Barbara Bush Blunders

[Kanamori]

Oh no, the upper-class does know what it has over the poor. They may not understand, however, living in poverty the way the poor do. As to the truthfulness of her statement -- I do not know if she meant 'underpriveleged' as in "living on the streets before the storm" or as "people that once had homes and no longer do" -- I believe she is correct. Anyways, we do not know if it was a wry chuckle, I myself am known for them and it sometimes gets me into trouble, or if it was some very poorly timed humor. At any rate, that kind of humor runs in the Bush family, I think.

[Ronin]

let them eat war is much more up the Bush´s alley...

[Xiahou]

If she wants the media to leave her be, then why was she on a much-publicized tour of the Astrodome with her hubby? A media event. A photo-op. Sorry, she doesn't get to parade around in public with an entourage of media and secret service and then get a pass on why she's there in the first place.

Gee, maybe it has something to do with the fact that Clinton and her husband have been called upon to raise relief funding. It's tough to do that hiding under your desk. But nevermind, where were we? Oh yes, beating up on an old woman...

I listened to the soundbyte and the "chuckle" that's being made so much of is virtually inaudible and if you pay attention, you hear her make the same sound at various points throughout her entire interview. I don't think it was laughter.

I think Marie-Antoinette is a good comparison myself.

No it isn't. By her statement, if anything, she was overestimating how bad they had it y thinking that the AtroDome is better than their normal living conditions. That's pretty much the direct opposite of "let them eat cake".

[Goofball]

The place is now a huge cesspool and was always a shitty place to live. Its a microcasim of what the US would look like if the liberals ran the country as they did NO for 60 years.

That may well be the most ridiculous thing you have ever said on these boards, G.

NO's problem was not one of ideology (i.e. liberalism or conservatism), but one of corruption. And corruption knows no ideology; both liberals and conservatives give in to its temptations all too regularly.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

NO's problem was not one of ideology (i.e. liberalism or conservatism), but one of corruption. And corruption knows no ideology; both liberals and conservatives give in to its temptations all too regularly.

In this case it was clearly Liberal corruption or have the conservatives been running NO for the last 60 years?

Corrupt,carefree city reaps what it sowed]Corrupt, carefree city reaps what it sowedBy BOB BARR
Published on: 09/07/05
Although the floodwaters in New Orleans have begun to recede, the problems they leave in their deadly wake will present challenges for decades to come, challenges that in much the same way changed the character of our nation when the Mississippi Delta was deluged in the great flood of 1927.

The New Orleans that lay in the path of the floodwaters of the mighty Mississippi River in 1927 was, like its modern incarnation, steeped in corruption, deep and pervasive. It was, in some measure, this man-made infliction that held back steps that could have avoided — at least in part — the devastation visited on the city in 1927, and it is corruption that plays a role in the dark present and murky future of the city.


Perhaps no response to the flooding speaks so eloquently, or painfully, of New Orleans' problem than the remarks by its police department leadership that its officers — overworked and "traumatized" by the ordeal of the previous week — deserved a weeklong Las Vegas vacation. The N.O.P.D. is possessed of a long-standing and apparently well-deserved reputation for corruption and incompetence. Yet in this latest crisis, it seems to have outdone itself.

Not only did many police officers not show up for work during the flood, but some reportedly even joined in the looting that rocked the city. The response of the department's leadership? To whine and complain that others (read "Washington") were not doing enough to save the city its officers were sworn to protect. Such an attitude should scare the dickens out of those contemplating a return to the city following its dry-out. It telegraphs that it will be business as usual in the city.

Perhaps even worse, the city leadership appears ready to refuse to assume responsibility for its own safety and instead place the future of New Orleans in the hands of the federal government.

Ironically, the seeds of this attitude — that it is the job of the federal government to protect all of us whenever there is a disaster manufactured by man or God — while prevalent throughout the America of this 21st century, was born after the great flood of 1927. Today, it has come full circle in the city of its birth

That may well be the most ridiculous thing you have ever said on these boards, G.

I seriously doubt it.

LINK

[Papewaio]

who cares what an eighty year old plus former first lady thinks, she don't make policy.

Don't Conservatives believe in parents teaching values to their children ? (Actually both sides of the fence do)

So with this perceived attitude of elitism what has this former first lady taught the current president?

