Emergency workers and Democratic representatives are beginning to point their fingers at President Bush's diversion of funds from emergency services to the Iraq war as a cause for some of problems that have resulted in New Orleans.

President Bush repeatedly requested less money for programs to guard against catastrophic storms in New Orleans than many federal and state officials requested, decisions that are triggering a partisan debate over administration priorities at a time when the budget is strained by the Iraq war.

[...]

In recent years, Bush repeatedly sought to slice the Army Corps of Engineers' funding requests to improve the levees holding back Lake Pontchartrain, which Katrina smashed through, flooding New Orleans. In 2005, Bush asked for $3.9 million, a small fraction of the request the corps made in internal administration deliberations. Under pressure from Congress, Bush ultimately agreed to spend $5.7 million. Since coming to office, Bush has essentially frozen spending on the Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for protecting the coastlines, waterways and other areas susceptible to natural disaster, at around $4.7 billion.

No one (who anyone would actually want to listen to, that is) is making the claim that the hurricane is somehow Bush's fault. Nor are people claiming that the levees would all have magically held if they had been properly funded. However, the extent of the damage might have been mitigated given proper preparation, and there's little doubt that if more National Guardsmen were in the US rather than Iraq that relief effforts would be proceeding more smoothly than they have been so far.

"It is hard to say, but it is true: There was a failure by [Bush] to meet the responsibility here," said Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.). "Somebody needs to say it."

Is the National Guard "depleted because so many Guard are in Iraq that we don't have the opportunity to activate civil control?" asked Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.). "That question has to be asked." Almost one in three National Guardsmen in Louisiana is serving in Iraq or war-related efforts, according to the National Guard.

[...]

One project that has drawn attention in recent days is the Southeast Louisiana Urban Flood Control Project, commonly called SELA, which began a decade ago to improve flood protection in a network of improved drainage canals and pump stations in Orleans and Jefferson parishes.

The project, which is supposed to cost $744 million overall, has been shortchanged recently, according to advocates. The corps said it needed $62.5 million next fiscal year; Bush proposed $10.5 million.

This provoked howls of protest from the Louisiana congressional delegation. "All of us said, 'Look, build it or you're going to have all of Jefferson Parish under water,' " recalled former senator John Breaux, a Democrat who is a Bush ally. "And they didn't, and now all of Jefferson Parish is under water."

This is a stark contrast with reactions to previous problems under Bush's watch. We all remember the ominous warnings from John Ashcroft following 9/11 about how if we aren't against the terrorists we're with them, and how any criticism of the administration was tantamount to treason. So in that regard it is refreshing to see some Democrats with spines who are willing to assign blame where it should be assigned.

That being said, it's hard not to have a sour taste in one's mouth over the whole affair. Given the incredible scope of the disaster in New Orleans it would be nice to just focus on getting things fixed and then blaming whoever was at fault later. However, if forced to choose between not blaming anyone ever and doing it perhaps a little prematurely, I'm forced to accept the latter as a better option. At least if there's some real culpability there's a chance that future disasters like this will be averted.

Crivelli

United Kingdom

January 2005

SEP 02, 2005 09:37 AM

Of course el Presidenti is going to catch flack for what isn't going on in terms of the response to the emergency but how could anyone plan for such total devestation? What irks me is that people whinge about the "nanny state" and then whinge when the Government doesn't hold their hand through every up and down in their life.

RustyShackelford

I'm lost

April 2005

SEP 02, 2005 09:50 AM

there's little doubt that if more National Guardsmen were in the US rather than Iraq that relief effforts would be proceeding more smoothly than they have been so far.

I doubt that.

One project that has drawn attention in recent days is the Southeast Louisiana Urban Flood Control Project, commonly called SELA, which began a decade ago to improve flood protection in a network of improved drainage canals and pump stations in Orleans and Jefferson parishes.

I remember the debate about this during the 90's . Congress was reluctant to give more money to New Orleans/Lousiana because of the widespread corruption in the government there.

I blame Bill Clinton because he was president before Bush and he knew about hurricanes and failed to propose giving enough money to New Orleans. He didn't even propose a hurricane ban.

[Edited on Sep 02, 2005 10:01AM]

fountainofdreams

Batavia, IL

January 2005

SEP 02, 2005 10:17 AM

RustyShackelford said:

there's little doubt that if more National Guardsmen were in the US rather than Iraq that relief effforts would be proceeding more smoothly than they have been so far.

I doubt that.

a hurricane...ban?

how the fuck do you ban a hurricane?

and again i must ask: link? info, something to prove your point? otherwise, you're just pulling out the usual bullshit displacement.

on edit: something bordered on a personal attack.

[Edited on Sep 02, 2005 by burning_bright]