Antone's Nightclub
Where Was Our President?
RECEIVED Tue., Sept. 6, 2005
Dear Editor,
I am writing this to ask why are we not questioning where our leadership was ... where was our president in the prevention and in mobilizing an emergency plan? When news reports were warning of a catastrophic hurricane hitting our Gulf Coast, President Bush was on vacation and did not start any type of evacuation or disaster plans until after the damage. Why didn't he organize ships and other relief close by like we would in a battle at wartime? We have many floating (military) hospitals, but no orders were requested until after the hurricane hit. I also wonder why no preventative measures were taken. Two publications, one, the Scientific American had an article in 2003 that warned about a catastrophic series of events that would happen if a hurricane hit New Orleans, a scary prediction that came true. The second paper was The Times-Picayune, which wrote an article titled "Washed Out," another warning and making recommendations to protect the city from certain disaster. Why, Mr. President, did you cut the budget on hurricane prevention? Of the 200 million needed, you only gave 10. Mr. President, why did you dismantle FEMA, which was reorganized prior to your coming into office? President Bush, would you say Homeland Security is working as it was designed to, enabling a streamlining of communication of multiple agencies to protect and help in time of emergencies? Is this the type of leadership we want for our country? I am disappointed that in a time of dire emergency, President Bush was in Crawford. It took him two days to respond! Ignoring global warming and preventative measures to ensure safety of all Americans should not be tolerated. I just think America deserves a leader who knows how to lead, plan, and mobilize the country to a better tomorrow.
I am writing this to ask why are we not questioning where our leadership was ... where was our president in the prevention and in mobilizing an emergency plan? When news reports were warning of a catastrophic hurricane hitting our Gulf Coast, President Bush was on vacation and did not start any type of evacuation or disaster plans until after the damage. Why didn't he organize ships and other relief close by like we would in a battle at wartime? We have many floating (military) hospitals, but no orders were requested until after the hurricane hit. I also wonder why no preventative measures were taken. Two publications, one, the Scientific American had an article in 2003 that warned about a catastrophic series of events that would happen if a hurricane hit New Orleans, a scary prediction that came true. The second paper was The Times-Picayune, which wrote an article titled "Washed Out," another warning and making recommendations to protect the city from certain disaster. Why, Mr. President, did you cut the budget on hurricane prevention? Of the 200 million needed, you only gave 10. Mr. President, why did you dismantle FEMA, which was reorganized prior to your coming into office? President Bush, would you say Homeland Security is working as it was designed to, enabling a streamlining of communication of multiple agencies to protect and help in time of emergencies? Is this the type of leadership we want for our country? I am disappointed that in a time of dire emergency, President Bush was in Crawford. It took him two days to respond! Ignoring global warming and preventative measures to ensure safety of all Americans should not be tolerated. I just think America deserves a leader who knows how to lead, plan, and mobilize the country to a better tomorrow.
Samila Esfahanian