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Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush

By Jeralyn, Section Huricanes Katrina and Rita
Posted on Fri Sep 02, 2005 at 09:58:00 AM EST
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Michael Moore writes President Bush:

Dear Mr. President:

Any idea where all our helicopters are? It's Day 5 of Hurricane Katrina and thousands remain stranded in New Orleans and need to be airlifted. Where on earth could you have misplaced all our military choppers? Do you need help finding them? I once lost my car in a Sears parking lot. Man, was that a drag.

Also, any idea where all our national guard soldiers are? We could really use them right now for the type of thing they signed up to do like helping with national disasters. How come they weren't there to begin with?

The rest is just as good. Including the "p.s." about Cindy Sheehan.

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    Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush | 29 comments (29 topical)
    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#24)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:04 PM EST
    Adept wrote: "Yes, many of us knew it would take several days to mobilize the national guard. We have known that there would be catastrophic damage for several days BEFORE Katrina made landfall. Why then, did the mobilization not begin sooner? Incompetence." Hmm - who has the authority to call the guard up in Louisiana (or any state, for that matter)? That would be the governor. But wait - the governor is a Democrat, so it wouldn't do to criticize her - doesn't fit the preferred script, which reads: "beat the administration at all times, with any stick we find lying around" As to the 72 hour reporting window for the guard, again - the governor could have made an appeal that state guard troops show up faster. She didn't. Heck, the only reason there was a mandatory evacuation (which got 80% of the population out ahead of the storm) is that Bush appealed to Blanco for it. On her own, she had not made that call, and the Federal government has no authority to make that call. The reality that TL and the commentators here don't want to face is that the first few days of any such emergency are going to fall on local and state authorities. In this case, that was going to be a lot harder, because the first responders in the disaster zone were scattered, just like the rest of the victims.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#1)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:05 PM EST
    Perhaps Michael and Mrs. Sheehan can go down there and provide some help. You know, just some plain old fashioned work.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#2)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:05 PM EST
    Jim, they are urging people not to go, as they would just be another mouth to feed. They are only letting medical pros into the area. But you knew that. Knowing how much Moore and Sheehan care about this country, I'd bet they would be willing. Heck, if they need a hand for manual labor, I'll go. But I think what is lacking is leadership, not hands to do the work.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:05 PM EST
    Jim: 'Good old fashioned work.' Why, Jim, since your favorite oligarch has taken more vacation time than any president in US history, your suggestion is noted. Good thing Bush wasn't sitting on the pot again during another national disaster. Why didn't Michael Moore and Cindy Sheehan ALERT the preznit to danger of ignoring facts in favor of pre-determined courses of inaction? You know, too many Louisianans have died for FEMA to save any now by evacuation. It would disgrace those who made such sacrifices while Chertoff and Brown learn their jobs.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:05 PM EST
    Perhaps Moore isn't aware, but when the guard is called up, they have 72 hours to report - that's so that they can tie up loose ends at home before being deployed for extended periods of time. Which means that any large scale deployment of the guard will take - wait for it - more than 3 days. Comparisons with tsunami reliefe are kind of stupid - the active duty navy happened to be within steaming distance of the disaster, which was lucky.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#5)
    by DonS on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:05 PM EST
    Comparisons with tsunami reliefe are kind of stupid - the active duty navy happened to be within steaming distance of the disaster, which was lucky. Comparisons with normal callups is stupid. In time of national emergency SOP can and should be waived. Wake up and smell the sewage.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:05 PM EST
    Posted by JimakaPPJ at September 2, 2005 11:24 AM Perhaps Michael and Mrs. Sheehan can go down there and provide some help. You know, just some plain old fashioned work.
    Ten dollars says that both of them will get down there before your sorry ass does. Me? I'm putting my money where my mouth is and will donate to Red Cross. How about you? Or are there just too many black folk down there for you?

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#7)
    by Quaker in a Basement on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:05 PM EST
    Moore's just doesn't seem to be able to adjust his tone to fit the situation. Personally, I often agree with Moore politically. However, his smug, sarcastic, wise-guy approach isn't appropriate now, if ever. If one is to accuse the Bush administration of not taking this disaster seriously enough, one should do so with an appropriate sense of gravity.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#8)
    by scarshapedstar on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:05 PM EST
    Comparisons with tsunami reliefe are kind of stupid - the active duty navy happened to be within steaming distance of the disaster, which was lucky. Let me get this straight. It's easier to get aid to the other side of the world than to our own country?

