OH yeah, there's a big surprise.

I would not be surprised if the Senator, who is up for RE-ELECTION IN 06 loses due to his classic republican insensitivity towards the nations worst disaster ever.

Look, Republicans are convinced that humans are responsible for what happens to them. That belief is attractive to the human brain, especially when the consequences of behavior are positive. If they're not, then it seems natural to blame someone else.
Giving God credit for success and blaming the Devil for failure has the appearance of virtue when it's just a compromise. Humans forego the hubris of bragging on their successes in exchange for shedding responsibility for failure. Neither represents an honest rendition of events.

This seems like a good place to post my musings from earlier today.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Who knew, when the conservatives' guru, Grover Norquist, envisioned drowning the federal government in the bath-tub, it would be accomplished by taking the heart and soul out of our major cities, one at a time?

Who knew, when the twin towers were targeted by planes used as missiles, that the strategic command had been distracted by war games and couldn't react in time?

Who knew, when the first responders were dispatched, that three towers would come tumbling down before they could get back out?

Who knew, when Hurricane Katrina was announced, that Homeland Security concerns would keep the first responders tied up in paper work long after the winds had left?

Who knew, when the levees protecting New Orleans gave way and the flood waters drowned all the neighborhoods, including their tubs, that nobody had bothered to get tens of thousands of Americans out?

Who knew, when Grover Norquist envisioned drowning the federal government in a bath tub, that it would take less than half a decade to turn that lone super power, striding across that bridge, into a third world nation, racked by debt, poor health and deprivation, just like all those other nations where corrupt tyrants reign?

Who knew, when the demise of government by the people was planned, that it would be transformed into a killing machine, taking on unsuspecting enemies on foreign soil and then turning on the people themselves?

Who knew that when all men are declared sinful, the devil no longer needs to hide? He can do his dirty deeds right out in the open and blame somebody else.

Who knew? When our representatives and our votes and our judges were turned into rubber stamps, we the people should have know. We just couldn't imagine it.

But, now that we know, it's time to act. Otherwise, who knows which one of us will be next?

This is a question for all those Christian conservatives out there: how come none of your Republicans heros ever exhibit any "personal responsibility" in a crisis?

They either cut and run like Bush did on 9/11, go campaigning on the West Coast for an unrelated policy agenda while people suffer, or send the National Guard to Iraq instead of letting them do the rescue work they were designed to do here at home.

When is anyone in this administration going to demonstrate any personal responsibility for the oath of office they swore to take seriously? They knew how bad conditions were in New Orleans and on the rest of the Gulf coast and are now flagrantly lying to cover up their ineptitude. That is exhibiting personal responsibility?

Rich, well-educated people have no excuse for acting in this way. Time to face the music. You, Republicans, have been backing a bunch of knucleheads who are going to get us all killed someday.

And Bin Lauden doesn't even have to lift a finger.

"how come none of your Republicans heros ever exhibit any "personal responsibility" in a crisis?"

"Personal responsibility" only applies to other people. It never applies to republicans.

This idea of blaming the victims of Hurricane Katrina is nothing short but APPALLING!!! Using LOGIC, how can people without a car and social contacts be able to evacuate? The incredibly stupid white male Republicans are blaming those folks just because they had no way to get out of an area that can be damaged or destroyed. There is no evidence whatsoever that Bush is not using this disaster to use RACIAL PROFILING. In other words, Bush and his white male Republican cronies are RACIALLY PROFILING the survivors and also discriminating against those with disabilities as well. These are the people that had no way to leave the area before Katrina approached. Bush, are you ready to get IMPEACHED along with your morons of evil?!

Only is the Dems can get control of Congress...

And they have to start growing a backbone before that can happen.

These guys should be put out of their home for six months and not allowed to draw a check but would have to live six Months doing common labor and have to get to work until they saved up enough cash to buy a car. In other words live like some of those folks have to with out any means to pull out of the rut they stay in for all or most of their life? No matter what kind of tradegy happened to them tell them they get no help, no credit,no groceries even until they get paid. And tell them everyday they need to move?

Perhaps you might like to drop a little line to the Ignorant Senator Kyl:

Link

Remind the old fool, that Flood insurance in a flood zone like New Orleans was undoubtedly at least $100 per month or more, and perhaps HE would like to adopt several families in the future to pay their premiums for them!

