Friday, September 30, 2005
Bill Bennett Responds to Critics over Black Abortion
Former Reagan administration education secretary Bill Bennett blasted his critics Thursday night, including Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, of whom Bennett said: ""I'll not take instruction from Teddy Kennedy. A young woman likely drowned because of his negligence."
Bennett is on the hot seat for remarks uttered Wednesday during his radio show, "Morning in America," where he was arguing against some of the more extreme justifications for abortion, calling them "ridiculous and morally reprehensible."
Offering an example, Bennett said:
"I do know that it’s true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could, if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down.”
By Thursday afternoon, prominent Democrats had seized upon the comment.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, who said last year that the Supreme Court's lone black member was "an embarrassment to the court," is demanding that Bennett "issue an immediate apology not only to African Americans but to the nation.”
Left wing Democrat Ted Kennedy, whose brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, ordered the illegal wiretapping of Martin Luther King, called Bennett a "racist."
And Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean, who suggested last year that most blacks hold menial jobs, called Bennett's comments "hateful" and "inflammatory" - and called on him to apologize.
Responding to his critics, Bennett told the Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes":
Former Reagan administration education secretary Bill Bennett blasted his critics Thursday night, including Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, of whom Bennett said: ""I'll not take instruction from Teddy Kennedy. A young woman likely drowned because of his negligence."
Bennett is on the hot seat for remarks uttered Wednesday during his radio show, "Morning in America," where he was arguing against some of the more extreme justifications for abortion, calling them "ridiculous and morally reprehensible."
Offering an example, Bennett said:
"I do know that it’s true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could, if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down.”
By Thursday afternoon, prominent Democrats had seized upon the comment.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, who said last year that the Supreme Court's lone black member was "an embarrassment to the court," is demanding that Bennett "issue an immediate apology not only to African Americans but to the nation.”
Left wing Democrat Ted Kennedy, whose brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, ordered the illegal wiretapping of Martin Luther King, called Bennett a "racist."
And Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean, who suggested last year that most blacks hold menial jobs, called Bennett's comments "hateful" and "inflammatory" - and called on him to apologize.
Responding to his critics, Bennett told the Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes":
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Sen. Hutchison: DeLay Prosecutor 'Corrupt'
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who was indicted three times by Texas state Democratic prosecutor Ronnie Earle in a move widely seen as a bid to derail her 1994 Senate campaign, warned after she was acquitted that Earle had a history of corruption.
The same Travis County prosecutor indicted House Majority Leader Tom DeLay on Wednesday - and while so far Hutchison has been silent, she wasn't shy about criticizing Earle 11 years ago.
"Ronnie Earle's record is spotted with controversy, allegations of misuse of power, and corruption," Sen. Hutchison told the Associated Press back then. "This should not be tolerated in a prosecutor with such awesome responsibility."
The Texas Republican's ire followed Earle's repeated attempts to prosecute her while Hutchison was running for office - floating charges ranging from misuse of her office to an allegation that Hutchison "assaulted" one of her employees.
And when a Texas state judge finally ruled that his evidence against Hutchison was inadmissable, Earle summoned reporters to share the dirt he had gathered.
The Buffalo News reported that during the media gathering, the vindictive Earle "announced that a solid majority of 24 mock jurors had repeatedly found Hutchison guilty of the felony charges that she misused state employees and equipment for personal and political gain."
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who was indicted three times by Texas state Democratic prosecutor Ronnie Earle in a move widely seen as a bid to derail her 1994 Senate campaign, warned after she was acquitted that Earle had a history of corruption.
The same Travis County prosecutor indicted House Majority Leader Tom DeLay on Wednesday - and while so far Hutchison has been silent, she wasn't shy about criticizing Earle 11 years ago.
"Ronnie Earle's record is spotted with controversy, allegations of misuse of power, and corruption," Sen. Hutchison told the Associated Press back then. "This should not be tolerated in a prosecutor with such awesome responsibility."
The Texas Republican's ire followed Earle's repeated attempts to prosecute her while Hutchison was running for office - floating charges ranging from misuse of her office to an allegation that Hutchison "assaulted" one of her employees.
And when a Texas state judge finally ruled that his evidence against Hutchison was inadmissable, Earle summoned reporters to share the dirt he had gathered.
The Buffalo News reported that during the media gathering, the vindictive Earle "announced that a solid majority of 24 mock jurors had repeatedly found Hutchison guilty of the felony charges that she misused state employees and equipment for personal and political gain."
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Ann Coulter: Never Compliment a Democrat
Best-selling author and conservative pundit Ann Coulter told Alan Colmes on the "Hannity and Colmes" show on Fox News last night that she meant it when she wrote in her book "How to Talk to a Liberal - If You Must," now out in paperback, that the rules for talking to a liberal forbid complimenting, showing graciousness to, or flattering a Democrat.
Colmes then told Coulter that Pat Tillman, the former pro football player turned Army Ranger who was killed in Afghanistan, was pro-John Kerry and against the war in Iraq.
"You were quoted in the San Fransisco Chronicle yesterday" Colmes continued, "saying that Tillman 'was virtuous and pure, as only an American male can be.' I wonder if you still would say those things," knowing he was a Democrat?
"No, but I don't believe it," she said. "I think you got that from one of those documents that Mary Mapes (the producer of the bogus CBS News story on George W. Bush's Guard service) handed in to Dan Rather.
Sean Hannity then asked her about the story on her Web site about the two Indiana firefighters volunteering to help the people of New Orleans, They were sent by FEMA to an eight-hour class on sexual harassment and equal opportunity rather than straight to the Crescent City to aid residents.
Ann notes on her site, "Anyone who works for FEMA for more than two weeks is required to take training programs in 'awareness and prevention of sexual harassment,' 'equal rights officer orientation,' and 'valuing diversity.'"
She told Hannity it was just another case of "Welcome to the federal government.
"That's what we ought to be having hearings on. That's what I think [former FEMA boss] Michael Brown should have been asked about. I assume this applies to all federal agencies, which is why in general, conservatives don't want to federalize everything. This is what you get when you get FEMA."
Hannity said, "I think you could do a whole book just on this topic!" No, Coulter disagreed, the diversity training before you can go and rescue people says it all.
Today on Fox News' "Dayside" program, Coulter commented on Tom Delay's indictment by a Texas grand jury, saying it is pure politics by prosecutor Ronnie Earle and is a perfect example of the need for her book: liberals want Republicans outlawed, and they "would like to put us all in Guantanamo."
Best-selling author and conservative pundit Ann Coulter told Alan Colmes on the "Hannity and Colmes" show on Fox News last night that she meant it when she wrote in her book "How to Talk to a Liberal - If You Must," now out in paperback, that the rules for talking to a liberal forbid complimenting, showing graciousness to, or flattering a Democrat.
Colmes then told Coulter that Pat Tillman, the former pro football player turned Army Ranger who was killed in Afghanistan, was pro-John Kerry and against the war in Iraq.
"You were quoted in the San Fransisco Chronicle yesterday" Colmes continued, "saying that Tillman 'was virtuous and pure, as only an American male can be.' I wonder if you still would say those things," knowing he was a Democrat?
"No, but I don't believe it," she said. "I think you got that from one of those documents that Mary Mapes (the producer of the bogus CBS News story on George W. Bush's Guard service) handed in to Dan Rather.
Sean Hannity then asked her about the story on her Web site about the two Indiana firefighters volunteering to help the people of New Orleans, They were sent by FEMA to an eight-hour class on sexual harassment and equal opportunity rather than straight to the Crescent City to aid residents.
Ann notes on her site, "Anyone who works for FEMA for more than two weeks is required to take training programs in 'awareness and prevention of sexual harassment,' 'equal rights officer orientation,' and 'valuing diversity.'"
She told Hannity it was just another case of "Welcome to the federal government.
"That's what we ought to be having hearings on. That's what I think [former FEMA boss] Michael Brown should have been asked about. I assume this applies to all federal agencies, which is why in general, conservatives don't want to federalize everything. This is what you get when you get FEMA."
Hannity said, "I think you could do a whole book just on this topic!" No, Coulter disagreed, the diversity training before you can go and rescue people says it all.
Today on Fox News' "Dayside" program, Coulter commented on Tom Delay's indictment by a Texas grand jury, saying it is pure politics by prosecutor Ronnie Earle and is a perfect example of the need for her book: liberals want Republicans outlawed, and they "would like to put us all in Guantanamo."
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Louis Farrakhan: Divers Found Levee Explosives
Nation of Islam chief Minister Louis Farrakhan has expanded on his theory that New Orleans' levees were blown up during Hurricane Katrina, announcing Friday that divers working on the levee break have found evidence of explosives.
"These explosives are from the government side," he said during a press conference in Memphis held to promote his upcoming Million Man Anniversary March.
In quotes picked up by Memphis TV station WMC, Farrakhan demanded an investigation into the Bush administration's levee plot. If true, he insisted: "somebody is guilty, then not only of mass destruction of property, but of mass murder."
Farrakhan predicted that when New Orleans is rebuilt, it will be "a white city."
"It will be rebuilt to the exclusion of the poor who have been dispersed all over the country," he said.
Two weeks ago, the firebrand Muslim leader announced that he'd uncovered the levee plot.
"I heard from a very reliable source who saw a 25 foot deep crater under the levee breach," Farrakhan explained during a stop in Charleston, South Carolina. "It may have been blown up to destroy the black part of town and keep the white part dry."
Nation of Islam chief Minister Louis Farrakhan has expanded on his theory that New Orleans' levees were blown up during Hurricane Katrina, announcing Friday that divers working on the levee break have found evidence of explosives.
