: Bart at August 30, 2008 09:10 PM (VDuLh)
Posted by: runninrebel at August 30, 2008 09:11 PM (qAMnO)
Posted by: Brer Fox at August 30, 2008 09:13 PM (mf48d)
Blame the completely clueless and inept Bush media "machine". They should have ass-raped Blanco and Nagin over their idiocy during Katrina, instead they sat back and took it like "compassionate conservatives". Morons - hopefully Sarah exercises her expertise at firing fat-assed chairwarmers when she gets to the White House.
(I have a mental image of Sarah Palin walking into the White House Press Office on Inauguration Day. She won't say a word - just rack the slide on her 12 gauge pump and watch people edge nervously toward the door.)
And why the hell did they let people in New Orleans rebuild their shit below sea level again? Is there no other land in Louisiana available for houses? You'd think we were fucking Holland or something. Why jack around with levees and pumps when you can just live on higher ground. Morons.
Posted by: Jim62sch at August 30, 2008 09:15 PM (ubHgw)
Posted by: skh.pcola at August 30, 2008 09:15 PM (xzBZb)
Bobby Jindal's office
*phone rings*
"Hello?"
"Hi Bobby Jindal, this is Barack Obama. I'm running for President."
"Uh, yeah, I know. Um, I'm kinda busy with the hurricane and all, and-"
"Oh I know. I wanted to ask, do you have everything you need? Is everything OK there?"
"Um... Yeah?"
"Great, great. You need to know that I'm very, very concerned."
"Thanks, uh... Hey, what's that noise in the background? Is the media there or something?"
"Oh no, uh, that's my secretary... Typing... Yeah. Typing."
"Dude, I can totally hear the anchorwoman talking behind you. That's totally fucked up, man. Are you videotaping this call?"
"Um, right, yeah so, I'm really glad that things are going well. Call me if you need anything! It's so important that we don't have another Katrina. Yes, I know McCain wouldn't help you. Yes, I'll help you if you need it. OK thanks, bye!"
*click*
"...Asshole!"
Posted by: Jim62sch at August 30, 2008 09:18 PM (ubHgw)
I can't do anything to help them now. And it doesn't phase me after I was just shit on by the left for giving. I hope they're okay. But I don't care that they get nothing from me personally. They alreayd took everything I had and shit on me for it.
Posted by: Z Ryan at August 30, 2008 09:18 PM (PDeVA)
McCain, Palin, Bush, and Jindal must absolutely skip a physical presence. To be there when people are losing their houses, history, future, etc. would be a PR nightmare and a wet dream for the Marxi
Disagree.
McCain, show up, immediately after he returns from a plane flight from NO, to say "I thank you for your nomination, I had a speach prepared, but unfortunately there are situations that must be attended to. My VP and I thank you for the nomination, and now we must be about the nations business. Please, enjoy yourselves, and while you can, do your best to assist those unfortunates in those regions suffering from this terrible event.
Once again, I thank you for this nomination, and I accept."
Posted by: wickedpinto at August 30, 2008 09:20 PM (ul7te)
Jim-
Most folks moved permanently to higher ground, regardless of what it looks like on TV. Until such a time as the oil and shipping infrastructure of the US doesn't need a port at the mouth of the Mississippi River, New Orleans is just plain necessary. The other thing is, pretty much anywhere the French and Spanish built stuff originally doesn't flood. Unfortunately, particularly in New Orleans East, they built it up on landfill. Now, community activists are demanding federal money rebuild crappy housing on crappy land, and politicians (for the moment) are acquiescing. We'll see what happens after this.
Pursuant to the convention, the crucial thing is to have candidates and current officials working their asses off and not having time to talk to the media other than through spokespeople. I don't think you do the convention if there's some serious destruction handed out... but remember something...
This is not Katrina!!!
Many things are set up much better, and the exact landfall of the storm is going to dictate just how much damage any particular area gets. It could be cataclysmic if it pushes another 50-100 miles east, but right now, it's targeted more on Baton Rouge!
Traffic is rolling through the night getting people out... buses are rolling, and even my former employer Ray Nagin has come right out and said "if you don't get out, you are on your own!!!".
