Daily Kos

Jack Cafferty on CNN

by lesliet

Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:01:43 PM PDT

[From the diaries -- Hunter.]

Another example of a newsman calling it like it is. (Transcribed as best I can. )

The thing that's most glaring in all of this is that the conditions continue to deteriorate for people who are victims and the efforts to do something about it don't seem to be anywhere in sight. [...]

The questions that we ask in The Situation Room every day are posted on the website two or three hours before we go on the air and people who read the website often begin to respond to the questions before the show actually starts. The question for this hour is whether the government is doing a good job in handling the situation.

I gotta tell you something, we got five or six hundred letters before the show actually went on the air, and no one - no one - is saying the government is doing a good job in handling one of the most atrocious and embarrassing and far-reaching and calamatous things that has come along in this country in my lifetime. I'm 62. I remember the riots in Watts, I remember the earthquake in San Francisco, I remember a lot of things. I have never, ever, seen anything as bungled and as poorly handled as this situation in New Orleans. Where the hell is the water for these people? Why can't sandwiches be dropped to those people in the Superdome. What is going on? This is Thursday! This storm happened 5 days ago. This is a disgrace. And don't think the world isn't watching. This is the government that the taxpayers are paying for, and it's fallen right flat on its face as far as I can see, in the way it's handled this thing.

We're going to talk about something else before the show's over, too. And that's the big elephant in the room. The race and economic class of most of the victims, which the media hasn't discussed much at all, but we will a bit later.

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Permalink | 425 comments

  •  Righteous Indignation and Anger (4.00 / 18)

    I've had issues with the man in the past, but that was one of the best calls for accountability that I've seen lately.

    My god.  Keep thinking about Mayor Nagin issuing the SOS.  What the hell is going on here?

    Bush/Cheney - in your guts, you know they're nuts.

    by Lufah on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:51:00 PM PDT

    •  Jack Cafferty (4.00 / 4)

      He can be one heartless, right wing, nut job, but he's not afraid to stand up and bad-mouth anyone when he sees something wrong.

      I'm not afraid of terrorists anymore. I'm afraid of my government.

      by supergreen on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:57:08 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Cafferty just pointed out that... (4.00 / 11)

        ...Congress came back to session within a few hours on a Sunday night to pass the Schiavo law. But it took 4 days for Bush to even suggest it.

        • • Get Your John McCain - NOPE T-Shirts & Stickers
        •

        by KingOneEye on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:02:35 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Democrats want to pass (4.00 / 4)

          the emergency legislation tonight but Hastert says they should wait.  I'm sure it's so his guys can add some pork or strings to the money.

          Republicans need people to be stupid

          by strengthof10kmen on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:09:09 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  Incredible (4.00 / 2)

          He is the one studio guy who seems to get it.  

          All day we see pictures and reports from reporters on the ground detailing how desperate the situation is.

          And then we see studio anchors yammer on about help being on the way and the #1 problem in their minds- looting...

          Cafferty is no Edward R Murrow, but he at least speaks with the intensity befitting the situation.

          "Think of the press as a great keyboard on which the government can play." - Joseph Goebbels

          by gerbbils on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:21:35 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  No, Not Murrow... (none / 0)

            ...but kind of a poor man's Howard Beale, which is perhaps the most we can ask for at this point.

            This nicely summarizes what's wrong with American political life today. (Source)

            by GreenSooner on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:24:35 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Poor Man's Howard Beale-(what the heck is going on (4.00 / 3)

              In New Orleans

               Where are the airlifts of supplies. Food and water. Medical help. Where is the National Guard. This is not a third world country refuge camp. This is a major city in the United States of America. SEND HELP NOW
              --------------------------------------------------

              Quote from "Network follows:

