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Keith Olbermann's view of Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff's stupid slip of the tongue.
Sep 6, 2005 10:43 AM
Re: City of Louisiana
Scathing. And brilliant. I've always like Olbermann going back to when ESPN was a fledgling TV network.
Now, to the subject at hand, let's cut Chertoff a little slack. He claims that he picked up a newspaper on Tuesday morning with a headline that stated that New Orleans had dodged a bullet. Granted, you would think someone in all his agencies reporting to him would have turned on a TV that day to find out otherwise and maybe tell the boss that they've got a big problem on their hands. All I can tell you is that the simple slip of the tongue wasn't an earth-shattering mistake. And quite frankly, he's a big improvement over that boob Tom Ridge who thought the color system was great even as it was the butt of late night comedians' jokes.
The problem lies with the man who appointed Chertoff and his administration. Or the man who appointed the Arabian horse expert to head up FEMA.
Now, to the subject at hand, let's cut Chertoff a little slack. He claims that he picked up a newspaper on Tuesday morning with a headline that stated that New Orleans had dodged a bullet. Granted, you would think someone in all his agencies reporting to him would have turned on a TV that day to find out otherwise and maybe tell the boss that they've got a big problem on their hands. All I can tell you is that the simple slip of the tongue wasn't an earth-shattering mistake. And quite frankly, he's a big improvement over that boob Tom Ridge who thought the color system was great even as it was the butt of late night comedians' jokes.
The problem lies with the man who appointed Chertoff and his administration. Or the man who appointed the Arabian horse expert to head up FEMA.
By: spam_vigilante
Re: City of Louisiana
This should be rebroadcast in full during prime time on all the major channels. Too bad it will be confined to a cable news channel and those few who happen to find it on the Net.
By: Geist
Re: City of Louisiana
Well put. Thank you Olbermann!
But hey, at least Halliburton's on the job!
http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3806046
But hey, at least Halliburton's on the job!
http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3806046
By: hypersloth
Re: City of Louisiana
you wanna know what kills me...there are still people DYING out there and already the blame game and politicizing begins. Makes me sick.
By: Dosetaker
Re: City of Louisiana
Yep, that's politics for you. 1000 pounds of bullshit in 100 pound men, so to speak.
By: Bearfoot
Re: City of Louisiana
I think it's absolutely necessary to hold their feet to the fire - I think it's equally sad that the only reason anything's finally getting done is because a response had to be demanded to begin with. Also that it's important to analyze their performance so that we might do better. No leadership from the leaders makes me sick.
By: hypersloth
Re: City of Louisiana
one has to consider that we've never actually dealt with anything quite like this before in recent history. No matter how you cut it, some people won't be satisfied. Not that I think anyone ever could be in a case like this.
Bottom line...LA's official policy on hurricane evacuation says responsibility rests with the mayor and the city transit authority. They failed...miserably. I find it astounding how everyone looks to the federal government first in times like this when trying to place blame rather than looking a bit closer to home. Smaller government, indeed...unless, of course, you need something.
Bottom line...LA's official policy on hurricane evacuation says responsibility rests with the mayor and the city transit authority. They failed...miserably. I find it astounding how everyone looks to the federal government first in times like this when trying to place blame rather than looking a bit closer to home. Smaller government, indeed...unless, of course, you need something.
By: Dosetaker
Re: City of Louisiana
There's a little organization known as FEMA, who ignored the Army Corps of Engineers' warnings. Repeatedly, this scenario has been envisioned, and Bush responded by cutting the funding for flood prevention to the point of worthlessness. This wasn't a matter of if, but when.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/03/katrina.chertoff/index.html
This is from 2002 http://www.nola.com/hurricane/?/washingaway/
Here's a National Geographic article from last year, which says "The Federal Emergency Management Agency lists a hurricane strike on New Orleans as one of the most dire threats to the nation, up there with a large earthquake in California or a terrorist attack on New York City. Even the Red Cross no longer opens hurricane shelters in the city, claiming the risk to its workers is too great." http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0410/feature5/index.html
Seems like a lot of work for a mayor and a transit authority to take care of...
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/02/nagin.transcript/
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/03/katrina.chertoff/index.html
This is from 2002 http://www.nola.com/hurricane/?/washingaway/
Here's a National Geographic article from last year, which says "The Federal Emergency Management Agency lists a hurricane strike on New Orleans as one of the most dire threats to the nation, up there with a large earthquake in California or a terrorist attack on New York City. Even the Red Cross no longer opens hurricane shelters in the city, claiming the risk to its workers is too great." http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0410/feature5/index.html
Seems like a lot of work for a mayor and a transit authority to take care of...
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/02/nagin.transcript/
By: hypersloth
