Day 56

Posted by Diogenes Sarcastica
Monday June 14, 2010


A lot has been written from the right about the so called “Obama’s Katrina”. I don't agree with the comparison.

Hurricane Katrina was hung around Bush's neck and used as a criticism of his administrations faults, of which there were many. But as a resident of Louisiana and a firsthand witness to the aftermath of Katrina, and as I now watch the coastline of my state unnecessarily devastated by the B.P. oil spill, I can safely say I have not witnessed incompetence at this level from the federal government in my entire life.

During the first two days of flooding and chaos in South Louisiana caused by Hurricane Katrina, George Bush was in communication with the leaders of Louisiana, New Orleans, and other important agencies. Governor Kathleen Blanco hesitated allowing federal help into the state, making a situation worst.  Bush did overestimated the Governor of Louisiana and the competency of the mayor of New Orleans ability to manage the problem at all, and now the left, who would not give Bush any benefit of the doubt, is coming up with excuse after excuse for Obamas  lack of action.

Despite the latter criticism, Bush did declared a state of emergency before the hurricane hit. He activated the National Guard, and addressed the nation all within the first two days of disaster. Once it was clear that chaos had broken out, the White House scrambled to get the federal government more involved. Obama’s reaction has been less urgent by weeks, almost months. Nevertheless, once he got going, Bush probably did everything a President could do in that situation, which was to authorize resources, release statements, and make appearances.

In contrast, Obama has not communicated well with BP. or the  Governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal.

Three days after the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico, the Dutch government offered  help.  It was willing to supply ships fitted with oil-skimming booms, and it proposed a workable plan for building barriers to protect sensitive wetlands along the fragile Louisiana coast.  The response from the Obama administration, no thanks. 

The Obama’s administrations (12 days into the spill) first reaction to the spill was to send the inept and somewhat incoherent Homeland Security Secretary to the Gulf coast to double speak and avoid tough questions. Their next move was to send Justice Department Lawyers, It was obvious they wanted send a very clear message: No matter how bad it gets or what happens, it not our fault!   Obamabots in the media picked up on it immediately. “It’s Bushes Fault……Evil Oil Companies”

No doubt rest in anyones mind, British Petroleum is clearly responsible for the oil leaking into the gulf and libel for the consequences which are yet to be determined, but being a disaster of epic proportions in U.S. waters means there should be leadership and cooperation from Washington. 

 

Obama spent the end of April and the beginning of May meeting behind closed doors with administrative officials. He made occasional and vague public statements about the incident. Seems every idea had a “study” involved. He spent time golfing, state dinners for  world leaders, nights out with the first lady, vacationing in Chicago, meeting with NCAA champions, and attending Democratic fundraisers. He skipped the memorial service for the men killed in the accident to fundraise for Senator Boxer.  It was not until the end of May that he nominally and authoritatively positioned the federal government in charge of the disaster when it became clear Florida, a must need electoral state, beaches and tourism may be endangered. (Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi did not vote for Obama). Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La) has been unusually silent.  $300 million from Washington for your vote, see my earlier post,  You're Making Us Proud, Mary, and millions in campaign contributions from big oil that without she would just be the mayor of New Orleans homely older sister, buys a lot of silence, eh Mary?

Only now, after his 7th round of golf since the spill started and just before he addresses the nation, does the President decides to meet face to face with B.P. officials.

We spend way too much of our intellectual, economic, and human resources developing technologies that prosper under perfect conditions, but do little to invest in risk management and responsibility.   And perhaps we would be wise not to elect another chief executive whose prime leadership experience is running a school newspaper.

 Katharina was not Bush’s undoing, but the worst environmental disaster in history and incredibly  incompetent leadership could be Obama’s. 

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