              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Howard Beale: I don't have to tell you things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad. It's a depression. Everybody's out of work or scared of losing their job. The dollar buys a nickel's work, banks are going bust, shopkeepers keep a gun under the counter. Punks are running wild in the street and there's nobody anywhere who seems to know what to do, and there's no end to it. We know the air is unfit to breathe and our food is unfit to eat, and we sit watching our TV's while some local newscaster tells us that today we had fifteen homicides and sixty-three violent crimes, as if that's the way it's supposed to be. We know things are bad - worse than bad. They're crazy. It's like everything everywhere is going crazy, so we don't go out anymore. We sit in the house, and slowly the world we are living in is getting smaller, and all we say is, 'Please, at least leave us alone in our living rooms. Let me have my toaster and my TV and my steel-belted radials and I won't say anything. Just leave us alone.' Well, I'm not gonna leave you alone. I want you to get mad! I don't want you to protest. I don't want you to riot - I don't want you to write to your congressman because I wouldn't know what to tell you to write. I don't know what to do about the depression and the inflation and the Russians and the crime in the street. All I know is that first you've got to get mad.
              Howard Beale: [shouting] You've got to say, 'I'm a HUMAN BEING, Goddamnit! My life has VALUE!' So I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window. Open it, and stick your head out, and yell,
              [shouting]
              Howard Beale: 'I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!' I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell - 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Things have got to change. But first, you've gotta get mad!... You've got to say, 'I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Then we'll figure out what to do about the depression and the inflation and the oil crisis. But first get up out of your chairs, open the window, stick your head out, and yell, and say it:
              Howard Beale: [screaming at the top of his lungs] "I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!"

              -

              ------------------------------------------------
              Most of the people left in New Orleans are desperate. Sure some are looting simply to steal "stuff" like tv's, jewelery and such but most just want to get out of town to safety. The real crime that is happening in New Orleans as of today, Thursday, September 1, 2005, is that there is not a major coordinated government response to help all the devestated people who are drowning and dying due to lack of food and water. Where are the airlifts of supplies. Food and water. Medical help. Where is the National Guard. This is not a third world country refuge camp. This is a major city in the United States of America. SEND HELP NOW

              Network"

              by chancy gardner on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:54:49 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

          •  Race and Class (4.00 / 2)

            Cafferty just finished talking about the "elephant in the room" that the media won't talk about, Race and Class.

            He is saying that these people have nothing, couldn't get out.. no money or cars.

            He is also pretty impressed with how much email he is receiving. 7000 in the last hour he said.

            Polly

            by pollyusa on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:36:43 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  I'm so glad he's getting it (none / 0)

            but he has yet to mention (nor has Blitzer), the issue of funding being cut from repairing and fixing the levees.

            by coffee cup on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:42:20 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Keep Going, Jack (none / 0)

              This is a time when plain talk from the media is essential.  Stop the happy talk and endless FEMA propping.

              Heard Cafferty too - and this is what the media should be doing.  Here's to you, Jack.  You're speaking for a lot of us.

              Hillary '08.

              by Athena on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 02:13:18 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

        •  sharp and pointy point (4.00 / 2)

          I don't watch cable new regularly, it just pisses me off.  But during times of disaster, like junkie to the juice, I come stumbling bleary eyed back to 24hr trauma TV.

          Any way, I was watching (well listening, while ironing, really) when Cafferty made that statement, and I kid you not, I cheered!  I whooped, I made smug nanana told you so noises.  The only person in the room to hear was my dog, who I believe is a libertarian, with buttsniffer rising, and who hates Bush as much as I do.

          For a brief moment I had a teensy bit of faith in the MSM.  That will be  squandered when they show the same sad clips of looters, again and again.

          by Vylettefairwell on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:30:41 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  If I didn't know better, (none / 1)

          I'd say CNN is suddenly growing a set....

          -7.88, -6.72. "Wherever law ends, tyranny begins."--John Locke IMPEACH THE BASTARDS!!!

          by caseynm on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:37:19 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

      •  But (4.00 / 4)

        But where's Armando to lecture us about "coming together" and "not politicizing this"?

        Here's the political reality:

        Bush is the worst president since Buchanan, and it is beyond tragic that this is what it takes to wake people up to the reality of what incompetence and cronyism engenders.

        Bush does not control the weather, but he does bear responsibility for the lack of preparedness, the funding cuts, the appointment of flunkies to top positions in FEMA, the dispatch of our National Guard to the wrong Gulf on false pretenses, and the lax response time when the reality finally sunk into W.'s thick skull.

        "Animals are my friends. And I don't eat my friends." -- George Bernard Shaw

        by Hudson on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 03:26:54 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  right wing nut job??? (none / 0)

        Have I missed something.  I'm not entirely clear on Cafferty's politics, but I'd hardly consider him a right wing nut job.