"These explosives are from the government side," he said during a press conference in Memphis held to promote his upcoming Million Man Anniversary March.
In quotes picked up by Memphis TV station WMC, Farrakhan demanded an investigation into the Bush administration's levee plot. If true, he insisted: "somebody is guilty, then not only of mass destruction of property, but of mass murder."
Farrakhan predicted that when New Orleans is rebuilt, it will be "a white city."
"It will be rebuilt to the exclusion of the poor who have been dispersed all over the country," he said.
Two weeks ago, the firebrand Muslim leader announced that he'd uncovered the levee plot.
"I heard from a very reliable source who saw a 25 foot deep crater under the levee breach," Farrakhan explained during a stop in Charleston, South Carolina. "It may have been blown up to destroy the black part of town and keep the white part dry."
Monday, September 26, 2005
Late Nite Jokes
Leno
As you know, NBC has been premiering their new fall lineup this week. So far our highest rated show was "Jet Blue: The Landing”.
I’m sure you all know that amazing story how they circled over the ocean to burn off fuel. They used thousands of gallons of fuel to fly just 18 miles from Burbank to L.A. Here’s the amazing part - they still used less gas than an SUV.
President Bush keeping track of Hurricane Rita hitting his home state of Texas. That’s Bush’s worst nightmare. An electric chair with no power.
Yesterday the Texas Air National Guard was recalled from Louisiana. President Bush said these brave men and women should be commended for all the work they do. Of course Bush didn’t know firsthand knowledge of what it was the Air National Guard actually does, but he’s heard it was important.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has announced that she has decided to vote against the nomination of John Roberts for the Supreme Court. She said it was a matter of conscience. And when she explained this to her husband Bill he said, "A matter of what?”
"Forbes” has come out with its annual list of 400 richest Americans. Or as its also called, the Bush cabinet.
Regis Philbin says his upcoming Christmas album will feature a duet with him and Donald Trump. I guess the idea is you play it when you want your relatives to go home.
Leno
As you know, NBC has been premiering their new fall lineup this week. So far our highest rated show was "Jet Blue: The Landing”.
I’m sure you all know that amazing story how they circled over the ocean to burn off fuel. They used thousands of gallons of fuel to fly just 18 miles from Burbank to L.A. Here’s the amazing part - they still used less gas than an SUV.
President Bush keeping track of Hurricane Rita hitting his home state of Texas. That’s Bush’s worst nightmare. An electric chair with no power.
Yesterday the Texas Air National Guard was recalled from Louisiana. President Bush said these brave men and women should be commended for all the work they do. Of course Bush didn’t know firsthand knowledge of what it was the Air National Guard actually does, but he’s heard it was important.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has announced that she has decided to vote against the nomination of John Roberts for the Supreme Court. She said it was a matter of conscience. And when she explained this to her husband Bill he said, "A matter of what?”
"Forbes” has come out with its annual list of 400 richest Americans. Or as its also called, the Bush cabinet.
Regis Philbin says his upcoming Christmas album will feature a duet with him and Donald Trump. I guess the idea is you play it when you want your relatives to go home.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Late Nite Jokes
Leno
You all sound like you landed on Jet Blue Airlines….jet blue airlines has a new slogan – aahhh!!!
The age we live in – Jet Blue has a live TV. Screen in each seat so the 140 passengers were allowed to watch the whole ordeal in each seat on MSNBC on the plane’s screen. Now that’s what you call watching a reality show.
And the executives here are thrilled; 146 people! That’s the highest rating MSNBC has ever had.
You know what really upset the passengers, they flew around for three hours and only got 18 frequent flyer miles.
Prisoners at the Jacksonville, Illinois correctional center have been under lock-down after an assistant warden lost a set of keys that opens all the jail cells. This guy lost the keys for all the cells. Well that Mike Brown from FEMA can’t do anything right.
Martha Stewart’s "Apprentice” show premiered last night. I don’t wanna say it didn’t do well but tonight on his "Apprentice” show Trump fired her.
Letterman
New York City is getting pay toilets. Twenty pay toilets will be placed around the city. Yeah, twenty…that should be enough.
Did you see that Jet Blue flight that had the emergency landing? The passengers on the place actually got to see everything take place on TV. Can you imagine the harrowing experience those people went through? Just like you people here tonight.
Officials say that Iraqi leaders have embezzled over $2 billion from the Pentagon. Halliburton found this out and said, "Hey we were going to embezzle that!”
Donald Trump is planning to build a new building in New Jersey. Gee, I wonder what it will be named?
Conan
A man in France has been arrested after it was discovered he had lived with his dead mother for over five years in order to keep getting her pension checks. In a related story Melissa Rivers was arrested for the same thing.
Leno
You all sound like you landed on Jet Blue Airlines….jet blue airlines has a new slogan – aahhh!!!
The age we live in – Jet Blue has a live TV. Screen in each seat so the 140 passengers were allowed to watch the whole ordeal in each seat on MSNBC on the plane’s screen. Now that’s what you call watching a reality show.
And the executives here are thrilled; 146 people! That’s the highest rating MSNBC has ever had.
You know what really upset the passengers, they flew around for three hours and only got 18 frequent flyer miles.
Prisoners at the Jacksonville, Illinois correctional center have been under lock-down after an assistant warden lost a set of keys that opens all the jail cells. This guy lost the keys for all the cells. Well that Mike Brown from FEMA can’t do anything right.
Martha Stewart’s "Apprentice” show premiered last night. I don’t wanna say it didn’t do well but tonight on his "Apprentice” show Trump fired her.
Letterman
New York City is getting pay toilets. Twenty pay toilets will be placed around the city. Yeah, twenty…that should be enough.
Did you see that Jet Blue flight that had the emergency landing? The passengers on the place actually got to see everything take place on TV. Can you imagine the harrowing experience those people went through? Just like you people here tonight.
Officials say that Iraqi leaders have embezzled over $2 billion from the Pentagon. Halliburton found this out and said, "Hey we were going to embezzle that!”
Donald Trump is planning to build a new building in New Jersey. Gee, I wonder what it will be named?
Conan
A man in France has been arrested after it was discovered he had lived with his dead mother for over five years in order to keep getting her pension checks. In a related story Melissa Rivers was arrested for the same thing.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Hillary Clinton: Peace Mom Wrong on Iraq War
2008 presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton scrambled yesterday to put some distance between herself and Cindy Sheehan, after word of her private meeting with the anti-American "Peace Mom" was reported by the Village Voice.
While Sheehan herself gushed afterwards that her Hillary sitdown went "fabulously," the former first lady sounded a good deal less enthusiastic.
In comments guaranteed to infuriate the Moveon.org crowd, Clinton began by noting that she had met earlier in the day with about 20 moms from American Gold Star Mothers, who vehemently disagreed with Sheehan.
"My bottom line is that I don’t want their sons to die in vain," she told the Voice.
While Sheehan has called the U.S. liberation of Iraq "B - - sh - t," Clinton said:
"I happen to think that fighting for freedom is a noble cause. There are lots of things wrong with how Bush did it. I believe we should have gone through with the inspection process and acted through the U.N. But I believe that standing up against someone as dangerous as Saddam was a good goal.”
Hillary also rebuffed Sheehan's demand that she lead the charge to get the U.S. out of Iraq ASAP.
"I think it is a much more complicated situation," Clinton explained. "I don’t think it’s the right time to withdraw."
2008 presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton scrambled yesterday to put some distance between herself and Cindy Sheehan, after word of her private meeting with the anti-American "Peace Mom" was reported by the Village Voice.
While Sheehan herself gushed afterwards that her Hillary sitdown went "fabulously," the former first lady sounded a good deal less enthusiastic.
In comments guaranteed to infuriate the Moveon.org crowd, Clinton began by noting that she had met earlier in the day with about 20 moms from American Gold Star Mothers, who vehemently disagreed with Sheehan.
"My bottom line is that I don’t want their sons to die in vain," she told the Voice.
While Sheehan has called the U.S. liberation of Iraq "B - - sh - t," Clinton said:
"I happen to think that fighting for freedom is a noble cause. There are lots of things wrong with how Bush did it. I believe we should have gone through with the inspection process and acted through the U.N. But I believe that standing up against someone as dangerous as Saddam was a good goal.”
Hillary also rebuffed Sheehan's demand that she lead the charge to get the U.S. out of Iraq ASAP.
"I think it is a much more complicated situation," Clinton explained. "I don’t think it’s the right time to withdraw."
Friday, September 23, 2005
President Bush: Clinton Weakness Led to 9/11
President Bush fired back at ex-president Clinton on Thursday, saying the weak U.S. response to terrorist attacks that took place mostly during the Clinton administration encouraged al Qaida to launch the 9/11 attacks.
"The terrorists saw our response to the hostage crisis in Iran, the bombings in the Marine barracks in Lebanon, the first World Trade Center attack, the killing of American soldiers in Somalia, the destruction of two U.S. embassies in Africa and the attack on the USS Cole," Bush noted, after getting an update on the war on terror at the Pentagon.
"The terrorists concluded that we lacked the courage and character to defend ourselves and so they attacked us," the president added, in quotes picked up by United Press International.
Four of the six terrorist attacks cited by Bush took place on Clinton's watch, with the first two coming during the presidencies of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.
Bush's decision to invoke Clinton's poor record on terrorism comes just five days after the ex-president slammed him for attacking Iraq without just cause.