The media is expecting another massive flooding nuke strike on NO... but it hasn't happened yet! If the storm jogs even slightly west, it'll be even more diminished in effect on New Orleans. So don't get caught up in the hype- sure, it could be a cataclysm, but it could just as easily be an impressive storm that brushes New Orleans. Something similar happened in in 1992 with Andrew.
tmi3rd
Posted by: tmi3rd at August 30, 2008 09:27 PM (Gz0u5)
Forget strategizing ... ask yourself what's the right thing to do and then just do it. The press is going to spin no matter what, so just fuck 'em. Give them a bare amount of information and few interviews.
IMO the right thing to do is volunteer work, and Palin should lead the effort, as she's got hands-on experience with running shit. What that means for the convention exactly I don't know, and don't really care. Take what's left over and make something of it, I suppose.
Posted by: Hermit Dave at August 30, 2008 09:27 PM (WhFvm)
What about holding it, but much toned down -- sort of a com[promise between cancel and postpone? Hold a convention, for one day, no glitter or rainbow farts, just call for roll, vote, McCain accepts, Done. It gets done the business that really needs doing, and the rest... well, maybe they can announce the change and that all the money earmarked for the geegaws is going to Gustav relief.
Posted by: Boy Named Sous at August 30, 2008 09:28 PM (jiBuF)
Posted by: Z Ryan at August 30, 2008 09:28 PM (PDeVA)
We are entitled to our own Go-Balloons Week, though, and it's always best if these things fall close to election day, so push back the pomp and circumstance two or three weeks.
In the meantime, let Bush and Jindal handle things. This can be the GOP's moment to shine, but we can't have it look like we're exploiting this storm.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at August 30, 2008 09:31 PM (9PwYj)
Posted by: Z Ryan at August 30, 2008 09:31 PM (PDeVA)
Posted by: topsecretk9 at August 30, 2008 09:35 PM (5sJ00)
I think that just for the sake of introducing Palin to everyone, there needs to be some kind of convention, since she needs to give a speech or something alot of people will hear.
Though how they manage it, I have no idea. If the hurricane ends up hitting a red state though, the media won't give a crap and life will go on. Stupid weather. Someone tell Bush to turn off the huricane machine please?
Posted by: Shawn, but not lowercased shawn at August 30, 2008 09:37 PM (PyQ6J)
Posted by: topsecretk9 at August 30, 2008 09:38 PM (5sJ00)
Posted by: Christoph at August 30, 2008 09:39 PM (hawOV)
Posted by: topsecretk9 at August 30, 2008 09:41 PM (5sJ00)
Dick Cheney controls the hurricane machine. And nobody tells Dick to do anything.
Posted by: Jim62sch at August 30, 2008 09:43 PM (ubHgw)
And it's not like it's a huge hardship... I'm like most Americans and have too much, not too little, but I resent the idea that America did something wrong for New Orleans. New Orleans did itself wrong by a long shot (and reelected the people who did it wrong), and blame those who did the most for it. In Houston, when my folks visited and stayed at a hotel a year after the storm, there were still assholes from New Orleans living in hotel rooms enjoying food the taxpayers pay for, and doing absolutely nothing (except selling drugs, perhaps). I imagine there are still a couple of people living off the government dime... 3 years later.
The feds mobilized massively. You can't put the equipment right on target until after the storm hits or the storm hits your equipment... this is just obvious. And the mayor and governor so screwed up every aspect of their jobs that it became a lawless hell. But it was Bush's fault? My fault? What the hell is that? Of course, the White House simply could not be bothers to explain the truth. Had to be polite to the democrats. I have no idea why, but that lack of forceful communication has been the great failure of the war on terror. I'm sure Mccain is aware of it, and I hope he has a plan for fixing it.
Posted by: Shill at August 30, 2008 09:45 PM (8jYMc)
Posted by: topsecretk9 at August 30, 2008 09:45 PM (5sJ00)
Gotcha, xander... I'll make sure to pass that on to my friends who were working feverishly on patients in the New Orleans-area hospitals, and also to my Guardsmen friends who are there right now.
Fuck you.
tmi3rd
Posted by: tmi3rd at August 30, 2008 09:46 PM (Gz0u5)
An update...
On the Westbank, near Algiers, there are floodwalls that were being shored up to bring them to levels seen during Katrina and Rita. They are unfinished. Should water come roaring in, they will likely be overtopped.
http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2008/08/corps_levee_officials_prepare.html
Keep your fingers crossed.
tmi3rd
Posted by: tmi3rd at August 30, 2008 10:02 PM (Gz0u5)
Not just that, SHILL, but I remember specifically hearing from many media jerks that America forgot about New Orleans! We forgot about them! After we gave record donations. Yeah. It's such a kick in the junk after all this. I wonder why I bothered. Don't give me reason to regret charity to you! It's terrible.
