Obama freezes top-pay, adds ethic rules

Well it's official: Obama did in his first day, what w could not do in 8 years....decrease the size of the government.

Does the photo above indicate W stole the furniture too?

It's About Freaking Time!

Neocons,
You call yourself a Christian
I think that you're a hypocrite
You say you are a patriot
I think that you're a crock of s**t

And listen, I love gasoline
I drink it every day
But it's getting very pricey
And who is going to pay

How come you're so wrong
My sweet neo con.... Yeah

It's liberty for all
'Cause democracy's our style
Unless you are against us
Then it's prison without trial

But one thing that is certain
Life is good at Haliburton
If you're really so astute
You should invest at Brown & Root.... Yeah

How come you're so wrong
My sweet neo con
If you turn out right
I'll eat my hat tonight

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah....

It's getting very scary
Yes, I'm frightened out of my wits
There's bombers in my bedroom
Yeah and it's giving me the s**ts

We must have loads more bases
To protect us from our foes
Who needs these foolish friendships
We're going it alone

How come you're so wrong
My sweet neo con
Where's the money gone
In the Pentagon

Yeah ha ha ha
Yeah, well, well

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah...
Neo con

So, is Tom Daschle resigning? As Director of HHS and a recent lobbyist for health care companies like CVS, doesn't this break Obama's new "rule".

Also, how is this making government smaller? He didn't cut departments or staff...as for the "freeze", how is that a big deal? These guys are new to the job. Why would they be getting pay increases anyway? I don't get a raise when I START a new job. They're all still going to make alot over $100,000. They just won't be eligible for a pay increase for....oh yeah, he didn't say how long.

Sorry. This is just rhetoric. "Here I am to save the day"...Underdog

Show me the money. When the Dow goes above 10,000 and stays there, my cynicism will subside. Until then, this is just more of the same. Just dressed in Blue, rather than Red.

"Spirit of sacrifice" says Obama. How can that be when they've been on the job for only 26 hours at that salary? A sacrifice would be if they took a pay cut...which they should if they're really committed to the sacrifice concept. But please, no bleeding hearts over salaries at the 98th percentile in American life.

I await to see what in the world the right will object to in this move. Sacrifice, and more clarity.........don't see it as a bad thing. Hit the ground running!

This is a joke. Tom Daschle was a lobbyist until November! Now he's in Obama's cabinet! Daschle (Obama's nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary) is supposed to be in charge of crafting the nation's new healthcare policy. How is that
"banned from working on matters they have previously lobbied?" And, yes, the Daschle group lobbied for the healthcare industry. These new rules are a joke because Obama and his staff are already violating them on day one.

Obama didn't decrease the size of the government, he froze pay. He did well to reform lobbying ways. However, with closing Gitmo and bringing terrorists to our homeland, we are only re-welcoming past days where our citizens are getting their heads chopped off and killed left and right, which W put an end to

I am happily looking forward to Tom Daschle's resignation. If Obama really does want him gone I'm all for it.

Show me the money. When the Dow goes above 10,000 and stays there, my cynicism will subside. Until then, this is just more of the same. Just dressed in Blue, rather than Red.

Posted by: obamarama | January 21, 2009 3:14 PM

Yes of course, a member of the Repuglican cheerleading squad objects to ethics and the rule of law....I'M SHOCKED!.....not.

...
Obama didn't decrease the size of the government, he froze pay. He did well to reform lobbying ways. However, with closing Gitmo and bringing terrorists to our homeland, we are only re-welcoming past days where our citizens are getting their heads chopped off and killed left and right, which W put an end to

Posted by: uncruby | January 21, 2009 3:23 PM
...

You had your head chopped off? Wow, and yet here you are blathering on the internet? I guess you weren't using it for anything.

Give it a rest, Wingnuts, President Obama has only been in office 1/2 of a day. You ain't seen nothing yet.

You should have known from the outcome of the last two elections that the dismantling of the BushCo Republican Oligarchy is going to be priortity number one. Like I said, you ain't seen nothing yet...the best is yet to come.

HAHAHA!!!

As a Republican, I can appreciate his stance on the FOIA and lobbyists. But let's not make more of than that it is. These are token gestures more symboic than effective, probably intended to be a forewarning to Capital Hill. But I can't knock them either. Let's just not say he did in one day what Bush couldn't do in 8 years because that is a ridiculous comment. Agree or disagree with his policies, but Bush kept us safe.