        I'm pretty sure I've heard him show a distinct dislike for some of the right wing fundy crap.

        by lrhoke on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 04:47:22 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    •  I was going to say the same thing about Cafferty (none / 0)

      When he was on the early morning CNN show, he was starting to become almost Andy Rooney-esque.  I'm glad to see him direct his griping toward something legitimate and important.  

      by Pintlala on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:57:41 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  He's not much older that me (4.00 / 3)

         And frankly as I age I can become somewhat Andy Rooney-esque myself. I've heard him bitch on both sides, but I haven't heard anything like what I have been hearing on CNN today.

         You start with Kyra coming apart, the reporter on the ground at the convention center, this is the day that America actually begins to look at the man behind the curtain.

        There still are two Americas. I live in the other one. John McSame wants me to stay there.

        by high uintas on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:08:18 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Could not believe what I was seeing... (4.00 / 10)

          and hearing from CNN.  Reporters actually challenging the spindoctors from the Bush Adm.  reporters reporting truly from New Orleans about the tragedy.  The buses are coming, er no they are not.  They have water, er no they do not.  We are dropping sandbags in the levee, er no we are not.

          The difference between reality and truth is no longer in some far away country, but right smack in the middle of America, and right in the heart of industrial commerce.  

          Now, will anyone listen to people when they are saying that this same awful leadership is being used in Iraq?  Read that great Wes Clark article about Leadership.  Where is the leadership in this country?  Gone fishing [for money is my guess].

          by GrandmaJ on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:19:49 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Wes Clark on Leadership (none / 0)

            Does anyone have a link to this? I'd love to read it.

            "[Republicans] swapped principle for power. They ended up with neither. They deserved to lose." --Alan Greenspan

            by lanshark on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:40:07 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  Almost like Ted Turner was back- (none / 1)

            And said: Let's remember we are a "news" organization!!! Umtil the last couple of days, those times are long gone!!

            The White House will be The People's House--B.Obama

            by Phil S 33 on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 02:04:58 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  cafferty is NOT a (none / 1)

              right wing nut. i have heard him interviewing paul krugman and tell krugman, in effect, that krugman's column was often the only thing in the paper that made sense, or at least the best thing in the paper.

              krugman is not the same shill that so many others on cable are. guy has integrity and a spine.

              Any man can stand some adversity. If you really want to know a man's character, give him power. Abe Lincoln.

              by maskling11 on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 02:31:32 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  Cafferty is not right-wing (none / 0)

                He is a bit cranky, but definitely not right wing.  In general his bullshit detector is very jumpy.  He was on local news here in New York for years and has a reputation for calling it straight.  I think his real problem is the inanity of the pretty-people, happy news format that is most of the news in this country.   I'm sure he would be in hell if he was on the idiocy that is Fox and Friends.  But he also probably wouldn't want to be on with Katie Couric either.

                by KevinNYC on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 07:16:37 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

          •  NPR too (none / 0)

            The reporter (Robert Siegel?) was basically challenging Michael Chertoff about the refugees in the NO convention center.  Chertoff sounded incredibly uncaring.  He actually said that he didn't listen to "rumors" (basically calling the reporter a liar?).  The reporter on the scene sounded actually traumatized by the conditions.

            Turn ons: progressives, Democrats with spines Turn offs: conservatives, people named Bush, John McCain

            by Unstable Isotope on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 02:57:28 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Yes, it was Mr. Siegel (none / 1)

              And I LOVED how he not only called Chertoff on it but then went back to the reporter who twice used the phrase "living like animals."

              I noticed Rush was on the defensive today. These guys know Bush fell down and they're trying to pin the blame on Democrats who won't drill for oil everywhere Dick Cheney smells a geyser and they're (once again) blaming the victims.

              by Joe Willy on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 03:15:54 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

          •  I heard the Fema Director say on CNN (none / 0)

            "That things are going relatively well in New Orleans".

            Really.

            by coffee cup on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 03:34:11 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

    •  Righteous anger right now (4.00 / 3)

      I'm getting increasingly angry now.  Why is this situation so f#cked up?  According to Wonkette, they're now calling New Orleans Lake George, and it's appropriate.  It's not like this wasn't predictable.  According the news reports, this situation, a massive hurricane hitting New Orleans, has been anticipated for years.  Why weren't they prepared?  They had 2 days to start gathering equipment, getting troops ready.  Why are people still starving?  Why didn't they bring in troops sooner, like Monday?  Why couldn't they evacuate more people since they knew a big hurricane would hit since Saturday.  Bush has proven he can't keep us safe, he can't respond to a crisis.

