New Anglican has this. Read it. I keep hearing that this is not the time to point fingers. But the fingers need to be pointed. I am tired of the bullshit surrounding this President. Had conservatives held him accountable for anything up till now, I might be impressed. But they haven't. And they won't.
This is it people. These are the "least of these." Katrina has ripped open the facade of our poverty and shown it to the world. And while the Bill O'Reilley and Sean Hannity's talk about looting, an administration that obviously couldn't evacuate Crawford, Texas (unless there was a photo-op) the poor of Mississippi and Lousiana made the big mistake of assuming that there were agencies that were trying to help them. The assumed that some government agency would step in and coordinate what they couldn't do themeselves. But that agency was gutted for one of Bush's golf buddies.
I was chided today for not loving what Jesus loves. You tell me. Does Jesus look down on this and say, "hey, yeah emergency planning is good, but you got a $300 tax cut instead!" Silly me. I think Jesus is in on Canal Street fighting the levee--trying to help the poor and the sick and old get to safety. He isn't photo-opping his way through a Presidency. "we will rebuild Trent Lott's house (screw the poor) and I will sit on his porch."
Obvious statement of the day: Bush has no idea what his favorite philosopher stood for. Or stands for.
4 comments:
It is absolutely astonishing how fast people will take a national tragedy and turn it into an attack on a political figure. Please point me to the groundswell of Democrats who were clamoring to use tax money for emergency planning. And what exactly do you want Bush to do? Rebuild the Levee himself? Your not happy he's in Crawford, your not happy he's touring the region. Basically your just not happy, but lets not try to make every move Bush makes in this to be some sort of attack on the poor in favor of the rich. That accusation is obscene and is disgusting at a time like this.
That is your opinion here and that is fine. There were people who were very upset when Bush decided to gut FEMA, and one of his own REpublican appointees was fired when he objected to the cuts in levee protection.
Maybe you are right, maybe the dems should have done more.
What do I want from Bush? I would have liked him to act presidential. I think given the storm's path and severity, he could have canceled his 5 week vacation last week. I would expect him not to joke about it and to take it seriously. I am sure it sounds like he can do no right. And that might be true. He disgusts me as a President and I think he is the worst in our history.
Oh, and it IS an attack on the poor. Listen to the FEMA director's response. They are already blaming the poor. Meanwhile Bush acts as if the issue is Trent Lott's house.
I am not sure what to say about you being offended. Like I said, had republicans held Bush accountable for anything (wmd, no insurgency, greated like liberators, oil money will fund reconstruction, not enough troops) then I would be far more inclined to take the "this is no time to point fingers" seriously.
This morning I came across several poignant prayers in the Book of Common Prayer. They gave voice to my own saddness. (bolding is mine)
35. For the Poor and the Neglected
Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget : the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor , Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p. 826)
36. For the Oppresed
Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p. 826)
33. For Cities
Heavenly Father, in your Word you have given us a vision of that holy City to which the nations of the world bring their glory: Behold and visit, we pray, the cities of the earth. Renew the ties of mutual regard which form our civic life. Send us honest and able leaders. Enable us to eliminate poverty, prejudice, and oppression, that peace may prevail with righteousness, and justice with order, and that men and women from different cultures and with differing talents may find with one another the fulfillment of their humanity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p. 825)
(New Anglican...it's your fault that I'm reading my BCP. *grin* )
sg (aka SOF)
In my opinion referring to criticism of Bush as "obscene" is rediculous. There is plenty of obscenity in this tragedy, but criticism of Bush doesn't come near warranting that label. Bush gives ample opportunity for critics- there's plenty of examples highlighted all across the news and blogs. His hopes of getting through his tenure and leave the mess for someone else are being dashed. At any time he's presented with human suffering he will, given enough opportunities, reveal his total lack of the ability appeal to the best in us. He'll find a way to trivialize the tragedy in some way.
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