Friday, September 30, 2005
NBA Live 2006...
A videogame review, simply put the best basketball game I have seen to date. I can't even explain it, it is so worth the $50 (more like $53 when you throw in taxes, stupid minnesota government...) you will have to put down to purchase the game. In the next few days I might do a review of the slipknot album or the new computer game I'm playing. I will do some hard news also today. The game gets a 10/10
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Tom Delay indicted
Big deal right? Actually not as big of a deal as you would think, let's look at the dictionary.com
in·dict( P ) Pronunciation Key(n-dt)
tr.v. in·dict·ed, in·dict·ing, in·dicts
To accuse of wrongdoing; charge: a book that indicts modern values.
Law. To make a formal accusation or indictment against (a party) by the findings of a jury, especially a grand jury.
The way the media is using the word you would think he has been convicted, there hasn't even been a TRIAL yet people. Once again, Liberalism is a mental disorder.
in·dict( P ) Pronunciation Key(n-dt)
tr.v. in·dict·ed, in·dict·ing, in·dicts
To accuse of wrongdoing; charge: a book that indicts modern values.
Law. To make a formal accusation or indictment against (a party) by the findings of a jury, especially a grand jury.
The way the media is using the word you would think he has been convicted, there hasn't even been a TRIAL yet people. Once again, Liberalism is a mental disorder.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
New Product plug...
Mountain Dew came out with a new flavor, Pitch Black II (apparently the first one was a bust ;)} anyway its acutally pretty good. Let it sit out awhile and I think it will turn into wine. Life has been busy, I will be back posting multiple times daily very soon.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Friday, September 09, 2005
folks...
It's over for the liberal media, I was just watching tv and viewing the ads I thought it was Fox News, it was MTV. When MTV has drifted right it is so over for the dems. You can watch CNN now but it will be just to laugh at them.
Vikings experts picks...
Vikings are 7:1 to win the Superbowl according to Vegas, I have been right about the Pats all 3 times and Detroit over LA in 2004, just ask my friends. It's time I start making some $$$ of my knowledge (and you can too).
NBC getting killed...
found this on Newsmax.com
Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005 10:44 a.m. EDT
NBC's Viewership Plummets 39 Percent
It’s been a summer of discontent at NBC. The network’s viewership has plummeted a whopping 39 percent compared to last summer.
Final numbers for the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day show that the six broadcast networks suffered a 13 percent decline in viewership.
Even when last summer’s high-rated Olympics and other sports were excluded, the networks saw a five percent dip.
At CBS, the drop was eight percent, while WB had a 14 percent decline and UPN was down one percent compared to last summer.
Only ABC, with a rise of eight percent, and Fox (seven percent) saw increases in viewership.
Overall viewership usually drops about 15 percent in the summer rerun season, but this year the big networks lost about 40 percent of their regular season audiences, USA Today reports.
Many of the viewers abandoning the big broadcast networks are evidently turning to cable stations, which are stepping up their production of original programming.
TNT, with original shows "The Closer,” "Wanted” and "Into the West,” saw a 17 percent rise over last summer; and MTV ("Laguna Beach” and "The Real World”) was up ten percent.
A chief culprit in the broadcast networks’ decline was a disappointing slate of new reality shows, according to USA Today.
Said Starcom Media analyst Laura Caraccioli-Davis: "They just kind of missed the mark when it came to viewers’ appetites” for reality shows.
Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005 10:44 a.m. EDT
NBC's Viewership Plummets 39 Percent
It’s been a summer of discontent at NBC. The network’s viewership has plummeted a whopping 39 percent compared to last summer.
Final numbers for the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day show that the six broadcast networks suffered a 13 percent decline in viewership.
Even when last summer’s high-rated Olympics and other sports were excluded, the networks saw a five percent dip.
At CBS, the drop was eight percent, while WB had a 14 percent decline and UPN was down one percent compared to last summer.
Only ABC, with a rise of eight percent, and Fox (seven percent) saw increases in viewership.
Overall viewership usually drops about 15 percent in the summer rerun season, but this year the big networks lost about 40 percent of their regular season audiences, USA Today reports.
Many of the viewers abandoning the big broadcast networks are evidently turning to cable stations, which are stepping up their production of original programming.