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#9)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:05 PM EST
    If one is to accuse the Bush administration of not taking this disaster seriously enough, one should do so with an appropriate sense of gravity.
    Point taken, but it's not that the Bush administration "didn't take it seriously enough", it's that they were totally unprepared for it, even though it was long recognized as one of the most likely natural disaster scenarios to strike the U.S. Their incompetence/negligence is downright criminal. Now watch closely how no one gets held accountable.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#10)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:05 PM EST
    Lab - Hmmm, I know little of asses, sorry or otherwise. You are undoubtedly more of an expert than me, that is if you look in a mirror from time to time. You write:
    Me? I'm putting my money where my mouth is and will donate to Red Cross.
    Why are you waiting? Frankly I regard your lack of an immediate response proof positive that you are a racist and have no leadership capabilities and don't care about the american people and probably shop for high heel sneakers when you could be hand wringing. BTW - I have no intention of going down. Either as a grunt, or a leader. But then again I am not running my mouth telling everyone how screwed up things are. Ernie - You are a piece of work. I can't figure out who is the least rational, you or PIL. scar - Repeat after me. Our fleet was nearby. Our fleet was nearby. What that means is that our fleet was nearby. Close. As in not very far. DonS - Problem is, the Guardsmen see that as part of the contract. Now if you think it is okay for government to break contracts.....

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#11)
    by Quaker in a Basement on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:05 PM EST
    Problem is, the Guardsmen see that as part of the contract. Now if you think it is okay for government to break contracts.....
    Are discharge dates "part of the contract"? The government seems to think it's OK to break that deal.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#12)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:06 PM EST
    QIB - Wrong thread and wrong answer. The contract says you can be extended. Ask me. I have been there and done that.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:06 PM EST
    Posted by Jim: "Wrong thread and wrong answer." Correct. You generally are waving the flag of victory over grave failures. *Please make a note of it.* M. Moore is sarcastic. Wow, what a newsflash. What got him into the film biz in the first place? Oh, that's right, the DESTRUCTION of the Michigan economy. We're about to see a whole lot of new sarcastics coming out of Louisiana. Get ready, Jim -- your constant stream of Bush butt-kissing is needed now more than ever.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:06 PM EST
    Lab - Hmmm, I know little of asses, sorry or otherwise. You are undoubtedly more of an expert than me, that is if you look in a mirror from time to time.
    I looked in the mirror and saw a person who cares about others. You, on the other hand, are of the slimy neo-con “I got mine” mentality and as such, only care about yourself. I bet your mother is even ashamed.
    Why are you waiting? Frankly I regard your lack of an immediate response proof positive that you are a racist and have no leadership capabilities and don't care about the american people and probably shop for high heel sneakers when you could be hand wringing.
    I have already donated, scuz bucket. What are you waiting on, your white sheets to come back from the cleaners? Small wonder you Kan’t Komprehend Kompassion.
    BTW - I have no intention of going down. Either as a grunt, or a leader. But then again I am not running my mouth telling everyone how screwed up things are.
    Yeah you are, you just aren’t man enough to admit it. And I’m not surprised to hear that all you will be doing is sitting in your basement, typing out hate on your computer. That is the way of most conservatives these days. You are a disgrace to humanity. Michael Moore and Cindy Sheehan are Gods.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#15)
    by Quaker in a Basement on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:06 PM EST
    Wrong thread and wrong answer.
    Wrong thread? Then why'd you bring it up? Wrong answer? That's not what a lot of the fellows who expected to get out on time are saying.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:06 PM EST
    Yes, many of us knew it would take several days to mobilize the national guard. We have known that there would be catastrophic damage for several days BEFORE Katrina made landfall. Why then, did the mobilization not begin sooner? Incompetence.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#17)
    by DonS on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:06 PM EST
    Problem is, the Guardsmen see that as part of the contract. Now if you think it is okay for government to break contracts.....
    . . . nitpicking. . . Federal authority for preservation of health and safety based on clear and present danger. Abrogation of minor contractual obligation versus preservation of the general welfare. You bet I'd make the tradeoff. Violating the rights of the minority? Not a rap that sticks. Your on the wrong blog to peddle that crap.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#18)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:06 PM EST
    DonS - You might be willing, but what do you when they just don't show up? Catch a clue, Don. By and large, these folks don't want to go there. QIB writes:
    Why then, did the mobilization not begin sooner? Incompetence.
    You should ask the Mayor of NO, and the governors of LA, MS and AL. They are the ones who mobilize the NG. Lab - You have already donated? Well, that's not what you said in your previous comments.
    Me? I'm putting my money where my mouth is and will donate to Red Cross.
    What did you do, run out between comments? You aren't kidding us are you? And you have a real potty mouth, dodo. I think from now on I shall just call you something like , Sh*t for Brains. I mean if you want to act like a middle school bully I will be happy to join you. I mean we all know how. But most of us see it as a juvenile act that isn't necessary. As for what I have done, I believe in praying in private rather than posturing. You, obviously, feel that you must validate your existence by showing how much you love people. I don't think I have to tell people I love them. I think I have to demonstrate it. But then that is probably just maturity speaking. As far as Moore and Sheehan being Gods. Hmmmm. My Father who art in Hollywood making money off the poor... and Mama.... I love ya! Would that make a entry in the prayer book?