Posted by: Z Ryan at August 30, 2008 10:03 PM (PDeVA)
Posted by: Prince on Pause at August 30, 2008 10:06 PM (o4MaC)
Z Ryan, Shill...
I totally hear you- and believe you me, there are a lot of New Orleanians who don't see it that way. The media underpublicized it for political gain. And I don't think there's anyone who blames you for being pissed off about it.
All I can tell you is the overriding majority of New Orleanians who are back living in NO are there of their own accord, spending their own money, and working hard to put things back. The population is down by 150K, and I'll promise you that 60% of those were our worst and dumbest... now largely living in Houston.
We all know how it's going to be spun, regardless of outcome... and I wouldn't blame you if you turned your nose up at it. But there are a lot of damn fine New Orleanians who do appreciate the help, and understand damn good and well where it comes from.
tmi3rd
Posted by: tmi3rd at August 30, 2008 10:14 PM (Gz0u5)
Posted by: Xander Crews at August 30, 2008 10:17 PM (Aac1T)
Posted by: tmi3rd at August 30, 2008 10:19 PM (Gz0u5)
Here's an article on troop movements into the storm-affected zone...
http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2008/08/guardsmen_on_alert_roll_into_n.html
tmi3rd
Posted by: tmi3rd at August 30, 2008 10:20 PM (Gz0u5)
I just feel used and betrayed. I know not everyone is a douche. But when it's just chic left-wing culture to be a jerk to me in return... yeah, I feel I could have given to better causes. Helped a greater number of people who would have appreciated it.... and not have been shit on by the press and large segments of American pop culture.
Don't tell me we "forgot about" New Orleans. Next time I have some to give, I'll find more to give to armed forces causes. But it'll be a while, because I did give everything I could.
Posted by: Z Ryan at August 30, 2008 10:20 PM (PDeVA)
Totally hear you, bro. Thanks for what you did- there are some damn good folks I know who were helped by what you and what many gave.
tmi3rd
Posted by: tmi3rd at August 30, 2008 10:27 PM (Gz0u5)
Posted by: topsecretk9 at August 30, 2008 10:28 PM (5sJ00)
...Who exactly is paying for this little shindig?
( I hear the words "despicable" and "never again" ringing in my ears...)
Could this possibly serve as a leadership test? ....nah, I'm just tired.
Posted by: Fritz at August 30, 2008 10:36 PM (zAvxs)
Posted by: Prince on Pause at August 30, 2008 10:40 PM (o4MaC)
Xander and Z Ryan--
My initial response to both of you was fuck off and that I hope you never had to deal with a natural disaster. But I understand your donor fatigue. A lot was done for New Orleans. A lot more needs to be done.
Katrina was a catalyst for New Orleans: The city was dying before Katrina, and the recoveyr will either make us like Detroi more quickly or it'll make us like a real city.
This being said, while I appreicate your press-induced donor fatigue, don't denigrate the many people who are trying to make the best out of this opporunity.
Posted by: Raki at August 30, 2008 10:41 PM (w4iR8)
Posted by: Prince on Pause at August 30, 2008 10:46 PM (o4MaC)
Thanks for the posts, and you're right, me being pissed off doesn't make much sense to the kids out there who have stupid parents, or the Republican who has a job and can't move away from idiots that reelect Nagin.
I'm a very fortunate person. I don't see myself as rich, but like most Americans, that's only because I don't pay enough attention to what life could be like.
Keep up the updates. hopefully, things won't get bad, but I think they will probably have some problems, and I certainly won't ignore them just because of the bad few.
To be honest, it's mostly the press and Bush's idiotic FEMA director that piss me off. The democrats in New Orleans are basically sub-human monsters... a natural result of Louisiana politics, and I don't expect anything from them.
You know, Mccain is among the politicians who claim New Orleans was some kind of national disgrace. So, I guess I shouldn't be so partisan about it. But no worries, man, if they need help in New Orleans, I'll find a way to contribute. And again, I appreciate the reportage.
Posted by: Shill at August 30, 2008 10:46 PM (8jYMc)
Posted by: Saul Wall at August 30, 2008 10:53 PM (oYYno)
Always, my brother- keep the faith.