      Turn ons: progressives, Democrats with spines Turn offs: conservatives, people named Bush, John McCain

      by Unstable Isotope on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 02:48:02 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  furious (4.00 / 3)

        I feel my blood pressure rise every time I think about this.

        I'm furious when I hear people like Denny Hastert make comments about how no one should've built there, as if this were some sort of new resort town built for the view, and not the 5th busiest port city in the fucking world.  for that reason alone this was one of the most important places in this country, and hard to imagine why it was not one of the absolute highest priorities for our govt to protect.

        Maybe some of the suggested fixes wouldn't have actually helped but at least someone could say they actually tried.  I don't see how anyone can reasonably claim they tried to do a goddamn thing. This disaster just doesn't fit with dubya's unbending small-government small mind, unless we want to become a third world country, (which I've long believed that many people actually do want--all about power you see).  I keep thinking of grover norquist's quote about not wanting to kill the govt, just getting it small enough so he can drown it in the bathtub.  it's drowning in lake george, grover.  defense should not be simply left to individuals or individual cities--it is too important to all of us.  

        Everything about government policy and priorities ties into this, and I'm mad as hell about it.  THREE DAYS to get a hospital ship to the gulf coast?  business-efficiency ideologues don't belong in the pentagon, either!  how long would it take if we were under attack?  this is total crap, and I'm with you.  I am so pissed off.

        by jrcjr on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 03:29:10 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    •  MSNBC - Regan (none / 1)


      I am paraphrasing the eloquent supplication of Anthony Zumbado a photojournalist who Ron REgan Jr let go on for a long long time talking about what he filmed and saw this morning in NO at the convention center:
      Zumbado said passionately, "these are good people who did what they were told - there is no crime here, no violence!  I'm seeing old people and babies who are sick...I don't understand why there isnt water or food for these people who waded here in water up to their chests...

      I saw a row of buses parked outside the city with no one on them.  I asked one of the drivers, whats going on?  He said that it was too dangerous!  Well its not too dangerous!  These people are not violent, they are families who need food and water for their babies,,,I've never seen anyhthing like this ever, I can't find words for it!!!!

      Stop Looking For Leaders - WE are the Leaders!!!

      by SwimmertoFreedom04 on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 03:08:41 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  That was one pissed off old man... (4.00 / 10)

    ...and I saw it and agreed with every word.

    If you think the terrorist fist jab is bad... you need to see his terrorist Hokey-Pokey.

    by JeffLieber on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:51:24 PM PDT

    •  I saw him yesterday (4.00 / 2)

      and I thought then if this administration fucks up again he is going to come unglued. i thought yesterday that Wolf was going to have a cow with Jack badmouthing the admin but Wolf said nothing.Probably afraid too.

      by Lawdog on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:09:13 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Saw him on Tuesday (none / 0)

        ... he was extremely critical of the administrations response and Wolf was giving him the middle of the road BS about them doing the best they could and Cafferty slapped him down.

        Nice.

        No matter how cynical I get, it's impossible to keep up.

        by Flippant on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 02:47:18 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    •  He's not that old. (none / 0)

      He's 62.  He's not that old.  But man was he pissed.  He's usually pretty pissed off, but now he's downright vehement.  I haven't always agreed with Cafferty, but I've always liked his no BS style.

      More 'journalists' will soon be as angry as Jack, and when that happens, watch out.  The question is can Bush survive this, mentally?  He has to deal with the everso-popular war in Iraq, and now the negative reaction to his non-reaction and subsequent fuck ups.  The negative pressure on him is going to be huge, and I, personally, don't think that he has the strength of character to hold up under this pressure.  How long will the idiotic grin remain in place?

      "Soon the super karate monkey death car would park in my space. But Jimmy has fancy plans... and pants to match."

      by Dave Brown on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 02:55:45 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Another good diary (none / 1)

    Thank you.

