| Author | Message | ||
     Madden 11 Citizen Username: Madden_11 Post Number: 570 Registered: 12-2003 |
Madden..maybe if the rest of us were as smart as you are we would have immdiately know the full extent of the catastrophe The "rest of us" don't have to be that smart. But is it too much to ask of the President, the most powerful man on the planet? Shouldn't he be, oh, I don't know, a little MORE informed than the "rest of us?" I'm not looking for him to peg an exact figure on the damage. I'm looking for him to, for once, put SOMETHING ahead of "vacation" on his priority list. And suppose it was "only" 20K dead? That's about 6 times as many as 9/11...doesn't that mean anything to this man? As it is, the rest of us mere mortals start out by pledging an amount based on the information currently available, and adjust it appropriately as the extent of the problem unfolds. That's called "prudence", and that trait is also a key part of leadership. It's not called "prudence," it's called "bad judgment." This President seems to have trouble predicting the costs of a lot of things, tsunamis, wars, tax cuts, prescription drug benefits. Were it not for the rest of that list, I might be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on tsunamis. But he's going to have to do without my pat on the back for this one, and settle for an eye roll and an exasperated "Finally!" The days-long delay in responding combined with the pitifully inadequate initial pledge was not prudence. It was the hallmark of George W. Bush...a complete and utter lack of human compassion. | ||
| lumpynose Citizen Username: Lumpyhead Post Number: 1070 Registered: 3-2002  |
Madden 11 doesn't like Bush. | ||
| Ukealalio Citizen Username: Ukealalio Post Number: 1624 Registered: 6-2003 |
He's not alone. I'm sure you praised the fellow you have defaced under yer handle, to the heavens any time he did anything positive  . | ||
| overtaxdalready Citizen Username: Overtaxdalready Post Number: 319 Registered: 6-2001 |
Madden, I get the feeling that if Bush had come out on Day One announcing a $400 billion aid package you'd be the first one denouncing it as an absurd figure being thrown out simply to "grandstand" in an attempt to "restore American credibility". That's just the way it is with you types. | ||
| Ukealalio Citizen Username: Ukealalio Post Number: 1626 Registered: 6-2003 |
"you types" Interesting-A lot of criticism on why liberals (I'm assuming thats what you mean by "you types"), don't praise the President for any good deeds and a whole lotta criticism about not respecting the office by "types" who don't see the irony of stating this, while showing a defaced picture of an outgoing President. Oh I get it-It only applies to Republican presidents, you know majority rules. Unfortunately the majority on MOL happens to be "you types". | ||
| sbenois Citizen Username: Sbenois Post Number: 12911 Registered: 10-2001  |
Dearest Hank,
I happen to agree with you as well. Jeb is there to prepare him for '08. I have no doubt about it. But I do not agree with your last point. I am not expecting that other countries ought to pat us on the back. It would certainly be nice if we were acknowledged but it's okay if we're not. But what troubles ME is the lack of patting on the back from MOLers. If this were Clinton, the joy and praise would be overflowing here. You know it and so does everyone else. Bush deserves a big hand. I like the job he's doing. Sadly, it's the M.O of Bush haters to turn away when he does something positive, even when it casts this country in a great light. | ||
| sbenois Citizen Username: Sbenois Post Number: 12912 Registered: 10-2001 |
Dearest Madden,
I am sure that the hockey lockout is causing you significant withdrawal pains for you clearly must have forgotten that Florida didn't go through a minor disaster, they went through numerous major hurricanes in a four or five week period. Florida was totally strafed. So if Bush gave them attention, in an election year, good for him. They are citizens of the USA aren't they? | ||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 326 Registered: 3-2002 |
Personally, I'm thrilled that we got the ships and helicopters in place to give the help, and I'm hopeful that the promised cash will actually be delivered. A serious cheer for the US military humanitarian capabilites. I'm disappointed to see our main delgation there be lame duck Colin Powell and Jeb Bush preening for his presidental run. I'm very pleased to see Bush Sr. and Clinton tapped as fund raisers in chief. Good use of ex-presidents. I'm still livid that Bush took three days to even comment on the situation himself. I cannot forgive him for failing to even release a simple newsclip of concern for those suffering, commitment of US help as the magnitude of the problem became clearer, maybe even a prayer. I don't care what else was on his plate (wood chopping or planning to "improve" social security)...he could have taken 5 minutes to put a recognizable face on America's concern. I will never forget waiting 3 days to see his face on CNN. I'm thrilled that the marines have arrived and the aid is flowing, but still giving Bush mediocre grades on overall response. | ||
| Joe Citizen Username: Gonets Post Number: 590 Registered: 2-2004 |
I'm surprised that a governor of a state that only 3 months was hit by so many hurricanes has adequate time to devote to this disaster. Aside from addressing the many residual effects of that series of disasters he also has to contend the basic job of being a governor of a very large state. Are there no other qualified retired governors who can fulfill the role that Jeb's supposedly filling? | ||
| Strawberry Supporter Username: Strawberry Post Number: 4224 Registered: 10-2001 |
Joe, You sound silly. Bunch of nonsense. | ||
