It's a sad commentary on life in America under George W. Bush, that the United Nations has to school the United States government about caring for the poor and disadvantaged in the aftermath of disasters.

Today, a United Nations human rights panel said that the United States needs to step up to the plate, when it comes to protecting the poor and minority (particularly African-American) populations during the next disaster, in order to avoid the problems experienced after Hurricane Katrina.

The report notes that poor and Black Americans were especially affected by Hurricane Katrina, and urged the U.S. government to work harder to ensure their rights are taken into consideration, in terms of reconstruction (i.e. housing, education, health care).

This is a report that should not even be necessary.  There was a time when the rest of the world body looked to the U.S. for leadership on issues of human rights and the poor, etc.  Not anymore.   I guess George Bush wasn't really joking when he told a wealthy crowd one time: "This is an impressive crowd.  The haves and the have mores.  Some people call you the elite. I call you my base."

U.N. body rebukes U.S. over Katrina response

Says reaction shows U.S. needs to ensure rights of poor, blacks in disasters