The buffer between the Federal Government and the people are state and local governments, and they aren't all gung-ho over Bush and basically control local services.
So a well prepared municipality is in better shape. But what if a whole city or section of a State is destroyed? There are dozens of stories of FEMA blocking one community aiding another. The national guard can't be deployed from one region to another without orders from Washington. Traditionally the Republicans were the guardians of States' Rights. Has their abandonment of this task lead us to this?
Even with good local structures, could we end up with, essentially, viable city-states that are basically on their own and negotiate with one another? The world has been evolving from smaller autonamous governments to larger governments for a couple of thousand years now. Does that hit a tipping point and go ::splat:: and send us back to small 'kingdoms' of some sort?
Where is Dick Cheney?
Well, on September 9th, he'll be talking about oil.
The White House confirmed Tuesday afternoon that American Vice-President Dick Cheney is coming to visit Fort McMurray’s oilsands on Sept. 9.
“The vice-president’s visit to Fort McMurray’s oilsands facilities will be a component of the trip, which will provide the opportunity to discuss energy security and available resources,” White House spokeswoman Lea Anne McBride, told Today Tuesday.
A day before coming to the Fort McMurray region, Cheney will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan in Calgary.
“They will discuss a number of issues that are important to our countries, including our strong relationship,” McBride said.
The spokeswoman declined to comment on what specific issues will be discussed by Cheney and McLellan.
Alex Swann, spokesman for McLellan, said when the deputy minister invited the vice-president last year she asked not simply to visit Canada but Alberta and the oilsands.
“So energy is going to be the focus of the discussion of the whole visit. Naturally, because of (McLellan’s) role as the minister of national security, she will update him on what Canada is doing to help secure North America. Given the current situation she will be raising the softwood issue,” Swann said.
You know, Rove is the smart one. Let's let him out of his box for a couple of days and see what he can do with this mess. THEN we'll prosecute his ass.
LeNubian, Cheney's trip to Canada was cancelled yesterday or today.
He's not smart enough to tell his smirking weasel puppet to stop talking about Trent Lott's beach house and actually do something to help the disaster victims.
Sue,
ah. thanks for that information.
Check this out:
MSNBC is reporting that Afghanistan has donated $100K to us to help with the disaster.
Can you imagine?
the Broussard video is up in Windows Media Player format. QT version is coming soon.
[link]
The only difference between the chaos of New Orleans and a Third World disaster operation, he said, was that a foreign dictator would have responded better.
MSNBC is reporting that Afghanistan has donated $100K to us to help with the disaster.
Apparently CUBA has offered aid to us. Fidel Goddamn Castro, people. Is helping America.
So, and I'm asking this in all seriousness, do we think the country could collapse?
No, not entirely. I do see this disaster, combined with the Iraq mess and China's rising economic clout, being part of what makes early 21st century America similar to late 20th century Britain. I think we're on the path to becoming a former superpower and reluctant supporter/dependent of other superpowers. Of course, this is rough opinion, and someone who's more up on political history could probably tear this theory to shreds.
If I were really being cynical, I'd suggest that Bush & Co. would prefer it if the vast majority of refugees died so that they wouldn't have to deal with finding medical care, new homes, jobs, etc. for all those people who will never vote Republican.
