AP: Government Fulfills Few Katrina Promises

[DeepModem Mom]

Gov't Fulfills Few Katrina Promises
By MATT CRENSON, AP National Writer
August 19, 2006


AP Photo/ERIC GAY

Nearly half of New Orleans was still under water when President Bush stood in the Crescent City's historic Jackson Square and swore he would "do what it takes" to rebuild the communities and lives that had been laid to waste two weeks before by Hurricane Katrina.

"Our goal is to get the work done quickly," the president said.

He promised to spend federal money wisely and accountably. And he vowed to address the poverty exposed by the government's inadequate Katrina response "with bold action."

A year after the storm, the federal government has proven slow and unreliable in keeping the president's promises....

***

The job of clearing debris left by the storm remains unfinished, and has been plagued by accusations of fraud and price gouging. Tens of thousands of families still live in trailers or mobile homes, with no indication of when or how they will be able to obtain permanent housing. Important decisions about rebuilding and improving flood defenses have been delayed. And little if anything has been done to ensure the welfare of the poor in a rebuilt New Orleans....

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/K/KATRINA_PROMISES?SITE=WDUN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[BeHereNow]

1. But we need to foot our military bill in the ME, you see...

So the people in New Orleans will have to be patient.
We are busy ($$$) spreading democracy in
other countries...
:sarcasm:
Shame on those selfish Katrina victims!

It's disgraceful how our fellow citizens
have been treated.

BHN

[annabanana]

2. I hope the "year after" attention bites the repugs in the ass....

and bites them HARD. The neglect that this vast, hurting expanse of America has suffered is inexcusable.

[Purveyor]

3. I hope the DNC is busy creating and sponsoring campaign ads

reflecting this horrid 'lack of results'.

[Hissyspit]

4. K & R

[0007]

5. Our government lies!

[lpbk2713]

6. Not much is likely to happen now that they are no longer in the headlines.

[flyarm]

7. is there anyone left on the face of the earth that does not know

little lord pissy pants ia a liar and a fraud??

that he is a complete fucker??

a looser??

a dick head??

shall i go on??

fly

[roguevalley]

8. I am sick in my heart for all the affected people. Look at that woman's

face. How betrayed she feels. Again.

[mcscajun]

9. Accountability is foreign to this adminstration

Time and again Bush promises, using big words and bold phrases carried on powerful gestures.

It's all spit and wind. He delivers Nothing.

"Bush Republicans" is the meme for 2006 and beyond.

[lpbk2713]

10. Jeb is just as guilty. But of course, he's just another shrublet.

Where I live in central Florida there are still a lot of blue tarps on roofs and assorted other telltale signs of damage from the 2004 hurricanes that went through here in six weeks time. People are still doing battle with their insurance carriers to cover repairs and premiums are escalating out of sight. Many homeowners have had their policies cancelled or the carriers failed to renew if they live anywhere near the coast. And naturally the insurance lobby has Jebbie right in their pocket. He doesn't have to worry about it, he's a lame duck.

[Mark E. Smith]

11. Few Post-Katrina Promises Fulfilled (1st Year Anniversary)

AP via The Courier News August 20, 2006

Nearly half of New Orleans was still under water when President Bush stood in the Crescent City's
historic Jackson Square and swore he would "do what it takes" to rebuild communities and lives
that had been laid to waste two weeks before by Hurricane Katrina.

"Our goal is to get the work done quickly," the president said.

He promised to spend federal money wisely and accountably. And he vowed to address the poverty
exposed by the government's inadequate Katrina response "with bold action."

A year after the storm, the federal government has proven slow and unreliable in keeping the
president's promises.

"This is not something that is going to be able to be accomplished in 365 days," White House
spokeswoman Dana Perino said. "The president has set the federal government on the course to
fulfill its obligations."

http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060819/FRONT01/60819011

And where are all our concerned media folks who made their personal concern such a topic of
importance?

[merh]

12. Katrina fatigue

It's no longer sexy to complain, Katrina was sooooo yesterday. :(

[ninkasi]

18. Well, if some people

are suffering from "Katrina fatigue" by hearing about the devastation still left, I can imagine only too well how you, and the other victims must feel, merh. People who get fatigued by just hearing about their fellow citizen's shattered lives should trade places with the victims, and find out what real, grinding, soul-destroying fatigue is.

All Bush has brought about is misery, broken promises, and enormous sums of money that as a tax-payer, I would many times rather go to rebuilding the damage left by Katrina, than stuffed into Halliburton's already full coffers. The same goes for the destruction of Iraq, but please, Katrina hit America, yet all Bush can parrot is 9-11 and plot more wars. Remember us, Bush? I wasn't hit by Katrina, but those are my fellow citizens I saw suffer and die on camera, while you stuffed your face with cake and played air guitar.

[merh]

19. I don't know how the other survivors feel

but I know that I had thought I would be further along by now. It's very tiring, very discouraging.

I truly appreciate your concern and compassion.

[sevenleagueboots]

13. State Farm: "No, we're not paying you anything on the wind..it was water."

HIT BY BOTH WIND AND WATER?

The insurance companies say they paid for damage to homes in areas where there was no flooding. Where there was flooding, they say, they paid for damage that could have come only from wind, like the loss of a roof and broken upper-story windows — above the highest marks left by flood waters. But they have generally refused to pay for damage to houses, or parts of houses, that were hit by both wind and flood water.

This article prompts a look at your insurance coverage small print:

http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=13973

[SpiralHawk]

14. "I will do what it takes -- to enjoy my taxpayer-funded vacation." - AWOL

"And you can bet your bippy it will be luxurious. I always keep the promises I make to myself to enjoy the PERKS. The rest of you can just shut the fuck up and sit down." - George AWOL Bush

[Drum]

15. At least Spike Lee has eyes open...

I've read that he's made a film on Katrina, and I'm anxious to see it. Have any of you viewed it?

On Edit: I guess it had yet to be premiered...here's a link to another thread on it:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5527260

[rodeodance]

16. I feel for those who are still living away from their homes.

[pitohui]

17. even senator trent lott only has a slab and a lawsuit against state farm

if even the promises to a top GOP senator were not kept, what hope for the rest of us?

where's that lemonade, mr bush? where, indeed, is that new front porch?