President Bush has shown that he can be empathetic, sensitive and decisive. But those qualities eluded him for days after Hurricane Katrina . . . He didn't cancel his vacation until two days after Katrina struck and didn't visit the region until four days after the storm. -- "A compassionate Bush was absent right after Katrina", USA Today, 9-9-05
USA Today's broadside is typical of the MSM criticism leveled at Pres. Bush for his failure to visit New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. So, now that President Bush has announced that he will be visiting California on Thursday while the wildfire flames are still burning, naturally the MSM and Dems will put politics aside and laud his decision, right?
I did say "the MSM and Dems."
View video here.
In one of the more ungracious interviews by an elected official I have ever witnessed, John Garamendi, the Dem Lt. Gov. of California, with some "helpful" prodding from Chris Matthews, could not have spoken more sourly about the president's impending visit. Garamendi was a guest on this afternoon's "Hardball."
CHRIS MATTHEWS: Is the federal government doing what it has to do here?
JOHN GARAMENDI: Well, they're doing a lot and we appreciate what they have done thus far. Resources are coming in. The U.S. Forest Service, 70 units from Arizona and Nevada and all that's good. I got some doubt about the value of President Bush coming out here . . .
MATTHEWS: Do you think it's public relations rather than action?
GARAMENDI: Of course it's public relations. The action's taking place by the hard-working firefighters, the men and women and the police that are out there on the line and the community that's pulling together to support each other, that's where the action is taking place. I know -- okay, President Bush comes out, we'll be polite. But frankly, that's not the solution. How about sending our National Guard back from Iraq? So that we have those people available here to help us?
Bonus points to Garamendi for working Iraq in there!
And a bit later, the ungrateful pièce de résistance.
MATTHEWS: Do you think the president's arrival will distract from the efforts to fight the fire?GARAMENDI: Absolutely. No doubt about it. The president goes some place, you've got a huge entourage, you've got Secret Service all over the place. And all the chaos that comes with whatever the president arrives -- wherever the president happens to arrive. But, listen, what we really need are those firefighters, we need the equipment. We need frankly -- we need our troops back from Iraq. We'll get on here, whether he comes or not that's not really the issue. I just hope that if he does come, he brings more than he brought to New Orleans.
Note: Surprise! Neither Matthews nor Garamendi raised the responsibility of the litigious environmentalists.
Update 10-24: During his opening monologue today, Rush played and discussed Garamendi's comments: "In the midst of this, with people in droves losing everything, two Californians, one a senator [Barbara Boxer], one a Lieutenant Governor [Garamendi] make it their priority to bash President Bush and the war in Iraq. Now I maintain that the country is fed up with this kind of action, fed up with politicizing these things."
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Matthews
October 23, 2007 - 19:06 ET by allanfDoes NBC still classify Mathews as a "reporter" or do they admit he is a "commentator"?
The Democrats have a strong team in Mathews, Tim Russert, Keith Olbermann.
allanf, Mathews is a D
October 23, 2007 - 20:01 ET by AntiMediaallanf,
Mathews is a D list reporter or commentator at best.
So Help Me Here
October 23, 2007 - 19:08 ET by BourbeauWhich one of those 'problems' with the Presidents visit didn't exist with Katrina? As much as I hate to admit it, Matthew's prodding aside, Garamendi is absolutely correct. No one should expect a President to be "on site" while the locale is in the midst of dealing with the crisis. The sad point during Katrina was that the White House was the principal enabler by not being front and center (figuratively speaking) while the catastrophe developed, though being hundreds of miles away. The President's visit on Thursday is the resulting over reaction to the criticism he took for Katrina.
Maybe they shouldn't expect
October 23, 2007 - 19:39 ET by zfMaybe they shouldn't expect it, but the leader of the country wants to come to the area to provide support and inspiration, no-one should be complaining about it, especially this vehomently.
And I'm not sure how the White House could be front and center in the middle of a hurricane, which are not as slow as fires, and what good that would have done to have been so during the actual storm.