TNT, with original shows "The Closer,” "Wanted” and "Into the West,” saw a 17 percent rise over last summer; and MTV ("Laguna Beach” and "The Real World”) was up ten percent.
A chief culprit in the broadcast networks’ decline was a disappointing slate of new reality shows, according to USA Today.
Said Starcom Media analyst Laura Caraccioli-Davis: "They just kind of missed the mark when it came to viewers’ appetites” for reality shows.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
idea...
Ok next monday or tuesday I will be heading up to Camp Ripley with supplies, anyone reading this and knows where Edina is we can organize at Benilde-St.Margarets at a time TBD. Any BSM students reading this ask your parents if there is stuff just lying around the house that you don't really need. If there is I will not force but only suggest that you donate it. The kindness of the American people knows no limits.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
How can you be like me...
your probably reading this saying how the hell does a 19 year old know this much, it's quite simple actually, I use technology. Here are my favorites of each medium...
TV Stations
Fox News
MSNBC
CNBC
Fox
Comedy Central
Cartoon Network
History Channel
Fox Sports Net
ESPN
ESPN2
Shows
Too Late with Adam Carolla (10:30 pm CST Comedy Central)
24 (coming back to fox in winter 2005)
House (starts up in 2 weeks)
South Park (just watch Comedy central)
anything on Fox News and CNBC
Tucker Carlson (on MSNBC 9 pm CST weeknights)
Simpsons (#1 for 15 years, now #3-4)
Futurama (they should have been more)
Family Guy (Best show on TV)
American Dad (second best show on tv)
more but I can't think anything else for now
Newspaper
Pioneer Press (pioneerpress.com, I think)
One paper is enough
websites
illwillpress.com (guy is exactly like me)
cnn.com (my homepage)
foxnews.com (enough said)
realclearpolitics.com
newsmax.com
espn.com
sports.yahoo
Radio shows
93X half-assed morning show
Any show on KFAN (KFAN.com or 1130am in the MSP area)
Michael Savage
Hugh Hewitt
Dennis Prager
Loveline with Adam Carolla and Dr.Drew (check local radio stations)
Coast to Coast AM (1500am for MSP area, coasttocoastam.com)
If there's anything out there that I missed and you think I would like please let me know. New media rocks. I know that sounds like a lot of stuff that I do, but I have a life and friends. Follow this and you will become conservative, period.
TV Stations
Fox News
MSNBC
CNBC
Fox
Comedy Central
Cartoon Network
History Channel
Fox Sports Net
ESPN
ESPN2
Shows
Too Late with Adam Carolla (10:30 pm CST Comedy Central)
24 (coming back to fox in winter 2005)
House (starts up in 2 weeks)
South Park (just watch Comedy central)
anything on Fox News and CNBC
Tucker Carlson (on MSNBC 9 pm CST weeknights)
Simpsons (#1 for 15 years, now #3-4)
Futurama (they should have been more)
Family Guy (Best show on TV)
American Dad (second best show on tv)
more but I can't think anything else for now
Newspaper
Pioneer Press (pioneerpress.com, I think)
One paper is enough
websites
illwillpress.com (guy is exactly like me)
cnn.com (my homepage)
foxnews.com (enough said)
realclearpolitics.com
newsmax.com
espn.com
sports.yahoo
Radio shows
93X half-assed morning show
Any show on KFAN (KFAN.com or 1130am in the MSP area)
Michael Savage
Hugh Hewitt
Dennis Prager
Loveline with Adam Carolla and Dr.Drew (check local radio stations)
Coast to Coast AM (1500am for MSP area, coasttocoastam.com)
If there's anything out there that I missed and you think I would like please let me know. New media rocks. I know that sounds like a lot of stuff that I do, but I have a life and friends. Follow this and you will become conservative, period.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Economy is doing great!
Ok for thosse of you who don't know the Dow is up around 140 today and oil is below $66 a barrel. Where is the mainstream media? Calling CNN, CBS, NBC, hello stop trying to impeach Bush and report THE NEWS!
Monday, September 05, 2005
One last thing...
How many of the refugees are going to blue states and how many are going to red states? Just something to think about people!
I was right...
Pulled off Fox News earlier today...