"The administration . . . decided to launch this invasion virtually alone and before the U.N. inspections were completed - with no real urgency, no evidence that there was any weapons of mass destruction there," Clinton complained to ABC's "This Week."
"I did not favor what was done," he added.
President Bush fired back at ex-president Clinton on Thursday, saying the weak U.S. response to terrorist attacks that took place mostly during the Clinton administration encouraged al Qaida to launch the 9/11 attacks.
"The terrorists saw our response to the hostage crisis in Iran, the bombings in the Marine barracks in Lebanon, the first World Trade Center attack, the killing of American soldiers in Somalia, the destruction of two U.S. embassies in Africa and the attack on the USS Cole," Bush noted, after getting an update on the war on terror at the Pentagon.
"The terrorists concluded that we lacked the courage and character to defend ourselves and so they attacked us," the president added, in quotes picked up by United Press International.
Four of the six terrorist attacks cited by Bush took place on Clinton's watch, with the first two coming during the presidencies of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.
Bush's decision to invoke Clinton's poor record on terrorism comes just five days after the ex-president slammed him for attacking Iraq without just cause.
"The administration . . . decided to launch this invasion virtually alone and before the U.N. inspections were completed - with no real urgency, no evidence that there was any weapons of mass destruction there," Clinton complained to ABC's "This Week."
"I did not favor what was done," he added.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Hillary Clinton Trails Badly in Left-wing Poll
A new poll of left-leaning Democrats shows Hillary Clinton badly trailing her 2008 presidential rivals, with Wesley Clark, Russ Feingold and John Edwards all getting more support.
The poll of 10,000 readers to the most widely trafficked Democrat blog, the Daily Kos, shows Gen. Clark is the 2008 frontrunner, with 34 percent support.
Sen. Russ Feingold comes in second with 19 percent
Behind him - John Kerry's former running mate John Edwards gets 10 percent.
Bringing up the rear, Hillary Clinton gets a tiny 8 percent support. And the trend shows her popularity fading - she got 10 percent in June.
"This isn't a scientific poll of the Democratic Party rank and file," reminds Koz. "But it's a pretty darn accurate poll of the sentiments of the Daily Kos community. 10,000+ respondents is nothing to sneeze at."
Hillary may still be wildly popular with Democrats at large. But it's the Moveon.org types who flock to web sites like Kos who will have a huge say in the primary process. And that's bad news for Mrs. Clinton.
As for John Kerry, they like him even less. He got just 3 percent in the Kos poll.
A new poll of left-leaning Democrats shows Hillary Clinton badly trailing her 2008 presidential rivals, with Wesley Clark, Russ Feingold and John Edwards all getting more support.
The poll of 10,000 readers to the most widely trafficked Democrat blog, the Daily Kos, shows Gen. Clark is the 2008 frontrunner, with 34 percent support.
Sen. Russ Feingold comes in second with 19 percent
Behind him - John Kerry's former running mate John Edwards gets 10 percent.
Bringing up the rear, Hillary Clinton gets a tiny 8 percent support. And the trend shows her popularity fading - she got 10 percent in June.
"This isn't a scientific poll of the Democratic Party rank and file," reminds Koz. "But it's a pretty darn accurate poll of the sentiments of the Daily Kos community. 10,000+ respondents is nothing to sneeze at."
Hillary may still be wildly popular with Democrats at large. But it's the Moveon.org types who flock to web sites like Kos who will have a huge say in the primary process. And that's bad news for Mrs. Clinton.
As for John Kerry, they like him even less. He got just 3 percent in the Kos poll.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Able Danger Might Have Prevented 9/11
A former top Pentagon intelligence official testified on Wednesday that information on four 9/11 hijackers developed by the military's Able Danger data mining project could have helped prevent the 9/11 attacks - had he not been ordered to destroy the data.
Asked by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter if his team had gathered enough intelligence to have thwarted the worst enemy attack ever on the U.S., Erik Kleinsmith, former head of the Pentagon's Land Warfare Analysis Department, said:
"I go to bed every night and other members of our team do as well [thinking] that if [Able Danger] had not been shut down that we would have at least been able to prevent something or assist the United States in some way."
"Could we have prevented 9/11? I could never speculate to that extent," Kleinsmith quickly added. But his previous comments left little doubt that he felt the best chance to avert the deaths of 3,000 Americans had been lost when Able Danger was shut down.
Kleinsmith detailed a May 2000 visit by a top Pentagon lawyer who ordered him to destroy Able Danger's intelligence data, including critical information on lead hijacker Mohammed Atta and three other hijackers.
"We were visited by our general counsel," he told the Committee. After citing Army regulations on gathering intelligence on domestic targets, Kleinsmith said the lawyer "jokingly" ordered: "Remember - delete this data or you guys will go to jail."
Kleinsmith described his reaction: "Ha, ha - very funny. I understand you completely - abide by the regulation."
A former top Pentagon intelligence official testified on Wednesday that information on four 9/11 hijackers developed by the military's Able Danger data mining project could have helped prevent the 9/11 attacks - had he not been ordered to destroy the data.
Asked by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter if his team had gathered enough intelligence to have thwarted the worst enemy attack ever on the U.S., Erik Kleinsmith, former head of the Pentagon's Land Warfare Analysis Department, said:
"I go to bed every night and other members of our team do as well [thinking] that if [Able Danger] had not been shut down that we would have at least been able to prevent something or assist the United States in some way."
"Could we have prevented 9/11? I could never speculate to that extent," Kleinsmith quickly added. But his previous comments left little doubt that he felt the best chance to avert the deaths of 3,000 Americans had been lost when Able Danger was shut down.
Kleinsmith detailed a May 2000 visit by a top Pentagon lawyer who ordered him to destroy Able Danger's intelligence data, including critical information on lead hijacker Mohammed Atta and three other hijackers.
"We were visited by our general counsel," he told the Committee. After citing Army regulations on gathering intelligence on domestic targets, Kleinsmith said the lawyer "jokingly" ordered: "Remember - delete this data or you guys will go to jail."
Kleinsmith described his reaction: "Ha, ha - very funny. I understand you completely - abide by the regulation."
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
RNC Responds to Kerry's Bush Attack
The Republican National Committee is firing back at Sen. John Kerry, after Kerry blasted the White House for mishandling the Hurricane Katrina crisis.
"This is the Katrina administration," Kerry declared to an audience at Brown University on Monday.
"If 12-year-old Boy Scouts can be prepared, Americans have a right to expect the same from their 59 year-old President of the United States."
The Massachusetts Democrat charged: "The truth is that for four and a half years, real-life choices have been replaced by ideological agenda, substance replaced by spin, governance second place always to politics."
Responding to Kerry's broadside, Republican National Committee Press Secretary Tracey Schmitt said: "John Kerry's attacks on President Bush's efforts to assist the victims and rebuild the Gulf Coast don't come as a surprise - armchair quarterbacking on tough issues has never been a problem for Senator Kerry.
"The American people have pulled together during a difficult time, and Democrats' efforts to politicize this tragedy are unsavory at best," she added.
The Republican National Committee is firing back at Sen. John Kerry, after Kerry blasted the White House for mishandling the Hurricane Katrina crisis.
"This is the Katrina administration," Kerry declared to an audience at Brown University on Monday.
"If 12-year-old Boy Scouts can be prepared, Americans have a right to expect the same from their 59 year-old President of the United States."
The Massachusetts Democrat charged: "The truth is that for four and a half years, real-life choices have been replaced by ideological agenda, substance replaced by spin, governance second place always to politics."
Responding to Kerry's broadside, Republican National Committee Press Secretary Tracey Schmitt said: "John Kerry's attacks on President Bush's efforts to assist the victims and rebuild the Gulf Coast don't come as a surprise - armchair quarterbacking on tough issues has never been a problem for Senator Kerry.
"The American people have pulled together during a difficult time, and Democrats' efforts to politicize this tragedy are unsavory at best," she added.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Late Nite Jokes
Leno
If you flew out here on Northwest or Delta to say the Pledge of Allegiance, this is just not your week.
President Bush spoke tonight to the nation about the problems with the relief effort. And afterwards, Kanye West gave the rebuttal.
To his credit, earlier tonight in a speech to the nation, President Bush took the blame for the slow relief effort for Hurricane Katrina. In fact, he said, because of this, he probably will not run for a 3rd term.
Give you an idea how low President Bush's approval rating is...he is three points below NBC!
Arnold Schwarzenegger will announce tomorrow whether he plans to run for a second term. Or as he calls it - a sequel.
I think it’s good news if he decides to run. You know that he's not planning to go back into acting.
According to researchers at the University of California San Francisco, a hallucinogenic drug may be effective in treating alcoholism. Is that a good tradeoff? Now you won’t be drinking and passing out, now you’ll be walking around hallucinating!
It less than three days away from the Emmy Awards, or as NBC calls it...Black Sunday.
Leno
If you flew out here on Northwest or Delta to say the Pledge of Allegiance, this is just not your week.
President Bush spoke tonight to the nation about the problems with the relief effort. And afterwards, Kanye West gave the rebuttal.
To his credit, earlier tonight in a speech to the nation, President Bush took the blame for the slow relief effort for Hurricane Katrina. In fact, he said, because of this, he probably will not run for a 3rd term.
Give you an idea how low President Bush's approval rating is...he is three points below NBC!
Arnold Schwarzenegger will announce tomorrow whether he plans to run for a second term. Or as he calls it - a sequel.
I think it’s good news if he decides to run. You know that he's not planning to go back into acting.
According to researchers at the University of California San Francisco, a hallucinogenic drug may be effective in treating alcoholism. Is that a good tradeoff? Now you won’t be drinking and passing out, now you’ll be walking around hallucinating!
