RappCity

"Nature is an Awesome Force" GW Bush

"Nature is an Awesome Force"  President George W. Bush
Yes, that is a quote from our Commander in Chief.  It was said during his speech in New Orleans about a week after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.  In blue shirt against blue background (Reminiscent of the Magic Kingdom at Disney...replete with a statue of Andrew Jackson on a fiery steed), Bush added that, the "Armies of Compassion" were coming to help.  He also said, "God welcomes us to a house not made with hands," and closed with the very poignant sentiment that, "Plymouth, Jamestown and Chicago are fine, we always come back."

Deja Vu All Over Again
We on Cape Cod watched again (on TV) as Gulf Coasters fled their homes, grabbing everything that would fit in a car, a camper, on a motorbike or a bus.

Hurricane Rita, the storm that could not make up her mind where to land (Houston? Galveston?),  finally decided.   After teasing us for two days while swirling around in the Gulf, Port Arthur and Lake Charles on the eastern fringe of the Texas coast finally caught her eye.

Gridlock on Texas roads stopped the state cold this past Thursday and Friday.  Between Houston and Galveston, and all small towns in between, over two million people sat in gasless un-aircondtioned cars (some for up to 30 hours) with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees.  Feeling like sitting ducks if Rita decided to hit before they could get to shelter, some abandoned their cars and just began walking.

This time buses were there for all who needed them, but, sadly one bus, carrying senior citizens caught fire and exploded on the highway, killing over twenty-five people. 
The rest of the northeastern coast of Texas hunkered down and out of the way of the monster storm.  In Texas City, Texas, a woman who owns a cat sanctuary refused to leave her 300 cats behind, and stayed with them, depsite much urging. I hope to see her face on the news later today.

Incidentally, Texas got lucky!  The actual eye hit in a marshland/wetland/bayou area where people were smart enough not to live!

And New Orleans took another  hit.  The outer bands of this huge storm opened patched levees and once more let water fill the city. Beleaguered Louisiana Governor Blanco (of  Hurricane Katrina fame),  wisely asked for evacuation of the city on Wednesday.  But by Thursday, when it was evident some people would not leave, she said "...If you decide to stay, at least mark your social security number on your arm in indelible ink." 
That made perfect sense to me.  At least they would who to call if they found you.

Attention Please: Global Warming Arriving at Gate 17
All of this furious weather has some people wondering, "Why is Mother Nature suddenly being so mean?  Suddenly?  Well, shame on Her.  It certainly couldn't be anything we did.  Could it?
Maybe we're all just paying more attention to dear Mother ... since she turned her recent wrath towards us.  How dare she!  This is America, where major catastrophes and other natural disasters are simply, "Not allowed" to happen! 

So what if Indonesia, China, Switzerland, Romania and Germany have recently had the worst floods in their histories.  That's them.  Not us!  Who cares if England and Ireland have seen the strangest weather in years.  They're not us!  Everyone around the world is worried about changing climate, pollution and Global Warming.  But not us.  We're America!
Ironically, waterlogged Venice and Amsterdam seem to be the only two cities saying to Mother Nature:  "Hello, we hate you, but we have been expecting you."  Hmm, what do they know that we don't?

Does it really take a hammer to our heads (Thwap) before we can accept being part of a Global Community called EARTH, and that "those things," that always seem to happen "to those people," are now happening here ... to us?

Cape Cod had a little "Wake Up" call last week.  Some outer bands of Hurricane Ophelia caused bad flooding on many parts of the Cape.  People were actually walking around in waist deep water in Sagamore (Front page/Cape Cod Times 9/16),  and parts of Sandwich and the Scusset Beach Campsite were actually evacuated!  If this is what a Tropical Storm (100 miles away) can do,  imagine what a Category Five would be like?  Hurricane Bob would be remembered as a lovely autumn shower.

Disasters don't discriminate.  America is as good a place as any for one.  This is one planet.  Cape Cod is part of Massachusetts, which is part of the USA, which is part of North America which is one of five continents that make up EARTH!  And we are all little Earthlings. Every one of us. 

Kurt Vonnegut said on his recent book tour, "Earths immune system is trying to get rid of us humans."  He may be right.

The Emperor Has no Clothes
Just because we have a President and a majority in Congress who don't agree with scientists (HA!) doesn't mean Global Warming isn't real.  They could say the Pentagon has nine sides, but that would not make it so.  Not even if Pat Robertson and Justice Scalia backed them up (Although a few might believe them just because they said it with conviction).                                                         

But no matter what they say, we still share our nuclear waste, toxic sludge, oil spills and fossil fuel emissions with everyone else on the planet.  And where do you think that stuff ends up when we're through playing with it?  It goes into the air, the soil and the water (and our lungs).  It even clogs up the atmosphere (Has anyone seen my Ozone?  I seem to have misplaced it).

The byproducts of industry produce waste (The byproducts of human sexuality produce the same thing, but we call them people).  There are more people on the planet than we used to have (have you noticed?),  and it is not because of Area 51 or a Martian invasion.  We just keep begetting more and more of those little Earthlings. It's habit forming.