New Orleans Mayor: Could be 10,000 dead in city
Some hurricane victims allowed to go home to salvage property; Bush tours Gulf Coast again
just scroll down a little...
Sunday, August 28, 2005
I know this is very grim...
but here are my projected Katrina death tolls for New Orleans. I am doing this to only compare where my guesses are to what actually happens.
Best-Case Scenario (misses NO)- 1,500-2,000
Medium Case Scenario (grazes NO)- 5,000-15,000
Worst-Case Scenario (direct hit)- 50,000-75,000
100,000 people are trapped there, please pray for them and for a miracle.
I don't want to celebrate 10,000 people dead but um, I predicted this and am comparing them to what is happening, boy I wish this was another one of my wrong predictions.
New Orleans Mayor: Could be 10,000 dead in city
Some hurricane victims allowed to go home to salvage property; Bush tours Gulf Coast again
just scroll down a little...
Sunday, August 28, 2005
I know this is very grim...
but here are my projected Katrina death tolls for New Orleans. I am doing this to only compare where my guesses are to what actually happens.
Best-Case Scenario (misses NO)- 1,500-2,000
Medium Case Scenario (grazes NO)- 5,000-15,000
Worst-Case Scenario (direct hit)- 50,000-75,000
100,000 people are trapped there, please pray for them and for a miracle.
I don't want to celebrate 10,000 people dead but um, I predicted this and am comparing them to what is happening, boy I wish this was another one of my wrong predictions.
We must defend ourselves!
A New Low for the MSM?
The mainstream media's handling of Hurricane Katrina and the disasters in New Orleans is a disgrace, possibly the worst instance yet of media bias. Insane claims by left-wing nuts that President Bush botched the recovery effort on purpose so as to kill black people are repeated by the MSM in a chin-stroking mode, as if to say, "It's an interesting question--they might be on to something." Meanwhile, no one points out that it was President Bush who implored Governor Blanco to issue a first-ever mandatory evacuation order for the city, an action by the President that probably saved tens of thousands of lives.
Similarly, the media yammmer on and on about the allegedly slow federal response to the hurricane, without noting that the Governor of Louisiana has the power to call out the National Guard. Accusations that lawlessness and looting in New Orleans are somehow the federal government's fault are repeated endlessly; hardly anyone bothers to criticize the looters and other criminals themselves. And where is the outrage that should be directed toward the New Orleans Police Department? They were the authorities on the scene, and they, under the direction of the city's Mayor--who had an emergency plan in place, but apparently made no attempt to implement it--had the responsibility to maintain law and order. Yet some policemen reportedly joined in the looting, while a great many others turned tail and abandoned their responsibilities.
But it's hard to defend the administration when the administration won't defend itself. Yesterday Homeland Security head Michael Chertoff declared that the feds are now in control of New Orleans, but refused to defend the government's performance so far:
Chertoff defended the job of FEMA Director Michael Brown and declined to get into a discussion about whether the government moved quickly and forcefully enough to deal with the catastrophe. He shrugged off suggestions that the demand for National Guard troops in Iraq had depleted the numbers available to respond to the crisis.
"I think when we go back and look at it lot of things worked well and some things didn't work well," he said.
That simply isn't good enough. I understand the administration's problem: it's hard to mount a defense without pointing out the scandalous performance of the state and local authorities who were responsible for emergency preparation and for the initial response to the hurricane. But if the administration thinks it can ride out the current news cycle as it has passively ridden out so many news cycles in the past, it's crazy. As Chertoff himself said yesterday:
We need to prepare the country for what's coming ... we are going to uncover people who died hiding in the houses, maybe got caught in floods, it is going to be as ugly a scene as you can imagine.
Yes, that's right. And each new horror, and each painful step in the reconstruction of New Orleans over the years to come, will be the occasion for more Bush-bashing. This story is never going to die a natural death, and it is probably too late already for the administration to combat the media-driven impression that the disaster is somehow its fault.
I've often criticized the administration for not responding forcefully enough to unfair attacks by the far left and the media--often, for not responding at all. But this time the administration's habit of quietly riding out the storm could have incalculable costs.