What happens if Bush Jr is asking mummy (Prince Charles like) what to do with the New Orleans situation?

[Red Harvest]

If you're going to Bush bash, choose a target that has at least served any time in office, morons.

How can you say that?

This rule certainly wasn't applied to Hillary when her husband was running for Prez... I couldn't believe the things my "conservative" colleagues would say. Guess I was brought up better. Most of what they said were what I considered fighting words. If they said that about my wife someone would have had to pry me off of their bludgeoned corpse.

As for what Barbara said, sounds pretty stupid but not mean spirited. It merely illustrates how out of touch the whole family is. We knew this already, nothing really new.

[Zharakov]

They could do the Communist / Socialist thing and kill everyone for being dum enough to be un-able to leave...

[Red Harvest]

That may well be the most ridiculous thing you have ever said on these boards, G.

I seriously doubt it.

LINK

Gawain, that was unfair putting the link there. I thought you were pointing us to "the most ridiculous thing you have ever said on these boards."

I was wanting to find out what you though that was.

[PanzerJaeger]

That was a good example of taking one misguided idea and building a whole lot of reasonable assumptions onto it to attempt to give it legitimacy.

The elitism in her comments is non-existent. She was simply expressing happyness that the people are doing well in her home state, as is evident after reading and listening to her comments.

[Goofball]

In this case it was clearly Liberal corruption or have the conservatives been running NO for the last 60 years?

What you don't seem to understand is that there is a difference between liberals who are to be corrupt being to blame and liberalism as an ideology being to blame.

Or are you seriously trying to argue that corruption is a taint specific only to liberals and that conservatives by definition are not corrupt?

[Tribesman]

Corrupt,carefree city reaps what it sowed]Corrupt, carefree city reaps what it sowedBy BOB BARR
I do love your sources Gawain
Would this be the same purjuring anti-abortionist abortioner , who complained that there must be a conspiracy against him and that people must have been looking at the FBIs file on him to be able make such claims against him

Maybe he should stick to his crusade against paganism and humanism as the true root of the rise in violence in America

[PanzerJaeger]

This rule certainly wasn't applied to Hillary when her husband was running for Prez... I couldn't believe the things my "conservative" colleagues would say. Guess I was brought up better. Most of what they said were what I considered fighting words. If they said that about my wife someone would have had to pry me off of their bludgeoned corpse.

I am not responsible for the jokes your co-workers told about Hillary. In their defense, it was clear from the start that Hillary was seeking a political career, and attempted to play a role in the governmental process (socialized medicine, ect.). Barbara Bush has never made herself out to be a voice of authority or policy in politics.

[Aenlic]

No it isn't. By her statement, if anything, she was overestimating how bad they had it y thinking that the AtroDome is better than their normal living conditions. That's pretty much the direct opposite of "let them eat cake".

You don't know the actual history and events surrounding the statement by Marie Antoinette of "let them eat cake" do you, Xiahou? One should be wary of engaging in arguments without all of the facts. It can turn your post into a foot sucking debacle. Thus my statement regarding "let them eat cake" and its relevance deals with the real statement and its milieu, not the imagined legend which grew up around it. Nice try, though.

[Aenlic]

If, Gawain is going to quote Bob Barr, then I might as well start quoting Michael Moore and Al Franken. Only seems fair. I wonder what the knee-jerk reaction to my using, say, Micheal Moore's website as a source would be? Hmmm. Let me take a second or two to ponder that question.

[AntiochusIII]

Thats because your not dirt poor like many of these people. The really sad thing is she is correct about many of these people. Certainly those who lost loved ones will not be better off for it. But many will now have better housing and more money than they did before the hurricane.

I'll be as stereotypical as possible since Gawain's post here is, remember, I'm being stereotypical to the extreme: "you republicans don't really care about real human lives but just money"

Im sure many will not return to NO but stay in Texas as she said. The place is now a huge cesspool and was always a shitty place to live.

It is likely so.

Its a microcasim of what the US would look like if the liberals ran the country as they did NO for 60 years. You would think after 60 yeares of liberal governmant the place would be a utopia. Instead it was disaster even before the hurricane hit.