It less than three days away from the Emmy Awards, or as NBC calls it...Black Sunday.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Late Nite Jokes
Leno
Welcome to our 3000th show tonight. I was thinking about that. We did our first show in May of 1992; a man named George Bush was president, his approval rating was only 39%. And someone named Clinton wanted to replace him in the White House. So nothing has changed really.
You know who else is celebrating their 3000th anniversary, the Rolling Stones.
Tomorrow night in a speech to the nation President Bush will do what he does best. Explaining what went wrong.
President Bush said racism played no part on the slow rescue effort; he’s right, that‘s the one good thing about incompetence: it is color blind.
Al Gore gave a fiery speech this week criticizing the Bush administration. And then Gore took some questions from the other customers who were waiting in line at Starbucks.
One of the very first businesses to reopen in New Orleans after the flood will be a place called "Big Daddy’s Strip Club”. Nice to see FEMA finally getting involved in this thing.
Walt Disney has opened its first theme park in China. You thought the lines for rides were long in this country – try going to a place that has a billion people in it.
This must be exciting for the people there. To be able to get into the stores and buy that Disney stuff that’s made in china.
This just in, Britney Spears had a baby boy just a couple hours ago. She says she can’t wait until the baby lip-syncs its first words.
Leno
Welcome to our 3000th show tonight. I was thinking about that. We did our first show in May of 1992; a man named George Bush was president, his approval rating was only 39%. And someone named Clinton wanted to replace him in the White House. So nothing has changed really.
You know who else is celebrating their 3000th anniversary, the Rolling Stones.
Tomorrow night in a speech to the nation President Bush will do what he does best. Explaining what went wrong.
President Bush said racism played no part on the slow rescue effort; he’s right, that‘s the one good thing about incompetence: it is color blind.
Al Gore gave a fiery speech this week criticizing the Bush administration. And then Gore took some questions from the other customers who were waiting in line at Starbucks.
One of the very first businesses to reopen in New Orleans after the flood will be a place called "Big Daddy’s Strip Club”. Nice to see FEMA finally getting involved in this thing.
Walt Disney has opened its first theme park in China. You thought the lines for rides were long in this country – try going to a place that has a billion people in it.
This must be exciting for the people there. To be able to get into the stores and buy that Disney stuff that’s made in china.
This just in, Britney Spears had a baby boy just a couple hours ago. She says she can’t wait until the baby lip-syncs its first words.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Late Nite Jokes
Leno
Los Angeles has a new slogan "batteries not included”.
Well as I’m sure you know, we had a huge power outage here in Los Angeles yesterday. Two million people lost power. NBC was actually off the air. Here’s the sad part – the ratings never changed.
Our power here at the studio was out for hours. And what could we do? It’s not like NBC is owned by General Electric or anything.
I tell you a lot of industry was affect by the blackout. In fact, up in Barstow, a lot of the meth labs are still not back online.
Yesterday President Bush toured New Orleans. He saw something that was below sea level. His approval rating.
A new poll by "New York Post” says that women in New York have sex more times per week than any other place in the country. Did you see the reaction? (picture: Bill Clinton holding an "I love NY” bumpersticker.)
I watched some great softball today – the senate hearings on John Roberts.
Congratulations to supermodel Heidi Klum and her husband Seal – they just had a baby boy. Which I believe would make the child a "baby seal”.
Letterman
The traffic here in New York City is terrible right now. There’s a big summit coming up, President Bush will be in town. In fact the current President of Afghanistan is in town, and his cab driver today was the former President of Afghanistan.
Are you watching the senate conformation hearings of John Roberts? It’s been sort of dull so they decided to liven up the process by making him answer in the form of a question.
All of the senators are getting a chance to speak, like ten minutes to ask questions. Ted Kennedy spent all this time today telling his version of "The Aristocrats”.
FEMA Director Mike Brown has resigned. He now wants to spend more time not responding to his family.
He can now go focus on being ineffective in the private sector.
Conan
The Director of FEMA, Mike Brown has resigned. His next job will be overseeing the NBC fall lineup.
Disney has opened up its first theme park in China. 10,000 children showed up on opening day – and that was just to make the t-shirts.
Leno
Los Angeles has a new slogan "batteries not included”.
Well as I’m sure you know, we had a huge power outage here in Los Angeles yesterday. Two million people lost power. NBC was actually off the air. Here’s the sad part – the ratings never changed.
Our power here at the studio was out for hours. And what could we do? It’s not like NBC is owned by General Electric or anything.
I tell you a lot of industry was affect by the blackout. In fact, up in Barstow, a lot of the meth labs are still not back online.
Yesterday President Bush toured New Orleans. He saw something that was below sea level. His approval rating.
A new poll by "New York Post” says that women in New York have sex more times per week than any other place in the country. Did you see the reaction? (picture: Bill Clinton holding an "I love NY” bumpersticker.)
I watched some great softball today – the senate hearings on John Roberts.
Congratulations to supermodel Heidi Klum and her husband Seal – they just had a baby boy. Which I believe would make the child a "baby seal”.
Letterman
The traffic here in New York City is terrible right now. There’s a big summit coming up, President Bush will be in town. In fact the current President of Afghanistan is in town, and his cab driver today was the former President of Afghanistan.
Are you watching the senate conformation hearings of John Roberts? It’s been sort of dull so they decided to liven up the process by making him answer in the form of a question.
All of the senators are getting a chance to speak, like ten minutes to ask questions. Ted Kennedy spent all this time today telling his version of "The Aristocrats”.
FEMA Director Mike Brown has resigned. He now wants to spend more time not responding to his family.
He can now go focus on being ineffective in the private sector.
Conan
The Director of FEMA, Mike Brown has resigned. His next job will be overseeing the NBC fall lineup.
Disney has opened up its first theme park in China. 10,000 children showed up on opening day – and that was just to make the t-shirts.
Friday, September 16, 2005
Air America Hosts: Farrakhan Not Wrong on Levees
Two hosts at the liberal radio network Air America are defending Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan - saying he's not wrong to suspect that white people deliberately blew up the levees in New Orleans.
"You cannot blame people for coming up with conspiracy theories," Air America host Chuck D. said, after he was asked Thursday about the paranoid pronouncement by MSNBC's Tucker Carlson.
"They look on television and see that the government is four days late in saving people [who are] supposed to be their citizens," Chuck D. explained.
Carlson gave him a second chance to denounce Farrakhan's lunatic declaration, saying, "You're a smart guy. You know that white people didn't blow up the levees to kill black people. You've gotta know that didn't happen."
But the Air America host refused to budge, insisting instead that there was a chance Farrakhan could be right.
"I can't say unless I know for sure what's the actual facts and what's actually false," the rapper-turned-talk host said.
Carlson tried a third time, telling Chuck D.: "Look, I can say for certain that it was not a white conspiracy. White people did not blow up the levee to kill black people."
Still, the radio lefty wouldn't denounce Farrakhan's poisonous rant, saying only, "I don't think it's a person at fault but I think the system needs revamping."
After failing to persuade Chuck D., the MSNBC host turned to panelist Rachel Maddow, who also hosts a show on Air America.
Asked if she believed that white people deliberately destroyed the levees, Maddow declined to render a personal judgment - and instead defended the sentiment behind the toxic hypothesis.
"Conspiracy theories don't necessarily help but you have to understand where they come from," she told Carlson. "They come from people feeling like this disaster had a real racial component. I mean, it was a majority-black city that was absolutely abandoned by the country."
On Monday, Farrakhan uncorked his ugly theory, telling a North Carolina audience: "I heard from a very reliable source who saw a 25 foot deep crater under the levee breach. It may have been blown up to destroy the black part of town and keep the white part dry."
Two hosts at the liberal radio network Air America are defending Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan - saying he's not wrong to suspect that white people deliberately blew up the levees in New Orleans.
"You cannot blame people for coming up with conspiracy theories," Air America host Chuck D. said, after he was asked Thursday about the paranoid pronouncement by MSNBC's Tucker Carlson.
"They look on television and see that the government is four days late in saving people [who are] supposed to be their citizens," Chuck D. explained.
Carlson gave him a second chance to denounce Farrakhan's lunatic declaration, saying, "You're a smart guy. You know that white people didn't blow up the levees to kill black people. You've gotta know that didn't happen."
But the Air America host refused to budge, insisting instead that there was a chance Farrakhan could be right.
"I can't say unless I know for sure what's the actual facts and what's actually false," the rapper-turned-talk host said.
Carlson tried a third time, telling Chuck D.: "Look, I can say for certain that it was not a white conspiracy. White people did not blow up the levee to kill black people."
Still, the radio lefty wouldn't denounce Farrakhan's poisonous rant, saying only, "I don't think it's a person at fault but I think the system needs revamping."
After failing to persuade Chuck D., the MSNBC host turned to panelist Rachel Maddow, who also hosts a show on Air America.
Asked if she believed that white people deliberately destroyed the levees, Maddow declined to render a personal judgment - and instead defended the sentiment behind the toxic hypothesis.
"Conspiracy theories don't necessarily help but you have to understand where they come from," she told Carlson. "They come from people feeling like this disaster had a real racial component. I mean, it was a majority-black city that was absolutely abandoned by the country."
On Monday, Farrakhan uncorked his ugly theory, telling a North Carolina audience: "I heard from a very reliable source who saw a 25 foot deep crater under the levee breach. It may have been blown up to destroy the black part of town and keep the white part dry."
