President Bush is on his way, and BTW there is an 8 mile long convoy of support trucks and bus's. Coincidence??????? naaahhh

I really do hope the Prez does use this to make it his defining moment, he has some making up to do and the people will welcome the help.

I'm not sure how I feel about him going down there. If he plays his cards right, and limits his security entourage, I say more power to him. I am just worried that his presence might cause even more hassle for the police and military who are there trying to secure the place.

I hope I'm wrong, though... I agree, and hope that things turn around quick. Those folks need all the help they can get.

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

He has to make an appearance, don't you think?

Yes, of course. My concern is that things are too messy right now. The police and Guard have enough of a mess on their hands w/o having to provide security for the president. I may well be wrong... just heard this argument on NPR (I think) the other night and my immediate reaction was to agree.

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

Well, I'm sure that's true, but then I hear interviews with folks in the area who feel he isn't responding fast enough. I don't know that there is an ideal time, but I think his presence and direct attention may provide hope to some awfully downtrodden people. I just think the appearance is important to let the locals know that he is bringing his full attention to bear on the issue.

Both perspectives are noteworthy, but I think that IF his presence might cause security concerns, it's probably wiser to pass, and let security help the folks who need it most. What's more important? Hope, or water, food, refuge from gunfire & water-borne bacteria, etc...? Anyway, hopefully his presence will accomplish all of these things. As MM said, timing is everything. Maybe this is the right time.

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

To what purpose?

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Hope..................

Yeah, there might be some in the area who still have some, and his glad handing the local refugees will sure help that…..

Better he stay in DC and send the half a million or so his pony show would represent, so that the money might actually do something helpful. That would be a decisive moment in his presidency.

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

I don't want to jump wholesale onto the Bush Bashing bandwagon but it does appear that some serious foot dragging has been going on regarding preparing for the inevitable disaster in NOLA that has been warned about for years. The current congress reportedly voted to delay funding levy repair just before they left for vacation recently.

Details at 11.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

I go to my office a couple times a month, when I'm not there I use a laptop and cellphone Bush can get by just fine at his ranch or on AirForce one, I do agree that he could have done more sooner though.

It is kinda petty to be squawking so soon. I see people really losing it and I guess I don't blame them, but Lordy, something this big takes time to sort out.

Can you imagine being a representative of the gub-mint of any kind and wade into that mess? A policeman or a fireman, whatever? People would mob you with questions, complaints, at least the ones that aren't shooting at you.

I heard Bush today on the Radio. He's getting his feet under him, I think, sounding comforting, optimistic and strong. I don't want him to fall on his face, not now anyway. (Oh, I'm a bastard all right )

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Lets face it. Any politician touring a desaster site is doing it for politics and politics only. He knows about as much of the subject as I do about open heart surgery. IMO, they should save the money for something else. Let the people who know how to handle this sorta thing do it. Fly the Dutch experts who deal with dam stuff in. So what if he sees it for himself? What will it mean to him? He can't figure out what to do with it. Let me ask you this, if you have a serious engine problem, who do you want looking at it? Do you want Gilly who is a MB tech or do you want me who probably will look at it and say "Oh, it sounds bad."?

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow