I have a lot to say

I rarely get political here. I just don't like to invite debate. But today, I'm mad, and while I don't want to politicize the disaster, someone (or, more than likely, multiple someones) will need to be held accountable. And it's not about Republican or Democrat, but the accountability should fall on both sides. I feel angry and helpless, so I'm venting here. I've been reading and chatting on Fark.com tonight, so I'm in a cynical mood, and I've been foolishly bingeing on cookie dough because I AM FEELING STRESSED.

Before I start, let me make it clear that I'm an increasingly disillusioned Republican. I voted for Bush twice, though both times somewhat reluctantly. I think he's generally a likeable guy. I even more or less support the idea that it's not a horrible idea that we are in Iraq. I say all this in advance so you understand where I'm coming from.

I have so many questions. Who made the decision to bus people to the Superdome? (Mayor Nagin, was it you?) Why didn't that person also dispatch sufficient National Guard and Red Cross to the Superdome in anticipation of these people needing someone to watch over them, keep them safe, give them some food and water, hold their hands and reassure them it would be OK? Was it because the National Guard and the Red Cross would then be stuck in the storm? If so, why then was it a good idea to allow innocent civilians to stick around? Why weren't they all bused out of town? Isn't a hurricane the type of disaster that actually has the most advance warning?

After the hurricane passed, why weren't food, water, and medical supplies immediately dispatched to the throngs still left in New Orleans? Does it really take FOUR DAYS to get relief in? If TV crews were able to get in, why couldn't relief? I understand there was a bit of shooting at one helicopter, but were the troops so poorly trained that their best reaction was to turn tail and run? Surely they are trained in ways to deal with such things? The reporters I've been watching on NBC all claim they have seen no further evidence of violence, yet Lt. Gen. Honore had to repeatedly tell troops to point their weapons down, not up, reminding them that "this is not Iraq." Why is that? Governor Blanco, do you have anything to say?

(My conjecture...I'm wondering if the shooting, which I do believe really happened, got blown out of proportion and exaggerated and "someone" in charge decided they were going to be mobbed. And yes, I will confess that I do believe race is a factor here, not the primary factor, but it's in there.)

President Bush...don't worry, Bushie, I'm not going to blame you for all of the above, or really any of the above. I certainly won't stoop to blaming you for the hurricane, though some will certainly find a way to, blaming it on global warning, that you as a Republican and an oil man must be responsible for. No. I'm not going to do that.

But I am going to ask you this: why is it that, before you met with the Southern governors, you said the results were "unacceptable", but when you met with them face-to-face, you shook their hands, patted them on the backs, and told them they were doing a good job? So, who is responsible for the "unacceptable" part? What kind of double-talk is it to say "I"m satisfied with the response. I am not satisfied with the results"?

(I don't mean to invite debate here. Because of my bipartisan dissatisfaction, probably everyone can find something to agree with and something to disagree with. Feel free to leave comments, but please, please, I so rarely get political here, don't start a debate in my virgin comments ;) If it does start to get bad, I reserve the right to turn 'em all off, for this post, at least. I don't want negative energy on my blog.)