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Louis Farrakhan: Levees Were 'Blown Up'
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan is telling his followers that the levees in New Orleans may have been deliberately "blown up" to kill the city's black population.
The influential preacher was in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Monday, where he detailed his Hurricane Katrina conspiracy theory.
"I heard from a very reliable source who saw a 25 foot deep crater under the levee breach," Farrakhan explained. "It may have been blown up to destroy the black part of town and keep the white part dry."
Farrakhan didn't say who he thought was behind the plot to blow up New Orleans' levees.
The Muslim minister also blasted both FEMA and the Red Cross, saying their response to Katrina victims after the levees were blown up was inadequate.
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan is telling his followers that the levees in New Orleans may have been deliberately "blown up" to kill the city's black population.
The influential preacher was in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Monday, where he detailed his Hurricane Katrina conspiracy theory.
"I heard from a very reliable source who saw a 25 foot deep crater under the levee breach," Farrakhan explained. "It may have been blown up to destroy the black part of town and keep the white part dry."
Farrakhan didn't say who he thought was behind the plot to blow up New Orleans' levees.
The Muslim minister also blasted both FEMA and the Red Cross, saying their response to Katrina victims after the levees were blown up was inadequate.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Hurricane DVD Meant For New Orleans Sat On Shelf
Community leaders in New Orleans prepared a DVD instructing residents about evacuating before a hurricane – but 70,000 of the DVDs were still sitting on warehouse shelves in Los Angeles when Katrina struck.
The stark message on the DVD: Save yourself, and help your neighbors if you can.
"Don’t wait for the city, don’t wait for the state, don’t wait for the Red Cross,” Rev. Marshall Truehill warns on the DVD.
The public service program on the DVD, titled "Preparing for the Big One,” was aimed at the one-quarter of the city’s population that did not own a vehicle or have available transportation out of town if an evacuation was ordered, the Los Angeles Times reports.
"A strategy was developed. The tapes were done. Commercials were prepared,” said Ann Duplessis, the democratic state senator who represents the Lower 9th Ward, home to many of the city’s poor. But the hurricane "just came too fast.”
The city had arranged to have the DVD produced by Total Community Action. If it had been ready on time, it would have been distributed through churches in New Orleans.
But it wasn’t until 11:00 a.m. on August 28, about 18 hours before Katrina made landfall, that most residents first heard about "Preparing for the Big One.”
That's when Truehill, pastor of the city’s First Baptist Church, appeared on TV in a taped segment to tell viewers that the DVD was coming soon.
A copy of the DVD, reviewed by the Times, shows Truehill telling viewers: "It’s your personal responsibility” to escape before a hurricane.
Mayor C. Ray Nagin says: "Everybody needs to have their own plans. Check with your neighbors, check with your relatives.”
The DVD also contains advice on clearing storm drains, packing an evacuation kit and keeping pets safe.
But for residents without transportation, the DVD provides little beyond the advice to find a ride with someone.
As far back as September 2002, FEMA had met with city and church leaders to discuss the problem of evacuating people who lacked transportation.
But problems arose. Among them was a concern that residents who gave their neighbors a lift out of the city could face legal liability if something went wrong, according to the Times.
Legislation was introduced last year to release drivers from liability in the event of a hurricane. But it was opposed in the Louisiana House by members who were concerned that drunken drivers could escape responsibility for an accident if they were transporting evacuees.
Community leaders in New Orleans prepared a DVD instructing residents about evacuating before a hurricane – but 70,000 of the DVDs were still sitting on warehouse shelves in Los Angeles when Katrina struck.
The stark message on the DVD: Save yourself, and help your neighbors if you can.
"Don’t wait for the city, don’t wait for the state, don’t wait for the Red Cross,” Rev. Marshall Truehill warns on the DVD.
The public service program on the DVD, titled "Preparing for the Big One,” was aimed at the one-quarter of the city’s population that did not own a vehicle or have available transportation out of town if an evacuation was ordered, the Los Angeles Times reports.
"A strategy was developed. The tapes were done. Commercials were prepared,” said Ann Duplessis, the democratic state senator who represents the Lower 9th Ward, home to many of the city’s poor. But the hurricane "just came too fast.”
The city had arranged to have the DVD produced by Total Community Action. If it had been ready on time, it would have been distributed through churches in New Orleans.
But it wasn’t until 11:00 a.m. on August 28, about 18 hours before Katrina made landfall, that most residents first heard about "Preparing for the Big One.”
That's when Truehill, pastor of the city’s First Baptist Church, appeared on TV in a taped segment to tell viewers that the DVD was coming soon.
A copy of the DVD, reviewed by the Times, shows Truehill telling viewers: "It’s your personal responsibility” to escape before a hurricane.
Mayor C. Ray Nagin says: "Everybody needs to have their own plans. Check with your neighbors, check with your relatives.”
The DVD also contains advice on clearing storm drains, packing an evacuation kit and keeping pets safe.
But for residents without transportation, the DVD provides little beyond the advice to find a ride with someone.
As far back as September 2002, FEMA had met with city and church leaders to discuss the problem of evacuating people who lacked transportation.
But problems arose. Among them was a concern that residents who gave their neighbors a lift out of the city could face legal liability if something went wrong, according to the Times.
Legislation was introduced last year to release drivers from liability in the event of a hurricane. But it was opposed in the Louisiana House by members who were concerned that drunken drivers could escape responsibility for an accident if they were transporting evacuees.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Coleman: Bolton 'Right Guy, Right Place, Right Time'
U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton is "the right guy in the right place at the right time,” declared Sen. Norm Coleman.
Coleman (R-Minn.), the leader of the Senate’s investigation into the U.N.’s scandal-ridden oil-for-food program, rebutted critics who said Bolton was unsuitable for the job.
And other U.S. officials and some foreign policy experts say Bolton could help improve the U.N. as it faces the latest charges of corruption and mismanagement, according to USA Today.
A U.N. inquiry committee issued a report last week disclosing that Saddam Hussein received $1.7 billion in kickbacks from a $64 billion program intended to feed Iraq’s people, and $11 billion from oil sales outside U.N. controls.
"Instead of the bull in the china shop, Bolton’s more like the little boy who is audacious enough to say the U.N. has no clothes,” said Edward Luck, an expert on the U.N. at Columbia University.
President Bush named Bolton to the U.N. ambassador post on August 1 while Congress was in recess.
His spokesman Rick Grenell said that since coming to New York, Bolton has been working 12- and 14-hour days on his first important job: producing a document on U.N. reform.
The document is scheduled to be signed this week at a U.N. summit attended by more than 150 world leaders.
Bolton suggested that the 40-page draft of the document be replaced with a two-page statement, then proposed 750 changes to the document.
The top U.S. priority is the reform of U.N. management. But developing countries are more concerned with pledges on foreign aid and debt relief.
Bolton has tried to remove references to the goal of halving extreme world poverty by 2015, USA Today reports.
But he has agreed that the document can state that many countries want rich nations to devote 0.7 percent of their gross national product to foreign aid.
The U.S. currently gives about 0.16 percent – almost $19 billion last year.
Luck said U.N. officials and developing countries were trying to insert provisions into the document "through the back door,” but Bolton has fought such efforts tenaciously.
U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton is "the right guy in the right place at the right time,” declared Sen. Norm Coleman.
Coleman (R-Minn.), the leader of the Senate’s investigation into the U.N.’s scandal-ridden oil-for-food program, rebutted critics who said Bolton was unsuitable for the job.
And other U.S. officials and some foreign policy experts say Bolton could help improve the U.N. as it faces the latest charges of corruption and mismanagement, according to USA Today.
A U.N. inquiry committee issued a report last week disclosing that Saddam Hussein received $1.7 billion in kickbacks from a $64 billion program intended to feed Iraq’s people, and $11 billion from oil sales outside U.N. controls.
"Instead of the bull in the china shop, Bolton’s more like the little boy who is audacious enough to say the U.N. has no clothes,” said Edward Luck, an expert on the U.N. at Columbia University.
President Bush named Bolton to the U.N. ambassador post on August 1 while Congress was in recess.
His spokesman Rick Grenell said that since coming to New York, Bolton has been working 12- and 14-hour days on his first important job: producing a document on U.N. reform.
The document is scheduled to be signed this week at a U.N. summit attended by more than 150 world leaders.
Bolton suggested that the 40-page draft of the document be replaced with a two-page statement, then proposed 750 changes to the document.
The top U.S. priority is the reform of U.N. management. But developing countries are more concerned with pledges on foreign aid and debt relief.
Bolton has tried to remove references to the goal of halving extreme world poverty by 2015, USA Today reports.
But he has agreed that the document can state that many countries want rich nations to devote 0.7 percent of their gross national product to foreign aid.
The U.S. currently gives about 0.16 percent – almost $19 billion last year.
Luck said U.N. officials and developing countries were trying to insert provisions into the document "through the back door,” but Bolton has fought such efforts tenaciously.
Late-Night Jokes
Leno
It was kind of scary because when the power went out all over the city a lot of people thought it was al Qaeda. Turns out the power line was accidentally cut by a department of water of power employee. Turns out it wasn’t terrorism…just incompetents! I feel so much better now!
Did you hear what rapper Kanye West said about the power outages today? He said, "George Bush doesn’t care about blackouts.”
Well, I guess we found out today what can Brown do for you….he can resign!
The Executive Director of FEMA Mike Brown has resigned. I think they knew he was a little slow. They gave him a year and a half to clean out his desk.
Brown said he was going back to Washington, D.C. to get more hands on disaster experience. In fact, I think he’s running Amtrak for a while.