I caught the end of of a great speech by Senator Barak Obama on C-Span 2 today. Too bad they don't have the video up. He is definitely presidential material.

Oh excuse me, I was unaware that 35% of the New Orleans that lived in poverty were able to buy insurance since they resided in a flood zone. And since living well below the poverty line they obviously were able to afford a car and therefore leave the city, but chose instead to stay at the Superdome or the Convention Center or on a rooftop.

This man must be related to the Bushes because he is spewing just as many stupid remarks as they are.

Quick, call for a DNA test. This idiot has to be the illegitimate son of Barbara Bush.

Add PA Senator Rick Santorum to the list of right wing idiots who have blamed the victims of this tragic event.

The knee-jerk Republican said in a recent TV interview with ABC affiliate WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh, "you have people who don't heed those warnings and then put people at risk as a result of not heeding those warnings. There may be a need to look at tougher penalties on those who decide to ride it out and understand that there are consequences to not leaving."

This might be the most outrageous statement ever to come out of the Republican party. So many residents of New Orleans are poor and lack the means to even get a bus ticket out of town, let alone the information of any warning. Rick Santorum has a love of punishment and a hatred of goodwill and charity, and he has demonstrated just how far right one is capable of being.

Especially in wake of a disaster with more than three times the casualties of September 11, Rick Santorum's comments are akin to Nazism, fueled by racism, and he deserves to be censured. Let's show Rick Santorum a "harsher penalty" for being an ideological whack job--support his challenger, Bob Casey Jr., in 2006.

Add PA Senator Rick Santorum to the list of right wing idiots who have blamed the victims of this tragic event.

The knee-jerk Republican said in a recent TV interview with ABC affiliate WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh, "you have people who don't heed those warnings and then put people at risk as a result of not heeding those warnings. There may be a need to look at tougher penalties on those who decide to ride it out and understand that there are consequences to not leaving."

This might be the most outrageous statement ever to come out of the Republican party. So many residents of New Orleans are poor and lack the means to even get a bus ticket out of town, let alone the information of any warning. Rick Santorum has a love of punishment and a hatred of goodwill and charity, and he has demonstrated just how far right one is capable of being.

Especially in wake of a disaster with more than three times the casualties of September 11, Rick Santorum's comments are akin to Nazism, fueled by racism, and he deserves to be censured. Let's show Rick Santorum a "harsher penalty" for being an ideological whack job--support his challenger, Bob Casey Jr., in 2006.

How can Sen. Kyl call himself a Christian conservative when he criticizes and taunts the very people who were victimized by Hurricane Katrina?! He, like the majority of Republicans, have no commom sense or morals! THEY are the ones who blame Americans first!

I was impressed that the so called terrorist Fidel Castro offered to send 1500 equipped docters to help Katrina victims

I'm surprised, too.

If we can trust at least one Republican senator, it's got to be McCain (and at least we don't have to worry about his re-election campaign right now).

Kyl should be replaced. But by whom?

One simple issue: if the President had not cut the budget to maintain the levees in order to shift money to Iraq and his personal agenda than the situation in New Orleans would not be so bad and the death toll wouldn't be so high and valuable resources could be used for victims of the actual hurricane in LA, AL, and MS.

I have read all the posts about the loss of life. This is about humanity. We know that this administration has lied. Look up FEMA AND THE GOVERNOR. ACTIVATION ON THE 26'TH. We know that Bush, Brown, and Chertoff were given briefings about the breech in the levees. I cry for the loss of life that could have been saved. History will be the recorder. They kept food and water from these people "Americans". Today they are not letting the Red Cross in. We must point a finger, we must blame. We must hold this government accountable.

I think the Clintons and Gore should be put in charge of the relief and recovery. They are the only ones who have a clue how to run a country. In the meantime.... everyone should check out the Green Party if you have not already done so. Vote Green people.

Do you think the President's behavior may be somehow influenced by the attitude of his mother?

Barbara Bush, the other day in Houston, had this to say about the evacuees:

"What I’m hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas.
Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them."

(In the midst of this statement she could be heard chuckling!)

