Question: Where is the outrage?

[Lord Undies]

I am in contact with an internet friend who lives in Cedar Falls Iowa, she says the Nation does not realize the extent of what is going on up there. No one to help them, she says the stench is horrible. Now, where is President Bush? McCain? Obama? What the heck is wrong with our country that we cannot help one another?

What do you mean?  There are all kinds of people moving in to help in the afflicted areas.  There is a limit to what can be done RIGHT NOW. 

The President is kept informed.  What do you want from him?  A photo op tear session ala Clinton?  What the heck does McCain have to do with it?  McCain is a senator from Arizona. 

I mean exactly what I said, I reported what was reported to me. President Bush is our leader, McCain and Obama want to be our leaders. You know as well as I do that National disasters are also political. No one seems to be showing any leadership. Oh, and the economic impacts of Iowa are coming down the pike. Methinks!

President Bush is our President.  He is not the Wizard of Oz.  He is not "our leader".  That kind of thinking is what draws people into asking questions like "Where's President Bush?  Where's McCain and Obama?"  The bastardization of our representative republic has been fed and enabled with this ridiculous belief that all things great and small radiate from Washington.

Only silly liberals and little children sit and whine like helpless creatures while waiting to be saved from the adversities of life.   Real Americans pull together on a local level to help themselves, neighbor with neighbor, community with community, county with county, state with state. 

I am not buying that. Not now. Our country is in a crisis and Iowa is going to intensify that crisis. Economic. Not to mention they are human beings almost a whole state full of them. The USA sends aid by the mega tons all round the world. President Bush is responsible for leadership in the USA. And nobody even mentioned that Iowans are sitting around whining like helpless little creatures while waiting to be saved from the adversities of life.

I didn't say Iowans were acting helpless.  I was implying you made them sound helpless.  You sound like a liberal whining.  Our nation is not in "crisis".  What a silly thing to say.

Diasters happen.  We get through them.  We are Americans.  Americans don't sit idle waiting on "the leader" to save them.  If Iowa wants federal help, all the governor has to do is ask.  I'm sure it is already in the works.

[DixieBelle]

Have you confirmed this with anyone besides the person you know online in Cedar Falls? I'm not questioning you or the person you know. Please don't misunderstand me. My heart goes to the everyone in that region.

I happened to be in my hometown in MS when Katrina hit and I ended up staying for weeks (thank goodness I could) to help my parents and their church take in refugees and send out aid. They were in North MS but they were very involved so I know what it's like when things happen and people pull together to help out.

I was just curious about confirmation on the situation and relief efforts. I can tell you from my experience that chaos rules the day immediately after such an event and information gets garbled. We were told so many conflicting things about relief efforts and you have to keep in mind that disasters either bring out the best in people or the worst. Panic and feelings of being forgotten are common but that may not be the case at all. The state of MS did far better than LA in the aftermath of Katrina. But yes, people were panicking and saying half-truth there too. Again, not implying anything, just giving my own opinion.

[Willow]

I am in contact with an internet friend who lives in Cedar Falls Iowa, she says the Nation does not realize the extent of what is going on up there. No one to help them, she says the stench is horrible. Now, where is President Bush? McCain? Obama? What the heck is wrong with our country that we cannot help one another?

What do you mean?  There are all kinds of people moving in to help in the afflicted areas.  There is a limit to what can be done RIGHT NOW. 

The President is kept informed.  What do you want from him?  A photo op tear session ala Clinton?  What the heck does McCain have to do with it?  McCain is a senator from Arizona. 

I mean exactly what I said, I reported what was reported to me. President Bush is our leader, McCain and Obama want to be our leaders. You know as well as I do that National disasters are also political. No one seems to be showing any leadership. Oh, and the economic impacts of Iowa are coming down the pike. Methinks!

President Bush is our President.  He is not the Wizard of Oz.  He is not "our leader".  That kind of thinking is what draws people into asking questions like "Where's President Bush?  Where's McCain and Obama?"  The bastardization of our representative republic has been fed and enabled with this ridiculous belief that all things great and small radiate from Washington.

