Andrew Sullivan with a largely unantagonistic and thoughtful analysis of the political fallout now facing George Bush in the wake of what looks like the US’s greatest national disaster for over a century. Incompetence is the central charge that is likely to stick, particular in the light of Bush’s claim early on that no one could have predicted the scale of the disaster. As Sullivan says, “read this prophetic passage and weep”:
NOTE: First polls are not sharing the anti Bush sentiment of the commentators. Hat tip Kausfiles.
“The New Orleans hurricane scenario may be the deadliest of all. In the face of an approaching storm, scientists say, the citys less-than-adequate evacuation routes would strand 250,000 people or more, and probably kill one of 10 left behind as the city drowned under 20ft of water.
“Thousands of refugees could land in Houston. Economically, the toll would be shattering . . . If an Allison-type storm were to strike New Orleans, or a category three storm or greater with at least 111mph winds, the results would be cataclysmic, New Orleans planners said.”
More on the Daily Dish on a fairly brutish political game of Blaming the Locals.
PS: Check out the CNN page recording the reactions of all the major players. PPS: It seems the eventual evacuation is all but complete. And John has loads on the specific chains of command issues.
A general account used for the daily threads and other things.
Discover more from Slugger O'Toole
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