I'm parting company here with two people whose judgment I respect. Michelle Malkin has recommended that President Bush fire FEMA head Michael Brown. Brown is, apparently, a political appointee with few qualifications for the job beyond general competence and management skill. This is hardly unusual in Washington; the conventional assumption is that staff who report to the head of an agency furnish the necessary expertise. As seems to have happened; FEMA's response to hurricanes last year was widely praised. In any event, whatever the wisdom of Brown's appointment in hindsight, firing him now would be an admission that FEMA performed poorly in the current crisis--an assertion that is constantly repeated, but for which I have seen, at this point, little hard evidence. There will be time enough for sorting out, in a rational environment, the pros and cons of FEMA's efforts; firing Brown now would accomplish nothing but to uselessly fan the flames of hysteria.
Hugh Hewitt, meanwhile, has advised conservatives to "turn the other cheek" in reaction to unfair criticism from the left. Among other reasons, he believes that the American people will react negatively to the left's maniacal, over-the-top attacks. Hugh thinks the current vile assault on the administration could be another Wellstone funeral moment. I think he's wrong; the MSM, in full support-the-Democrats mode, is daily making respectable even the wackiest attacks on the administration. Of course, I'm not by nature a cheek-turning sort, but I think that has too often been the administration's approach. This time, it could be fatal.
Meanwhile, the insanity continues. The Democrats know that in order to defend itself against their onslaught, the administration will have to criticize the people who really bungled the job--the Governor of Louisiana, the Mayor of New Orleans, and other local officials. So, earlier this morning Senator Mary Landrieu threatened President Bush with violence if he does any such thing:
Louisiana Democrat Sen. Mary Landrieu threatened President Bush with physical violence this morning on ABC's Sunday morning news program "This Week". "If one person criticizes our sheriffs, or says one more thing, including the President of the United States, he will hear from me - one more word about it after this show airs and I - I might likely have to punch him - literally," says Landrieu.
For the first time, the Democrats and their allies in the MSM (to the extent one draws the distinction) believe that they have the administration on the run, in a way that could destroy President Bush. Destroying the President is the goal they have pursued passionately since January 2001. In that regard, nothing has changed in 4 1/2 years. The administration, it seems to me, has two choices: defend itself, or suffer crippling damage from which it likely will never recover.
Thanks John, great article, http://www.powerline.com if your interested. What he says is true, we cannot lay down! We must defend Bush from the insane attacks that the MSM is putting on him. Either we do that or risk his possible impeachment. Remember Clinton? This could be so much worse because 10,000 people could be dead. People listen to the critcisms of the MSM, but don't take them as FACT.
The mainstream media's handling of Hurricane Katrina and the disasters in New Orleans is a disgrace, possibly the worst instance yet of media bias. Insane claims by left-wing nuts that President Bush botched the recovery effort on purpose so as to kill black people are repeated by the MSM in a chin-stroking mode, as if to say, "It's an interesting question--they might be on to something." Meanwhile, no one points out that it was President Bush who implored Governor Blanco to issue a first-ever mandatory evacuation order for the city, an action by the President that probably saved tens of thousands of lives.
Similarly, the media yammmer on and on about the allegedly slow federal response to the hurricane, without noting that the Governor of Louisiana has the power to call out the National Guard. Accusations that lawlessness and looting in New Orleans are somehow the federal government's fault are repeated endlessly; hardly anyone bothers to criticize the looters and other criminals themselves. And where is the outrage that should be directed toward the New Orleans Police Department? They were the authorities on the scene, and they, under the direction of the city's Mayor--who had an emergency plan in place, but apparently made no attempt to implement it--had the responsibility to maintain law and order. Yet some policemen reportedly joined in the looting, while a great many others turned tail and abandoned their responsibilities.
But it's hard to defend the administration when the administration won't defend itself. Yesterday Homeland Security head Michael Chertoff declared that the feds are now in control of New Orleans, but refused to defend the government's performance so far:
Chertoff defended the job of FEMA Director Michael Brown and declined to get into a discussion about whether the government moved quickly and forcefully enough to deal with the catastrophe. He shrugged off suggestions that the demand for National Guard troops in Iraq had depleted the numbers available to respond to the crisis.
"I think when we go back and look at it lot of things worked well and some things didn't work well," he said.