I'm going to bed. Lots of friends whose travel will need coordinating.
tmi3rd
Posted by: tmi3rd at August 30, 2008 10:53 PM (Gz0u5)
Prince on Pause:
The billions from the federal government have repaired many things that were damaged by Katrina and also many things that were broken before Katrina.
I appreciate the help. We need every penny of it.
This being said, the money from the feds is nothing compared to the help we received from churches around the nation.
If it weren't for churches around nation, nothing would have been rebuilt.
Posted by: Raki at August 30, 2008 10:55 PM (w4iR8)
Posted by: amos at August 30, 2008 10:58 PM (gYsFF)
I regretfully must vote for Barack Obama. I didn't leave the Republican Party, it left me.
Posted by: Moby T. Koskid at August 30, 2008 10:59 PM (ubHgw)
Posted by: Moby T. Koskid at August 30, 2008 11:02 PM (ubHgw)
Posted by: Jim62sch at August 30, 2008 11:06 PM (ubHgw)
League of Shadows? Try League of Doom.
Brad Pitt and his foundation get all the glory. (Yes, they do a good job.) The people who do the most of the work are the congregants from 2d Presbyterian Church (or 3d Methodist Church or 1st Baptist Church) of Bitter Falls, Nowhere.
Unfortunately, though, I think the Republicans would get the same amount of press coverage as the Christian volunteers.
Posted by: Raki at August 30, 2008 11:15 PM (w4iR8)
Going on, I know this isn't your final sentiment. Charitable giving is extra. I'm not hoping anything bad on them. And not giving doesn't count against people---it's extra! So now why should I give to New Orleans when I could give to, say.... the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation? I help good people and don't get shit on for it. The people of New Orleans shouldn't be pissed at me not giving to them any more than I should be pissed at them for not giving to me. They should be pissed at the assholes who say we forgot about them and/or drive away extra donations, such as Kanye West (and pop culture figures and organizations who celebrate him for it). Giving isn't bad. And people always make choices of one cause to give to over another. Don't be pissed at me if from now on I give to other places.
I've done nothing wrong here. I only gave at my own expense, and felt shit on when I was chastised for it.
Posted by: Z Ryan at August 30, 2008 11:42 PM (PDeVA)
200 years ago, where I live wasn't BY lake michigan, it WAS lake michigan.
I don't know what that means, but it's the trute.
Posted by: wickedpinto at August 30, 2008 11:45 PM (ul7te)
Yet, McCains absence will be notable and newsworthy because it will be the first time in history the Presidential candidate did not show up at the convention.
Actually that's not true. Andrew Glass has a convention-related Q and A over at politico.com, and it includes this:
``Q.: Who was the first presidential nominee to attend a national convention?
A.: In 1932, breaking tradition, New York Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt flew to Chicago to accept the Democratic nomination.''
So McCain's absence would merely be continuing an older tradition. And anyway, unless there's a prospect of a floor fight or a dark-horse candidate coming out of nowhere, is there any real need for him to be there?
Posted by: Annalucia at August 30, 2008 11:56 PM (OMiLl)
Posted by: Tom W. at August 30, 2008 11:59 PM (pXS7q)
Z Ryan:
I apologize for my initial reaction. It's not right, but it's also difficult to hear how useless, how evil, how worthless things are when you are doing your best to make things better.
But you are right absolute right that charitable giving is on top of everything else. And being here, I wouldn't give a dime unless I was giving to a church. (I'm using church as shorthand for short for an institution that you trust.) There are many charlatans who promise much and give nothing--the government (federal, state, and local) is the first to blame.
I appreciate your help (whether through tax dollars--which are mostly wasted--or through direct giving). And yes, the media is giving the rest of the nation a raw deal about how much help we've gotten.
Unfortunately, we need more. (And no, that's not anyone else's fault.)
Posted by: Raki at August 31, 2008 12:42 AM (w4iR8)
Posted by: harrison at August 31, 2008 12:51 AM (Gv4O0)
Posted by: Bart at August 31, 2008 01:08 AM (VDuLh)
Posted by: wickedpinto at August 31, 2008 02:26 AM (ul7te)
Posted by: wickedpinto at August 31, 2008 02:44 AM (ul7te)
Cancel the first night so Bush and Cheney can go to LA. Dems' heads will explode as they get no footage to use in attack ads. Then go ahead with the rest of the convention when it becomes apparent that all the Republican governors on the Gulf Coast knew what they were doing this time and have the situation under control. Distribute film of convention delegates in St. Paul writing checks and giving blood.
