Racism is a Regional Problem?

In a nodding acknowledgement to the existence of racism in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, President Bush portrayed it as a regional issue. Well he might need to identify another “region” as a racist zone on with William Bennett making blatantly racist remarks such as:

““If you wanted to reduce crime, you could — if that were your sole purpose — you could abort every black baby in this country and your crime rate would go down,” Bennett said.

He quickly added that such an idea would be “an impossible, ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do.” But, he said, “your crime rate would go down.”” (Science Daily, 9/30/05)

 

Over The Edge – The Bush Administration and Katrina

There was a bit of an outrage when President Bush said that he would form a Whitehouse committee, which he would head to investigate Whitehouse response to Katrina. It is something totally different when the failed and “resigned” head of FEMA gets a consulting job to investigate his response to the emergency. Now, I think that internal investigations are good and appropriate – though they should not include the individual’s under investigation. They are also not adequate when we are talking about the actions of government. So, I think that there should also be a Congressional investigation, AND an independent investigation. So, I am concerned about the President’s committee plan, supportive of the Congressional investigation, and down right outraged at Michael Brown investigating himself – particularly after his little demonstration of “fairness” and “objectivity” his testimony before the House.

 

Transcript of Michael Brown’s Testimony Before Congress

9/27/05 From the Ny Times, Transcript of Michael Brown’s Testimony Before Congress

Here is the backup copy at Uncommon Thought Journal

Video of testimony is available at CSPAN

 

Congress to Vote on Endangered Species Act

I urge you to call your Congressional Representative Thursday morning and ask them to vote against H.R. 3824 (“Wildlife Extinction”) sponsored by Richard Pombo (R-CA). Information, and the phone number for your representative is available at Defenders of Wildlife. Pombro’s bill would undue 30 years of endangered species recovery in the United States. THe bill comes up for a vote Thursday September 29th.

 

Sad But Possibly True – Armed Dolphins on the Loose

The headline reads “Armed and dangerous – Flipper the firing dolphin let loose by Katrina. The reported loss of the dolphins who were reportedly kept in ponds near Lake Ponchartrain, are reported to be missing. One might think the report is a spoof except for the array of sources carrying it: Daily Times of Asia, Slashdot, PhysOrg. Now you may think, “Hmm, it sounds fishy to me. Well, if it is so fishy, why is MSNBC running the story Dispelling a myth of dangerous Navy dolphins?

 

Military Takeover As Disaster Response?

It is no surprise that President Bush is pushing for the military to be the first responders in the event of a disaster. In my opinion, this is a very bad idea. The move would require the Congress to write new legislation. That legislation must first remove the posse comitatus act that bans the US military from operations within the United States. However, I agree with Major Trebilcock (U.S. Army Reserve) that there have been so many infringements of the act that it is largely in tatters. Secondly, the legislation would have to lay out the parameters of under what conditions and in what way the military would take over.

 

We’re Back In Business

Hi Folks,
The upgrade is done and everything seems to be working. Please notify me if you run into any problems with the site. I’ll be back to posting soon.

 

Just a Heads Up

I have been preparing to update this site to the new version of Movable Type. If all goes well, then articles will continue as usual. If it doesn’t, then you may not hear from me for a few days. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

 

News from September 24 Anti-War March

Marches against the war in Iraq merged with anti-globalization protests across the world. The turnout in Washington, D.C. exceeded the expectation of 100,000 with over 300,000 showing up. Here is a collection of stories about the protests in the U.S. and elsewhere.

NY Times, Antiwar Rallies in Washington and Other Cities

Reuters, Thousands March Through London in Iraq War Protest

Reuters, ‘End This War’: Hundreds of Thousands Protest Iraq War

Urbana-Champaign IMC, Photo Documentary of the Anti-War Protests in Washington DC which Drew Hundreds of Thousands from Around the US

Bay Area IMC, Hundreds of thousands around the US protest war on September 24th (with photo journal)

After Downing Street, Turnout Huge in DC (has multiple links to other stories)

 

Today is the Day to Connect the Dots

All across the country and in Washington, D.C., people are gathering to make their voices heard against the war in Iraq. Check the Independent Media outlet for your area to get calendars of activities. You can also send a letter to Congress through True Majority.

The tide is shifting in the wake of Hurricane Katrina about the “trickle down” costs of Bush’s global war on terror. Events have dramatically decreased support and raised questions about the ongoing US presence in Iraq. This is a moment to be grasped.