That simply isn't good enough. I understand the administration's problem: it's hard to mount a defense without pointing out the scandalous performance of the state and local authorities who were responsible for emergency preparation and for the initial response to the hurricane. But if the administration thinks it can ride out the current news cycle as it has passively ridden out so many news cycles in the past, it's crazy. As Chertoff himself said yesterday:
We need to prepare the country for what's coming ... we are going to uncover people who died hiding in the houses, maybe got caught in floods, it is going to be as ugly a scene as you can imagine.
Yes, that's right. And each new horror, and each painful step in the reconstruction of New Orleans over the years to come, will be the occasion for more Bush-bashing. This story is never going to die a natural death, and it is probably too late already for the administration to combat the media-driven impression that the disaster is somehow its fault.
I've often criticized the administration for not responding forcefully enough to unfair attacks by the far left and the media--often, for not responding at all. But this time the administration's habit of quietly riding out the storm could have incalculable costs.
I'm parting company here with two people whose judgment I respect. Michelle Malkin has recommended that President Bush fire FEMA head Michael Brown. Brown is, apparently, a political appointee with few qualifications for the job beyond general competence and management skill. This is hardly unusual in Washington; the conventional assumption is that staff who report to the head of an agency furnish the necessary expertise. As seems to have happened; FEMA's response to hurricanes last year was widely praised. In any event, whatever the wisdom of Brown's appointment in hindsight, firing him now would be an admission that FEMA performed poorly in the current crisis--an assertion that is constantly repeated, but for which I have seen, at this point, little hard evidence. There will be time enough for sorting out, in a rational environment, the pros and cons of FEMA's efforts; firing Brown now would accomplish nothing but to uselessly fan the flames of hysteria.
Hugh Hewitt, meanwhile, has advised conservatives to "turn the other cheek" in reaction to unfair criticism from the left. Among other reasons, he believes that the American people will react negatively to the left's maniacal, over-the-top attacks. Hugh thinks the current vile assault on the administration could be another Wellstone funeral moment. I think he's wrong; the MSM, in full support-the-Democrats mode, is daily making respectable even the wackiest attacks on the administration. Of course, I'm not by nature a cheek-turning sort, but I think that has too often been the administration's approach. This time, it could be fatal.
Meanwhile, the insanity continues. The Democrats know that in order to defend itself against their onslaught, the administration will have to criticize the people who really bungled the job--the Governor of Louisiana, the Mayor of New Orleans, and other local officials. So, earlier this morning Senator Mary Landrieu threatened President Bush with violence if he does any such thing:
Louisiana Democrat Sen. Mary Landrieu threatened President Bush with physical violence this morning on ABC's Sunday morning news program "This Week". "If one person criticizes our sheriffs, or says one more thing, including the President of the United States, he will hear from me - one more word about it after this show airs and I - I might likely have to punch him - literally," says Landrieu.
For the first time, the Democrats and their allies in the MSM (to the extent one draws the distinction) believe that they have the administration on the run, in a way that could destroy President Bush. Destroying the President is the goal they have pursued passionately since January 2001. In that regard, nothing has changed in 4 1/2 years. The administration, it seems to me, has two choices: defend itself, or suffer crippling damage from which it likely will never recover.
Thanks John, great article, http://www.powerline.com if your interested. What he says is true, we cannot lay down! We must defend Bush from the insane attacks that the MSM is putting on him. Either we do that or risk his possible impeachment. Remember Clinton? This could be so much worse because 10,000 people could be dead. People listen to the critcisms of the MSM, but don't take them as FACT.
found on CNN.com...
Well, this really gives me hope
President also scheduled to stop in Mississippi
Monday, September 5, 2005; Posted: 1:24 p.m. EDT (17:24 GMT)
President Bush sits Monday with Ailisa Eugene and Frank Jack, of Metairie, at a shelter in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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."
Bush praised the volunteers and churches who have been working to take care of storm refugees. "The response of the country has been amazing," he said.
Bush spent about an hour at the shelter, which was visited at the same time by Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco. Like estranged in-laws at a holiday gathering, the Republican president and Democratic governor -- each facing criticism for a slow response to the disaster -- kept their distance as they walked around talking to people.