And the more people we need to feed and clothe and sell things to, the more industry we create and, in turn, the more waste we produce.  Most of this waste transforms into HEAT, which then ends up warming our air and our water (oceans).  And warmer oceans cause icecaps and glaciers to melt, which in turn raises water levels, thus creating "wetter" and more severe storms with bigger tidal surges.  This is NOT rocket science folks.  Even I understand it, and I can't even balance my checkbook!

And now, as third world nations awaken... some of their HEAT is coming at us too.  It's getting pretty warm out there.  With so many people (and so many more to come if Bush gets the Supreme Court he wants and women don't even have a "morning after" pill to take with their "morning after" coffee) what will we do?

The Emperor may be naked, but do we have our pants on right?

Get Our of the Kitchen
A recent combined study by the Georgia Institute of Technology (GIT) and NOAA (National Oceanic Atmospheric Agency), found that Global warming is not just happening, but  happening faster than we thought.  Thomas Knutson, head of the GIT group said, "A sharp increase in intense storms is predicted,"  and NOAA spokesman Peter Webster agreed, adding, "Are we to blame?  Well, population and burning increases are warming the oceans."  These are scientific facts folks. Ignore them at your own peril (Hey wait, it's MY peril too).

Global Warming has been denied by the "Powers that Be" for years. "Nonsense," has generally been the comment from Corporate America and their political puppets.   Of course it's "Nonsense," to them, it may slow down industry production, profits, dividends and "perks" like Lear jets, penthouses and second homes in Aspen for company CEO's if they admit the truth!

Some everyday people don't accept Global Warming either, because, gosh darn, they just believe the President, and what he and the Oval Office are supposed to stand for (see my blog about Creeds, Motto's and Flags next week). These folks are convinced our Commander in Chief is doing what is best for us (This would be kind of "cute" if it weren't so dangerous).  Didn't we already have a guy named George who really never told a lie? 

Then of course there are the religious fanatics who see every flood, hurricane, tornado or other natural disaster as the beginning of the end; Armageddon.  The Apocalypse.  Revelation in progress.  Convinced the end of the world is coming any minute,  most of these folks carry a toothbrush and are all ready for the "BIG" one.  They're just hanging around until the end, telling everyone else what to do (to kill time?) while they await Gabriels trumpets, Angel Michael, and the whole "Rapture" enchilada.  God speed and have a nice trip.

That leaves the rest of us, who actually believe in science and the reality of  not only global climate changes, but even weirder things like Magnetic Pole shifts, Quantum Mechanics and even Chaos Theory. Oh and let's not forget Evolution.  And you know what?  We're actually in the majority despite all the propaganda!  Even odder?  Many of us still believe in God (Really? Yes!).

Shock and Awe
America is in the midst of Culture Shock as well as climate change. 
We're at war.  And during war we've  gotten used to seeing dead bodies on TV news (since Vietnam).  But, that's still, "Over there." Them, all of a sudden we're seeing dead bodies on our own streets.  This is very different.  Seeing sick, starving, homeless people on our front steps is something a little harder to ignore.

I don't care what your party affiliation is (I'm certianly too picky to stick with one party over another),  but most of us, have crossed partisan lines and shared tears and prayers together while reaching for our wallets in recent weeks.  And that part was good! 
I don't know about you, but seeing human kindness sure gives me a shot of HOPE now and then. 

Meanwhile, these displaced people are going to need more than temporary shelter and a few crumbs of food very soon.  They'll need houses and jobs.  Schools for the kids.  And, we need to find a way to PAY for all the things we need to fix and supply, inlcuding the cleanup and building of a new infrastructure for at least three, maybe four cities across the Gulf Coast.
Those donations we all sent in to the Red Cross and the Salvation Army (among other charities) did some real good.  Evacuees got medical help, food, clothes and more.  Even pets were rescued.

But the rest of that cookie jar change is not going to be spent on rebuilding.  Not one dime of it.  If there is a surplus, it will stay with the charities for future use (as I am sure it will be needed after Rita).

Say What?
When I first heard that the Salvation Army  flew some evacuees out from Camp Edwards to other states to relocate and start new lives I was thrilled.  I was still in awe that "our" evacuees (Lifted off rooftops  and flown directly here),  already had kids in school, while other victims were STILL living in the Houston Astrodome! 

But then I heard what I hope is a rumor (anyone?). That the Salvation Army is expecting reimbursement from the MA for monies spent on airline tickets for these folks.   Say what?  State reimbursement?  What was all the money we gave them for? 

The Red Cross and the SA had told us to "Stop giving anything but money"  they had enough food and toys and clothing.  So we gave more money.  Lots of it.

