Progressive Minds

"It's a time to remember that people suffered and it's a time to recommit ourselves to helping them. But I also want people to remember that a one-year anniversary is just that, because it's going to require a long time to help these people rebuild."

- George W. Bush, on next week's one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the worst natural disasters to hit U.S. soil.


Ok...the first thing that stood out at me like a sore thumb: he says "people suffered." People didn't just "suffer." People DIED, for crying out loud. People lost their lives.

Second thing: "a one year anniversary is just that..." I find that utterly dismissive and flippant. Would he say that if he were referring to the anniversary of 9/11?  George W. Bush has said almost ad nauseum that we must never forget 9/11.  And I agree with him wholeheartedly.  And you can be certain that this White House will continue to exploit the nearly 3,000 people who died on 9/11 for their political advantage.

Yet, to him, 1,695 dead people from a hurricane is nothing.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060823/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_katrina