    (0.00,-3.13) "I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it."

    by Steve4Clark on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:51:55 PM PDT

  •  Can I edit this down... (4.00 / 4)

    ... so that I can frontpage it, please?

    by Hunter on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:52:18 PM PDT

    •  Why sure (4.00 / 17)

      I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies..

      by lesliet on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:53:10 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Done. (none / 1)

        For reference, the more complete text that I cut:

        The thing that's most glaring in all of this is that the conditions continue to deteriorate for people who are victims and the efforts to do something about it don't seem to be anywhere in sight. I want to read you something, Wolf. This is a quote from an editorial. "A better leader would have flown to the disaster zone and announced the immediate mobilization of every available . The cool, confident, intuitive Bush exhibited during his first term, particularly after 9/11, has vanished."
        Now that's not from some liberal rag, that is an editorial from one of the most conservative newspapers in the country: New Hampshire's Union Leader.

        The New York Times, not unexpectedly, kind of chimed in. They said, "The president showed up a day later than he was needed" and they excoriated him for appearing "casual to the point of carelessness". Harsh words coming from FEMA's former disaster response chief Eric Tolbert, says the government was not ready and shifted its attention from natural disasters to fighting the war on terror.

        The questions that we ask in The Situation Room every day are posted on the website two or three hours before we go on the air and people who read the website often begin to respond to the questions before the show actually starts. The question for this hour is whether the government is doing a good job in handling the situation.

        Nice job getting the actual transcription down, thanks.

        by Hunter on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:05:15 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  •  He had 500 e-mails about the response (4.00 / 5)

    All of them negative.

    How far will it take to get a leader.

    Bush, let them eat cake.
    Cheney, has anybody seen him all week?
    Hastert, let N.O. die.
    Frisk, hasn't found a brain dead woman yet.
    Condi, she's busy getting new shoes.

    by Tomtech on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:53:58 PM PDT

  •  Amazed at Cafferty's rant (4.00 / 8)

    Maybe this is close enough to home to finally wake people up to the fact of Republican leadership, i.e. it's incompetence.

    Flow with the go. www.bouldergrappling.com

    by Kenevan McConnon on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:54:02 PM PDT

    •  It could happen to any area (3.85 / 7)

      Disasters happen all over the country.  In CA we have earthquakes and fires.  The Midwest has floods.  Other areas have hurricanes.  The thing people are beginning to understand is that the Bush Administration that they counted on to "keep them safe" hasn't a fu**ing clue how to do disaster planning, let alone disaster relief.  Republicans can't plan because fundamentally they don't really believe in government. That is what people have to understand.  Just as war is to serious to be left to the generals, government is too serious to leave to the Republicans.

      Those poor, poor people.  God help them.

      John McCain--he's not who you think he is.

      by Mimikatz on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:11:53 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  It's just the corollory [sp.?!] (4.00 / 10)

        to the Republican response to terrorism.  No concrete plan for defending the ports, systematically checking shipping containers, etc.  Instead, bedazzle and frighten Americans with color-coded alert levels and tell them to go get some duct tape.  

        That's not preparation; it's a PR campaign.  And in the absence of any subsequent terror incidents, no one has been able to definitively call Republicans on how truly "robust" their response to terror really is.

        Now, the fiasco of disaster coordination is demonstrating to anyone with eyes and ears how much of a Potemkin village  Republican 'preparadness' really is.

        Nothing requires a greater effort of thought than arguments to justify the rule of nonthought. -- Milan Kundera

        by Dale on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:30:20 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    •  What I loved was several days ago (4.00 / 10)

      and Cafferty stopped mid-rant about the levees to bluntly ask:

      "So Wolf, just where IS the President anyway?  Is he still on vacation?"

      Wolf cut him off shortly after, but it was a CLASSIC moment!

      Yes. There ARE progressive Democrats in Alabama. Visit with us at Left in Alabama

      by countrycat on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:19:14 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Usually he is just a (4.00 / 14)

    crumudgeon, and an apologist cumudgeon for the right.  I saw real anger in his eyes and real anger in his voice.  Walter Cronkite "the war is unwinnable" moment?  Why do I get the feeling that this is a real inflection point in the mood of the country?

    See you at the debate, bitches!

    by calipygian on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:54:05 PM PDT

  •  That was incredible (4.00 / 12)

    It was like watching some pissed off grandfather railing against the tyranny of the incompetent fuck-ups only making things worse and not some CNN talking head.

    I don't agree with the man on much, but he has been nailing the powers that be all week.

    God bless 'em.

    "Arguments are extremely vulgar, for everyone in good society holds exactly the same opinion." - Oscar Wilde

    by LeftHandedMan on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:54:13 PM PDT

  •  I wrote him twice just now (none / 0)

    first with the "rating" and...