Talk about partisanship. Look at the mirrors first, guys, before calling others bad names.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Talk about partisanship. Look at the mirrors first, guys, before calling others bad names.

I guess you and others simply cant handle the truth. These people have come to rely on the government to do all theirwork for them. Its not called the big easy for nothing. If Guiliani were Mayor tere I can garuntee things would have been far different.

Or are you seriously trying to argue that corruption is a taint specific only to liberals and that conservatives by definition are not corrupt?

No IM talking specifics here and specifically NO. It is a bastion of liberalism if there ever was one. A good example of what brininging everyone down to the lowest common denominator gets you.

[Tribesman]

If Guiliani were Mayor tere I can garuntee things would have been far different.
Yes Gawain , very different , and tell me , were any of the emergency workers ever prosecuted for the looting that occured at Ground Zero ?

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Yes Gawain , very different , and tell me , were any of the emergency workers ever prosecuted for the looting that occured at Ground Zero ?

Was this done by the NYPD?

[t1master]

the real issue imho, is the same with the sheehan media debacle... it is really not news, not in the important scheme of things anyhoo. quoting an old first lady, like following some greiving tool around is a media apparation. a smoke screen to scew how far the media is off the plot, and how they've become a tabloid that should be shelved in the checkout isles of walmat. they're all about marketing and selling more copies, not journalism or news reporting, all the big three in american media both tele and rag all tout the latest reality show right up there with the crap coverage of major events.

[Devastatin Dave]

the real issue imho, is the same with the sheehan media debacle... it is really not news, not in the important scheme of things anyhoo. quoting an old first lady, like following some greiving tool around is a media apparation. a smoke screen to scew how far the media is off the plot, and how they've become a tabloid that should be shelved in the checkout isles of walmat. they're all about marketing and selling more copies, not journalism or news reporting, all the big three in american media both tele and rag all tout the latest reality show right up there with the crap coverage of major events.

Best post of the thread...

[Aenlic]

I guess you and others simply cant handle the truth.

Flashback to A Few Good Men! But wasn't the character who uttered those words in the movie the guilty one?

[Del Arroyo]

The fact is that alot of people probably will be better off after this disaster, and you're overreacting if you think saying it is offensive.

For those who had nothing and were trapped in violent, dilapidated neighborhoods, their new homes and living arrangements will likely be a positive change.

People who held steady jobs/owned their own homes/owned their own businesses will almost definitely not see a material net credit out of this flood, but they may well grow stronger morally. And some who lost everything including their whole family may fall to pieces. Thus it is with disasters-- like the rest of life, a chaotic affair.

DA

[Byzantine Prince]

Meh. So what? Everyone that has power(or is around it) knows that they could have helped millions of those people get out of poverty before the hurricane. I don't think this statement should come as any surprise.

Helping people get out of poverty saves a lot of live BTW, I just wanted to add that. If you want to change society from mass death due to negligence and war, don't vote conservative! It's that simple. If you like it conservative, keep them in office by voting for them. Who knows maybe you will be better off personally.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Helping people get out of poverty saves a lot of live BTW, I just wanted to add that.

Again ths was a democratic bastion for 60 years. If you need anymore proof that their ideas or that the welfare state and socialism dont work just look at NO. A third world nation in the middle of the US.

[Red Harvest]

I am not responsible for the jokes your co-workers told about Hillary. In their defense, it was clear from the start that Hillary was seeking a political career, and attempted to play a role in the governmental process (socialized medicine, ect.)

A pathetic excuse to use for their being entirely ungentlemanly. I'm not taling about valid political comments, I'm referring to their trash talk. Wasn't just co-workers, it was pervasive. Folks like you and Gawain would be the first I would expect to hear the comments from.

I have more respect for Hillary, far more, than for either of the Bush wives. Why? She takes a lot of abuse, but she makes a difference and in a good way.

I have less respect (but some pity) for women who have little impact on their husbands' views. Barbara to her credit had some differences with George, Sr. during his term. Laura on the other hand...I watched an interview with her that revealed she had no real contribution at all. That seems to be what GOP voters like, but I consider the "barefoot and pregnant" crowd a bunch of dinosaurs who shouldn't have positions in which they are allowed to manage any women in the workplace.

