ACCOUNTABILITY begins at home
Paul Krugman in today's NY Times:
"At a fundamental level, I'd argue, our current leaders just aren't serious about some of the essential functions of government. They like waging war, but they don't like providing security, rescuing those in need or spending on preventive measures. And they never, ever ask for shared sacrifice.
Yesterday Mr. Bush made an utterly fantastic claim: that nobody expected the breach of the levees. In fact, there had been repeated warnings about exactly that risk.
So America, once famous for its can-do attitude, now has a can't-do government that makes excuses instead of doing its job. And while it makes those excuses, Americans are dying."
Article here.
We can't forget this next year. These people must be held accountable. This is the administration that we reelected because they were supposed to keep us SAFE???
posted by Noisette @ 11:55 AM
20 comments
20 Comments:
Accountability does begin at home, noisette. Instead of tearing down, why not build. As much as you hate Stephanie Klein, Why wouldn't you put that aside for the devastation of your fellow humans and use your site for some good? Urge people to give or direct them to her site and click on ads so they can give in a different way.
Is anonymous serious or do I just not have a sense of humor? SK is shamelessly pimping her blog, exploiting what's happening in New Orleans to make herself look better. puh-leez.
He/she must be kidding. I actually was gullible enough to look at SK's site after reading that comment to see if she had ANYTHING addressing the NO disaster, and she doesn't. RE: giving, I've given to several relief organizations already and plan to give more. I figured people were smart enough to find worthy charities on their own but ok, here you go:
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2005/katrina/help.center/#dv
This was a list from CNN. Finding it was REALLY hard. Every single newspaper of record has links too. If you can't find one, you're a moron.
Are you blind? The entire post "Help" which is the first one...IS ABOUT GIVING TO THE RELIEF EFFORT!
"Just because I can't hear a scream in the middle of the night, doesn't mean I shouldn't try to help. I guess, as hard as it is to imagine, what if that were someone I knew, who lost their belongings, their family, their hopes? I'd help. It's why I plan to make a donatation to the Red Cross this month... so, um, click around in my site a bit, or visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-HELP-NOW to help those you don't necessarily hear in the middle of the night."
I don't expect your ego to allow you to admit you are wrong. It is truly about helping people. Do something yourself if you'd like but get a conscience. You have a voice and as you said "accountability".
Oh yeah, ok, I see it- it's buried in a post that's all about her. Wow- I'm touched.
People read what you write on this blog. Maybe it is 1 person but If you write and it makes a difference, shouldn't you? Instead of calling people names or braging about what you have done, just be humble. Have a great Labor day weekend. Love your blog.
Yes. That is exactly why I quote articles that touch or anger or stir me to action (maybe I should come up with clever paragraphs about my childhood and bury my sentiments in it, but I'm at work and don't have time for that)- I'm hoping that someone might read it, and think. My whole POINT in these posts is to try to get people thinking and moving and holding our ridiculous government accountable for the atrocities which have occurred.
I love that you're anonymous, by the way. That's so cool and brave.
Listen, wave a banner, burn a flag, do what you wish. My only point is you serve a purpose by this blog. It is well done. It makes me and others think, question, stand up. You cover issues. That is what is positive about what you have. When SK discusses things, it is touching something else in people. It makes them think about coming of age, self worth, etc. Maybe not your cup of tea but when you show how bitter and irrational you are with that, it diminishes your effectiveness. You hold her to a standard no one could attain. If she didn't say anything about NO and she's bad, Say something and she is "shamelessly pimping her blog". If she said "I've given to several relief organizations already and plan to give more." as you did, she'd be bragging. Lighten up and treat people as you would like to be treated. Why is that something not to aspire to? from reading what she wrote, I think she is less talking about herself and more addressing people such as you-
"I also remember being in Mrs. Weiner's class that same day. She told us we should always behave as if God were in the room, right there with us. I was somehow comforted by this idea, that there was a witness to when I was good, or when others were bad. There was someone taking notes and charting my progress. It made life seem like one day it would be fair. I still hope it's true. Maybe I see it now as Karma. As long as I keep trying to be positive, trying to give instead of take, trying to be the bigger person and ignore hate instead of countering it, I'll grow and make a difference in lives. Even if they're only the lives that are close to mine."
1. Don't quote passages from SK on my blog and then talk to me about humility.
2. I wasn't bragging, I was responding to what seemed like a criticism that I wasn't helping or being constructive.
3. I don't believe in God, so that quote doesn't do much for me. I do believe in the inherent worth of humanity though- although events of this week are testing that belief.
4. I have never cared much for SK's writing but never truly got angry with her until she threatened suit against a site parodying her. I thought that mean, uncalled for and in extremely poor taste. Because I am opinionated and use this blog as a forum for that, I expressed my opinion here. That was of course before Katrina dwarfed most other concerns. SK could be Mother Theresa right now for all I really care.
Us people from Louisian accept your apology.
