The lackluster federal emergency response in New Orleans that is continuing to garner criticism from both sides of the aisle was explained today by President Bush, as he declared September 16th a day of prayer for the victims of Katrina.

In an address aimed at the hundreds of thousands of Gulf Coast residents displaced by the August 29 storm, Bush outlined plans to distribute $2,000 in federal aid to every affected household for immediate needs and to supply them with long-term assistance in the months ahead.

He also promised to reimburse states for the costs associated with taking in people forced out of their homes by the hurricane, telling state leaders, "You should not be penalized for showing compassion."

And with authorities in the region warning that the storm's death toll could be in the thousands, Bush declared September 16 a national day of prayer for "those who did not survive the storm."

"I ask that we pray, as Americans have always prayed in times of trial, with confidence in His purpose, with hope for a brighter future and with the humility to ask God to keep us strong, so we can better serve our brothers and sisters in need," he said.

While residents of the city might prefer something more tangible than being in the prayers of the president, religious leaders were suitably appreciative.

The National Clergy Council and the Christian Defense Coalition, that together asked on August 31 for President Bush to declare a national day of prayer for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, today applaud him for doing so. The White House has designated September 16 as a National Day of Prayer in Remembrance of Hurricane Katrina.

"Americans are overwhelmingly people of prayer and it is prayer that will get us through the worst of circumstances. The President is once again exercising the highest form of leadership by uniting the American people on the deepest level of our common life," said the Reverend Rob Schenck, president of the National Clergy Council.

"In times of great crisis, Americans have always turned to God and prayer for help and comfort. We are so thankful that the President is calling for this time of prayer. It will bring our country together. The most important needs for victims right now is hope, inspiration and spiritual strength. We urge the faith community to stand with the President in this call," said the Reverend Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition.

Call me crass, but I'm guessing that more than "hope, inspiration and spiritual strength," hurricane victims need a place to live, clean drinking water and some hope of economic assistance.

Jimbo

Dallas, TX

August 2003

SEP 08, 2005 03:16 PM

they do need that.. but not everyone can give money, so whats wrong with that?

FallFromGrace

Seattle, WA

March 2004

SEP 08, 2005 03:17 PM

I'm a christian and all for praying for people, but The Federal Goverment and the CDC are far too wealthy to merely be offering prayers.

fountainofdreams

Batavia, IL

January 2005

SEP 08, 2005 03:17 PM

ok, as i read the headline, i said "you're fucking kidding me."

and it appears that they aren't.

jesus christ.

because prayer is more important than actually acting and doing whatever needs to be done...

googused

Portland, OR

OLD SKOOL

SEP 08, 2005 03:18 PM

If wishes were horses...

seanvegas

Lincoln, NE

December 2004

SEP 08, 2005 03:19 PM

Ah, Bush isn't doing a damn thing, but at least he is praying for the hurricane victims . . . while finishing his vacation . . . which he cut short in order to visit hurricane victims . . . in a lavish photo op!

Say, what if you're not religious?

Akrasia

Ireland

August 2004

SEP 08, 2005 03:20 PM

I'm sure there were loads and loads of people praying really really hard before and during hurricane Katrina and that didn't do much good... But hey, maybe a government sponsored prayer will be just enough to get God off his ass to start helping people.

apesamongus

Atlanta, GA

July 2002

SEP 08, 2005 03:22 PM

Jimbo said:
they do need that.. but not everyone can give money, so whats wrong with that?

If you can't do anything, then don't. Just don't try to make yourself feel better by pretending to do something.

StreetSpirit

Columbus, OH

August 2004

SEP 08, 2005 03:25 PM

seanvegas said:

Say, what if you're not religious?

Why, you're going to HELL - DUH!
But in all honesty, if Heaven's gonna be full of people like Dubya, Jerry Falwell, Fred Phelps, and Pat Robertson, etc, etc then I'll take hell, thank you very much!

unravled

Portland, OR

August 2003

SEP 08, 2005 03:25 PM

A friend emailed me this the other day, it fits nicely here:

Occurred to me that hurricanes seem to happen in Republican
administrations. So I checked the top 10 past hurricanes. All happen
during Republican administrations except one. Supposed God is trying to
tell us something?

Not including Katrina, the total is $139 billion, of which $10.8
happened during a Democratic administration. Does that mean God is 92%
Democratic?

Andrew 1992 43.7 billion Republican
Charley 2004 15.0 Republican
Ivan 2004 14.2 Republican
Hugo 1989 12.3 Republican
Agnes 1972 11.3 Republican
Betsy 1965 10.8 Democrat
Frances 2004 8.9 Republican
Camille 1969 8.9 Republican
Diane 1955 7.0 Republican
Jeanne 2004 6.9 Republican

all in 2004 dollars

DisasterMagnet

San Jose, CA

January 2004

SEP 08, 2005 03:25 PM

I'll say this: religious groups have done a great job of stepping up and helping the victims with real stuff like clothes and shelter and so forth. But seriously, Bush is just saying whatever to try to distract people from the fact that he didn't give a shit about this disaster until it became a political liability.

robosagogo

State College, PA

September 2004

SEP 08, 2005 03:26 PM

They're just going to end up killing another justice.

EvanX

Grand Rapids, MI

June 2003

SEP 08, 2005 03:28 PM

I'm too busy praying for the violent death of Hugo Chavez! How am I going to find the time to pray for this too?!?!?!?

seanvegas

Lincoln, NE

December 2004

SEP 08, 2005 03:29 PM

StreetSpirit said:

seanvegas said:

Say, what if you're not religious?

Why, you're going to HELL - DUH!
But in all honesty, if Heaven's gonna be full of people like Dubya, Jerry Falwell, Fred Phelps, and Pat Robertson, etc, etc then I'll take hell, thank you very much!

Yes, I turn that idea over every now and then!

[Edited on Sep 08, 2005 3:30PM]

Akrasia

Ireland

August 2004

SEP 08, 2005 03:30 PM

StreetSpirit said:

seanvegas said:

Say, what if you're not religious?

Why, you're going to HELL - DUH!
But in all honesty, if Heaven's gonna be full of people like Dubya, Jerry Falwell, Fred Phelps, and Pat Robertson, etc, etc then I'll take hell, thank you very much!

nah, wherever those people end up will be the actual hell, they'll just have re-branded it and 'spun' it so that they think it's heaven.

googused

Portland, OR

OLD SKOOL

SEP 08, 2005 03:31 PM

unravled said:
A friend emailed me this the other day, it fits nicely here:

Occurred to me that hurricanes seem to happen in Republican
administrations. So I checked the top 10 past hurricanes. All happen
during Republican administrations except one. Supposed God is trying to
tell us something?

Not including Katrina, the total is $139 billion, of which $10.8
happened during a Democratic administration. Does that mean God is 92%
Democratic?

Betsy 1965 10.8 Democrat

LBJ was an asshole in the pocket of KBR too?

Keith

Oklahoma City, OK

August 2002

SEP 08, 2005 03:31 PM

I'd like to give him a faith-based wedgie.