You know, there was an article somewhere on the net a while back to the effect that everyone who ignored authority during the 9/11 thing did better. They like, survived and stuff.

Never mind, for a sec, who is in office. I am starting to think that government is just too far away from events as they occur, that government is all wrapped up in whatever crap is occupying its mind at the moment to be of use.

Yep. Get in your car and drive away from the major cities (and north, if you ask me, when possible) is the safest response to disaster in my book.

I want a commission er...commissioned, like the 9/11 commission.

I've had it with fucking commissions. By the time it's done Bush will be out of office.

The second Reagan term was killed off by Iran Contra. This will effectively scuttle any Bush agenda for the next 2 years. I hope it makes a difference in the next congressional election.

I hope so.

I've had it with fucking commissions. By the time it's done Bush will be out of office.

Right, but the agencies that we fund to protect and serve us will still be in place, and in horrible, horrible shape. This isn't only a matter of incompetents at the top. I think it's more pervasive than that, although that's probably the root cause.

Most companies and agencies can run with their chief incapacitated, provided the worker bees have what they need to do their jobs.

I'm glad I deleted what I started because brenda said it better.

Most companies and agencies can run with their chief incapacitated, provided the worker bees have what they need to do their jobs.

Hey, no kidding. I feel like I am paying premium taxes, and getting less-than-premium services.

Speaking of premium... Most of the people I've talk to seem to be most angry about the rise in gasoline prices. Hello? 20 oil rigs in the Gulf disappeared, and the two major pipelines that supply the eastern seaboard were damaged. Of course that's going to affect supply, and thus prices. I wouldn't be surprised if the oil companies took advantage of it, but most local station owners have taken profits of only pennies to keep from driving their customers away. Sheesh. The gas prices are the least of our worries.

Get in your car and drive away from the major cities (and north, if you ask me, when possible) is the safest response to disaster in my book.

Except when leaders of neighboring municipalities are keeping you out by shooting at you. I mean, shit. Even the people who could walk out weren't allowed.

I read somewhere that a whole lot of top people in some department that oughta have been on top of this were in Greece for somebody's wedding.

They can turn around and come home. If anyone can get an international flight quickly, it's going to be members of a government.

When Hurricane Floyd was on its way toward the Atlantic coast (Carolinas, I think) in 1999, President Clinton was in New Zealand, meeting with President Jiang of China. He cut short his meetings overseas and flew home to coordinate the rescue efforts, one day BEFORE the hurricane hit.