Democrats MUST become part of the solution, not simply the finger pointers. I'm so tired of the "See, see, he did it again. Bush screwed up again," mantra that comes from my party. What I am waiting for is a plan, an agenda, a call to action that creates change.

Clear solutions are what most Americans want to see from a political party. Why do you think the Republicans have been so successful? Not just because they stood around pointing the finger, yes they did plenty of that during the Clinton administration. But, because they combined the finger pointing with a clear albeit damaging agenda of tax cuts, cronyism, and fear.

What can we, as a party do today, tomorrow, next year? Why can't we hone a coherrent narrative of hope and change? Why can't we seem to find one strong and effective leader out of the 49 million people who voted as Ds in the last election? These are the questions my party needs to spend more time answering and less time caught up in finger pointing. Until we have the answers, we will always be the minority.

Typical Republican if you ask me...

Kyl should be replaced. But by whom?
Posted by John on September 7, 2005 at 07:28 PM

You asked who Kyl should be replaced by?

Jim Pederson is running as the democrat, and was the chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party.

Vote for Jim Pederson!!!!!!!!

Al Gore sent two planes worth of relief supplies

A majority of NBA and NFL players are Dems and have sent releif supplies, visited shelters, and donated their own money to relief orgs.

I live in Phoenix and I've made generous donations to several relief organizations, including the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, America's Second Harvest and the United Methodist Church.

I'm willing to bet that Sen. Jon Kyl never donated a penny. He is a pompous jerk and a horse's ass. I am ashamed that he is one of my two senators. I plan to be at Jim Pederson's announcement in Casa Grande, whenever that may be. It was supposed to be held last Wednesday, but was postponed out of respect to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

I would like to share with you all a letter that was just published in this morning's Arizona Republic. This is in response to people like Jon Kyl and all the other heartless bastards who dare disparage the victims of Hurricane Katrina:

Sept. 12, 2005 12:00 AM

"I was a lifelong resident of New Orleans. I moved here two months ago, narrowly escaping disaster myself.

"The insensitive and cruel comments made in many letters to the editor hit close to home and hurt terribly.

"First, to say that New Orleans shouldn't rebuild and "the ruins should be used as a reminder" is so stunning in its cruelty that it leaves me completely flabbergasted.

"New Orleans is home to a great many people. It's not just a house or a neighborhood. It's a community and a way of life to which New Orleanians are fiercely loyal. If you've ever been there, you may have a tiny inkling of that feeling.

"Secondly, the Army Corps of Engineers was in charge of the levees. Our state and local officials have been asking for help from the federal government for years to fix the levees. Guess what the federal government said? Sorry, no money for you!

"I suppose these insensitive letter writers are suggesting that all the residents of New Orleans should have gathered up the rocks in their yards and gone to pile them up on the levee.

"Stop judging and criticizing and reach into your heart to find the compassion for thousands who have lost everything - rich and poor, Black and White.

"Or, if you can't muster up any of that, just keep your mouth closed. Didn't your momma teach you? If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

- Anne Barrett, Chandler >>

Kyl should be replaced. But by whom?
Posted by John on September 7, 2005 at 07:28 PM

McCain should run against Kyl. He would win easily. Then, Napolitano (who, unlike Bush, knows what kind of people to delegate authority to) would be free to nominate a new senator that would hold office until 2010.

Highly improbable, I know, but one may dream.

Speaking of dreams, I would really like to see a McCain-Clinton ticket in '08 for the Republicans, and a Biden-McCain ticket for the Democrats. That way, whoever wins, we are almost guarranteed a great presidency for at least 12 years in a row.

Oh, and to add to that dream list:

McCain could switch over to the Democratic Party so that Arizonans will finally realize that good politicians exist on the left.

typical republican.

Why isn't someone in Washington smearing Kyl?Where has our backbone gone? How can a real American set in the same room with a guy like that and not blast him all over the place? The party keeps feeding us stories like this to keep us mad but only the Washington bunch has the means and position to blast people like this out of orbit.To that bunch of weak asses, he is a collegue and they don't critisize collegues.Aren't they Americans first? Give me a break; this is the reason Kerry could not beat the worst president since Herbert Hoover.Who would vote for people like that? They make me sick.