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#19)
    by soccerdad on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:06 PM EST
    I mean if you want to act like a middle school bully I will be happy to join you.
    Yoy are a middle school bully as we all know. I must admit i have always found your complete lack of compassion, empathy and humanity contemptable, but you have certainly hit new lows in the last couple of days. I think is it good that you are here. You serve as a shining example of the moral vacuousness of the present administration and are a constant reminder of why their policies must and will be rebuked by most Americans.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#20)
    by DonS on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:06 PM EST
    By and large, these folks don't want to go there.
    So?

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#21)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:06 PM EST
    ...when the guard is called up, they have 72 hours to report...
    Seventy-two hours is nothing! The President himself has set a fine example of waiting to show up for guard duty--sometimes not at all. And that proven track record is still in evidence, this very week.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#22)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:06 PM EST
    Ernie - You are a piece of work. I can't figure out who is the least rational, you or PIL.
    Hey at least we don't advocate leaving invalids to drown and shooting anyone caught taking a bottle of water out of an abandoned store.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#23)
    by Quaker in a Basement on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:07 PM EST
    QIB writes:
    Why then, did the mobilization not begin sooner? Incompetence.
    No he doesn't. That was Havlock.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#25)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:07 PM EST
    Tim Russert:
    "President George W. Bush said the other day that no one expected the levees to break. Well, with all respect, study after study, including FEMA's own tabletop exercises last year, all included the breaking or the giving of the levees. Everyone who had studied the issue knew that with a Category 3, 4 or 5 storm, that was a very strong likelihood.
    OK, James, let's have your explanation of this new NO ONE EVER THOUGHT rejoinder from McBush & His Klan: 1) No one ever thought planes... 2) No one ever thought Hussein had disarmed... 3) No one ever thought the levees would break... Gee, they sure did. 1 and 3 were preceded by FIVE WEEK VACATIONS. How do you explain these LIES? You're trying to distract from OBVIOUS negligence by this so-called president. You have no answer for the lies he has told, and his continued HUMOR in the face of disasters with his initials on them. Not taking peoples lives seriously. That's his attitude, and it stinks high heaven.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#26)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:08 PM EST
    DonS - So? They just don't go, and then you will have to arrest them. For what? Not following a contract? Get serious.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#27)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:08 PM EST
    I'm only too grateful that the National Guard didn't wait 72 hours to show up in Manhattan after 9/11, and that no one heard from any mental giants defending the bureaucratic 72 hour rule, at the time. New Orleans is different (not exactly a financial center), so heel dragging is downright patriotic.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#28)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:11 PM EST
    James Robertson, separated at birth from his more intelligent brother Pat, keeps on throwing up the same lame ass talking points that Ken Mehlman has been for the last week. Maybe one day they will stick and Americans will forget to lower the boom on the party of the guy who appointed an estate tax lawyer to be head of FEMA. I have said it once and I will say it again, PPJ is a disgrace to America and to humanity in general. And don't you love they way he nitpicks, makes you think of that snot nosed loser kid that would sit all the way in the back of the classroom that would constantly make the most obvious and stupid statements. Even the geeks avoided those wastes of space and I think we should all do the same with PPJerk.

    Re: Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush (none / 0) (#29)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:11 PM EST
    But on the upside, thanks to PPJ, James Robertson, and all of the other trolls here at providing shining examples of the true face of modern "conservatism". Your comments will come back to haunt you guys on day. I don't mind Michael Moores movies (I do think he relies too heavily on the heart strings), but I couldn't care less about what he has to say about this tragedy. Action, not words. Isn't that what old Grandpa Caligula,a.k.a. Ronnie Raygun, use to say? It would be nice if his letter got Dumbya to actually be a leader in this moment of tragedy, but I won't hold my breath. Fortunately those of us who actually do care about our fellow Americans have already started doing what we can. We can't let heartless individuals like PPJ and James Robertson get us down. Keep donating and if you can Houston is needing anybody with a medical background to help out at the two largest refugee camps, so if that is you please then about heading on down to Houston. Your help is needed. But so is money, and at this point any help is better than none.

    Michael Moore Writes Mr. Bush | 29 comments (29 topical)