Contrast the style of leadership President Bush has taken in the run up to Hurricane Rita against his rather more laid back approach to leading America in the run up to Katrina and it rather proves the point that his critics were making in shortly after Katrina threw New Orleans and surrounding areas into chaos.
I was somewhat criticised and probably dismissed as a “loony lefty” by supporters of President Bush when I remarked that his leadership running up to, during, and after Hurricane Katrina was anything other than presidential. “President Bush can run the country from his ranch in Texas” I was told, and while I don’t doubt that is the case, my feeling was always that the President failed to act ‘presidential’ when America needed him to. It was a criticism that many made, and many defended.
However as hurricane Rita heads toward the coast of Texas and is upgraded to the most serious category 5, President Bush is being seen sitting in darkened control rooms looking at complex charts and satellite pictures, he’s seen with military and governmental chiefs, he’s being… well, presidential.
Now I appreciate that pointing this out will probably be seen as a highly inappropriate thing to do as heavyweight Rita closes in on Texas to cause who knows how much damage. But the Presidents behaviour this time around is what, I would have thought, one should expect from a President at a time like this. He may well be no more or less in charge than he was before, but either way he looks like he’s in charge this time around. Some might suggest that as unfortunate as this latest hurricane is, it might actually go some way to calming the political storm that surrounds the subject of how Katrina was handled, and that Rita has actually given the President an opportunity to redeem himself with those who were so unimpressed with the way he dealt with Katrina.
Projections for the coastal city of Galveston are pretty grim, and Houston still looks like it will take a severe beating from Rita and the hurricane sweeps inland. Certainly this time around America seems to be better prepared, keen to be ready for anything and perhaps keen not to be seen so woefully disorganised again on worldwide TV news.
I hope that my friends will be safe. I hope everyone will be safe. Good luck “y’all.”
Wrote the following comment on Sep 22, 2005 at 5:35 am
Wookit : Yeah I understand fully that GWB can’t be blamed for it all, but he clearly has acknowledged that he goofed as a leader in the situation. The contrast proves that if nothing else did. This time around, he at least seems to be behaving as a President should.Shae : I’ll be watching the news closely. If you see any cameras… wave!
Anatomicsd : I’ve corrected the yo’all to the more correct y’all now. Thanks :-)
Wrote the following comment on Sep 22, 2005 at 3:28 am
I’m not usually impressed with how President Bush handles most things. (And I voted for him – twice.) I was less impressed with how the govenor of Louisiana and the mayor of New Orleans handled things. Should he have come back from vacation sooner? Probably.. but I think placing the blame on the president who was very limited in what he could have done takes focus away from the corrupt government of Louisiana who handled it in a way that should be considered criminal.I’m not defending Georgie by any means. I’m so disappointed with him as a president that I could be swayed into becoming a democrat at this point.I also have friends in the Houston/Galveston area and am praying that they get out and that everyone stays safe and that the powers that be don’t mess it up this time.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 22, 2005 at 4:18 am
Hey guys….keep my family in your prayers, please. The latest projection actually has it coming in right on that bay, just east of Houston. That bay is where “Baytown” gets its name….which is where I live. It appears like it will completely wipe us off the map. I could very likely lose my house, which (oddly enough) I am really okay about.We have the kids and all of the pictures and other things that can’t be replaced out of there and we are on higher ground. However, we will still be riding the storm out where we are, but it looks like our house might be a gone after this thing.I’ll keep you updated.Thanks for your care and concern, already, Simon.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 22, 2005 at 5:13 am
My Lil Sis seems to think this will be her chance to get a new roof for the house.
I hope when Sunday comes that she still has a house.
On a cross-cultural note, it’s Y’all (pronounced Yawl). I wouldn’t want my southern country cousins to look at ya all funny-like.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 22, 2005 at 5:44 am
I agree… He is *acting* accordingly.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 22, 2005 at 3:16 pm
Ooops. You picked up on a mistake there Patti. It did say Good luck. i must have deleted the luck when I changed the yo’all. I’ll re-apply the luck to y’all. (That who sentance sounds very amusing when you say it out loud :-) )
Wrote the following comment on Sep 22, 2005 at 9:55 am
We’re safe. The fam and I boogied out this morning and have relocated to east TX with Leslie’s parents. The traffic was horrid but we stayed away from the major highways and actually made decent time compared to the sojourners on those major highways.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 22, 2005 at 10:26 am
Dude,
It’s going to east Texas, how far east did you go? Florida? I agree with your tsalk of our president and also with wookit. I attribute the disaster mostly to the governor of LA and the Mayor of Nea Orleans.
The feds can tell you to vacat and if you choose not to vacate when they tell you it’s your own fault. Either way I am not voting for GWB again!
Wrote the following comment on Sep 22, 2005 at 1:13 pm
I really do like those photos…if only Bush could get more than the “presidential look” down. Idiot.And…sorry I missed your call. Crazy times at work these days. I really am not sure. There’s a subtle message in the .com one. Uh…ok, will email in a few.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 22, 2005 at 1:52 pm
I like the y’all, but don’t understand the intent with the “good” in front.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 22, 2005 at 3:28 pm
Yo King! Back in TX from vacation and bunkered down to ride this thing out. We’re pretty far inland so we should be ok. You are correct about the whole “looking Presidential” thing here. GW is definitely picked up on the queue, that no matter that it’s the state and local responsibility, it’s important for him to LOOK like he’s doing something. I would think he’s probably as amused by that as I am. However, I would like to say that while you’re watching him “act presidential”, pay close attention to the mayors of Galveston and Houston, and the role of TX governor, Rick Perry in the lead up and follow up to the storm. It should provide an acute revelation of the differences in approach from the New Orleans disaster. Granted, you can say hind site is 20/20, and I agree, but I believe that they’re building not only off of experience of Katrina, but also from the floods of Allison. Also, there have been fumbles in the handling at this level already as well, but you’ll notice that responsibility and action is quickly taken. At any rate, thanks for your continued love and support for US, and for your continued prayers. We’ll let you know how we come through. Cheers!
Wrote the following comment on Sep 22, 2005 at 6:05 pm
Ahhh, much better, and thanks. And, yep, that sentence is amusing.