Actually Oligarch is a much better term. For one thing, the term fascist is too loaded with knee-jerk denial. The term Oligarchy will take most Republicans a while to figure out, and they can't really deny it, because it is government by the over-priveleged rich for their own self-aggrandisment. Oligarchies treat the poor like crap, deny them a say in the government of their country, and then blame the poor for choosing to be poor. Sound familiar?

I would doubt any of you live close to a disater area. I would even doubt many of you have lived through a hurricane. Being from the East I have walked through Dennis and Fran as they ran through North Carolina in the 1990s. As a first responder (firefighter/paramedic for those who don't know) I believe there is only so much you can do to prepare for a disaster. I feel for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, but if the threat of force by the military does not get the people to leave the area, then there is a fundamental problem with the PEOPLE, NOT the leadership. Could more be done? I don't know. I was not there. Were you? If you were in office could you make any better decisions? I would bet not. Is Bush doing all he can? No, but I would bet Kerry would screw things up as well. This country has not had to deal with these types of problems before. A War AND a natural disaster at the same time. Would you know how to handle it? I doubt it. You can sit in your armchairs and become critics, but in the face of the situation, could YOU make the decisions perfectly? I don't think you could.

I now live in an earthquake zone. Do I have disaster insurance? No, and if something happens, then that is MY responsibility NOT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY. If my home is destroyed, I will rebuild from my OWN money. Am I rich? No, I make 100k a year and live in the Los Angeles area. For those who don't know, I barely make ends meet. I own a 550k three bedroom house in the San Fernando Valley. I choose to live here because this is where I was raised and I choose to take certain risks and if the bullet turns and bites me, then it bites. MY choice and MY responsibility, not yours.

Poor leadership on both sides of the House and Senate continue to plague this country. Why don't we cut the childish high school games and work as a consolidated group. Cut the lines between and work to a single entity. We are all responsible for our INDIVIDUAL decisions so lets stop the blame game. We are all at fault here, for not taking responsibility for the country by taking care of ourselves as INDIVIDUALS.

If Bush Sr. and Clinton can come together, do you think this country can get back onto the right track and start working together? With the stuff I see spewed on this site, I doubt we can and that is what truely sad about this nation right now.

Droolbaby: "I doubt if any you live close to a disaster area." Let's see, does the Flood of '93 throughout the midwest, ring a bell? I was on the edge of that one, and had a nephew who was washed out of his house in NE Missouri because of it. I had a daughter who was in the path of Fran, and then moved to Montana in time for the big fire season here a couple of years ago. As for where I live right now, we are looking at forest fires, earthquakes and volcanos (down wind of St Helen's and less than 200 mi from the Yellowstone mega volcano). What I havn't figured out is whether you're bragging or complaining. Oh yes, You ONLY make 100K per year and ONLY have a 550K house. You poor little Republican you. You can show up to the meeting in your Saturn and I'll show up on my 10-speed because I can't afford gas and listen to you tell me how lazy I am, because my son and I am only trying to restore the house I could afford so I can have a decent place to live. I would like to see you live on what your pool cleaner, or maid , or the stockboy at Wal-Mart make for a year. You are the one who needs to grow up.

Well to speak freely, I am complaining that more people aren't doing for themselves what they think the government should be doing. I have worked my butt off to get where I am. No hand outs and no favors made. If you knew the real estate market here you would know a 550k house is nothing. The median prices in LA are 650k. Complain, no, just pointing out the facts. This country was built on the principals of hard work not hand outs. Small minded folks keep this country from being great. I have no pool, so why do I need a pool cleaner? I can clean my own house, so why would I need a house cleaner and how could I afford one if I did need one? And if I did have the ability to afford those, why would anyone complain...I am adding to the employment numbers right? Or is that a bad thing also? You want employment and then bash those who provide employment. Hypocritical? I think so.

Look into those that support he Democratic party, many have house maids, pool cleaners and gardeners. And to clear any other comments, I have lived on their salaries, it is called working through college, or does that count?