Only silly liberals and little children sit and whine like helpless creatures while waiting to be saved from the adversities of life.   Real Americans pull together on a local level to help themselves, neighbor with neighbor, community with community, county with county, state with state. 

I am not buying that. Not now. Our country is in a crisis and Iowa is going to intensify that crisis. Economic. Not to mention they are human beings almost a whole state full of them. The USA sends aid by the mega tons all round the world. President Bush is responsible for leadership in the USA. And nobody even mentioned that Iowans are sitting around whining like helpless little creatures while waiting to be saved from the adversities of life.

I didn't say Iowans were acting helpless.  I was implying you made them sound helpless.  You sound like a liberal whining.  Our nation is not in "crisis".  What a silly thing to say.

Diasters happen.  We get through them.  We are Americans.  Americans don't sit idle waiting on "the leader" to save them.  If Iowa wants federal help, all the governor has to do is ask.  I'm sure it is already in the works.

Well you read far more into what I wrote than what I actually said then. I said I was in contact with an internet friend from Cedar Falls who said the disaster there was far worse than we knew and that they were not receiving any help. I think our nation is in a crisis and I think I will take the Iowans word over yours on what conditions are in Iowa. So it boils down to we disagree.

[Willow]

Have you confirmed this with anyone besides the person you know online in Cedar Falls? I'm not questioning you or the person you know. Please don't misunderstand me. My heart goes to the everyone in that region.

I happened to be in my hometown in MS when Katrina hit and I ended up staying for weeks (thank goodness I could) to help my parents and their church take in refugees and send out aid. They were in North MS but they were very involved so I know what it's like when things happen and people pull together to help out.

I was just curious about confirmation on the situation and relief efforts. I can tell you from my experience that chaos rules the day immediately after such an event and information gets garbled. We were told so many conflicting things about relief efforts and you have to keep in mind that disasters either bring out the best in people or the worst. Panic and feelings of being forgotten are common but that may not be the case at all. The state of MS did far better than LA in the aftermath of Katrina. But yes, people were panicking and saying half-truth there too. Again, not implying anything, just giving my own opinion.

I hear what you are saying. I have lived through many hurricanes, Opal being the worst, and worked with the Red Cross post Katrina. I haven't verified my contact's story but know her to be a level headed truthful person. I can only say she said it is worse than we know. We shall see.

[Lord Undies]

I am in contact with an internet friend who lives in Cedar Falls Iowa, she says the Nation does not realize the extent of what is going on up there. No one to help them, she says the stench is horrible. Now, where is President Bush? McCain? Obama? What the heck is wrong with our country that we cannot help one another?

What do you mean?  There are all kinds of people moving in to help in the afflicted areas.  There is a limit to what can be done RIGHT NOW. 

The President is kept informed.  What do you want from him?  A photo op tear session ala Clinton?  What the heck does McCain have to do with it?  McCain is a senator from Arizona. 

I mean exactly what I said, I reported what was reported to me. President Bush is our leader, McCain and Obama want to be our leaders. You know as well as I do that National disasters are also political. No one seems to be showing any leadership. Oh, and the economic impacts of Iowa are coming down the pike. Methinks!

President Bush is our President.  He is not the Wizard of Oz.  He is not "our leader".  That kind of thinking is what draws people into asking questions like "Where's President Bush?  Where's McCain and Obama?"  The bastardization of our representative republic has been fed and enabled with this ridiculous belief that all things great and small radiate from Washington.

Only silly liberals and little children sit and whine like helpless creatures while waiting to be saved from the adversities of life.   Real Americans pull together on a local level to help themselves, neighbor with neighbor, community with community, county with county, state with state. 

I am not buying that. Not now. Our country is in a crisis and Iowa is going to intensify that crisis. Economic. Not to mention they are human beings almost a whole state full of them. The USA sends aid by the mega tons all round the world. President Bush is responsible for leadership in the USA. And nobody even mentioned that Iowans are sitting around whining like helpless little creatures while waiting to be saved from the adversities of life.

I didn't say Iowans were acting helpless.  I was implying you made them sound helpless.  You sound like a liberal whining.  Our nation is not in "crisis".  What a silly thing to say.