"All levels of the government are doing the best they can," Bush told reporters. "So long as any life is in danger, we've got work to do," he said.
"Where it's not going right," he promised, "we're going to make it right."
Bush hasn't gone a day without a public event devoted to the storm and its aftermath. But none of those trips so far -- nor appearances by several Cabinet members in the region -- has quieted complaints that Washington's response to the disaster has been sluggish.
Aaron Broussard, president of Jefferson Parish, just south of New Orleans, broke down on NBC's "Meet the Press" when he talked about people who waited for help.
"They were told like me, every single day, the cavalry's coming, on a federal level. The cavalry's coming, the cavalry's coming, the cavalry's coming. I have just begun to hear the hoofs of the cavalry ..." Broussard said.
"They've had press conferences -- I'm sick of the press conferences. For God's sakes, shut up and send us somebody."
It was Bush's third inspection tour, the second by ground. Last week, he had his pilot lower Air Force One, the presidential jet, to an altitude of about 2,500 feet as he flew over the area. Last Friday, he walked a neighborhood in Biloxi on Mississippi's coast and stopped at the airport and a breached levee in New Orleans.
Baton Rouge, about 80 miles northwest of New Orleans, largely escaped damage. Its population, however, has swelled dramatically with displaced people and is experiencing clogged roads and supply shortages.
Poplarville, where Bush was to meet with state and local officials at the Pearl River Community College, is about 45 miles inland. But the area was in the path of Katrina's eye and devastation in the town and surrounding rural areas was enormous.
"The world saw this tidal wave of disaster descend upon the Gulf Coast," Bush said Sunday during a visit to the Red Cross disaster operations center in Washington, where he urged Americans to donate money, time and blood to the relief effort. "Now they're going to see a tidal wave of compassion."
In Houston earlier Monday, former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton announced a nationwide fundraising campaign to help the hurricane victims. Teaming up again after working for tsunami relief earlier this year, they said that the new Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund will send proceeds to governors in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama to help with disaster relief. (Full story) (Watch former President George H.W. Bush announce creation of the fund -- 6:53)
Federal officials, meanwhile, confirmed the local officials' worst fears and agreed the death toll will skyrocket. "I think it's evident it's in the thousands," said Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt.
The Red Cross said that by Monday morning, 75,000 names were on its "family links registry" for disaster victims and their relatives. Victims go on the list when they are registered at shelters.
Red Cross spokeswoman Tracy Gary said the relief agency was caring for 135,000 survivors across 14 states. At least 470 shelters were operating by Monday and Red Cross chapters across the country were alerted to find additional locations as victims are sent out of the Gulf Coast.
More than 5,000 Red Cross volunteers made their way to the disaster areas any way they could get there, joining thousands of volunteers from the affected areas. The agency has raised more than $400 million so far.
Bush has come under fire for waiting until two days after Katrina hit -- and a day after levee breaks drowned New Orleans -- to return to Washington from his August break in Texas to oversee the federal response.
It ended up taking several days for food and water to reach the tens of thousands of desperate New Orleans residents who took shelter in the increasingly squalid and deadly Superdome and city convention center. Outlying areas, though receiving less nationwide attention, suffered some of the same problems.
Officials are now reporting some progress, and some new worries.
The leader of the air component of the military's task force said rescuers have plucked tens of thousands of terrified residents in readily visible locations, but is just starting on a door-to-door search that will take weeks, if not months.
Hundreds of federal health officers and nearly 100 tons of medical supplies were on their way to the Gulf Coast to try to head off disease outbreaks, feared because of the hot weather, mosquitos and standing water holding human waste, corpses and other contaminants.
President also scheduled to stop in Mississippi
Monday, September 5, 2005; Posted: 1:24 p.m. EDT (17:24 GMT)
President Bush sits Monday with Ailisa Eugene and Frank Jack, of Metairie, at a shelter in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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."
Bush praised the volunteers and churches who have been working to take care of storm refugees. "The response of the country has been amazing," he said.
Bush spent about an hour at the shelter, which was visited at the same time by Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco. Like estranged in-laws at a holiday gathering, the Republican president and Democratic governor -- each facing criticism for a slow response to the disaster -- kept their distance as they walked around talking to people.