The biggest enablers were the state and citys inept leaders and their action before, during and after the crisis, not the lack of a pointless Presidental address in the middle of destructive winds.
Garamendi is wrong and ungracious.
Bourbeau, just how was W
October 23, 2007 - 19:59 ET by MikeBBourbeau, just how was W and the Whitehouse supposed to be front and center? By having the National Guard ready to go immediately after the hurricane passed? Nope. That's the governor's job, and Blanco failed to do her duty. By having the Army standing by to go in immediately after the hurricane passed to prevent looting and so forth? Nope. Look up the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. The President is not legally able to send in the Army. Posse Comitatus is also the reason Bush couldn't send the Army or Marines in to evacuate all the people. I think he could do that at the invitation of the governor, but Blanco would rather sit on her a** and then blame Bush for not bailing her out. Why couldn't Mayor Chocolate City provide the school buses to evacuate his citizens? They were there to be used, but instead he left them in the bus center to be flooded and rendered useless. Blanco and Nagin should have been the local radio and tv stations well ahead of time urging citizens to evacuate and providing the means to evacuate those without transport. It isn't and wasn't the Feds' responsibility.
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
Bush's visit
October 24, 2007 - 00:44 ET by bobby-van-DDoes it really matter right now why W is coming to S.D. Maybe the president is coming because San Diego is a red county in a blue state. Either way it is the right thing to do, we've lost around a thousand homes here and have over 500,000 evacuees hoping for a miracle.
Garamendi is a loser and it shows, way to show support for YOUR people John by getting in a political food fight with your rivals as people are dying and property is lost. Nice work. Rob, San Diego
Hey, Rob
October 24, 2007 - 09:07 ET by EmmyjuneI'm sorry to hear about what you guys are going through out there.. We'll keep you in our prayers over here on the East Coast.
But, listen, what we
October 23, 2007 - 19:12 ET by MidAmericaBut, listen, what we really need are those firefighters, we need the equipment. We need frankly -- we need our troops back from Iraq.
What they really need is to stop listening to all their crackpot 'environmentalists' who block efforts at brush and dead tree removal. These fires are the result of Californians refusing to face reality.
huh?
October 23, 2007 - 19:47 ET by lbcdawnHey dawn
October 23, 2007 - 20:14 ET by BlondeLong time no see.
Hope your hanging in my friend. I'll see what I can do about the Rove weather making team. They've done wonders about the hurricanes this year.
Seriously, though. If they tell you to go....go. That's a hard lesson I've learned from hurricane season. And I'd take a long hard look at a Cat 5 before I'd even think about sticking around with your situation.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
hey back
October 24, 2007 - 12:19 ET by lbcdawnAhhhnold & Chertoff
October 23, 2007 - 20:00 ET by botgwere here earlier today. I guess though that if W doesn't show up for this he is heartless if he does he's a distraction. The current total for San Diego is 340,000 homes were under mandatory evacuation (3/4 of a million people) Good news the wind is down and the humidity is up
"The more I study science, the more I believe in God." Einstein
Garamendi's an idiot
October 23, 2007 - 20:02 ET by geminicontenderHow can one not think that. Southern California is a desert for the most part. New Orleans is below sea level. Eco freaks won't let you cut anything down....have to preserve everything. Yea, everything but humanity.
But, of course it's W's fault. And who cares if he show up. He's decorating 'hero's'....infidel. Damn these Dem's in this State.
Have you noticed how the people of southern CA handle this compared to 'welfare' state N.O's?
They are "handling" this
October 23, 2007 - 22:18 ET by Cape Conservativedisaster just as the North/South Dakotans handle blizzards or the town in Kansas which was almost totally destroyed by a tornado is rebuilding - with the character that makes America GREAT!!!
And don't hold your breath waiting for any msm to focus on the environmentalists and their contribution to this horrible event.
The problem in New Orleans was not of the president's making nor was it FEMA - it was the total lack of responsibility of local and state officials as well as the mindset of welfare recipients - don't think for yourself and get out of town - just wait and see what someone else is going to do - not me - I can't do anything - just the attitude the Democrats want in their voters - VICTIMS!
