Wow. How many of you got sucked in by that damned speech? If I didn't know better, I'd swear Shrub was channeling FDR in terms of usurping Liberalism. Maybe he was. For a minute there, I thought everything was going to be okay
this time. All was forgiven, as the hero came forward with an apologetic, low-shouldered walk and his best shot at empathy. And yeah, the freepers ate it up -- all their talk about not giving, all the racism, all the crap about being fiscal conservatives --- out the window. Good to know they're so...um...principled.
Anyway, I almost bought it. Until I saw this from John Kerry:
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 15
U.S. Newswire -- Below is a statement from Senator John Kerry on President Bush's address tonight on the devastation of Hurricane Katrina:
"Leadership isn't a speech or a toll-free number. Leadership is getting the job done. No American doubts that New Orleans will rise again, they doubt the competence and commitment of this Administration. Weeks after Katrina, Americans want an end to politics-as-usual that leaves them dangerously and unforgivably unprepared. Americans want to know that their government will be there when it counts with leadership that keeps them safe, not speeches in the aftermath to explain away the inexcusable."
http://www.usnewswire.com/
Bam. Back down to earth. Because behind those floodlights, all around the area recently made immaculate so that Bush could have his bullhorn moment, underneath his pseudo-caring, faux-liberal words is the rotting scent of decay, neglect and death that his policies, lack of concern and inaction helped bring about. Nothing changes that.
No matter how much I wish we had a leader, we're stuck with a man whose speechwriters do their best to give us the only thing they can't really take away: hope. And they only offer that if it stands to benefit the Emperor himself.
Tonight reminded me again of why women stay in bad marriages so long, sometimes. There's always the hope, dream and prayer that finally...this time....it's gonna be made right.
One day you realize it's never going to happen. That the flowers, the fake contrition, the promises of a better tomorrow are just empty.
I've got no illusions that what Bush is ultimately going to do will help anyone but Halliburton and his own cronies. No amount of speechifying will raise the dead.
You can't make needless neglect and battering simply go away, no matter how much everyone wishes it would.
Thank you, Senator Kerry, for reminding me that a long overdue gesture of hearts and flowers never makes up for abuse.