Visions of Leadership
To add a little perspective to my earlier post, let me point out that all of the following photos were taken on the same day :
Before going on an helicopter tour of the New Orleans, Kenner, Metairie, Arabi, Slidell and Mandeville areas to assess the extent of Hurricane Katrina damage, Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco, center, expresses her concern for the victims Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005, in Baton Rouge, La. Blanco is surrounded by, from left, Louisiana National Guard Major General Bennett Landreneau, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La, FEMA director Mike Brown and U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La. (AP Photo/Bill Feig, Pool)
Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., looks over flooded areas of New Orleans during a helicopter tour with Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005, after Hurricane Katrinamoved through the area. (AP Photo/Bill Feig, Pool)
Alabama Gov. Bob Riley surveys damage to beach houses along Dauphin Island, Ala., Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005, a day after Hurricane Katrina’s landfall along the Gulf Coast. (AP Photo/John David Mercer, Pool)
Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, center, speaks with, from left, Bonnita, Maria and Jimmy Baranyai and, from right Brittany Baranyai and Cheryl Davis, all from Kenner, La., at a Red Cross shelter, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005, in Little Rock, Ark. The family left their home in Kenner early Sunday before Hurricane Katrina hit the area. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, left, listens to James Jones, right, as he explains how his home, in the background, was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina as the governor tours storm damage in Fort Valley, Ga., Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005. The governor left the Southern Governors meeting in Greensboro, N.C., for a helicopter and ground tour of the damage around the state. (AP Photo/Ric Feld)
President Bush plays a guitar presented to him by Country Singer Mark Wills, right, backstage following his visit to Naval Base Coronado, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005. Bush visited the base to deliver remarks on V-J Commemoration Day. (AP Photo/ABC News, Martha Raddatz)
Nero would be proud…
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Damn.
Comment by Joe — August 31, 2005 @ 10:51 am
It looks as if Willis is having a fit about the president’s pathetic G-chord. If you’re going to futz around while the worst natural disaster in the US in history occurs, at least get the fingering straight.
Oh wait, metaphorically, it *is* the correct finger. Nevermind.
Comment by Dr. 12 — August 31, 2005 @ 11:49 am
Well, at least Nero probably knew how to play.
Comment by norbizness — August 31, 2005 @ 11:50 am
Nero fiddled, Rome burned …
Bush befuddled*, WTC Towers burned …
Bush strummed, New Orleans drowned …
Yet another “compassionate conservative” act by the WPE **
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* Bush reading children’s book with glassy look in his eyes …
** W stands for Worst President Ever (WPE)
Comment by besieged by bush — August 31, 2005 @ 12:39 pm
I hate to be a killjoy but that story about Nero and the fiddle appears to have been a crock. According to evidence on the very fine PBS series “Secrets of the Dead,” Nero rushed to Rome from a seaside resort that was the Crawford, Texas of its day to direct the battle against the fire.
On the upside, there is evidence to suggest that Nero was actually on the money in blaming it on Christians who belonged to an apocalyptic cult that was about as crazy about Rome then as Osama bin Laden’s followers are about New York now. According to the theory, they didn’t actually start the inferno but helped it along once it got going by setting complimentary fires around town that the Roman fire brigade was too overwhelmed to put out.
In terms of sheer body count, there stands an excellent chance that they completely outpeformed their latter-day Arab competetors, praise Jesus.
Comment by Hieronymus Braintree — August 31, 2005 @ 12:58 pm
Oddly enough, leadership does not seem to be a quality that comes with being President, even after 4 1/2 years. Who’da thunk?
Comment by Bob Davis — August 31, 2005 @ 1:13 pm
Hey, it’s “hard work”…
Great post, Greg.
Comment by mona — August 31, 2005 @ 2:48 pm
also, I think fiddles hadn’t been invented yet.
Comment by Dave — August 31, 2005 @ 3:12 pm
Some call you the elite, I call you my roadies
Comment by mdhatter — August 31, 2005 @ 8:37 pm
Intellectually drafted article. seems to grab attention at once.The writer has a good knowledge of the subject and makes reading interesting.
Comment by Mac — August 31, 2005 @ 9:57 pm
Why is he flipping everyone the Bird?
Comment by sgo — September 1, 2005 @ 12:22 am
Viva Bush!!!!!!!
Comment by aaron — September 1, 2005 @ 8:27 am
to be honest he was at least doing no harm which is more than usual… maybe he should just STFU permanently and America would be better
the thought of him taking charge of the crisis terrifies me
Comment by Jeremy — September 1, 2005 @ 11:46 am
you may be right on the doing no harm — apparently some of the other piece of shit criminals in dubya’s adminstration are doing the same thing…
http://www.gawker.com/news/condoleezza-rice/index.php#breaking-condi-rice-spends-salary-on-shoes-123467
Comment by colin — September 1, 2005 @ 12:40 pm
To be fair, there’s also strong evidence (And ancient historians seemed to like this theory) that Nero, interested in expanding his estates, allowed the fires to burn, and some have even accused him of starting them. Nero did, in fact, rush back to Rome, and he did open up his residence to homeless people during the event. however, he also managed to prodcue dramatic plans to rebuild rome so quickly after the the fires subsided that it looked suspiciously like he’d been sitting on them, waiting for an opporunity to implement them.