On the second night, have Meg Whitman, Carly Fiorina, Mitt Romney, and Cindy McCain announce that they are personally donating a combined $50 million for relief efforts. Then show a film of all the Republican governors on the Gulf Coast managing the situation properly, with a special 800 number shown throughout for people to call for donations. Conclude with Sarah Palin speaking about Republican governors managing the situation properly and announcing that the 800 number has already raised another $10 million.
Third night exactly as planned, with McCain introduced via satellite feed by Bobby Jindal. McCain hails all the Republican governors who handled the situation properly.
McCain gets 10 point bounce. Liberals begin mass suicides.
Posted by: rockmom at August 31, 2008 03:20 AM (iZqUY)
Posted by: pendejo grande at August 31, 2008 03:20 AM (qN0f5)
Posted by: FireHorse at August 31, 2008 03:59 AM (+dm+A)
Posted by: Reiver at August 31, 2008 04:16 AM (s7h/P)
Posted by: lmg at August 31, 2008 04:30 AM (A/vgC)
Posted by: notropis at August 31, 2008 04:33 AM (sq7DA)
Posted by: Potosi Joel at August 31, 2008 04:46 AM (TPRbZ)
Split the convention ala live feed from the Gulf (Bobby Jindal et al handling the crisis, McCain broadcast giving his support; Palin in action close to, but not an actual part of the action so as to avoid claims of grandstanding), postpone the convention festivities until later in the week (the actual "convention", so it gives McCain more time to recieve funds), run the telethon with key Republican players publicly donating to it as a sidebar, bring up Katrina and find a way to mention (a lot) that charitable donations from the private and church sector were what really made the difference then and that sort of American unity is what's needed now, that action not words are what's needed now. Then McCain gives a short acceptance speech in a subdued (or how about "Jacksonian" grassroots?) venue later in the week -- speech focusing on, American unity and preserverance in the face of hard circumstance, that it has always been a distinctly American virtue to work hard, unite, and not let anything get us down in times of crisis (while alluding to the potentials of other crisis in the future that our leaders will need to rally the people for).
Take the other side's flags of "hope n change" and "yes we can" for our own, and show them as true action, not rhetorical drivel.
Posted by: unknown jane at August 31, 2008 04:51 AM (/lvmU)
Posted by: unknown jane at August 31, 2008 04:55 AM (/lvmU)
Posted by: DCox at August 31, 2008 05:00 AM (2pT9a)
Oh, and turn the hurricane into an excellent platform for why we need to support more domestic drilling. The Gulf oil is going to be shut down for a while, which means gas prices go up -- with a more widespread drilling we wouldn't be feeling the pinch so much, thanks Nan and Reid for taking that vacation.
Sorry for all the posts, but these ideas are off the cuff.
Posted by: unknown jane at August 31, 2008 05:03 AM (/lvmU)
Posted by: pajama momma at August 31, 2008 05:14 AM (f3xJa)
The thing that has chapped my ass the most about this situation is that the media is all about praising the preparations this time without mentioning one, single time that the governor is now a Republican. Nagin is being hailed as a crisis management genius for ordering the evacuation early and providing transportation to get people out. There is apparently a collective amnesia about his abject failure the first time around. I would have been more surprised if he had not done the opposite of what he did in 2005.
Jinal's decisions are being underplayed to a lrage extent. I guess the media is hoping that people will think that a Dem is still in charge.
Posted by: Steve L. at August 31, 2008 05:16 AM (4Eh2W)
Exploit this. Fuck the media, they are going to screw you anyway. Use the convention to help if you can, point out how much more capable Jindal is than Blanco, and have your party.
You can't postpone something this size, all the venues big enough stay booked months and years in advance. You would be left with some podunk little clusterfuck that would make you look incompetent. Again.
The Dem's just politicized another funeral
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/politics/ny-usobam0831,0,6937741.story
so if they start any shit, rub their noses in it, but quit being pussies and worrying about what people might say, they are going to say it no matter what you do.
