[IP] more on Washington Monthly on photo op in NO
Begin forwarded message:
From: John Adams <jadams01@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: September 5, 2005 3:15:49 PM EDT
To: dave@xxxxxxxxxx, "Steven M. Bellovin" <smb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [IP] Washington Monthly on photo op in NO
Reply-To: John Adams <jadams01@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Original Message-----
From: "Steven M. Bellovin"<smb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out that the recovery work seen on
Bush's visit was staged for the cameras. But I don't think that's the
real point. My gripe is why any politicians at all are there.
I disagree, Steve. Sometimes it's a leader's job and duty to command
from the front lines, danger, disruption, and all. I suspect Bush
Senior would've known this, and I know Clinton (for all the SOB's
many faults) did.
I agree with you that resources are diverted to bring them in, but
those resources are usually fairly minimal (1) and often worth the
boost in morale it brings to those on the site. I'm still shaking my
head that the first person of any recognized authority to visit the
Superdome was Harry Connick, Jr.--not his dad, the former New Orleans
DA, but the musician (Plato knew something not everyone acknowledges,
but it's as true of singers as it is of poets).
(1) With the exception of presidential and vice-presidential visits,
given the Secret Service's understandable precautions--and I wonder
how many more of those we'll see, given this story in CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/09/05/katrina.bush.ap/index.html
Here's the money quote:
On his arrival here, Bush went to the Bethany World Prayer Center, a
huge hall half covered with pallets and half filled with dining
tables. Several people ran up to meet him as he and first lady Laura
Bush wandered around the room. But just as many hung back and just
looked on.
"I'm not star-struck. I need answers," said Mildred Brown, who has
been there since Tuesday with her husband, mother-in-law and cousin.
"I'm not interested in hand-shaking. I'm not interested in photo ops.
This is going to take a lot of money."
Thanks,
John A
see me fulminate at http://www.jzip.org/
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