In fact, according to most ancient sources (including Tacitus), the Rumors of Nero’s complicity actually predate the Christian persecutions, which were seen largely as an attempt to deflect criticism. It also doesn’t help that Nero was a monster whose excesses rivaled Caligulas.
I’m not a Christian and I’m not particularly inclined to op-ed in their favor, but blaming them for the fire of Rome is one of the great hisorical slanders.
Anyway, the comparisons to 911 are in fact apt, for numperous reasons. And no matter what, Nero still made it back to rome in more appropriate time than Bush made it to NYC or to New Orleans.
Comment by Ross A Lincoln — September 1, 2005 @ 12:47 pm
GREG, can you delete my preivous comment?
To be fair, there’s also strong evidence (and ancient historians seemed to like this theory considerably) that Nero, interested in expanding his estates, and in dramatically remaking Rome in his own image, allowed the fires to burn. Some have even accused him of starting them himself.
of course, Nero did rush back to Rome, and he did open up his residence to homeless people during the event. However, he also managed to produce dramatic plans to rebuild Rome so quickly after the the fires subsided, that it looked suspiciously as though he’d been sitting on the plans, waiting for an opporunity to implement them. (The popular story is that he planned to rename Rome as “Neropolis”.)
In fact, according to most ancient sources (including Tacitus), the rumors of Nero’s complicity actually predated the accusations that Christians were behind the fires. These accusations, and subsequent persecutions, were seenm largely as an attempt to deflect criticism.
It also doesn’t help that Nero was a monster whose excesses rivaled Caligulas, and it should be noted that ancient historians aren’t exactly the most reliable voices.
I’m not a Christian and I’m not particularly inclined to op-ed in their favor, but blaming them for the fire of Rome is one of the great hisorical slanders.
Anyway, the comparisons to 911 are in fact apt, for numperous reasons. And no matter what, Nero still made it back to Rome in more appropriate time than Bush made it to NYC or to New Orleans.
Comment by Ross A Lincoln — September 1, 2005 @ 12:54 pm
This article clearly states the mindset of the author. It is intelligently drafted to create intrest of the reader. It brings out the worth of the subject.
Comment by Albert — September 1, 2005 @ 11:43 pm
Is it conceivable that Bush is not personally to blame for everything bad that happens. Do you think Governor Blanco riding round in a helicopter wringing her hands is an adequate substitute from having made adequate arrangements to deal with a disaster known to be not that unlikely? And do you think the mayor screaming “Run for your lives!” is an adequate evacuation scheme?
Still. they’re on the job now; if only we can shoot enough of those pesky looters everything will be all right.
Comment by John of London — September 2, 2005 @ 2:43 am
What a beautiful photo essay. That pretty much sums up the last 4 1/2 years of the Bush administration.
Comment by BlondebutBright — September 2, 2005 @ 6:30 am
I would add that Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi is as energetic as the governors in the photo essay, and I say that as one who dislikes the man intensely. Competence (and the lack thereof) crosses party lines, but W is such a bright, shining example of the combined effect of buffoonery, arrogance, and incompetence that it boggles the mind.
Comment by nightshift66 — September 2, 2005 @ 8:05 am
Well, if you’d have paid attention, you’d know by now that there were massive plans in place to prevent this disaster. The funding for these plans was revoked and the money was diverted to the Iraq war. Oh, and then, the La national guard was tapped for duty in Iraq, and a bunch of their amphibious vehicles went with them.
So sorry, but this is Bush’s fuck up. And yes, fuck yes, that pampered cokehead should have leaped off of his lazy haunches the moment this shit started happening. It’s shameful that once again, a major fucked up and major disaster has went unattened for days, while he figures out how to cope.
Comment by Ross A Lincoln — September 2, 2005 @ 11:50 am
“Well, if you’d have paid attention, you’d know by now that there were massive plans in place to prevent this disaster. The funding for these plans was revoked and the money was diverted to the Iraq war. Oh, and then, the La national guard was tapped for duty in Iraq, and a bunch of their amphibious vehicles went with them”
GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK! Hurricanes have been coming in the same direction for the past FIVE HUNDRED YEARS AT LEAST.. long before the Iraq war – The city is built below sea level and those in charge only prepared for a Category 3 Max (The new Superdome barely survived it!) .. No one seems to question why Slumlord Nagin or those prior to him didn’t have two brain cells to rub together and entertain the possibility that Category 5 could turn their city into Atlantis!!! There were NEVER any MASSIVE PLANS in place to prevent the disaster. You CAN’T EVEN MINIMIZE THE DAMAGE OF ANYTHING OVER A 3 living in a fishbowl right on the GULF! Bush is responsible for this is he? What CONVOLUTED LOGIC. It’s actually amusing. The only thing more tragic than Katrina is if we rebuild and wait for another one to wipe them out all over again. Have we learned nothing? What a pitiful state of affairs for the civilized human race.