    The second time addressing the "elephant in the room" and told him about the GOP initiative to kill the Estate tax v. Dems planning Bankruptcy Relief for the victims.

    He won't read it, but I thought I'd try anyway.

    by inclusiveheart on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:56:00 PM PDT

    •  I couldn't find his email at CNN (4.00 / 7)

      So I went to "The situation room" and sent this to their program mailbox:

      Two comments:

      I understand the Bush adminstration subscribes to the "culture of life". Yet when I turn on my TV, I see bodies rotting in the streets. Which should I believe: George W. Bush, or my lying eyes?

      I also understand that by cutting funding for levee maintenance in New Orleans, Bush was able to save enough money to pay for about 8 hours of the Iraqi war. Good call!!! May I suggest a big sign over the Superdome--"Your Tax Cuts at Work.

      by daulton on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:04:50 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  his email is... (none / 0)

        caffertyfileATcnn.com

        and he is on with Blitzer until 6pm ET

        by Ubanks on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:10:18 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  caffertyfile@cnn.com (none / 0)

        his address... he is listening on this one...

        by inclusiveheart on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:10:48 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Thanks! (none / 0)

          I just resent to the address you gave.

          by daulton on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:17:42 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  Cafferty (4.00 / 6)

          just sent him an e-mail:

          Why not AIRLIFT water and biscuits to these people w/out water for 4 or 5 days now?  They are in 95 degree heat for God's sake!  They are dehydrating.  They are dying. The President should stop worrying about gas prices and start solving the crisis.

          No wonder some are turning to violence.  Don't blame the victims.  They are poor, old, and sick.  Their government is failing them.  And failing the American public.  How can we have confidence that Pres. Bush, who tells us over and over how he is keeping us safe from terror when we see the governments's all to slow, incompetent response. The aftermath, be it terror attack or nature, calls upon the same type of preparedness.

          Please know that I held my rage and punches in the hopes that a more neutral statement might get more attention.  Katrina may have set off political armageddon.

          by Beatrice on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:27:54 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  I sent one too (none / 1)

             I like your e-mail - here's the one I sent -

            It's really pretty clear - poor black people have been left to die in New Orleans, because this Administration doesn't care about them.  White people of means were able to get out of harm's way all across the region, while poor people were left to face the storm alone and struggle to survive in the aftermath.  And now, 4 days later, the government is only just now organizing relief? Clearly I was watching the weather more closely than anyone in DC, as I've known since Saturday that the Gulf coast, and probably New Orleans, was going to get hammered by Katrina - what were they doing in DC and Crawford, watching Dukes of Hazzard reruns on cable?!  This goes beyond incompetence to uncaring racism and contempt for the poor.  The words of Scrooge pretty much sum up the official policy - "If they're going to die, let them do it quickly and reduce the surplus population."  He might have been speaking for George Bush on the fate of the people dying on the plaza of the Convention Center in New Orleans.

            by geordie on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 02:02:35 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  Respectfully (none / 0)

            The president should be able to handle more than one thing at a time. I think he should be coordinating relief on all levels, including gas prices.

            I'm kind of stalling for time here...They told me what to say. George W Bush, 03-21-2006 10:00 EST Press Conference

            by Tamifah on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 03:50:23 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

  •  Just like Iraq... (4.00 / 4)

    NO PLAN. This is a disgrace, and their hatred for the American people is showing through big time now.... Or should I say, Americans who aren't rich and white.

    "I miss the ability to influence events, but I don't miss politics."
    Al Gore In LIFE
    Bergen Record, June 23, 2006

    by Patriot for Al Gore on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:56:14 PM PDT

  •  Bush has lost interest in the Presidency. (4.00 / 14)

    Why? Because it really is hard work!

    The sad thing is that the nation is rudderless, the Senate Dems are spineless, brave Americans and innocent Iraqis die in Iraq, and untold numbers of US citizens and residents die a miserable and undignified death in the Bayou.  

    He really has become the modern day Nero.

    Alternative rock with something to say: http://www.myspace.com/globalshakedown

    by khyber900 on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:56:16 PM PDT

    •  Um, when exactly did he HAVE interest? (4.00 / 7)

      When he scanned the memo, "bin Laden determined to strike US"?  When two months before the invasion of Iraq, he didn't know (according to his tutor on the issue) that there were two kinds of Arabs in Iraq--Sunnies and Shiites?  When he completely fucked up the planning of the war itself?