Seems as though those in Mississippi are rebuilding much quicker than those in New Orleans...what's the difference??? The CAN-DO spirit of everyday Americans - that which has made our country the best in the world. We are NOT all made from the same mold as New Orleans 9th Ward residents.
Cape
October 23, 2007 - 22:35 ET by BlondeRight you are. Very obviously, there were plans in place for just such a horrible thing. And people pull together when something like this happens....well at least if they're not in NO. I've seen it here numerous times in Florida since 2004. Good planning....then help each other.
An example....I have a neighbor on the next street north. During the aftermath of several hurricanes, he's had enough generator to keep his ice machine running full tilt. He'd come by every day several times and deliver a full ice chest full. I'd never met him & his wife until the first "hit". When they knocked on my door and asked if I needed ice.
This is exactly what is happening out in California. These fires are a tragedy of the first order. And I had the same thought you did....will the eco-terrorists who've banned all sensible preventative actions re-evaluate? I think not. But I'm hopeful that perhaps cooler heads will prevail, and some semblance of sense will allow some sensible measures to prevent a repeat of this tragedy.
Watching the news, houses burning, people's lives going up in smoke just makes me want to cry. I know what it's like to see your life disintigrate in front of your eyes.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Also, Louisiana is a pretty
October 24, 2007 - 02:27 ET by BlackwaterAlso, Louisiana is a pretty politically corrupt state. Wonder if that had anything to do with their disaster, not to mention where NO was built >_>
Garamendi
October 23, 2007 - 20:07 ET by Jerry MackGaramendi and Senator Boxer said the same thing. To them politics is life! They have no shame! It is sickening to turn a disaster into a political moment in an attempt to score political points. Neither does Chris M. That is why Garamendi chose his program.
I live in California and all the local tv stations are continuosly covering it. It is a disaster. What the hell are Garamendi and Boxer doing to help?
"San Diego is no Katrina" is what the headlines say...
October 23, 2007 - 20:35 ET by rx4musicAccording to our local news, that was the headline from a Belgian newspaper. The story is definitely getting out. My sister-in-law called from Conn. in a panic when she saw our neighborhood on CNN. One of my neighbors is a local newsguy, Larry Himmel. They showed him on CNN standing in front of his home while it burned to the ground. It's been an emotional couple of days. We are right in the middle of the firestorm. The first people evacuated (from Ramona) when the whole thing started were directed to a shelter in our town (Poway, CA) Sunday night before that location was overun. To date, over 500,000 people have been ordered to evacuate. Damage is now reported to be 265,000 acres which exceeds the Cedar Fire of October 2003. There is a big difference in the response of this fire compared to 4 years ago. The locals are pulling together in a way I haven't seen before. The first 2 days the winds were too strong for any air support, but, today that has changed and they have been doing a great job all over the county. The whole thing is now attracting a lot of national attention. So far, I have seen on the local news Governor Arnold and his entourage, Matt Lauer was on the Today show live from Rancho Bernardo which is about 2 miles from my house, Charles Gibson was here on the ABC affiliate, and most recently Michael Chertoff has made an appearance. Evacuees are being sent to Qualcomm Stadium where the Chargers play. They have received such an outpouring of food and water and supplies that the Red Cross has instructed that donations be directed to other evac centers around the county.
The fires are still raging around the county and the most recent front is on Palomar Mountain where the fire is reportedly out of control and raging all over the monutain. For those that don't know, Palomar Mntn. is home to Palomar Observatory, home of the 200 inch Hale telescope. The observatory is a concrete structure and I'm not too worried about it, but, there is a small community of about 200 to 250 homes and only one small road down the mountain. I am praying that they can get out before all hell breaks loose, but, it sounds grim. Amazingly, there has only been one fatality during this whole event and they are reporting that the guy died of a heart attack (they are calling it "natural causes"). About 35 or so folks have suffered burns, but, that in itself is amazing considering the carnage that I've seen in the last couple of days. If anybody wants to know about what is going on send me a PM. I've been out and about and I have talked to police and city officials over the last couple of days and tried to keep informed about all taht's going on. It's going to be days, maybe even weeks, before the fire is out and they can get a handle on the total damage. For those of you who pray, please pray for those who have lost everything. When they have an idea of what the total loss is just in our county, it will be HUGE. That doesn't even include the other parts of California that have been burned as well.