Diasters happen.  We get through them.  We are Americans.  Americans don't sit idle waiting on "the leader" to save them.  If Iowa wants federal help, all the governor has to do is ask.  I'm sure it is already in the works.

Well you read far more into what I wrote than what I actually said then. I said I was in contact with an internet friend from Cedar Falls who said the disaster there was far worse than we knew and that they were not receiving any help. I think our nation is in a crisis and I think I will take the Iowans word over yours on what conditions are in Iowa. So it boils down to we disagree.

Yes, we disagree.  I know the country is not in a crisis, and I have no idea how your internet friend can make blanket statements about what the rest of us know about their situation. 

[Willow]

I am in contact with an internet friend who lives in Cedar Falls Iowa, she says the Nation does not realize the extent of what is going on up there. No one to help them, she says the stench is horrible. Now, where is President Bush? McCain? Obama? What the heck is wrong with our country that we cannot help one another?

What do you mean?  There are all kinds of people moving in to help in the afflicted areas.  There is a limit to what can be done RIGHT NOW. 

The President is kept informed.  What do you want from him?  A photo op tear session ala Clinton?  What the heck does McCain have to do with it?  McCain is a senator from Arizona. 

I mean exactly what I said, I reported what was reported to me. President Bush is our leader, McCain and Obama want to be our leaders. You know as well as I do that National disasters are also political. No one seems to be showing any leadership. Oh, and the economic impacts of Iowa are coming down the pike. Methinks!

President Bush is our President.  He is not the Wizard of Oz.  He is not "our leader".  That kind of thinking is what draws people into asking questions like "Where's President Bush?  Where's McCain and Obama?"  The bastardization of our representative republic has been fed and enabled with this ridiculous belief that all things great and small radiate from Washington.

Only silly liberals and little children sit and whine like helpless creatures while waiting to be saved from the adversities of life.   Real Americans pull together on a local level to help themselves, neighbor with neighbor, community with community, county with county, state with state. 

I am not buying that. Not now. Our country is in a crisis and Iowa is going to intensify that crisis. Economic. Not to mention they are human beings almost a whole state full of them. The USA sends aid by the mega tons all round the world. President Bush is responsible for leadership in the USA. And nobody even mentioned that Iowans are sitting around whining like helpless little creatures while waiting to be saved from the adversities of life.

I didn't say Iowans were acting helpless.  I was implying you made them sound helpless.  You sound like a liberal whining.  Our nation is not in "crisis".  What a silly thing to say.

Diasters happen.  We get through them.  We are Americans.  Americans don't sit idle waiting on "the leader" to save them.  If Iowa wants federal help, all the governor has to do is ask.  I'm sure it is already in the works.

Well you read far more into what I wrote than what I actually said then. I said I was in contact with an internet friend from Cedar Falls who said the disaster there was far worse than we knew and that they were not receiving any help. I think our nation is in a crisis and I think I will take the Iowans word over yours on what conditions are in Iowa. So it boils down to we disagree.

Yes, we disagree.  I know the country is not in a crisis, and I have no idea how your internet friend can make blanket statements about what the rest of us know about their situation. 

Well you lost me there!

[Chris_]

We are kinda wandering off on specifics here......my OP was asking the question of why Katrina turned into a disaster of "biblical" proportions in the eyes of the media......immediately turned into a political bludgeon to hammer the administration.....required a massive national mobilization.......garnered non-stop media coverage for months, and we now have a similiar disaster (arguably) that is getting nothing more than routine coverage for events of this nature.........

I'm asking readers not to discard the suffering of the poor folks in Iowa, but to ask yourselves to examine the differences in coverage, politics, relief efforts, and associated drama between the two events, and discuss  why there IS a difference.......WHERE there is a difference, and HOW the differences are illustrative of the problems that we are up against in the country today.......

I'm hoping for a deeper philosophical/political discussion......

doc

[Willow]

Cedar Rapids Iowa is presently in the throes of a "500 year" flood event.  Substantial portions of the city are under water.  the levees on the Cedar river have been breached, and a substantial percentage of the population has been evacuated.  The city is now essentially "cut off" from outside services via the highways, yet.....I hear no outrage in the media......