On the bright side, this does make brown the only person in the Bush administration so far to have an exit strategy.
Vice President Dick Cheney was down in New Orleans over the weekend along with hundreds of doctors, nurses and emergency medical people. Unfortunately, they were all helping Cheney.
John Kerry was in New Orleans. John Kerry wants to help but he can’t connect with the common people. Did you see him surveying the damage? (drop-in video: footage of John Kerry windsurfing)
Letterman
Did you realize we are in the middle of a drought here in New York City? I came into work today and everyone was gathered around a moist towelette talking about their weekend.
We’re in a drought. I think it’s true. Today my cab driver said that even if he took a shower he still would not take one now.
Martha Stewart started her daytime talk show today. Good to see that prison stigma isn’t keeping her down.
She’s the first ex-con to have a TV show since…Regis.
Hurricane Ophelia is gaining strength off the coast of the Carolinas. The Bush administration is preparing to ignore it.
Hurricane Ophelia and the one in New Orleans was Hurricane Katrina. Maybe if we didn’t name these things with cute girl names people would take them more seriously.
Israeli troops pulled out of the West Bank completely. This is the most historic pullout since Hillary opened the bedroom door on Bill.
Leno
It was kind of scary because when the power went out all over the city a lot of people thought it was al Qaeda. Turns out the power line was accidentally cut by a department of water of power employee. Turns out it wasn’t terrorism…just incompetents! I feel so much better now!
Did you hear what rapper Kanye West said about the power outages today? He said, "George Bush doesn’t care about blackouts.”
Well, I guess we found out today what can Brown do for you….he can resign!
The Executive Director of FEMA Mike Brown has resigned. I think they knew he was a little slow. They gave him a year and a half to clean out his desk.
Brown said he was going back to Washington, D.C. to get more hands on disaster experience. In fact, I think he’s running Amtrak for a while.
On the bright side, this does make brown the only person in the Bush administration so far to have an exit strategy.
Vice President Dick Cheney was down in New Orleans over the weekend along with hundreds of doctors, nurses and emergency medical people. Unfortunately, they were all helping Cheney.
John Kerry was in New Orleans. John Kerry wants to help but he can’t connect with the common people. Did you see him surveying the damage? (drop-in video: footage of John Kerry windsurfing)
Letterman
Did you realize we are in the middle of a drought here in New York City? I came into work today and everyone was gathered around a moist towelette talking about their weekend.
We’re in a drought. I think it’s true. Today my cab driver said that even if he took a shower he still would not take one now.
Martha Stewart started her daytime talk show today. Good to see that prison stigma isn’t keeping her down.
She’s the first ex-con to have a TV show since…Regis.
Hurricane Ophelia is gaining strength off the coast of the Carolinas. The Bush administration is preparing to ignore it.
Hurricane Ophelia and the one in New Orleans was Hurricane Katrina. Maybe if we didn’t name these things with cute girl names people would take them more seriously.
Israeli troops pulled out of the West Bank completely. This is the most historic pullout since Hillary opened the bedroom door on Bill.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Mary Landrieu: School Bus Failure Bush's Fault
It was the Bush administration's fault that hundreds of city school buses weren't dispatched to evacuate the hurricane-battered residents of New Orleans two weeks ago before floods swamped the city, Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu said Sunday.
Asked on "Fox News Sunday" why New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin failed to follow the city's evacuation plan and press the buses into service, Landrieu blamed Bush administration cuts in mass transit funding.
"Mayor Nagin and most mayors in this country have a hard time getting their people to work on a sunny day, let alone getting them out of the city in front of a hurricane," she said. "And it's because this administration and administrations before them do not understand the difficulties that mayors . . . face."
Landrieu then added: "In other words, this administration did not believe in mass transit. They won't even get people to work on a sunny day, let alone getting them out."
Saying she was unwilling to criticize Louisiana officials, the Louisiana Democrat insisted that Mayor Nagin's evacuation efforts had been a smashing success.
"Because the mayor evacuated the city, we had the best evacuation . . . of any evacuation I've seen. I'm 50 years old; I've never seen one any better," Landrieu told FNS.
That prompted FNS host Chris Wallace to remind: "But there were a hundred thousand people left in the city."
Landrieu once again blamed the White House, saying:
"They did [have] a hundred thousand people left in the city because this federal government won't support cities to evacuate people, whether it's from earthquakes, tornadoes, or hurricanes. And that's the truth."
It was the Bush administration's fault that hundreds of city school buses weren't dispatched to evacuate the hurricane-battered residents of New Orleans two weeks ago before floods swamped the city, Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu said Sunday.
Asked on "Fox News Sunday" why New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin failed to follow the city's evacuation plan and press the buses into service, Landrieu blamed Bush administration cuts in mass transit funding.
"Mayor Nagin and most mayors in this country have a hard time getting their people to work on a sunny day, let alone getting them out of the city in front of a hurricane," she said. "And it's because this administration and administrations before them do not understand the difficulties that mayors . . . face."
Landrieu then added: "In other words, this administration did not believe in mass transit. They won't even get people to work on a sunny day, let alone getting them out."
Saying she was unwilling to criticize Louisiana officials, the Louisiana Democrat insisted that Mayor Nagin's evacuation efforts had been a smashing success.
"Because the mayor evacuated the city, we had the best evacuation . . . of any evacuation I've seen. I'm 50 years old; I've never seen one any better," Landrieu told FNS.
That prompted FNS host Chris Wallace to remind: "But there were a hundred thousand people left in the city."
Landrieu once again blamed the White House, saying:
"They did [have] a hundred thousand people left in the city because this federal government won't support cities to evacuate people, whether it's from earthquakes, tornadoes, or hurricanes. And that's the truth."
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Ray Nagin: Flooded School Buses Not My Fault
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said Friday that it wasn't his fault city school buses weren't mobilized to facilitate the Hurricane Katrina evacuation he ordered.
Appearing on NBC's "Dateline," Nagin was asked by host Stone Phillips: "What was mobilized? I mean were national guard troops in position. Were helicopters standing by? Were buses ready to take people away?"
"No. None of that," the Big Easy mayor replied.
"Why is that?" an incredulous Phillips asked.
Nagin replied: "I dont know. That is question for somebody else."
The Louisiana Democrat didn't explain just who the "somebody else" was, saying only:
"All I can do is [say] that I was dealing with it as a mayor -- how do I prepare my city for an incredibly powerful storm? So immediately we tried to get as many people out as possible."
The "Dateline" exchange was only the second time Mayor Nagin had been asked about the failure to use his city's school buses, hundreds of which sat 1.2 miles from the Superdome.
Two days after the levees broke, Nagin told a New Orleans radio station that he wanted Greyhound Bus Lines to send their entire fleet rather than launch an evacuation in public school buses.
"One of the briefings we had they were talking about getting, you know, public school bus drivers to come down here and bus people out of here," Nagin said.
"I'm like - you've got to be kidding me. This is a natural disaster. Get every doggone Greyhound bus line in the country and get their asses moving to New Orleans."
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said Friday that it wasn't his fault city school buses weren't mobilized to facilitate the Hurricane Katrina evacuation he ordered.
Appearing on NBC's "Dateline," Nagin was asked by host Stone Phillips: "What was mobilized? I mean were national guard troops in position. Were helicopters standing by? Were buses ready to take people away?"
"No. None of that," the Big Easy mayor replied.
"Why is that?" an incredulous Phillips asked.
Nagin replied: "I dont know. That is question for somebody else."
The Louisiana Democrat didn't explain just who the "somebody else" was, saying only:
"All I can do is [say] that I was dealing with it as a mayor -- how do I prepare my city for an incredibly powerful storm? So immediately we tried to get as many people out as possible."
The "Dateline" exchange was only the second time Mayor Nagin had been asked about the failure to use his city's school buses, hundreds of which sat 1.2 miles from the Superdome.
Two days after the levees broke, Nagin told a New Orleans radio station that he wanted Greyhound Bus Lines to send their entire fleet rather than launch an evacuation in public school buses.
"One of the briefings we had they were talking about getting, you know, public school bus drivers to come down here and bus people out of here," Nagin said.
"I'm like - you've got to be kidding me. This is a natural disaster. Get every doggone Greyhound bus line in the country and get their asses moving to New Orleans."
Pictures Of The Day
More great pictures from You. The new website "Pictures Of The Day", will give us a place to share your pictures with others.
High Ground
More great pictures from You. The new website "Pictures Of The Day", will give us a place to share your pictures with others.
High Ground
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Nancy Pelosi Charges Katrina Cover-up
After complaining that President Bush was dangerously "oblivious" as Hurricane Katrina victims suffered, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is now warning that the Republican-controlled Congress is mounting a full-blown cover-up of alleged Bush administration bungling.
Pelosi told reporters Thursday that Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist plan to organize a "sham committee" to "whitewash" FEMA's response to the disaster.
"There has to be an honest assessment," the San Francisco Democrat declared. "We owe these people the truth," she added.
Escalating her rhetoric even further, Pelosi said that FEMA is now run by a group of "political hacks."
The top House Democrat said she favors an independent commission along the lines of a 9/11-style probe - despite recent revelations showing that the panel covered-up important evidence suggesting the 9/11 attacks could have been prevented.
After complaining that President Bush was dangerously "oblivious" as Hurricane Katrina victims suffered, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is now warning that the Republican-controlled Congress is mounting a full-blown cover-up of alleged Bush administration bungling.
Pelosi told reporters Thursday that Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist plan to organize a "sham committee" to "whitewash" FEMA's response to the disaster.