Posted by: B Moe at August 31, 2008 05:41 AM (kRf4Z)
remember this guy?
https://www.yousendit.com/download/Q01FZUNnTXZ0NjgwTVE9PQ
http://www.nola.com/
LOVE the headline NAGIN: FLEE THE MOTHER OF ALL STORMS
Posted by: sirsurfalot at August 31, 2008 05:52 AM (Czvjx)
Posted by: JackStraw at August 31, 2008 05:54 AM (VBon8)
The difference between Katrina and Gustav evacuations are night and day. There seems to be a guiding plan this time around.
I ran into two NPR reporters last night. They of course interviewed the most toothless individuals (and not in a good way) they could find.
The National Guard is already here. I wish we had this many troops here full time.
Posted by: Raki at August 31, 2008 05:58 AM (w4iR8)
Posted by: JackStraw at August 31, 2008 06:00 AM (VBon8)
Posted by: rinseandspit at August 31, 2008 06:01 AM (VFTrh)
Keep in mind that even if New Orleans is spared, the West Bank and South Central Louisiana probably will be devasted.
I doubt the media will give those folks the same attention.
Posted by: Raki at August 31, 2008 06:05 AM (w4iR8)
If Jindal, Bush and other republicans who are in charge of the affected areas don't show up, we understand and we appreciate that they're more committed to doing their job than going to the circus.
Posted by: mpur at August 31, 2008 06:12 AM (/Dj0/)
Blame the completely clueless and inept Bush media "machine". They should have ass-raped Blanco and Nagin over their idiocy during Katrina, instead they sat back and took it like "compassionate conservatives". Morons - hopefully Sarah exercises her expertise at firing fat-assed chairwarmers when she gets to the White House.
Yes, I agree with both of these remarks. However, it makes little difference what President Bush or those in his administration have to say when the Presstitutes are a wholly-owned subsidiary of the donkeycrat party. Until the press are no longer presstitutes but truly start reporting the news in a fair and balanced manner, there is too much to overcome. When the news media give the Michael Moores and Dan Fowlers props even when they say things like G_d must be on our side to have a hurricane hit NO during the Republican convention says much about the donkeycrat party and it's presstitute running-dogs.
Posted by: TennDon at August 31, 2008 06:15 AM (TTjg8)
Whatever the Republicans do, the media will twist it to prove that they didn't care when a Democrat was governor and that it was only the brave media that EXPOSED the uncaring during Katrina and pressured the Bush administration to do better this time.
There can be no right answer when the people reporting the news are insane.
Posted by: MamaAJ at August 31, 2008 06:32 AM (X6Zdh)
Posted by: Reiver at August 31, 2008 06:42 AM (s7h/P)
Posted by: pajama momma at August 31, 2008 06:46 AM (f3xJa)
Posted by: Veeshir at August 31, 2008 06:49 AM (zXUuJ)
Posted by: Immolate at August 31, 2008 06:53 AM (CcY2L)
To all of those who have donor fatigue and are ticked off at us deadbeats down in lazy, backwater Louisiana, I understand. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for every bit of time and money, food, clothing, toothpaste, etc. that you selflessly gave. What I need is for you need to understand that the media has protrayed us all the same when we aren't.
Hubby was back to work five days after the storm.
I was back to work two and a half weeks after the storm.
We took in relatives in the rental we had to open up rental places for other people.
Hubby's job helped us get set up and find the rental, but we were too busy working to stand in line at any of the staging areas with our hands out all day.
Yes, we did get some food stamps, and a bit of money from the goverment. We used that to feed everyone in the house, and I replaced the things I immediately needed to work and live with the money.
We got a few MREs and some donated food and water while down in the parish, gutting and cleaning the house because there was NOTHING to be bought in the parish, and we were living about two hours away. We did not leave our property to turn to blight like a lot of what you see on the news.
We are absolutely and completely grateful for even the little bit of assistance we did get from people and we, in turn, have donated to various causes. Anything we did have left over that we received, we passed on to others who did not.
We gutted, cleaned, maintained and rebuilt the property ourselves. We did everything but hang sheetrock and that's because you can't do that wrong and not have it look like total crap. We did not have church groups come in and do the work that we could do ourselves.
We were responsible enough to have insurance. We did for 14 years before the storm when we moved in, and we still have it now.
Google Sharon Jasper. She is the type of person to make you HATE donating a second or a cent. Google her, read her pathetic, self-serving story, and then think about those of us who the media did not show. Those of us who are hard working, caring, responsible people who happen to live in an unstable but absolutely beautiful place are not her. We have the nicest, most hardworking people, the best food, wonderful history, gorgeous landscapes, and everything else that would make you want to live here if you didn't think about the hurricanes. If you came to visit, you'd want to come back again and again.