I am happily looking forward to Tom Daschle's resignation. If Obama really does want him gone I'm all for it.

Posted by: Jeff | January 21, 2009 3:27 PM

Really? If there was such outrage then maybe some of your deadbeat Repub congressmen should have brought it up at his conformation hearing.
It's going to be a long eight years for your team....

Can anyone explain why administration officials, most of whom haven't even reported for day one of their new jobs yet, were getting raises this year? They're all new government employees! Why weren't they just taking over on the existing salaries of the Bush administration? Ten bucks says the raises for next year kick in.

Zombama will be gone in under 18 months. Enjoy it while you can.

Agree or disagree with his policies, but Bush kept us safe.

Posted by: Cocobear | January 21, 2009 3:42 PM

9/11 happened on W.'s watch and he ignored the warnings that were given to him. He did not "keep us safe", what he did was make the world a more dangerous place.

Nothing in the article about how old Joe took a snarky swipe at Justice Roberts regarding administering the oath. It didn't get a big laugh, certainly not from the new President. Hey Joe, get a clue, you're just not a funny guy.

I was hoping for better . . . really. The "pay freeze" is nothing more than a stunt. First, the staff salaries affected are an infinitessimally small part of the federal budget. Second, they're frozen where? . . . That's right, at the same level they were yesterday. This particular "reform" is worse than smoke and mirrors; it's an insult to every intelligent American.

Change? If this is any indication, it's change for the worse.

Show me the money. When the Dow goes above 10,000 and stays there, my cynicism will subside. Until then, this is just more of the same. Just dressed in Blue, rather than Red.

Posted by: obamarama | January 21, 2009 3:14 PM

Yes of course, a member of the Repuglican cheerleading squad objects to ethics and the rule of law....I'M SHOCKED!.....not.

Posted by: Here I am to save the day! | January 21, 2009 3:28 PM

Um, how is this against ethics and rule of law? I didn't say "Show me the illegal money. Give me a 10,000 Dow with no oversight". See, instead of addressing the issue it's "Hey, look over here" or "Well, the Republicans did it, so...."

My point is that only an increase in stocks and the market, in general, will restore 401k and retirement accounts which is where the majority of middle America (the ones that pay all the taxes) has been most affected.

I'm all for Mr. Obama turning the WHOLE apple cart upside down, however these are not "revoluntionary" changes. Perhaps we will see them, but these first day theatrics are just that.

I still think he will have to address how Tom Daschle keeps his post under the new lobby rules. Had they been in place a few weeks ago, he wouldn't have been confirmed.

Bubba, unlike you, I don't belong to a "team." I vote for the best candidate. And Daschle hasn't been confirmed yet, anyway, so I hope ANY member of congress brings it up in light of these new rules.
Wouldn't you agree, though, that the new lobbyist rule pretty much precludes Daschle from any role in the new administration because of his lobbyist work for CVS and other healthcare and pharmaceutical companies? It may even prevent David Axelrod, a lobbyist for ComEd and Exelon, from advising Obama.

Every time I read one of these articles, there's a typo. Come on.

DECREASED the size of gov't!? Now that's a stretch. This guy is spearheading an effort to spend a TRILLION bucks (that we don't have and will have to borrow or print, of course) on hokey, unprofitable, socialist public works projects to "get people back to work". Uhh, no thanks...I'd prefer a job that pays well, utilizes my skills, and contributes to the economy somehow. Thanks anyhow O!

Cocobear:

Cocobear:

Kept us safe? Minus the fact that September 11th happened while Bush was in office for the better part of a year. So failing to protect us once, failing to uphold the constitution, allowing a city to drown for a week with minimal action and attention and allow a war in defense of our attack to languish with little attention and stirring up a war that was unsubstantiated and unnecessary and pouring much of our military towards that war while hiring contractors (mercenaries) to help the both war efforts while alienating us from our fellow countries that were willing to help us. So yes, you are right, since failing to protect us from September 11th he didn’t allow another attack. If that’s your measure of success for a president, then you need higher standards.

It's going to be a long eight years for your team....

Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 21, 2009 3:45 PM

See, I don't see it as opposite teams. Shouldn't we all be on the SAME team. Don't we all want better, more effective government? Don't we all want the economy to thrive? Jeez, why don't you all take a cue from the President and play nice. He realizes that half the country (at least) are moderates and conservatives so you might as well try to play in the middle.

