(no subject)

[vicarz]

President George W. Bush chose unqualified political supporters rather than disaster experts to head the agency leading the relief effort. FEMA director Michael Brown...Time magazine reported that his official biography released by the White House at the time of his nomination exaggerated his experience in disaster relief. Brown was a friend of former Bush campaign director Joe Allbaugh, the previous FEMA head. Brown had also headed an Arabian horse association. Last week, as criticism of his response to the disaster swelled, Bush gave him a public vote of confidence, saying, "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job."
Editor's note, this may be the first time Bush complimented a "Brownie."

Bush also issued an executive order on Thursday allowing federal contractors rebuilding in the aftermath of the hurricane to pay below the prevailing wage...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050909/ts_nm/katrina_dc

Comments

[reverend-heresy.livejournal.com]

i read in the Boston Herald that didn't head the Arabian Horse Association, he was Chair of Judges or something like that. he worked for them for 11 years and was asked to resign because he was responsible for too many lawsuits back in 2000. he got the job with Allbaugh left in 01. crazy huh? it said he had already handled 164 "disasters" but it's an exaggeration. there was one wild fire he counted like 4 times because it had spread to 4 different states. what a friggin' joke.

seems any yutz can get a cooshy government job if they help the establishment.

[eac.livejournal.com]

It does make you wonder why we're all standing around working and trying to be competent, doesn't it?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_blackjack_/]

Because we don't come from wealthy families with connections?

[eac.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm sure that's ONE factor, yes....

[http://users.livejournal.com/_blackjack_/]

Because, y'see, when Republicans talk about "personal responsibilty", it only applies to poor people. It's perfectly OK for rich people to get things they haven't worked for...

[vicar.livejournal.com]

but they have worked for it! Haven't you ever heard of heritage? Some people just deserve more than than others - it's not their fault if they are born with certain traits!

[anarcha.livejournal.com]

THe most thorough discussion I've found of the whole thing is here: http://chronicleforums.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/5566064631/m/309205337

[collib.livejournal.com]

In case anyone is wondering what happened to old Joe Allbaugh, he is busy in Louisiana digging up government recovery contracts for his clients.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/07/AR2005090702385.html

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Oh Touché! My kingdom for a pillow to weep in...my dollars that were almost finally diverted to the poor have again plowed back upstream to the pockets of ye who have plenty. Sigh.