Hypothetically, if you found out she never threatened lawsuit against anyone, would you be big enough to apologize again? Even more, would you be just as adament about sticking up for her?
Don't answer that, I know your answer. This topic is old and our discussion futile. I like your site. Stay the course.
Anonymous- *I* said that she is shamelessly pimping her blog. People can help by reading about her?! It is the height of narcissism and exploitation. True altruism does not need to be advertised.
In the midst of this tragedy, in your response to a post about it, why oh why oh why, are you taking up space with Stephanie Klein of all people? She's an egomaniac who sees a way to make a tragedy about her.
I wasn't apologizing.
I read the complaint from blogger, and researched the law upon which the complaint was based. In order to threaten action under that statute, the person or the person's lawyer or other representative needs to be the one bringing the complaint.
In my relatively educated opinion (I'm a lawyer but not an intellectual property lawyer), it looked like she was threatening legal action. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong.
Sigh.
Lizzie, you're out of your element. This was an adult discussion between two people until the ramblings of a nonsensicle Lizzie needed to chime in showing her ignorance in common logic. Read about closed arguments, Lizzie. You are one. I do not mean that as a jab, just hoping you learn from it. Perhaps save your statements and look at them an 6 months. Perspective might change. Let's move on. Anyone see the article about the Ohio High School with 64 pregnant students?
I'd rather you didn't attack Lizzie. Your arguments weren't foolproof either. But indeed, let's move on. Stop yelling at each other and turn our anger toward the true culprit- the Bush Administration.
Actually, it's not a discussion between 2 people. It's a blog open to comments from anyone, last time I checked. I found it appalling that in the midst of what is happening in this country and in a response to a post about it, you (anonymous) felt the need to bring up the subject of Stephanie Klein. I found that nonsensical and responded accordingly. You obviously disagree with me but that is the nature of a debate over a blog and not cause for condescension on your part. It seems you may be the one that needs a little perspective.
Lighten up and get over yourself, dude. It's a blog.
Yes. This blog is open to anyone, and the more people who engage in discussion, the better. Lizzie- you made good, appropriate, intelligent points. Thank you. At any rate, I don't filter my comments (unless they're those stupid ads- any idea on how to block those?). Anyone can say what they wish. You can even quote SK at me if you want. But I will not humble myself or stop being angry when there are devastating things occurring and my first world, developed government is COMPLETELY falling down on the job.
The government is indeed asleep at the wheel. I just fear there will be no consequences for it though. People's memories in this country are so short. The outrage and attention will only last until the next big story.
Did you notice how the relief convoy coincidentally arrived just hours before Bush? Bush's people are PR masters, the ignorant masses just eat it up, and the administration will come out the other end of this smelling like roses.
I hope I'm wrong. But I doubt it.
Indeed, to get back to original topic... this entire "rescue" situation is proof positive that despite the creation and funding of an entire homeland security department, our country is not ready for a major terrorist attack. This natural disaster came upon the gulf quickly, but it was a hurricane...
you know it's coming and you know the intensity. It was KNOWN that the
levees were only designed to withstand a level 3 hurricane, and we
knew Katrina was a level 5. And even though there were suggsetions
that people should leave town before the storm, our fearless (and vacationing) "leaders" - local to
federal - should have been prepared for the fact that the poorest
folks wouldn't have the means to leave or a place to go.
With that in mind, you would expect some fore-thought and preparedness
to take action before the storm even arrived, just in case.
Now imagine if this destruction had been due to some terrorist attack. There would be no warning and much more hostility and violence against civilians and rescue teams. The response in this case has shown me that despite all the money spent on homeland security, we are far from prepared. I understand that it makes it difficult for rescue teams when some civilians are firing at them, and attacking other civilians, but how would a terrorist-planned event be much different? It would likely be worse! The cause of this destruction doesn't change the fact that "they" have to get food,
water and medical supplies to people. Where is our emergency management infrastucture?? Where has all that money and "planning" for homeland security gone????
We are so screwed...
It's such a relief reading this blog & these comments and realising that there are actually Americans out there with some sense left.
I, and most other Europeans I assume, are SHOCKED by the lack of responsibility showed by your government.
I hope people like you will end up ruling the US...
Wow - I've just noticed this. This "anonymous" weirdo has posted essentially the same stuff on every site which criticized she-who-will-not-be-named.
On topic, however, is that I fear that our "Prez" has a true psychiatric problem with suffering and tragedy. The man never could bring himself to go to war when he was called; he stalled on visiting the site of 9/11 while others were lifting blocks of concrete to find pieces of the dead, and now he avoids visiting the disaster site until most things have calmed down.
His choosing to fly over the site at 5000 feet and then visiting refugees on safe ground is not the behavior of a leader. A leader would have had the cojones to go down there, roll up his pants and wade in the sewage. Sure, that's not "strategic" towards aiding the victims. But it sends a clear message to our nation and to the World that this is his number one priority and something worth his getting dirty over.
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