Looks like FEMA is as great as ever

[Widescreen]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,305484,00.html

They planted "reporters" in the press corp to ask softball questions.

Their excuse that they were simply "trying to get information out" is ridiculous. The Vice Adm could've have gotten up at the beginning and said everything they wanted to say. They didn't have to plant "reporters" to ask questions. Obviously they were just wanting a bunch of softball questions. Heads should roll over this.

[sooner_born_1960]

Did they answer the real reporters questions? If so, what's the big deal?

[Hatfield]

the big deal is that there weren't any real reporters there.

the big deal is it is frightening that you seem to think it is acceptable for a gov't agency to engage in such behavior

[Earickson]

It might seem trendy and spectacular to say so, but many of the things that are done by the Bush Administration in these times reek of 1930's Germany.

However, I am not shocked by hearing of this at all. It's par for the course really. This is how elected leaders, appointed officials, and other high level federal employees act. I am shocked that there aren't more people enraged by things like this going on, but most of this country is wrapped up in bitching about the BCS or watching the World Series.

After that, they'll have more shows to catch up on that have been saved to their Tivo's, then it'll be time to pig out for thanksgiving, and off to the mall for some holiday shopping.

When is the average American supposed to sit down and seriously devote some time to contemplating the health of our society as a whole?

[badger]

They've done the reporter planting before. Don't you read Doonesbury? :D

[OklaPony]

Wow... you mean an elected official planted someone to ask questions? I'm shocked, SHOCKED I TELL YOU!!!!

I'm sure GW's predecessor and/or his administration never did anything like that. :rolleyes:

Comparing the current DC regime to the building of the Third Reich is well beyond ludicrous.

[Hatfield]

they would rather answer softballs lobbed by their staff than answer questions why more c130s aren't equipped with the water retardation to handle fire fighting duties

especially since that was approved and money was made available back in 2004...

[Jerk]

Comparing the current DC regime to the building of the Third Reich is well beyond ludicrous.
Yep. After the Young Republicans burn down Capitol Hill and Bush blames the hippie commies and calls off the elections of 2008, then we should worry. Until then, enjoy life. No matter how bad you think a president is, no one man can destroy this country. We survived Clinton. We will survive Bush. And we will survive whatever asshat is next. Thing is, tho, we will survive Bush but by the time it's all said and done we will be speaking spanish. Gracious, El Presidente Jorge!

[Widescreen]

look, this kind of issue should transcend political parties. I'm quite certain this crap happened under Clinton too, but who cares? It's wrong no matter who does it. I hope the people who are responsible get canned. If they don't want to answer tough questions, DO A BETTER JOB!

[StoopTroup]

I still need a trailer for New Orleans in January....

[Earickson]

Don't get me wrong, I hate all politicians equally.

Of course it sounds like I am just being another liberal sheep by jumping on Bush and bashing his administration. I must be a democrat, right?

Nope.

Trust me, if Kerry were in there, I'd be saying much of the same things.

I hate all politicians, and I especially hate political parties.

If you are the kind of person that can make a realistic presidential run, then you are obviously not part of the same "class" that I am. And by "class" I don't just mean money, or any other socioeconomic parameter we can think of.

Persons of that caliber do not care about me, they only care about themselves and others of their ilk, and they operate in this world in a way that is primarily devoted to their benefit.

If I happen to benefit as a consequence to the actions of a Bush, Kerry, Clinton, etc. it is merely a coincidence.

I am hateful, angry, cynical, and quite possibly violent, but hey, the weather is great out here, why do I complain?;)

Be a Hero. Don't Vote.

If done correctly, and for the right reasons, it is amazing.
Contrary to what most people may think, it's actually a lot more work to not vote than to vote, so please don't think I'm just preaching "modern slackerisms" here.

It's all about sacrifice, and I know I am angry enough to give it all up, everything I have, to make a difference. I don't want my sacrifice to be in vain however, so I'm waiting, I'm waiting until there are enough angry people to join with me so we can have a real and lasting effect on the world.

[Okla-homey]

First off, please understand there are many Americans, myself included, who don't believe it's the governments responsibility to bail-out folks when something bad happens. No one believed that until the 1930's when FDR shifted the paradigm -- for the worse IMHO.

Reagan did much to restore some sanity, but we're still living in a country wherein most people seem to beleive if they are hurt by some force of nature the government is obligated to make them whole.

