Okay, so I was over at Luka’s blog and she had posted a piece that Bill Maher did on his show. And I found that I had issues with some of his statements. This started off as a comment to her blog – but then it got long, sooooo – yeah. Now it’s here. I’m only going to put up the part I have issues with. To see the whole thing, run over to Luka’s place.
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Herbert Hoover was a shitty president, but even he never conceded an entire metropolis to rising water and snakes.
On your watch, we?ve lost almost all of our allies, the surplus, four airliners, two Trade Centers, a piece of the Pentagon and the City of New Orleans…Maybe you?re just not lucky!
I feel that some of this was more than SLIGHTLY out of line on Bill Maher’s part.
You can hardly blame President Bush – in office approximately 8 months – for the four airliners, the two Trade Centers, and part of the Pentagon. I mean, come ON. I know he was trying to make a point, but – really. I’d like to see him put up some proof that Bush was behind THAT one.
And then the City of New Orleans. The State Government of Louisiana has to ASK the federal government for help in such a situation. (Gotta love checks and balances.) And from what I understand – the State told the Feds where to go. I assume to not create panic – or something – but, yeah. From what I understand, Louisiana didn’t ask Bush – who needs their permission to go in with the National Guard – for help. So – where’s the logic in THAT arguement?
Those last four things DID occur on Bush’s watch – but they weren’t Bush’s fault. It’d be like blaming FDR* for Pearl Harbor. (Yes, I went there. (; ) But – honestly – I find it to be true.
You cannot blame the acts of, for the lack of a better term, terrorists on the President – unless he knew without a SHRED of doubt that something was going to happen, when, and where. How do you act if you do not know what’s coming? You cannot blame an act of nature (Hurricane Katrina) that was combined with uncertainty in a state government on the federal government. Perhaps more COULD have been done, but it requires that the state meet the feds halfway, ne?
I’m not saying Bush is the best president ever. I’m not saying everything he’s done has been UTTERLY justified. I just have issues with blaming some of these things on him when, in reality, it was mostly out of his control.
I welcome all thoughts on this. Whether you agree or disagree, it doesn’t matter. However, if you feel the need to flame me – please do the proper thing and leave your name and blog (or email) address for me so I can respond. I do like to respond to all commenters – even the flamers. (=
It was under his watch that we lost those things. They may not have been his “fault” (I happen to think that there is evidence to support that he knew about the attacks ahead of time, or at least knew SOMETHING was goig to happen) but they did still happen under his watch.
BushCo has spent the last 4 years talking about how under his rule this country is a safer place. That’s how he got “elected.” He promised that he would keep this country safe and protected. Now, I admit that the State and Local authorities are partially to blame for the Cluster Truck that was/is New Orleans. They’ve all got a part to play, but playing the “they didn’t ASK for help” card makes no sense. I’m drowning but when I don’t call out for help you ignore me? If ANYTHING the Fed Govt should have jumped in FIRST and asked questions later. They seem fine with doing that in other countries, why not here?