I see the right is quick to join in with great ideas to help America. Bravo boys! May I suggest some Sally Hanson nails to bite for the up coming year?

Can anyone explain why administration officials, most of whom haven't even reported for day one of their new jobs yet, were getting raises
Posted by: Jeff | January 21, 2009 3:48 PM

It was an executive order by the White House to increase the pay by 3.9%. law H.R. 2638.

Agree or disagree with his policies, but Bush kept us safe.

Uh Cocobear, who was president on 9/11.

While Bush was keeping us safe his Saudi friends were flying planes in to the twin towers.

I see no one is willing to address the very real conflict of interest between Obama's new lobbyist rule and Daschle's work as a lobbyist. When I ask legitimate questions about it all I get back is accusations that usually involve the term "repug."
I want to be on the same team, too, Obamarama, but these people make that awfully hard.
Call me crazy but a new president shouldn't make rules and then not follow them. If he's really banning lobbyists then Daschle has to go.

I also notice "obamarama" wants to play nice. To him it is not being opposite teams....its us all together. Should I sign this post Bushbum to signal my willingness to participate?

ps. Jeff is an Independent and always votes just for the right man. Problem is they're all on the right. Right?

He realizes that half the country (at least) are moderates and conservatives so you might as well try to play in the middle.

Posted by: obamarama | January 21, 2009 4:10 PM

Pleeeeease. Spare us the BS.
If you Wingnutters (you aren't fooling anyone) think you're going to get back into power by bitching about Obama from day one, then you are sadly mistaken or perhaps you miss counted the vote totals from the last two elections.

It's going to be a long year for everyone, Bill, regardless of the letter in front of your name. I'd suggest keeping those nails for yourself. You're gonna need them.

I must agree. Getting off track from the subject of the article and responding to the comments, keeping us safe is an extremely broad term. But the suggestion itself is to keep us safe from all harm. Bush might have kept us safe from another terrorist attack, however, did he keep us safe from the current economic turmoil? Did he calm the waters from a rise in foreign adversaries? Did he ensure that his citizens are protected in health? Those are short of a long list. Keeping us safe from one thing but not from other factions, well, is not safe.

What a sincere, ethical move the messiah has made for our country! one day after he spent 170 million dollars on a party for himself and his angry wife. I'm starting to see the change already...

Oh how I chuckle.... watching the stupid pugs take the bait and run with it! I fully understand the difference between a freeze and a cut, but my point is even when a pug gets what he wants, he is still not happy. Some could also make the point that numbers affected by cost of living increases are "reduced" when froze, but one would have to understand budgets to get that point. The numbers though, when grafted, will show a plateau at some point, unlike w's red rocket of spending and debt.

YES!

Obama has just rescinded the rule that would have let Bush’s heirs continue to claim executive privilege over his papers.

I LOVE IT!

So, Bill, just so we're clear, accusations and preemptive attacks on anyone who would DARE question these new meaningless rules and nonexistent paycuts are what you consider great ideas to help America? What substance are you adding to the conversation?

I'm optimistic that President Obama will tackle this topic but I think he's wise to wait a few months before directly going after the Bushies. He needs to assert his power first, and, by not aggressively going after Bush now it cuts down the possibility more evidence is hidden.

In other words, I think Obama is a deeply ethical man who understands the ramifications of allowing Bush to skate. He won't let it happen.

This is about open government and giving people access to their own documentary history.

George W. Bush has presided over the most secrecy-obsessed administration in the history of the country. It is imperative that Executive Order 13233 be undone. That order restricts access to presidential and vice-presidential records.

It sounds like these actions by Obama go part of the way to correcting this, but more is needed.

Rep. Edolphus Towns has already introduced legislation: H.R. 35, the "Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2009.

"It was an executive order by the White House to increase the pay by 3.9%. law H.R. 2638.

Posted by: bill r. | January 21, 2009 4:27 PM"

So what? He's the president now, he can make a new executive order. Heck, he could make one asking for pay cuts, too.

Jeff....Maybe you can tell me the difference between the price and wage freezes proposed by McCain and this?

ps. Jeff is an Independent and always votes just for the right man. Problem is they're all on the right. Right?