Thank you again for everything you have done and will do.
Be safe, all my fellow gulf coasters.
Posted by: LickyLicky at August 31, 2008 06:57 AM (RWIot)
Clean out the Democrat clocks with historical facts. Bush warned LA Gov & NO Mayor to get their evacuation underway DAYS before Katrina hit, daily reminding the Democrats of their obligations to their constituents. The Democrats rebuffed federal advice and refused preventive aid. Put that on the official Republican websites that may be designated to collect contributions for the Gulf's Gustav GOP Fundraiser.
Just as Mother Nature calls, still the show must go on. Cutting off the GOP Convention would be a sign of weakness, as if when tragedy strikes, the GOP crumbles. Business MUST move forward, even the business of coping with a Gulf hurricane.
Tithe all GOP donations made the day the hurricane strikes and begin the Convention Monday on schedule, on target. Immediately designate a link on the RNC website homepage for hurricane news to make contributions. Convert a quiet room aside from the Convention floor for those wishing to meditate or pray for the well being of the storm victims and survivors throughout the week.
America Cares, and Republicans take care of the nitty gritty work best of all when under attack, whether a natural disaster strikes or terrorists attack,
GO GOP RESPONSE!
Posted by: I ain't Obama's granny at August 31, 2008 07:09 AM (F1b/5)
I donated all of my spare bedding, diapers, tents, air mattresses, clothes, shoes, baby blankets, and toys to Katrina relief and have since been called an uncaring racist.
If the need arises, I will donate whatever I can to victims of Gustav and any other disasters that may come after.
In short, I don't donate because I care what other people think of me. I do it because I think it's the right thing to do.
Posted by: mpur at August 31, 2008 07:12 AM (IYv7W)
1. He can't.
2. Even if he could, he enjoys watching OTHERS suffer.
Posted by: I ain't Obama's granny at August 31, 2008 07:13 AM (F1b/5)
Posted by: maverick muse at August 31, 2008 07:15 AM (F1b/5)
Posted by: Smug at August 31, 2008 07:55 AM (baPuN)
So I'm in favor of minimizing the Republican Convention out of respect for the hurricane victims.
*Now, when McCain is opposite Obama in a debate, I think he'll do well.
Posted by: Nom de Blog at August 31, 2008 08:02 AM (14k+t)
something like 50 million fucking people watched the DNC and obama got a significant bounce.
The conventions are marketing, and without marketing in this country you wont sell shit. Cancelling is the most moronic fucking thing ive ever heard
No one knows Sarah Palins story. No one. Deprive the opportunity of tens of millions to hear it and the Dem/MSM machine takes over. Then all people will know is the current talking points
"Shes the mayor of a small town who stands by the extreme right wing of the party and is bad for women" Dont believe it? I just heard about 10 dem talking heads on 5 diff channels repeating this mantra
No convention for the GOP equals President Obama
Posted by: TMF at August 31, 2008 08:14 AM (/YM8H)
Posted by: JackStraw at August 31, 2008 08:24 AM (VBon8)
Posted by: skh.pcola at August 31, 2008 08:30 AM (xzBZb)
I say fuck the convention and fast forward to the general campaign. Let's get to the business of eviscerating TheOne/TheMouth and showing them up for the leftwing liberal gasbag douchnozzles they are.
MAVERICK/SARACUDA '08
"No prisonerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs!!! "
Posted by: Jones at August 31, 2008 08:43 AM (VkNlv)
Posted by: TennDon at August 31, 2008 08:48 AM (TTjg8)
Posted by: trentk269 at August 31, 2008 08:55 AM (9zzYb)
Not so sure that's true. I may be wrong, but it's my impression that many moons ago, before primaries became so all-determining, conventions were the place where the selection of the candidate was actually made (smoke-filled rooms and all that), and the various nominees tended to stay away, let the party decide, and then await the call of the party to request that he accept their nomination.
That was one of the things that bugged me about the pundits who observed that the Clintons' dominance of the first day or so showed that Obama "wasn't controlling the convention" the way he should have. But it wasn't Obama's convention, it was the Democratic Party's convention - Dean & Co should have been in total control.
Another example of the conversion of the Presidency into a Monarchy.
