Almost two years later, and just hours after tornadoes devastated the Midwest, the President is being indirectly blamed for potentially hampering rebuilding efforts in the hardest hit area.
I kid you not.
As reported by the Associated Press late Sunday evening with the headline “Iraq War Hampers Kansas Cleanup” (emphasis added):
The rebuilding effort in tornado-ravaged Greensburg, Kansas, likely will be hampered because some much-needed equipment is in Iraq, said that state’s governor.
Governor Kathleen Sebelius said much of the National Guard equipment usually positioned around the state to respond to emergencies is gone. She said not having immediate access to things like tents, trucks and semitrailers will really handicap the rebuilding effort.
[…]
The Kansas National Guard has about 40 percent of the equipment it is allotted because much of it has been sent to Iraq.
Please notice that the article conveniently omitted the Governor’s party affiliation, which not surprisingly is Democrat.
However, maybe most interesting is how the AP’s position was similar to the Iranian news agency Press TV’s (emphasis added):
Search continues after a massive tornado obliterated most of Kansas's Greensburg, amid claims that rescue efforts are hampered by war in Iraq.
[…]/>
Governor Kathleen Sebelius said Sunday evening that the state's response will likely be hampered because much of the equipment usually positioned around the state to respond to emergencies, including tents, trucks and semi-trailers, is now in Iraq.
"Not having the National Guard equipment, which used to be positioned in various parts of the state, to bring in immediately is really going to handicap this effort to rebuild," said Sebelius.
Much like the AP, this Iranian news outlet ignored the Governor’s party affiliation, while leading with the connection to the Iraq war.
Isn't that special?/>
*****Update: Something the AP neglected to mention in the above-referenced piece that was reported by the wire service earlier on Sunday (h/t to NBer Mighty Mouth): "The president has declared parts of Kansas a disaster area, freeing up federal money to aid in recovery."
Yet, for some reason, even in this piece, the party affiliation of the Governor remained unidentified: "Bush said Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., briefed him on the destruction."
Why is it important to the AP to keep her party affiliation a secret, yet Sen. Roberts being a Republican is clearly identified?