Comment by Neocon — September 2, 2005 @ 2:54 pm
I notice you said nothing about Bush’s incredible failure after the fact. Is there anything you people will hold him accountable for? Is there anything that happens on his watch for which you won’t excuse him? Don’t get me wrong, if you actually wish to address Bush’s response, I’m open to it. Seriously, I encourage you to state your case.
Besides, hyperventilatingly relying on ALL CAPS is my job.
Comment by Ross A Lincoln — September 2, 2005 @ 3:09 pm
Your rhetoric is confusing. I responded based on this specific post:
“Well, if you’d have paid attention, you’d know by now that there were massive plans in place to prevent this disaster. The funding for these plans was revoked and the money was diverted to the Iraq war. Oh, and then, the La national guard was tapped for duty in Iraq, and a bunch of their amphibious vehicles went with them.”
My response was based on fact – even you can’t deny that. Your post was based on liberal fantasy and contained not one single element of truth.
Bush is not perfect. I would love a few words with him over the border crisis.
Sorry, I can’t hold him accountable for the disaster in New Orleans, nor can I hold him accountable for the sub-human acts of child rape, murder and shots fired at those who want to help. While the New Orleans crisis is a terrible tragedy, there is no excuse for the lack of planning and preparation – and that responsibility falls on the local government and city officials. If you live below sea level on the gulf – at least have a plan of what do to when a hurricane passes through. Several of them come that way every single year. It’s not as though they haven’t had at least 30 years to get organized.
Comment by Neocon — September 2, 2005 @ 3:27 pm
What you seem to be missing is that bush was partung and fundraising two days into this. The situation wasn’t even beginning to be addressed in a substantial way by him until yesterday. And he’s being widely critized for doing what he did after 9/11, which was to weirdly dissappear and then emerge for photo ops. Plus, this disaster has been widely predicted and nothing was done to stop it. The funds earmarked for it were pulled to fight iraq.
But mainly, why aren’t you addressing Bush’s pathetic performance as ourt leader during this disaster? Can you not think of one way to defend him positively? Can you think of no way to show us an example of his leadership, rather than endless explanations of why it isn’t his fault? Because that’s what we’re talking about here.
Comment by Ross A Lincoln — September 2, 2005 @ 4:09 pm
Er, that’s partying, not “partung”. Though that’s a cool sounding word.
Comment by Ross A Lincoln — September 2, 2005 @ 4:20 pm
I’ve seen that picture of W several times now but I keep wondering, what is that white thing sticking out of his mouth? Is he swallowing a rat?
Comment by house monkey — September 4, 2005 @ 3:36 am
Hey Neocon,
Did you catch a reporter holding up the New Orleans evacuation plan that apparently sat around in some file and was not put into action. All those people with no way out of the city, and airiel photo’s of the city’s fleet of school buses sitting mostly submerged in their parking lot? If someone locally had just thought, or maybe the president could have? Either would have required a bit of leadership ability. That makes the President less cabable in a crisis than a citizen of New Orlean who comandeered a bus to get 100 people out of the city.
Comment by kamachanda — September 4, 2005 @ 12:57 pm
OK so Bush isn’t quite as able a president as, say, Harding or Coolidge (neither of whom started wars) but to be fair he didn’t create the racism that’s at the heart of the New Orleans atrocity. There was no attempt to evacuate those who couldn’t get out on their own. The poor Black people were left to drown or starve. And that was primarily the responsibility of the state of Louisiana, starting with Governor Blanco with her NRA ranting about “locked and loaded”, as tho this disaster could be retrieved if only they could just shoot enough Black people. Looks like the Same Old South to me. And the Louisiana National Guard being mostly in Iraq isn’t the problem, because those in NO are mostly standing around laughing at the Black people trying to save themselves.
What an effective president (Clinton? LBJ?) would have done would be not just send help to LA but take over, federalising the National Guard and sending US regular forces into NO to get the people out, requisitioning whatever resources were necessary. An effective president would also discover the power to act without waiting for the governor of a “failed state” to call.
I get my news mainly from “The Guardian”, a UK newspaper, and I think it’s a better source than most because it’s chief reporter in the US, Gary Yonge, is Black.
Comment by john of london — September 5, 2005 @ 4:19 am