Posted by: Doug at August 31, 2008 09:10 AM (o5KId)
Posted by: Sandi at August 31, 2008 10:08 AM (DTEiw)
I find it suspiciously like an attempt to cover for the Fowler quote to that effect. Now, dems can roll their eyes at their gaffe, as they love to do, and say it's not a big deal that they put political power over the welfare of citizens.
I'm amazed how everything is working well this time, and 99% of the difference is that the media has been accurate (last time it was ridiculously innaccurate stories about tens of thousands of dead, rapes in the dome, murders in public, etc), the other difference is that the local response in Louisiana is completely different. A lot of the pundits are noting that things are on the ball this time, but failing to note that the roles that are acting correctly now were controlled by democrats in Katrina, and a fair assessment is that in deed Katrina's problems were largely due to democrats failing to act (and a wicked weather situation that was bound to suck). Of course, Bush's idiot FEMA director was a jackass for his comments, and Bush himself did not handle the media well, as always, but that is the limit of their errors, and I'm very frustrated that the news clearly vindicates the suggestion that the chaos in Katrina was a local and state scandal, not a federal one, yet the media keeps reminding us that the Republicans screwed up in Katrina. It's such a radical bias they have. Is there any way to change this 'accepted truth'? I guess not.
Posted by: Shill at August 31, 2008 10:08 AM (8jYMc)
Posted by: Sandi at August 31, 2008 10:09 AM (DTEiw)
Posted by: Aaron at August 31, 2008 10:13 AM (2S1LU)
Posted by: pajama momma at August 31, 2008 10:14 AM (f3xJa)
Posted by: Aaron at August 31, 2008 10:14 AM (2S1LU)
I hope the convention could be a dialogue on the follies of relying on the federal government and blaming the federal government for everything. I know the media would use this against us, but a frank discussion of how much better Gustav is being handled, exclusively because state and local authorities are doing their job, is as firm as proof as you could ask for that Katrina was not Bush's fault, and blaming the President for everything bad is a great way to ensure that those who drop the ball can escape blame.
State and local responsibility is cruciall important for law enforcement, immigration, drug policy, and education to work correctly. The fact that there are disasters in these issues (in certainly it's bad in most democrat cities more than it's bad elsewhere), shows that many local politicians, frankly usually Democrats, use blaming the feds as an excuse to hide their performance, and continue the problems we've had for a long time.
Obama doesn't promise to make the locals do a better job. Hell, I don't even know how a president is supposed to. But his grandiose promise of vague and universal change and hope is a huge shield... he's saying it's because of Bush that none of the desperately needed progress in Chicago has occured. Mccain can make the argument that a good president can only do so much good if local and state politicians follow the Katrina model of blaming the feds. He can make the argument that his role is important but not messiah-like.
Perhaps a focus on the hurricane now, in an analytical mode, could help educate voters on these points. But in this day and age, where winning elections is a function of promising to fix all ailments, I'm sure my formula of honesty is a recipe for defeat.
Posted by: Shill at August 31, 2008 11:09 AM (8jYMc)
Of course both campaigns will use this to make their points...I am an independent so I can see things as they are. We have been fooled before by both parties....if you think that one party is any better than another you are naive. These are politicians...their job is to fool you. and you are fooled every time.....
Both Mccain and Obama should stay away from the Gulf Coast..there is nothing they can do there except try to make themselves look good......you are all being tricked!
Posted by: Rich at September 01, 2008 08:00 AM (LXJYd)
Posted by: .ark at December 07, 2008 08:12 PM (nWyuK)
Posted by: djcoolpix at January 19, 2009 05:07 AM (+ai/K)
, :-D, groping train
, rplw, Debt Settlement - Best Decisions
, kkoe, Good military loans
, 09632, no credit check student loans
, 758,
Posted by: explorerst at February 12, 2009 05:01 AM (hyN9L)
, 214, Information about kim kardashian sex tape
, nvlnop, Ray J Sex Tape Yeah
, %), Nice free erotic stories
, wkyoj, noelia sex tape
, 6604,
Posted by: dmwklnnw at February 22, 2009 07:07 PM (en4WE)
Posted by: frederica at September 08, 2010 07:32 AM (Mu/vJ)
Posted by: abigayle at October 26, 2010 07:40 PM (k1KlJ)
Powered by Minx 1.1.4-pink.