Posted by: bill r. | January 21, 2009 4:36 PM
Nope, not always. I voted for Obama over Keyes, for instance. Very proud that I never voted for blago, though. I, personally, believe that small government and a strong national defense are important to the prosperity and safety of our country so I generally vote for candidates that feel the same. If that makes my votes a "problem" to you, I really couldn't care less.

"YES!

Obama has just rescinded the rule that would have let Bush’s heirs continue to claim executive privilege over his papers.

I LOVE IT!

Posted by: antacid | January 21, 2009 4:51 PM "

You have an active imagination.

Dan -

Or perhaps Bush came in too quick re: the city that was left to drown? Why was it "he" that should come in and not those closest and most able to respond? Where were our congressional leaders? Where's your criticism of Nagin? Of Blanco? How does this solely fall on Bush in your opinion?
Or maybe this is your "measure of success" of corrupt local polititians who had the "better part of" years, plural, years, (Nagin since '02; Blanco since '96 in a Lt Gov role, since '04 as Gov, and thankfully, since '08, former Governor) to protect the city that drowned, but instead chose to ignore the warning signs and not address the issues of safety until it was too late, and then just expect the rest of us to save them. Amazing how they skate away unscathed in the disaster that they could have avoided, or at least minimized (vast majority of damage and loss was due to levee failure, not the storm itself), and leave the criticism to Bush. Pity, pity that entitlement feeling, but I guess we should all get used to it now...

Poor Rahm - maybe since he didn't get a pay raise on his first day on the job, he'll quit in a fiery rage of anger...

Bush has left the building - you can relax your sphincter muscle and your hatred for awhile...

Sure would like to see the Daschle hypocrisy addressed but I guess there is no argument for that.

If Obama had appointed new, daring young intellectuals to his cabinet posts instead of Clinton and her re-treads, I might not be as cynical. But, seriously, Tom Daschle? And now, the Lobbyist Rule that plainly implies that Daschle should be ineligible to serve.

The FOIA directive might end up being the most important (and effective) part of this story, even though no one outside the journalism community is likely to talk about it. Presidents have been moving toward secrecy for a long time, but the Bush administration really kicked it into overdrive, with federal agencies putting up a fight over even the most innocuous FOIA requests.

Media outlets that can afford a court fight (Trib, NYT, etc.) usually win their FOIA battles, but almost every federal agency has spent the last eight years making the FOIA as difficult, expensive and time-consuming as possible.

The ironic part is that their obstruction doesn't terribly hurt the "elite media" that the right so often reviles-- it hurts the independent bloggers and Web journalists who have been so embraced by the right.

So good on Obama if he's serious about getting back to the spirit of FOIA, and if his agencies actually walk the walk.

I'm not surprised that McCainiac Jeff is on here crying about Tom Daschle today

Within hours of taking the Oath of Office, President Barack Obama has ordered all federal agencies to suspend all of Bush's eleventh-hour rules changes,pending a full review. This means that Bush's notorious "conscience clause" rules are on hold until Obama's Secretary of Health and Human Services can review them. That would be Tom Daschle. It's highly unlikely that Daschle would sign off on these rules, which would give government healthcare workers unprecedented latitude to refuse reproductive health services on religious grounds. This what Jeff objects to.

Jeff doesn't care about a former lobbyist being in the Obama cabinet, heck, he voted for a guy (McCain) whose whole campaign was being run by lobbyists.

Bush didn't keep us safe. Are you crazy? He generated hundreds of thousands of enemies that were not there before. We are "safe" only because of luck.

Now all we have to do is get them to pay their taxes like the rest of us.

Change? Day 1 and it's the same old song and dance, and political lies and B.S. Pay freeze? These people just started today. They already knew what their salaries were going to be and agreed to them. There is no pay freeze. These people weren't going to be elligible for a raise for at least a year, Jan 20th 2010 would be when he could tell us...."we've kept last year's salaries the same". This is just a bunch of B.S. to make us think he's doing something special....but just the same old song an dance we've come to expect from politicians.

When we examine the roster of alumni to the Chicago way, we see some that have worked for Daley and Blagojevich. so much for ethics reform. It looks like the reform is in the direction of people that will have a reformatory in their destination.

Dangerous game we have. 9/11 was on Dubya's watch with so much intel ignored and Obama appears off to a good start however his stimulus package is scary along with his stance on increased government. What happened to our economy was corporate greed and since obviously trusting the execs have proven (in whole) was a mistake, then something must be done however is it switching trust to the government? With its spending? With what we should have learned from history?