I just noticed a note in "recent comments" about MiraMar USMCAS and Camp Pendleton in the side notes... From what I know there are 2 fire fronts on Pendleton and MiraMar has nothing going on. Aircraft at MiraMar have been flown to Fallon and other airbases for safety. Other than reporting there was a fire, there hasn't been much info about Pendleton. I have a friend who is a civilian firefighter there and I will see if I can get any word from him or his family. I'm getting calls from family and I'm gonna go take care of personal stuff. I'll be back later if anybody is interested in what's going on. Should I be doing this in Forums or the Open Thread? I posted it here because I saw the President is suppoesdly going to make an appearance and like I said before, I've seen a lot of high profile national news types and the Governator and Chertoff.
Bye for now. Please, pray for rain! Rx
RX
October 23, 2007 - 20:41 ET by botgi was talking to BD about other things with the Miramar, Pendleton and North Island comment.
Right now i hear that Fallbrook is the really bad place to be due to the hills, skinny roads, and vegetation. I also heard that people on Pendleton were being evaced via Las Pulgas to Orange County
"The more I study science, the more I believe in God." Einstein
botg
October 23, 2007 - 20:56 ET by rx4musicThanks for the clarification... Sorry I missed your post. I thought somebody was curious or talking about the fires. We are only a couple miles from MiraMar and they've evac'ed Scripps Ranch which is even closer. For a while they were afraid the fire was going to come west from Wild Cat Canyon and head for MiraMar.
There's a lot of open country just to the south of us that was totally overun during the Cedar Fire. Luckily a lot of the fuel is still just growing back. We really dodged a bullet last night. Raging winds and lots of flying embers... Things are pretty calm right now. This is the first I've had to check e-mails and such. Been taking supplies to the community center and local school/evac center. Costco is closed and the local WalMart is just about sold out of water...
Take care botg and all. Gotta go...
pendelton
October 24, 2007 - 11:51 ET by lbcdawnWhat An Absolute Ass!
October 23, 2007 - 20:58 ET by timzankI know, I know, you're wondering who I'm referring to, Matthews or Garemendi? Well, that weould be BOTH!!! What a couple of tools.
timz
October 23, 2007 - 21:01 ET by botgdoes that make each of them a cheek?
"The more I study science, the more I believe in God." Einstein
And please be sure
October 23, 2007 - 22:22 ET by Cape Conservativeto throw in the great Barbara Boxer - a total A$$! Her breathless utterings of need for our troops to return from Iraq to fight the fires are beyond belief!
What a bunch of &%#$@ jerks.
October 23, 2007 - 21:55 ET by rbosqueWhat a bunch of &%#$@ jerks.
What about the arsonists?
October 23, 2007 - 23:01 ET by daveinbocaOf course, had Bush gone immediately to New Orleans after Katrina, he would have been blamed for obstructing relief efforts! Does anyone take a creep like Matthews seriously?
And yesterday the Fire Director of LA County said that there was arson involved in the fires, but that has been completely ignored.
The MSM wants to blame Bush and Iraq, so arsonists stand in way of the fantasyland storyline.
And Keith Odormann is a
October 24, 2007 - 09:41 ET by sguild2And Keith Odormann is a failed sports commentator who still lives in his Mama's basement.
Garamendi continued his
October 24, 2007 - 12:34 ET by bigtimerGaramendi continued his leftist whining this morning on msnbc with Contessa Brewer with his rhetoric about Pres. Bush the National Guard and the war...he makes me ill...he and all his leftist ilk have helped destroy my great home state, it has saddened me for years.
The man is an embarrassment for the whole country.
As an aside...I am quite sure my cousin who had to be evacuted Sunday night in Running Springs, he still doesn't know if his home made it or not, leftist spewing like this is the last thing people need to hear.