Also, every administration since Jefferson's has done propagandizing and attempted to sway public opinion. That's what they do. It's politics.

Now, if you wanna learn more about a guy who was an absolute master of the game, read something scholarly on the second FDR administration. Heck, that guy not only managed to get five justices appointed to the Supreme Court, he scared the bejeezus out of the other four by threatening to raise the number of justices to fifteen, thus marginalizing the four who consistently disapproved of his policies because justices 10 thru 15 would be appointed by FDR.

There is no doubt FDR could have pulled it off too because he had enough votes in Congress to get it done. See, the number of seats on the Court is not provided for in the Constitution and is controlled by federal law. In short, that stunt is what made the Social Security Act possible, ditto a whole host of gubmint entitlements and pervasive government regulation we still have today. Those four who didn't like FDR and had shot fdown policy after policy during FDR's first administration started voting for FDR's stuff in order to keep the court at 9. That's why the whole affair is called "the switch in time that saved nine."

Also, while I am not a member of the "FDR saw Pearl Harbor Coming and Deliberately Did Nothing" crowd, there is no doubt he welcomed war because his New Deal policies had just about reached the limits of their effectiveness in trying to pull us out of the Great Depression. Wars are generally good for business and help grow the economy.

And that is not to mention the fact the guy essentially became "President for Life" when he was elected to his first of four terms. By the time he died in office in 1945, there were a great number of Americans who had never known any other president.

In contrast, the current occupant of the White House is a mere bumpkin compared to FDR.

Thus endeth the lesson.

[King Crimson]

In contrast, the current occupant of the White House is a mere bumpkin compared to FDR.



that's impossible. many of our esteemed political SO pundits have desired FDR on the occasion of the death of John Kenneth Galbraith (and i quote) "to burn in hell" for being a socialist.

they can't be wrong.

and at the same time, demand of dissenters that they respect the office of the President such that he be immune to criticism. unless he's from Arkansas.

standard disclaimer: i'm not a member of the democratic party, i didn't vote for Gore or Kerry, .etc.

[Sooner Born Sooner Bred]

I received this earlier as part of a communications group of which I am a member.

This is an unethical move, and it would be if it were a corporation too.

[Sooner24]

First off, please understand there are many Americans, myself included, who don't believe it's the governments responsibility to bail-out folks when something bad happens. No one believed that until the 1930's when FDR shifted the paradigm -- for the worse IMHO.

Reagan did much to restore some sanity, but we're still living in a country wherein most people seem to beleive if they are hurt by some force of nature the government is obligated to make them whole.

Also, every administration since Jefferson's has done propagandizing and attempted to sway public opinion. That's what they do. It's politics.

Now, if you wanna learn more about a guy who was an absolute master of the game, read something scholarly on the second FDR administration. Heck, that guy not only managed to get five justices appointed to the Supreme Court, he scared the bejeezus out of the other four by threatening to raise the number of justices to fifteen, thus marginalizing the four who consistently disapproved of his policies because justices 10 thru 15 would be appointed by FDR.

There is no doubt FDR could have pulled it off too because he had enough votes in Congress to get it done. See, the number of seats on the Court is not provided for in the Constitution and is controlled by federal law. In short, that stunt is what made the Social Security Act possible, ditto a whole host of gubmint entitlements and pervasive government regulation we still have today. Those four who didn't like FDR and had shot fdown policy after policy during FDR's first administration started voting for FDR's stuff in order to keep the court at 9. That's why the whole affair is called "the switch in time that saved nine."

Also, while I am not a member of the "FDR saw Pearl Harbor Coming and Deliberately Did Nothing" crowd, there is no doubt he welcomed war because his New Deal policies had just about reached the limits of their effectiveness in trying to pull us out of the Great Depression. Wars are generally good for business and help grow the economy.

And that is not to mention the fact the guy essentially became "President for Life" when he was elected to his first of four terms. By the time he died in office in 1945, there were a great number of Americans who had never known any other president.

In contrast, the current occupant of the White House is a mere bumpkin compared to FDR.

Thus endeth the lesson.


AMEN!

[King Crimson]

OK if i read this correctly, FDR welcomed war for economic, strategic reasons (according board historian Homey)....but we are suspended from questioning the current administration board-wide for doing the same thing?