debit where due

[jrtom]

Bloomberg.com: Bush Says Katrina Exposed `Serious Flaws' in U.S. Capabilities

"To the extent that the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility."

In other news, Satan, the Lord and Master of Hell, placed an order for 3.6 billion pairs of ice skates in various sizes.

(Seriously, I appreciate the fact that he made even this conditional statement of responsibility...it's the first--for a problem--that he's made that I can recall. I'd appreciate it more if I didn't feel that it was done purely as a strategic move.)

Comments

[ewin.livejournal.com]

I'd appreciate it more if I didn't feel that it was done purely as a strategic move.

You would prefer if politicians didn't behave politically? ;)

[jrtom.livejournal.com]

I expect a certain amount of maneuvering on the part of politicians when it comes to their mistakes. In this case, though, this statement is coming from the president who _couldn't think of a single mistake he'd made_ in reference to Iraq. I'm fairly sure that his conditional admission of responsibility was made simply because his poll numbers have tanked and he's trying desperately to improve his image, not because he thinks that there's really anything wrong with anything that he did (or failed to do). (That is: I'm sure that he thinks it's a shame that people have been killed and property destroyed. But I doubt that he honestly thinks that any of the decisions that he made that have arguably severely exacerbated the situation were the wrong decisions to have made.)

Moore letter

[fdmts.livejournal.com]

I read this on Michael Moore's website last night. It sort of resonates with what you just said:

I really want to know -- and I ask you this in all sincerity and with all due respect -- how do you feel about the utter contempt Mr. Bush has shown for your safety? C'mon, give me just a moment of honesty. Don't start ranting on about how this disaster in New Orleans was the fault of one of the poorest cities in America. Put aside your hatred of Democrats and liberals and anyone with the last name of Clinton. Just look me in the eye and tell me our President did the right thing after 9/11 by naming a horse show runner as the top man to protect us in case of an emergency or catastrophe.