| sbenois Citizen Username: Sbenois Post Number: 12916 Registered: 10-2001 |
How about McGreevey? Oh, I guess he's not technically retired. He's sort of in the big penalty box - hopefully permanently. | ||
| Joe Citizen Username: Gonets Post Number: 592 Registered: 2-2004 |
Jim would make an excellent choice--except for the fact that he might turn an official visit into a sex tour. Straw, You're right. There's nothing to being governor of a state like Florida. I'm sure that with his copious free time he could do that, lend a hand in Indonesia and, since your such good friends with him, hop a flight to Teterboro so he can help you take your treadmill down to the basement. | ||
| Madden 11 Citizen Username: Madden_11 Post Number: 571 Registered: 12-2003 |
I am sure that the hockey lockout is causing you significant withdrawal pains for you clearly must have forgotten that Florida didn't go through a minor disaster, they went through numerous major hurricanes in a four or five week period. Florida was totally strafed. So if Bush gave them attention, in an election year, good for him. They are citizens of the USA aren't they? Sben, come on. I know you get this. My point is about Bush's lack of compassion, so why do you insist on pretending that I begrudge the Floridians the attention they got? Sure, they deserved it, though I wonder if Californians or (God forbid) New Yorkers would have gotten the same kind of TLC from W. I'm not suggesting that Floridians had it too good, I'm suggesting that if Sri Lankans could vote, they might have had it just as good. And I'm sorry, Florida was certainly hit hard, but to compare it to this tsunami is just silly. How many died in Florida? I honestly don't know, but I doubt it was anywhere near 150K. You're right about the lockout, though...painful. | ||
| Madden 11 Citizen Username: Madden_11 Post Number: 572 Registered: 12-2003 |
Madden, I get the feeling that if Bush had come out on Day One announcing a $400 billion aid package you'd be the first one denouncing it as an absurd figure being thrown out simply to "grandstand" in an attempt to "restore American credibility". Well, your feeling is wrong. If Bush ever appeared to care about American credibility, I suspect my primary reaction would be stunned silence. If he HAD pledged $400 million, though, I admit I'd be suspicious that it would go the way of the $15 billion he pledged to fight AIDS in Africa...smoke and mirrors. But if he promised and delivered, I'd give thanks and have hope that people around the world would finally see the true spirit of this country. That's just the way it is with you types. What an obnoxious thing to say. Go back to complaining about your oppressive taxes, you poor, poor baby. | ||
| sportsnut Citizen Username: Sportsnut Post Number: 1688 Registered: 10-2001 |
Madden - when did you step up to donate to the relief efforts? Was it the next morning? Just curious. "Unfortunately the majority on MOL happens to be "you types". That is what's so sad and sometimes funny. Don't you guys ever get tired of being so filled with hate and rage? You lost, get over it already. I love the token kudos given to our military by "you types." It hurts so much just to acknowledge that the US is once again rising to the occassion and will get little to no credit for this massive undertaking. How long before "you types" start blaming the situation on Bush claiming that he somehow caused the Earthquake as a way to divert attention from Iraq?  However, it is proving a useful distraction for Mr. Anan isn't it? Oh and if you are so inclined to worry about silly things like taxes - There is a bill that would allow a deduction on your 2003 tax return for contributions to the relief effort even if they were made in 2004. | ||
| Debby Citizen Username: Debby Post Number: 1495 Registered: 5-2001 |
Once again, Susan articulates the issue perfectly. Yashar Koach. | ||
| Strawberry Supporter Username: Strawberry Post Number: 4227 Registered: 10-2001 |
ML, yes and no. While doing the right thing is a no brainer as is the case with helping the victims, one must be careful in making sure what's been done is properly documented. Allow me to explain. If Anti-American attitudes being felt in Europe today are the result of international decisions made by America, then it's important that ALL international decisions be recognized. So, if French frie eating beret wearing Frenchy in Paris announces he hate America because of Iraq, one could quickly ask him his feelings about Tsunami relief. If he says that hardly makes a difference then we know the guy simply hates America. Never under-estimate the value of promoting the good work you do. Words from the Great Straw to you. | ||
| Strawberry Supporter Username: Strawberry Post Number: 4228 Registered: 10-2001 |
(ML deleting his posts. ) | ||
| eliz Supporter Username: Eliz Post Number: 938 Registered: 5-2001 |
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| Robert Livingston Citizen Username: Rob_livingston Post Number: 681 Registered: 7-2004 |
Bush spent much of the tsunami week shopping for a dog to give to Laura for her birthday. Our "president" deserves no special congratulations for responding properly to a crisis, which, given his belated acknowledgement of it, wasn't even the case. He continues to embarass this country on the national stage, when it should be a given that our government is a natural leader around the world. In demeanor, we should be like anonymous donors. Instead, Bush (and his followers) are demanding that our names get engraved the largest of the memorial plaque of donations. Using this disaster as a political tool by sending his politically ambitious brother is a reminder of his bald opportunism, the same kind that allows him to continue to exploit 911. |