OK, so you don't have a maid or a pool, what about the stock boy at Wal-Mart. Anyway, don't you think that those people don't work their butts off? Think again. Most poor people work their butts off. Many working poor in this economy are working 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet. They don't want handouts, they would vastly prefer a fair shake. The problem remains even with 2 or 3 jobs, there are times that they can't make ends meet, or some crises comes along, like a medical problem, or the car breaking down, and then they can't keep their heads above water without help. (I know, foolish them, what's so important about that appendectomy anyway, and you can always walk that 15 miles to work.) With the number of jobs being outsourced to other countries, and the erosion of wages and benefits, particularly medical insurance, in many other areas (think Wal-Mart)the number of poor, working or not is growing. Didn't you read the news lately? Just before Katrina hit, the government announced that there were 1.1 million more poor people in this country than there were one year ago. I personally know of people who were making as much as you were, who are now willing to flip burgers at McGreasy's. You had better thank God that you aren't among these people, YET. But, before you get too self-congratulatory, think, because unless we get this culture of the greedy turned around, your day's coming.

Arizona Democrats should know that the Democratic, environmentally-friendly community of Flagstaff, AZ., is poised to make it a crime for homeless people to sleep or camp outside. The following letter was sent to Democratic Councilwoman Karen Cooper, who supports the measure.

Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2005 04:23:12 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Steve Schneider"
Subject: Anti-Camping
To: kcooper@ci.flagstaff.az.us

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Hi Karen,

Thank you for speaking with me yesterday. This is what's on my mind based on our phone conversation:

1- I'm glad it's not your "intent" to jail homeless people who break the anti-camping law. Unfortunately, I didn't know this because the Daily Sun piece on the four to three vote did not quote you.

So, I'm glad you will state again before the next vote that you oppose jailing homeless people who break the anti-camping ordinance. Could you also insert words in the bill to make sure everyone else understands this?

2- I'm glad you want to "study" the need for a detox center and shelter in Flagstaff. Therefore, can you abstain from voting on issues affecting the homeless until you have completed your study and programs are in place to give our homeless neighbors alternatives to breaking the anti-camping law?

3- Can you enlist your retired minister husband David to round up religious leaders to see what they can do to confront the serious social problem of homelessness. As I mentioned yesterday, a religious organization in Hagerstown, MD., has for years gotten churches to house the homeless. The group now has a year-round shelter.

4- Could you ask the good folks at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Flag to sponsor a series of debates/discussions on issues affecting Flagstaff and the homeless? If not them, how about the League of Women Voters?

Thank you,

Steve Schneider,
in Hollywood, Florida, on business
(been through Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita)
(954) 920-5069

The following letter was sent to Dr. Dean about the upcoming vote in Flagstaff, AZ., to threaten people who camp or sleep outside with a $2,500 fine and/or six months in jail.

Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 15:43:38 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Steve Schneider" Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject: Letter to Howard Dean
To: flagstaffpinetrees@yahoo.com

Dear Dr. Dean,
I voted for you in the Arizona Democratic presidential primary. I was also thrilled when you became party chairman because you want Democrats to be Democrats again.
With this in mind, I hope you look into what is happening in Flagstaff, AZ. By a four to three vote, the City Council in this overwhelmingly Democratic community passed on first reading an anti-camping law that creates fines and jail terms for people -- including the homeless -- who sleep outside.
Sadly, Democrats cast three of the four votes backing this measure, which is slated to get a final reading on Oct. 4.
I'm particularly concerned by the vote of Democratic Councilwoman Karen Cooper, who votes progressively on environmental issues. After speaking with her by phone, I sent her an e-mail asking her to abstain from voting on issues affecting homeless people until the community decides whether it wants to create a detox center and shelter to offer homeless folks alternatives to the street or jail. I haven't gotten a response.
Surely anold-fashioned Democrat can delay casting the deciding vote on such a controversial measure until Flagstaff finalizes plans in connection with a detox center and homeless shelter.
Steve Schneider,
flagstaffpinetrees@yahoo.com

It's good that we don't blame the victims in connection with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. So is it right for a Democratic city like Flagstaff, AZ., to pass an ordinance essentially making homelessness a crime? Democrats should contact the three Democratic coucilmembers in Flag who support this measure, to be voted on Oct. 4. The fourth yes vote comes from the mayor, a Republican, who supported it during a first reading in Sept., along with three Democrats.