      He has ALWAYS been an incompetent pawn.

      Explore "Brent's Brain" at http://www.brenthartinger.com

      by BrentHartinger on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:03:35 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Well of course he wasn't that interested then (none / 0)

        either, but so far 2005 has been the year when the chickens have come home to roost.  

        Alternative rock with something to say: http://www.myspace.com/globalshakedown

        by khyber900 on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:11:10 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  True but.. (none / 1)

        ..he did have to look the part when he was electioneering, on the campaign trail. And again when he went out to destroy alter Social Security. He at least looked interested in whatever it was he thinks he was doing. Now he doesn't even seem to care. Just let it idle until 2008 rolls around, George W's job is done and now he just has to sit there on the throne.

        Here we are now Entertain us I feel stupid and contagious

        by Scarce on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:13:30 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  campaigning is all he has done the whole time (none / 0)

          He never stays in washington, he goes out and spends our money campaigning to screw up Social Security or promoting some other crazy republican idea.  That's what he has been doing the last few weeks.  When he's in D.C., he's riding his bike in the woods and taking naps.

          by unterhausen on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 03:50:15 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

  •  Cafferty v. Kudlow (none / 0)

    I can't wait to hear Kudlow get on air and tell us how great the economy is doing, and how this will just be a blip. Well, I can wait. The guy looks like a toad. (No offense to toads.)

    by wenchacha on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:57:50 PM PDT

  •  Where's his website? (none / 0)

    I can't seem to find any link to him at the CNN frontpage and Google doesn't come up with anything either.  He's gotta have a page at CNN or his own site somewhere right?

    When life gives you scurvy, make lemonade.... Seriously make some lemonade - it'll clear that shit up right away.

    by Edanger6 on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:58:09 PM PDT

  •  Clue me in (none / 0)

    Who is Jack Cafferty? Right on, whoever he is!

    -7.38, -5.23 "Though the storm may be raging, and the billows tossing high, Lord I feel like going on."

    by CocoaLove on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:58:13 PM PDT

  •  It's been said before (4.00 / 6)

    but I believe that this is the moment where things finally start to collapse for this incompetent administration.  This is Johnson's Cronkite moment...it's happening about 4 years too late, but it's finally happening.  It's just tragic that it takes the death and suffering of many thousands of people for this to happen.

    Straw, meet camel's back.

    The Best Anti-McCain Ad [-4.25, -5.33]

    by GTPinNJ on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:58:33 PM PDT

    •  Or the exact opposite (none / 0)

      The excuse to declare martial law, piecemeal, to Iraqify oil-producing regions of the United States...

      The language of engagement with American citizens in harm's way is appalling.

      "No mercy"..."zero tolerance"....

      "Uh, uh. We just couldn't get to them. We were totally unprepared. It was too dangerous. The dog ate my homework."

      Basically, one out of five residents of New Orlenas were deemed unworthy of saving before the devastation, and had the temerity to survive the storm.

      How dare they challenge Americans to honor their commitment to the value of individual life.

      How dare they be uncooperative as candidates for collective capital punishment.

      new words, old song

      by cskendrick on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:49:39 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  I don't watch much CNN (4.00 / 7)

    And have no opinion of this guy from prior viewing, but that was the most blunt, honest statement I think I have ever heard on televison news.

    by BostonJoe on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 12:58:45 PM PDT

  •  Still clueless - (4.00 / 7)

    "The cool, confident, intuitive Bush exhibited during his first term, particularly after 9/11, has vanished."

    That Bush never existed.  He was always an empty suit -- it's just that his scriptwriters had easier material to work with to construct the image of Bush the Bold.

    What FDR giveth; GWB taketh away.

    by Marie on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:00:42 PM PDT

  •  Cafferty is calling out (4.00 / 13)

    Congress on the fact that they came back on a Sunday night to pass the Schiavo legislation but are just kinda ambling back for this.  

    See you at the debate, bitches!

    by calipygian on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:01:12 PM PDT

  •  Cafferty: Schiavo response better (4.00 / 7)

    There it is.

