Timing Is Everything
 

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.

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

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.

To what purpose?

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.

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

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.

I wonder how many people will have no idea he came and went.....

I expect he wants to go to see what needs to be done. If he does not go and now, people will be screeming that he doesn't care. I believe he does. If he does go, people screem about the difficulties from the security detail. It is a no win situation so you just follow your heart. I expect the devastation and distress of the population will move him to see what even more the government can do to help. It will be a security nightmare. Unfortunately, there are some in this country who would attempt physical harm on someone who has come to try to help. Notice the rescue copters being fired upon. I just pray for all our countrymen suffering down there. All I can say is from every corner of this country, help is on the way. Hopefully it will be in time.

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.

Tracy, we're getting a frightening glimpse of what "life" will be like when the Big One hits in our region. I hope folks are paying close attention and planning accordingly.

I do agree with you in part, I noticed the USCG personal with him and saw it as a waste of resources. But I subscribe to GS's summation, I've been in desperate situations and the sounds of rotor blades gave me the confidence to keep moving, and I think Bush showing up is a good thing.

We have to keep in mind how shallow most Americans are if their told everything is going to be they'll buy it hook line and sinker.

Let me guess, you don't like Bush do you. ;)

The 'pony show' will probably do more to get the ball rolling than anything else that has happened so far. Fox news can only do so much.

I've thought about that, except of course we probably won’t have a water inundation problem, just no bridges, lots of flattened buildings, blown gas, water, and electric lines. In that case the closest communities are far smaller and further apart than are those on the gulf area. Unless of course the big one is Rainier. In which case a major collapse of the mountain would tear a 60 mile swath of obliteration of everything it its path. You can’t really prepare for everything but the levy blowing was entirely foreseeable.

I'm dealing with anger issues over this. I don’t know if its because I’ve gotten a leisurely 3.5 days off in the last 45 or just because I see the problem as one of unflinching audacity and indifference on the part of government. To turn ones back on the obvious and long standing deficiency seems like really good ground for law suits galore, if not public hangings. The fact that this is one of thousands of examples of **** for brains approach to community development is unbelievable.

MM has a point, the shallowness of most folks permitted and even encouraged this to happen. Worst of all the figure heads of shallowness are the elected officials…………….