[PanzerJaeger]

A pathetic excuse to use for their being entirely ungentlemanly. I'm not taling about valid political comments, I'm referring to their trash talk. Wasn't just co-workers, it was pervasive. Folks like you and Gawain would be the first I would expect to hear the comments from.

Hehe, feel free to indulge your preconcieved notions about me, Im used to it.

I have more respect for Hillary, far more, than for either of the Bush wives. Why? She takes a lot of abuse, but she makes a difference and in a good way.

Name something good Hillary has done.

I have less respect (but some pity) for women who have little impact on their husbands' views. Barbara to her credit had some differences with George, Sr. during his term. Laura on the other hand...I watched an interview with her that revealed she had no real contribution at all. That seems to be what GOP voters like, but I consider the "barefoot and pregnant" crowd a bunch of dinosaurs who shouldn't have positions in which they are allowed to manage any women in the workplace.

Yea you know its a funny thing with us dinosaurs. We like the person we voted for to be making policy decisions, not the person's spouse.

I do admire your ability to take a seemingly minute example and form an entire diatribe against a huge group of people. Youve mastered it far beyond I could ever hope to.

For example, you take the fact that the president's wife doesnt get involved in trying to influence him politically and twist it into an assumption that people who vote GOP enjoy keeping women barefoot and pregnant. Further, you have decided that GOP voters shouldnt be allowed to manage women in the workplace. So in essense, youve turned Laura Bush's decision to stay out of politics into the fact that conservatives dont respect women.

Really, Goebbels would love it, and thats no insult. An impressive technique indeed.

[Don Corleone]

The misearable bitch should be hung by her thumbnails and given repeated enemas with the outflow from one of the levee pumps. There... you Bush-whackers feel better?

Fohken-Eh, let it go. She was trying to be gracious in a difficult situation (for the record, she failed, true, but as somebody who's had awkward moments themselves, let me say: BFD) What she saw probably threw her back a turn or two. Imagine that. Apocalyptic horror threw her off balance. And for those of you who sit here and pronounce your judgement on her, I suppose you're only taking a break between helping the hurricane victims yourselves? Glad to see dying children and a disaster of biblical proportions didn't even raise an eyebrow on your cynical selves. What's that you say, you haven't been down there and seen the horror in person yourself??? Wait, what's that word I'm looking for.... could it be HYPOCRITE!!!

Khafir, my hat's off to you. When I've misjudged somebody, I'm the first to admit it. I'm going to have to start reading what your posts again... damn... just when I was cutting back on my .ORG time.

[Devastatin Dave]

I have less respect (but some pity) for women who have little impact on their husbands' views. Barbara to her credit had some differences with George, Sr. during his term. Laura on the other hand...I watched an interview with her that revealed she had no real contribution at all. That seems to be what GOP voters like, but I consider the "barefoot and pregnant" crowd a bunch of dinosaurs who shouldn't have positions in which they are allowed to manage any women in the workplace.

Atleast the current First Lady isn't a political whore that would do anything short of murder to fullfill her ambitions. "barefoot and pregnant" crowd? That's the most idiotic thing I've ever heard. You want to see the barefoot and pregnant crowd? Just look at all those democratic voters right now living in shelters. Let me do the math for you...
There's a Democrat Mayor, a Democrat City Council, a Democrat Chief of Police, a Democrat Attorney General, a Democrat Governor, a Democrat Lt. Governor, 24 of 39 Louisiana State Senators are Democrat, 67 of 105 Louisiana State House Representatives are Democrat, there's a Democrat Representative in the House from New Orleans, and one of two Senators in the Senate is a Democrat.
And New Oleans is now a destroyed city. So you might want to drop that political BS about the wives. The only thing Hillary and the rest of the Dems are oing right now, like usual, is pointing fingers and trying to angle herself for the White House. She could give a ", golly gosh darnet" (just to make the mods happy) about those people.
Again, I thought what Barbara Bush said was stupid, but then again I might be reading out of context. But for you to go after Laura Bush is just pathetic.

[Aenlic]

If a poor black man were to run a stop sign and kill a young white high school athlete in a car with the right of way on a crossroad, what would happen? Should he be charged with manslaughter? Should he, at the very least, be issued a traffic citation?