I hope for the best however have apprehensions.

I have not commented on this article. The 3:45 posting is a fake. Make your own point and live up to it, whoever you are!

I heard Dubya stole all the W keys on White House keyboards himself as a prank on Obama

You have an active imagination.

Posted by: Jeff | January 21, 2009 5:15 PM

Sure Jeffy,
And you would have been on here complaining about one lobbyist if your hero Gramps McCain had won, right?.
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGXIuNthJ7Q
.

Obama is the anti-Christ. His push for gay marriage and more abortion are just a start. America can not afford all of what Obama is going to do. Trillions of dollar handouts will lay on the backs of the white working class. I am appaled to see millions of blacks that went to Washington just to see a black man become President. They took off from the watching Jerry Springer and Oprah to travel to Washington. Forget the fact that most of them don't have jobs. They just wanted a brother in the White House. America is going to be destroyed by Barry the muslim. God help us.

Jeff...I am also a independent despite what all the leftys say about me and some even post in my name (chickens***) which goes to show they do not even listen to the words of their messiah. Being from Il., I know how the Chicago gang works and this is just another example of "smoke and mirrors" to pacify the leftys. Wouldn't the Daschle question be a great one for Obama's first news conference? Never going happen. You leftys all have the same "herd mentality and group think", and the MSM feeds you these little bones to make you happy, meanwhile the Chicago guys are raiding the cookie jar. Watch and learn America, be patience, Obama did not rise to power in Chicago by challenging power and corruption rather he accommodated it and even participated. Stick that in the ole craw and chew on it. The real Bubba Porter.

yes, the Daschle group lobbied for the healthcare industry. These new rules are a joke because Obama and his staff are already violating them on day one.

Posted by: Jeff | January 21, 2009 3:22 PM

Bill/Jeff,
Quit dodging the question. If Tom Daschle is such a big issue why didn't your useless Repuglican congressmen bring it up during his hearing?

This is great. It's day one of the Obama adminstration and the Wingnuts are already pulling their hair out. They rightwing lunatic fringe earned their current minority status by lockstepping with BushCo and their fear, smear, intimidation and criminal tactics and now all they can do is cry because deep down they know they will be out of power for the next 25-30 years.

Change? Day 1 and it's the same old song and dance, and political lies and B.S. Pay freeze? These people just started today. They already knew what their salaries were going to be and agreed to them. There is no pay freeze. These people weren't going to be elligible for a raise for at least a year, Jan 20th 2010 would be when he could tell us...."we've kept last year's salaries the same". This is just a bunch of B.S. to make us think he's doing something special....but just the same old song an dance we've come to expect from politicians.

Posted by: JolietJay | January 21, 2009 5:50 PM
....................

The Republican Party has become the party of dumb. They will deny it, but for years now, their candidates have played the dumb card. No matter what the question – George W. Bush, Sarah Palin, global warming, Freedom Fries, stem cell research, Dan Quayle, evolution, Star Wars – they’ve always come down on the dumb side of the answer.

The result has been a gradual dumbing down of the Republican party until the only places that really bought what John McCain was selling were places (the deep South) where poor people are still being duped into believeing that tax cuts for the wealthiest 1% of Americans is some how going to help them put food on their table, gas in their pickem'up truck and ammo for their 12 gauge shotguns.

First day on the job and already issuing pay cuts. I love it! These guys were expecting 30-90K more, and now the big O has kicked them down to reality. More changes to come...Can't wait!

Government is the problem, Govt is the solution

Why is Obama making twice as much as his VP? Not fair. Also, I hope that he's freezing his own salary!

If he is cutting the salary of some of his staff, that is more cutting than Bush ever did...
Get over it.. we'll show the republicans what we can do after putting up with 8 years of religious crap...
I am more religious than the religious these days...
Who would god kill?

You're darn right, and unlike Obama McCain admitted it. Lobbyists aren't going anywhere. K Street bankrolled some of Obama's inauguration. This new "rule" is cosmetic at best. Just for the cameras. Daschle and Axelrod's appointments are proof of it. McCain lost. I'm over it. I just don't like being lied to. You folks who think this'll actually do anything to limit lobbying influence seem to enjoy it.

p.s. Dano, I had no idea that was actually going on and I'm not concerned about it one bit. But since you can read minds can you tell me if the senators who are STILL reviewing him will confirm Daschle? This rule could throw a monkeywrench into his plans. You, too, must have an active imagination.