"There has to be an honest assessment," the San Francisco Democrat declared. "We owe these people the truth," she added.
Escalating her rhetoric even further, Pelosi said that FEMA is now run by a group of "political hacks."
The top House Democrat said she favors an independent commission along the lines of a 9/11-style probe - despite recent revelations showing that the panel covered-up important evidence suggesting the 9/11 attacks could have been prevented.
Friday, September 9, 2005
Red Cross Blocked Before Levee Break
Red Cross workers arrived in New Orleans with enough food, water and blankets for thousands of Hurricane Katrina victims the night before levees broke and flooded the city, but were prevented from delivering the aid to stranded citizens by state officials.
"I'm told that they were ready as soon as the winds died down and the roads were passable, which means before the levees broke," Fox News Channel's Major Garrett reported Thursday.
"They were there, they were ready ... when there clearly were lots of people already at the Superdome, because that's where they were told to go," Garrett told ABC Radio's Sean Hannity.
Though democrats have insisted that the Bush administration was responsible for delays in getting relief to flood victims, Red Cross officials told Garrett it was the state who blocked their aid convoy.
"The state of Louisiana said, 'Look, our plans call for those people to be moved out. We want them to be moved out. And if [the Red Cross] comes in, they won't move out. So we're not letting you in.'"
Appearing an hour later on Fox News Channel's "Special Report with Brit Hume," Red Cross President Marty Evans confirmed the stunning development, saying, "We were ready from literally the time the storm blew through. We were ready to go. We just were not given permission to go in."
Red Cross workers arrived in New Orleans with enough food, water and blankets for thousands of Hurricane Katrina victims the night before levees broke and flooded the city, but were prevented from delivering the aid to stranded citizens by state officials.
"I'm told that they were ready as soon as the winds died down and the roads were passable, which means before the levees broke," Fox News Channel's Major Garrett reported Thursday.
"They were there, they were ready ... when there clearly were lots of people already at the Superdome, because that's where they were told to go," Garrett told ABC Radio's Sean Hannity.
Though democrats have insisted that the Bush administration was responsible for delays in getting relief to flood victims, Red Cross officials told Garrett it was the state who blocked their aid convoy.
"The state of Louisiana said, 'Look, our plans call for those people to be moved out. We want them to be moved out. And if [the Red Cross] comes in, they won't move out. So we're not letting you in.'"
Appearing an hour later on Fox News Channel's "Special Report with Brit Hume," Red Cross President Marty Evans confirmed the stunning development, saying, "We were ready from literally the time the storm blew through. We were ready to go. We just were not given permission to go in."
Thursday, September 8, 2005
Gov. Kathleen Blanco's Bureaucrats Blocked Food and Water
The Red Cross was reportedly ready to deliver food, water and other supplies to flood-ravaged refugees who were sweltering inside New Orleans' Superdome last week - but the relief was blocked by bureaucrats who worked for Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco.
Fox News Channel's Major Garrett reported Wednesday that the Red Cross had "trucks with water, food, hygiene equipment, all sorts of things ready to go ... to the Superdome and Convention Center."
But the Louisiana Department of Homeland Security, Garrett said, "told them they could not go."
"The Red Cross tells me that Louisiana's Department of Homeland Security said, 'Look, we do not want to create a magnet for more people to come to the Superdome or Convention Center, we want to get them out,'" he explained.
"So at the same time local officials were screaming where is the food, where is the water, the Red Cross was standing by ready [and] the Louisiana Department of Homeland Security said you can't go."
The Red Cross was reportedly ready to deliver food, water and other supplies to flood-ravaged refugees who were sweltering inside New Orleans' Superdome last week - but the relief was blocked by bureaucrats who worked for Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco.
Fox News Channel's Major Garrett reported Wednesday that the Red Cross had "trucks with water, food, hygiene equipment, all sorts of things ready to go ... to the Superdome and Convention Center."
But the Louisiana Department of Homeland Security, Garrett said, "told them they could not go."
"The Red Cross tells me that Louisiana's Department of Homeland Security said, 'Look, we do not want to create a magnet for more people to come to the Superdome or Convention Center, we want to get them out,'" he explained.
"So at the same time local officials were screaming where is the food, where is the water, the Red Cross was standing by ready [and] the Louisiana Department of Homeland Security said you can't go."
Wednesday, September 7, 2005
Louisiana Officials in Flood-Money Scam
Nine months before the Hurricane Katrina disaster, three Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness officials were indicted for obstructing an audit into flood prevention expenditures.
In a November 2004 press release, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana announced:
"A federal grand jury has returned two separate indictments charging three members of the State Military Department with offenses related to the obstruction of an audit of the use of federal funds for flood mitigation activities throughout Louisiana.
"The two emergency management officials were senior employees of the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Both were charged with conspiracy to obstruct a federal audit."
Gov. Kathleen Blanco told Louisiana's News-Star at the time that she was disturbed by the indictments. She said the National Guard is cooperating with the investigation "as I expect them to do."
Reports of rampant corruption among Louisiana's state and local agencies have been cited in recent days to explain why officials were so ill-prepared to deal with the Katrina disaster.
Nine months before the Hurricane Katrina disaster, three Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness officials were indicted for obstructing an audit into flood prevention expenditures.
In a November 2004 press release, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana announced:
"A federal grand jury has returned two separate indictments charging three members of the State Military Department with offenses related to the obstruction of an audit of the use of federal funds for flood mitigation activities throughout Louisiana.
"The two emergency management officials were senior employees of the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Both were charged with conspiracy to obstruct a federal audit."
Gov. Kathleen Blanco told Louisiana's News-Star at the time that she was disturbed by the indictments. She said the National Guard is cooperating with the investigation "as I expect them to do."
Reports of rampant corruption among Louisiana's state and local agencies have been cited in recent days to explain why officials were so ill-prepared to deal with the Katrina disaster.
Tuesday, September 6, 2005
Mayor Nagin: Gov. Blanco Delayed Rescue
After days of blaming the federal officials for not responding quickly enough to the Hurricane Katrina crisis, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin praised President Bush on Monday - and charged that Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco had delayed federal rescue efforts by 24-hours.
"I'm so happy that the president came down here," Nagin said of Bush's Friday visit to Louisiana in an interview with CNN. "He came down and saw it, and he put a general on the field. His name is General Honore. And when he hit the field, we started to see action."
But Nagin had harsh words for his state's leaders, telling CNN: "What the state was doing, I don't frigging know. But I tell you, I am pissed. It wasn't adequate."
The New Orleans Democrat said he urged Bush to meet privately with Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco during the visit. The meeting took place aboard Air Force One, he said.
After reviewing the crisis with Gov. Blanco, Bush summoned Nagin for a private chat - where, according to Nagin, Bush explained: "Mr. Mayor, I offered two options to the governor. I said . . . I was ready to move today. The governor said she needed 24 hours to make a decision."
Reacting to the governor's footdragging, Nagin lamented: "It would have been great if we could of left Air Force One, walked outside, and told the world that we had this all worked out."
"It didn't happen, and more people died."
After days of blaming the federal officials for not responding quickly enough to the Hurricane Katrina crisis, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin praised President Bush on Monday - and charged that Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco had delayed federal rescue efforts by 24-hours.
"I'm so happy that the president came down here," Nagin said of Bush's Friday visit to Louisiana in an interview with CNN. "He came down and saw it, and he put a general on the field. His name is General Honore. And when he hit the field, we started to see action."
But Nagin had harsh words for his state's leaders, telling CNN: "What the state was doing, I don't frigging know. But I tell you, I am pissed. It wasn't adequate."
The New Orleans Democrat said he urged Bush to meet privately with Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco during the visit. The meeting took place aboard Air Force One, he said.
After reviewing the crisis with Gov. Blanco, Bush summoned Nagin for a private chat - where, according to Nagin, Bush explained: "Mr. Mayor, I offered two options to the governor. I said . . . I was ready to move today. The governor said she needed 24 hours to make a decision."
Reacting to the governor's footdragging, Nagin lamented: "It would have been great if we could of left Air Force One, walked outside, and told the world that we had this all worked out."
"It didn't happen, and more people died."
Monday, September 5, 2005
Gov. Kathleen Blanco Refused Bush Aid
Though her state has been devastated by Hurricane Katrina and thousands are believed dead in New Orleans, Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco has refused to allow the federal government to take control of evacuation efforts.
"Shortly before midnight Friday, the Bush administration sent her a proposed legal memorandum asking her to request a federal takeover of the evacuation of New Orleans," the Washington Post reported in Sunday editions.
Gov. Blanco's office rejected the request, the paper said - concerned that such a move would be comparable to a federal declaration of martial law.
The Louisiana Democrat had also failed to use more than a hundred school buses parked near the Superdome to transport stranded citizens who didn't have the means to obey earlier evacuation orders.
After the 17th Street Levee broke on Tuesday, the buses were rendered usless by rising flood waters.
State and federal officials also told the Post that Gov. Blanco did not reach out to a multi-state mutual aid compact for assistance until Wednesday - more than 24 hours after New Orleans descended into chaos.
Though her state has been devastated by Hurricane Katrina and thousands are believed dead in New Orleans, Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco has refused to allow the federal government to take control of evacuation efforts.
"Shortly before midnight Friday, the Bush administration sent her a proposed legal memorandum asking her to request a federal takeover of the evacuation of New Orleans," the Washington Post reported in Sunday editions.
Gov. Blanco's office rejected the request, the paper said - concerned that such a move would be comparable to a federal declaration of martial law.
The Louisiana Democrat had also failed to use more than a hundred school buses parked near the Superdome to transport stranded citizens who didn't have the means to obey earlier evacuation orders.