"All levels of the government are doing the best they can," Bush told reporters. "So long as any life is in danger, we've got work to do," he said.
"Where it's not going right," he promised, "we're going to make it right."
Bush hasn't gone a day without a public event devoted to the storm and its aftermath. But none of those trips so far -- nor appearances by several Cabinet members in the region -- has quieted complaints that Washington's response to the disaster has been sluggish.
Aaron Broussard, president of Jefferson Parish, just south of New Orleans, broke down on NBC's "Meet the Press" when he talked about people who waited for help.
"They were told like me, every single day, the cavalry's coming, on a federal level. The cavalry's coming, the cavalry's coming, the cavalry's coming. I have just begun to hear the hoofs of the cavalry ..." Broussard said.
"They've had press conferences -- I'm sick of the press conferences. For God's sakes, shut up and send us somebody."
It was Bush's third inspection tour, the second by ground. Last week, he had his pilot lower Air Force One, the presidential jet, to an altitude of about 2,500 feet as he flew over the area. Last Friday, he walked a neighborhood in Biloxi on Mississippi's coast and stopped at the airport and a breached levee in New Orleans.
Baton Rouge, about 80 miles northwest of New Orleans, largely escaped damage. Its population, however, has swelled dramatically with displaced people and is experiencing clogged roads and supply shortages.
Poplarville, where Bush was to meet with state and local officials at the Pearl River Community College, is about 45 miles inland. But the area was in the path of Katrina's eye and devastation in the town and surrounding rural areas was enormous.
"The world saw this tidal wave of disaster descend upon the Gulf Coast," Bush said Sunday during a visit to the Red Cross disaster operations center in Washington, where he urged Americans to donate money, time and blood to the relief effort. "Now they're going to see a tidal wave of compassion."
In Houston earlier Monday, former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton announced a nationwide fundraising campaign to help the hurricane victims. Teaming up again after working for tsunami relief earlier this year, they said that the new Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund will send proceeds to governors in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama to help with disaster relief. (Full story) (Watch former President George H.W. Bush announce creation of the fund -- 6:53)
Federal officials, meanwhile, confirmed the local officials' worst fears and agreed the death toll will skyrocket. "I think it's evident it's in the thousands," said Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt.
The Red Cross said that by Monday morning, 75,000 names were on its "family links registry" for disaster victims and their relatives. Victims go on the list when they are registered at shelters.
Red Cross spokeswoman Tracy Gary said the relief agency was caring for 135,000 survivors across 14 states. At least 470 shelters were operating by Monday and Red Cross chapters across the country were alerted to find additional locations as victims are sent out of the Gulf Coast.
More than 5,000 Red Cross volunteers made their way to the disaster areas any way they could get there, joining thousands of volunteers from the affected areas. The agency has raised more than $400 million so far.
Bush has come under fire for waiting until two days after Katrina hit -- and a day after levee breaks drowned New Orleans -- to return to Washington from his August break in Texas to oversee the federal response.
It ended up taking several days for food and water to reach the tens of thousands of desperate New Orleans residents who took shelter in the increasingly squalid and deadly Superdome and city convention center. Outlying areas, though receiving less nationwide attention, suffered some of the same problems.
Officials are now reporting some progress, and some new worries.
The leader of the air component of the military's task force said rescuers have plucked tens of thousands of terrified residents in readily visible locations, but is just starting on a door-to-door search that will take weeks, if not months.
Hundreds of federal health officers and nearly 100 tons of medical supplies were on their way to the Gulf Coast to try to head off disease outbreaks, feared because of the hot weather, mosquitos and standing water holding human waste, corpses and other contaminants.
Rehquist died...
I'll report more on this when this is the most important story in the news, for now I'm keeping track of how Katrina victims are being helped for the next 1-2 weeks.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Tracy, you were right...
Oh well, I really thought that most liberals would be able to put down their differences to help out victims. The "liberal blogosphere" is donating to the Red Cross and for that I thank them, but I strongly urge all of you to go and see the hatred that they still have. I will not criticize them, I just want them to be viewed by the american public so that everyone can see how much hatred they still have for Bush despite everything that has happened. I am so sad for the anti-bush democrats I could cry...
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