    WaPo Prints My Letter!!!

    by Kudos on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:01:18 PM PDT

  •  Oh DAMN (4.00 / 13)

    I just turned off my computer to get away for a while, and Cafferty came back on.  He responded to a guy who said calling back Congress was a "brilliant" move by throwing down the Terri Schiavo card.  He wondered how Congress could come back on a Sunday night for Schiavo, but they're not back yet for this.

    "I guess it's all about what's important," said Cafferty.

    "Don't falme me pleas."

    by socratic on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:01:45 PM PDT

  •  Holy Fuck (4.00 / 15)

    He just made the Schiavo connection.  Congress was back in one night to pass that legislation.  And here we are five days, and they are just coming into session to address this situation.  I guess it is all just a matter of what matters to you.

    I paraphrase liberally.

    But this guy is on a tear.  He should get a spot on the dKos front page.  Maybe that is what he is bucking for.

    by BostonJoe on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:01:45 PM PDT

  •  jack's back-- (4.00 / 3)

    comparing the schiavo situation--congress returning on a sunday(!) versus the response to the hurricane!

    by stagemom on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:01:47 PM PDT

  •  Somebody ask Jack (4.00 / 15)

    how a 20 year old can go survive a 12 hour hurricane, flooded neighborhoods, downed bridges and highways, and after three days still have the grit to rob a school bus, load it with mothers and children, and drive it six hours to Houston...

    And the Bush Administration can't get in? But a twenty year old hurricane survivor can get out?

    He's a goddamned hero; put him in charge.

    by Zach in Phoenix on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:01:50 PM PDT

  •  Congress came back on a Sunday night for Shiavo (4.00 / 4)

    Cafferty is on a roll. Also read a bunch of letters full of disgust!

    by JoeTx on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:02:25 PM PDT

  •  Smackdown on the congress (4.00 / 5)

    WOw.. he just took a run at Congress... says the Congress came back on their holidays to pass some bill over Terry Schiavo... but it took 5 days to drag them back to maybe pass a resolution to get more money appropriated for diaster relief.

    He said at the end, "I guess it depends on where your priorities lie"

    I find it extremely ironic that it may not be the Iraq war or PlameGate that ends the Republicans dominance in government.. but Mother Nature.

    Canadian Progressive Bloggers

    by tribe34 on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:03:50 PM PDT

    •  It's hard to believe our country has fallen so far (4.00 / 4)

      so fast. I know how it happened. I just can't believe it happened. This is an inflection point for the future. New Orleans shows the difference between the haves and the have nots. While Condoleeza is buying shoes, many Americans--most of them African-Americans--are dying.

      Look at these people! They suck each other! They eat each other's saliva and dirt! -- Tsonga people of southern Africa on Europeans kissing.

      by upstate NY on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:31:21 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Precisely Mr. Cafferty! (4.00 / 6)

    Bush is afraid to set foot on the new ground zero, because some uppity poor people might tell him to go fuck himself.

    Must manage photo-op, must manage photo-op..........

    What is essential is invisible.

    by bebimbob on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:05:04 PM PDT

    •  Bush is biding his time... (none / 0)

      ... until things are stable enough that they can airlift in some soccer moms for a staged "thank you, Mr. President" town meeting...

      "Animals are my friends. And I don't eat my friends." -- George Bernard Shaw

      by Hudson on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 03:40:33 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  I love this guy, fire Wolf, give him the show (4.00 / 3)

    PERIOD

    by Blakbelt on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:06:19 PM PDT

  •  This is a secondary issue... (none / 0)

    ...but we are witnessing the complete and utter political destruction of a natural disaster named "George".

    It's 5 years too late in my opinion!!

    THANK YOU FOR NOT IMPEACHING THE WAR CRIMINALS AND TERRORIST ENABLERS. Next Stop: Iran. You're on a roll, Congress! -- FUCK, YEAH!!

    by STOP George on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:06:34 PM PDT

  •  Some jackhole (none / 0)

    Had his letter read on the air saying Bush was doing a great job, and that he was brilliant for congress back into session(I don't think he did, did he?).  He also got a jab at the media for being so negative and maybe they should STFU and go down and help.  So I guess he got at least one letter in support of Bush.  It just happened to be from the most delusional guy in America.

    When life gives you scurvy, make lemonade.... Seriously make some lemonade - it'll clear that shit up right away.

    by Edanger6 on Thu Sep 01, 2005 at 01:06:37 PM PDT