And I am happy to say that the 209 evacuees here on Cape Cod were well fed, given new clothing (Used clothing was not even being accepted),  got a $200.00 gift card at Filenes, had a BBQ with the Governor while watching a football game on a giant screen and are now being recruited for jobs in the local area (those that want to stay).  But the ones that opted to leave?  The SA wants their money back?  Someone explain this to me please?  I am at a loss. Just how does this work?
                                                                                                         Someone Diddled While Rome Burned
As for the paybacks on a larger scale: Did you know that President Bush plans to pay for much of this Hurricane rebuilding by cutting the brand new Drug Bill that would have helped the needy, disabled and elderly with prescriptions?  Out of everything in the federal budget ... why pick that?   One aide lamely tried to explain that since it has not yet been put into action, it seemed the perfect bill to cut.

I guess the idea is we won't miss what we never had.  Right?  Or maybe the Administration just hopes all seniors and poor/sick people will die before they get a chance to vote, "Anything but Republican" in the next "Pick a President Pageant."

What about just cutting back the 5% tax cut Bush gave out as we went to war?  That tax cut make no sense to anyone other than the very wealthy people that paid for Bush's Presidency anyway.  And even a few of them might not even complain if it was rescinded after all this havoc.  Right (Someone, Anyone)?

As this country falls deeper and deeper into debt, and with no money left in the treasury,  old people, poor people and those on fixed incomes will just have to keep to choosing between medicine or food.

Now THAT is Darwinism, Mr. President.  Not Creationism or even Intelligent Design!  It is simply and scientifically called, "Survival of the Fittest."  So, I guess science is OK when you're making money and not hungry.

Let Them Eat Cake
President Bush, at an all time low in the polls, has been handed a chance to redeem himself, and yet still chooses to turn a blind eye to the long term needs of people. He instead chooses once more to stick his finger in the short term political dike called "cronyism."
Shame on you George!  But after hearing his mother Barbara's comments about the poor being in better shape at the Astrodome than they were back in the slums of New Orleans, somehow I am not so surprised anymore.

To think Barbara Bush once had the respect of not only our Nation, but the world makes me now cringe.  "Face Value," folks.  That's all it is.  "Face Value." 
It's OUR job to find the truths.

So what will our "Compassionate Conservative" cut next to pay his Federal bills?  School lunch programs for kids?  Day care centers?  How about some free clinics? There isn't much left in the public schools to take away...except maybe freedom of speech!
And all this, to make the GOP look good to the well heeled in 2008.

Fireside Chat?
The only people that will benefit from all the newly created jobs stemming from these terrible hurricanes (ironic isn't it? How tragedy creates jobs?), are political pals of the administration.  Four companies have already been chosen for the cleanup in New Orleans and Mississippi: Shaws, Fluor, Bechtel..and, everyone say it with me:  Halliburton!

And guess who Bush put in charge of this massive spending project? Can you say Rove?  As in Karl Rove.  The brand new Director and Architect of  the approximately $100 billion (and growing) reconstruction project for the Gulf states (Pre Hurricane Rita rates).

And the local people?  They're screwed.   Can someone tell me why the government cannot even pay people the "going rate" for jobs, yet can pay billions to the Fat Cats?  So much money being spent and promised and being "negotiated," that is has caused some some to say Bush is spending like Liberal!  Even Conservative right wing "elder" and  professional TV guest, Pat Buchanan, told Keith Olbermann on MSNBC that, "He (Bush) spends lavishly," adding this could cause a battle over spending in the Republican party that, "Could make 'Oil for Food' look like shoplifting."  Hmmmm...

I say again, as I did last week: Toss all these corporate crooks out  and bring back a Franklin Roosevelt type of WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION (WPA) program (OK call me names again).

Hire anyone who wants to work.  Give them a shovel, some food, a trailer and let them build their own city back with nice BIG donations and advisers from...the BIG four contractors (who got this project, as usual, without bidding for it). 

Heck, I'll even contribute to a WPA program.  Put it on my next tax form:  "Check this box if you want to donate $10, $20, $50, or more...to the new WPA program to rebuild the Gulf Coast without big corporations making money on the backs of poor people."

Of course, I would also like to know who would be handling all that money (Like NOT Arthur Anderson).  I mean this could be a great thing.  It should not be turned into a PORK roast at a Kosher BBQ!                                                  

People Are Talking 
Forget all of the above.  An NBC poll this week said that the National deficit ranks at the BOTTOM of the barrel to voters who are much more concerned with keeping tax cuts, keeping God in the Pledge of Allegiance, keeping Gays from marrying and keeping women from having abortions.  OK.  Let's all go home. Come on folks.  Don't you get the Tax Cut Game yet?   They screw you every time ... and you yell, "More."  Hey, This is Rape!  You should be yelling "NO!"

Haven't you noticed that every time the Republicans give us a little tax cut...everything else always costs more right after?  Think about it.  For instance, if the tax cut is 5%,  food somehow sneaks up about 10%.  Gas goes up 20%., etc., etc., etc. It never fails.  Never mind your gasoline, have you checked the price of milk lately? How about the price of water?  How about a nice steak from Stop and Shop?

It didn't work when Reagan tried it (although his mirrors were shinier) and it does not work now.  Republicans give tax cuts, then run up deficits, then bow out and leave the mess to the Democrats, who then get blamed for inflation. This is not new. It's older than the horseless carriage!