Message to Rethuglicans:

Our pain is over (BushCo), yours has just begun.

Sincerely,
80% of America and the rest of the World

Bush did not keep us safe - 9/11 happened on his watch. And the world is arguably less safe than before.

However, there is one fact that is not debatable - GW, a proclaimed conservative, presided over the creation of the largest federal government in U.S. history. All financed by debt to paid by our children to the children of China. GW may be a neo-con in name, but in practice, there is one indisputable, undebatable fact: in reality, he is a more of a socialist than any democrat ever was.

Completely smoke and mirrors. I would be impressed if Obama called for pay cuts and oh i don't know, maybe read a history book before he starts printing another TRILLION dollars. Post WWI Germany ring a bell to anyone?

Thank *goodness* we have at long last a president that prefers logic and science.

I'm pretty tired of the non- and pseudo-science crowd having their way with our country.

Soon to retire the failed logic that Bush kept us safe because no hurricanes or tornadoes or volcanoes took out Washington D.C. during his tenure (or something similar)

"his angry wife"??? I think PML has PMS. Look at the pictures of the inaugration and the parties, have you ever seen such a smile?
congrats! your comment ranks as one of the dumbest in these posts, and there is lots of competition for the honor.
And the parties were paid for by donors, largely the people who went to them. If someone wants to spend a couple thou to go to a party, well why not? And considering the mess we are in $170 mill is a drop in the proverbial bucket anyway

The FOIA thing is really big. Bush answered FOIA requests with lots of blank pages each stenciled with the "exemption" they were relying on to withhold information. Most of which were frivilous if not downright intentionally obstructive.

If you didn't like it, or the 200 days they took to answer, why, then, you could sue them in District Court.

Barack needs to kick --- down the line, however, because the bureaucrats will just keep on doing what they have been doing for 8 years if he doesn't.

That really would be a change--disciplining some federal bureaucrat for jerking around members of the public.

When I see that, I will fall off my chair.

We have hope people..enjoy it. Do you not hear the words he speaks? He is talking ethics..reform..transparancy. He isn't like raisen brain going on vacation saying "I'm the decider." He says he is a public servant..as well as his administration. Lets give him a chance.

Frank:

I'll tell you why it's Bush's fault. The Army Corps of Engineer's was in charge of the levee system. Their commander and chief: Bush.

FEMA: Inexcusably slow in acting, totally incompetent when finally in action and still has not properly managed that emergency. Or the one from Hurricane Ike. Bush oversees that. And he appointed his horse breeder friend to be in charge of FEMA. That’s foresight. Especially since supposedly Bush never “got over” September 11th. If you were constantly thinking of September 11th, then don’t you think a smart/capable/good/wise leader would pick someone who has emergency management experience in case another emergency happens? After all, wasn’t Bush constantly reminding us that we’re in grave danger so he can do as he pleases in our defense? How about put people in charge who know what they’re doing. That would be my first line of defense.

National Guard: Busy in Iraq and what Guardsmen were left in the country weren't put into action immediately. Their commander: Bush

The only branch of the armed forces that swung into action immediately was the coast guard and the generally operate independent of Presidential of Joint Chiefs of Staff orders.

And since the ACOE was in charge of the levees and lake Pontchartrain, how would Nagin of the Governor know the dire condition of the levees? The ACOE doesn't have to answer to the state or city.

And after the water was removed FEMA, which again, Bush oversees, provided the residents trailers that were full of formaldehyde secreting materials.

Louisiana's governor: What resources does he have to help out a drowned city?

Nagin: His city was drowned, what resources could he have implemented once the levees broke?

Nagin and the Governor have very limited resources at their disposal while an emergency is going on. They have resources to help pick up the pieces, but that city needed helicopters, medics, soldiers and manpower that were beyond Nagin and the governor’s power. Bush chose not to act immediately, and therefore failed to defend the population of an American city properly. I think that is his ultimate failing. "Heck of a job, Brownie" Good Riddance to bad leaders.

That Barry Is Such A Slacker!
http://democralypsenow.blogspot.com/2009/01/barrys-first-day-anything-but-business.html