After the 17th Street Levee broke on Tuesday, the buses were rendered usless by rising flood waters.
State and federal officials also told the Post that Gov. Blanco did not reach out to a multi-state mutual aid compact for assistance until Wednesday - more than 24 hours after New Orleans descended into chaos.
Sunday, September 4, 2005
FEMA Chief: 'Urban Warfare' Slowed Rescue
Federal Emergency Management Agency Chief Michael Brown said Friday that rescue efforts in New Orleans were hampered when relief workers came under attack by the city's criminal element, prompting conditions that resembled "urban warfare."
"We are working under conditions of urban warfare," Brown told CNN, explaining why his agency was unable to act more quickly to save those left behind by evacuation efforts.
New Orleans Police Chief Edwin Compass echoed Brown's complaint, telling NBC's "Dateline":
"We have never had an urban warfare battle like this on any front in the history of our nation . . . You're fighting in buildings that are pitch black with darkness. These individuals have root - the criminal element have looted all the gun shops and gun stores in this city, so they're armed, they're dangerous."
Though the city's crime rate is ten times the national average, U.S. news reports downplayed the connection between New Orleans' outsized criminal element and delays in rescue efforts.
Saturday's London Times, however, painted a bleak picture of the challenges faced by local police as they tried to restore order.
"One New Orleans police officer wept as he described seeing bodies riddled with bullets, and the top of one man's head shot off. He said some looters were armed with AK-47 rifles, and compared the situation with Somalia, with police outnumbered and outgunned by gangs in trucks. . . .
"An effort to remove patients and staff from Charity Hospital, in the city centre, was suspended after it came under sniper fire . . .
"It's a war-zone, and they're not treating it like one," he said, referring to the federal government . . . Gunmen continued to fire on troops and rescue helicopters, and police officials said that many officers had stopped reporting for duty, cutting manpower by 20 per cent."
Federal Emergency Management Agency Chief Michael Brown said Friday that rescue efforts in New Orleans were hampered when relief workers came under attack by the city's criminal element, prompting conditions that resembled "urban warfare."
"We are working under conditions of urban warfare," Brown told CNN, explaining why his agency was unable to act more quickly to save those left behind by evacuation efforts.
New Orleans Police Chief Edwin Compass echoed Brown's complaint, telling NBC's "Dateline":
"We have never had an urban warfare battle like this on any front in the history of our nation . . . You're fighting in buildings that are pitch black with darkness. These individuals have root - the criminal element have looted all the gun shops and gun stores in this city, so they're armed, they're dangerous."
Though the city's crime rate is ten times the national average, U.S. news reports downplayed the connection between New Orleans' outsized criminal element and delays in rescue efforts.
Saturday's London Times, however, painted a bleak picture of the challenges faced by local police as they tried to restore order.
"One New Orleans police officer wept as he described seeing bodies riddled with bullets, and the top of one man's head shot off. He said some looters were armed with AK-47 rifles, and compared the situation with Somalia, with police outnumbered and outgunned by gangs in trucks. . . .
"An effort to remove patients and staff from Charity Hospital, in the city centre, was suspended after it came under sniper fire . . .
"It's a war-zone, and they're not treating it like one," he said, referring to the federal government . . . Gunmen continued to fire on troops and rescue helicopters, and police officials said that many officers had stopped reporting for duty, cutting manpower by 20 per cent."
Saturday, September 3, 2005
Jesse Jackson: Bush Ignored Black Flood Victims
Rev. Jesse Jackson accused the Bush administration on Friday of not acting faster to rescue New Orleans' beleaguered flood victims because they were largely black, poor and Democrat.
"Many black people feel that their race, their property conditions and their voting patterns have been a factor in the response," Jackson told the New York Times after meeting with Louisiana officials.
"I'm not saying that myself," he quickly added, but then said: "What's self-evident is that you have many poor people without a way out."
Rev. Jackson said cities like New Orleans had been dismissed by the White House because the president received few votes there.
Leading House Democrat Charlie Rangel echoed Jackson's demagoguery, telling the Times that Bush should have recognized the flood danger to New Orleans.
"I assume the president's going to say he got bad intelligence," Rangel said sarcastically.
"I think that wherever you see poverty, whether it's in the white rural community or the black urban community, you see that the resources have been sucked up into the war and tax cuts for the rich," he added.
Rev. Jesse Jackson accused the Bush administration on Friday of not acting faster to rescue New Orleans' beleaguered flood victims because they were largely black, poor and Democrat.
"Many black people feel that their race, their property conditions and their voting patterns have been a factor in the response," Jackson told the New York Times after meeting with Louisiana officials.
"I'm not saying that myself," he quickly added, but then said: "What's self-evident is that you have many poor people without a way out."
Rev. Jackson said cities like New Orleans had been dismissed by the White House because the president received few votes there.
Leading House Democrat Charlie Rangel echoed Jackson's demagoguery, telling the Times that Bush should have recognized the flood danger to New Orleans.
"I assume the president's going to say he got bad intelligence," Rangel said sarcastically.
"I think that wherever you see poverty, whether it's in the white rural community or the black urban community, you see that the resources have been sucked up into the war and tax cuts for the rich," he added.
Friday, September 2, 2005
Mayor Ray Nagin Curses Gov. Blanco, Pres. Bush
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin exploded in frustration last night as his city spun further out of control, saying that Gov. Kathleen Blanco and President Bush need to stop holding "goddman press conferences" and "get their ass[es] on a plane and sit down, the two of them, and figure this out right now."
"I don't know whose problem it is. I don't know whether it's the governor's problem. I don't know whether it's the president's problem," Nagin said during an interview with a local New Orleans radio station.
"But somebody needs to get their ass on a plane and sit down, the two of them, and figure this out right now," he erupted.
"I don't want to see anybody hold anymore goddamn press conferences," Nagin railed. "Put a moratorium on press conferences. Don't do another press conference until the resources are in this city. And then come to this city and stand with us, when their are [so many] military trucks and troops that we can't even count."
An exasperated Nagin continued:
"Don't tell me 40,000 people are coming here. They're not here. . . . I'm at the point now where it don't matter. People are dying. They don't have homes. They don't have jobs. The city of New Orleans will never be the same in this time."
Before launching into his radio tirade, Nagin explained: "You know, I'm not one of those drug addicts. I am thinking very clearly."
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin exploded in frustration last night as his city spun further out of control, saying that Gov. Kathleen Blanco and President Bush need to stop holding "goddman press conferences" and "get their ass[es] on a plane and sit down, the two of them, and figure this out right now."
"I don't know whose problem it is. I don't know whether it's the governor's problem. I don't know whether it's the president's problem," Nagin said during an interview with a local New Orleans radio station.
"But somebody needs to get their ass on a plane and sit down, the two of them, and figure this out right now," he erupted.
"I don't want to see anybody hold anymore goddamn press conferences," Nagin railed. "Put a moratorium on press conferences. Don't do another press conference until the resources are in this city. And then come to this city and stand with us, when their are [so many] military trucks and troops that we can't even count."
An exasperated Nagin continued:
"Don't tell me 40,000 people are coming here. They're not here. . . . I'm at the point now where it don't matter. People are dying. They don't have homes. They don't have jobs. The city of New Orleans will never be the same in this time."
Before launching into his radio tirade, Nagin explained: "You know, I'm not one of those drug addicts. I am thinking very clearly."
Thursday, September 1, 2005
6 Murders, 12 Rapes Inside Superdome
A doctor who's been tending to the sick and wounded inside the New Orleans Superdome for the last two days described a horrific scene Thursday night.
Asked about the level of violence among the 20,000 displaced residents who sought shelter inside the giant stadium, Dr. Charles Burnell told Fox News Channel's Greta Van Susteren:
"We had three murders last night. We had a total of six rapes last night. We had the day before, I think, there were three or four murders. There were half-a-dozen rapes that night. We had one suicide last night. We had one military policeman shot."
Dr. Burnell described the Superdome situation as "very unstable, very high tension, a very dangerous environment."
While National Guardsmen were on hand for protection, he said that "every time there was an incident that broke out, they had to tend to that, which left us uncovered."
Burnell said the task of treating people inside the stadium became impossible after they ran out of supplies. "We did not have oxygen, we did not have any medications to speak of," he said.
But what forced the New Orleans doc to finally abandon the giant evacuation center was the threat of violence.
"Until I can insure that I'm not putting my life in any significantly dangerous situation as I was before - I will not be back in the Superdome," he told Fox.
A doctor who's been tending to the sick and wounded inside the New Orleans Superdome for the last two days described a horrific scene Thursday night.
Asked about the level of violence among the 20,000 displaced residents who sought shelter inside the giant stadium, Dr. Charles Burnell told Fox News Channel's Greta Van Susteren:
"We had three murders last night. We had a total of six rapes last night. We had the day before, I think, there were three or four murders. There were half-a-dozen rapes that night. We had one suicide last night. We had one military policeman shot."
Dr. Burnell described the Superdome situation as "very unstable, very high tension, a very dangerous environment."
While National Guardsmen were on hand for protection, he said that "every time there was an incident that broke out, they had to tend to that, which left us uncovered."
Burnell said the task of treating people inside the stadium became impossible after they ran out of supplies. "We did not have oxygen, we did not have any medications to speak of," he said.
But what forced the New Orleans doc to finally abandon the giant evacuation center was the threat of violence.
"Until I can insure that I'm not putting my life in any significantly dangerous situation as I was before - I will not be back in the Superdome," he told Fox.