There is no "wall to wall" coverage of the plight of the poor citizens of Cedar Rapids.....
  Because this flooding was not caused by a category five Hurricaine
Shephard Smith is not broadcasting from the top of a flooded overpass in town......
Because a thousand people are not dead or stranded on their rooftops

There are no photos of hundreds of unused school buses sitting in a flooded yard......
Because Ray Nagin is not in charge   

There is no strident outcry for FEMA, and president Bush to drop everything and come to the rescue......
 I don't think Bush should come to the rescue but since the well being of our economy is being strained by this catastrophic flooding, he should either be there or have representation because if he dosen't politically he will be crucified just like he was in Katrina.
There are no disturbing photos of thousands of refugees holed up in a stadium, defecating in the hallways.....
Again, cause Ray Nagin is not in charge

There are no indications of rioting, looting, and roving bands of criminals......
Hmmmm!


The police and emergency crews have not deserted their posts and disappeared to parts unknown.....
What? No vacations at taxpayers expense? Again Ray Nagin

The Mayor is not appealing for help from a plush hotel suite in a town 60 miles away......

hmmmm!

The governor is not blaming the federal government for allowing this event to happen.......

It was President Boooosh who called the good governer and told her to declare a mandatory evacuation of NO

The Red Cross is not being held up by state officials from providing disaster aid......

The National Guard (to my knowledge) has not been called out to quell the violence.....



What the hell is happening here!!!

A flood of catastrophic consequence soon to be worsened when the Mississippi overflows!

What is the difference between Cedar Rapids, and the lovely town of New Orleans??
Cedar Rapids hell, it's practically the whole state of Iowa.

What has changed since Katrina hit??
Nothing!

I think this should be a thought-provoking topic........

doc

[Chris_]

Because a thousand people are not dead or stranded on their rooftops

And WHY is that....since the events are similiar.........

doc

[Lord Undies]

The demographic differences between the areas has a lot to do with the coverage.  Self-sufficient people handling their own problems does not make for an interesting news report nor does it bolster the liberal agenda, which is to convince as many people as possible that people cannot be self-sufficient and need government to save them.

Helpless and clueless "minorities and children" (who had days and days to evacuate to safer ground) floating down a street on a phone book is interesting news and bolsters the liberal agenda.

That's the main difference in the two events as far as the agenda driven media is concerned.     

[Willow]

Because a thousand people are not dead or stranded on their rooftops

And WHY is that....since the events are similiar.........

doc

I don't have an answer other than maybe the leadership needed was there, and evacuations were actually carried out.

[Chris_]

Because a thousand people are not dead or stranded on their rooftops

And WHY is that....since the events are similiar.........

doc

I don't have an answer other than maybe the leadership needed was there, and evacuations were actually carried out.

I think that Undies is on the right track.......and I realize that everyone that thinks about this delimma has to tiptoe around making a statement that others would consider "racist".......however the differences in the thoughts and actions of the people in these two instantances cannot be denied.......therefore there seems to be a valid racial component, both in the actions of the residents, as well as the media coverage.

Politically, both states are "blue", so we have to arrive at the assumption that there are deep differences in the values and reactions of the citizens of the two left-leaning states.  Given that midwesterners tend to be more self-reliant, I think that there might be also an "urban/rural" dynamic at play here as well.  Why else would the media have ignored all of the efforts of the folks in MS, and AL in the Katrina aftermath.

As to leadership, I have no idea how strong a leader either the governor or mayor is in the current crisis, as we are seeing/hearing very little in the media reports about either of them......it could be that they are quietly doing their jobs, and not running in front of every TV camera that they can find.....this is also telling us something, but I'm not certain what just yet.......

doc

[DixieBelle]

Doc, you're 100% correct. Just look at how MS reacted to Katrina as opposed to LA.

[Willow]

Because a thousand people are not dead or stranded on their rooftops

And WHY is that....since the events are similiar.........

doc

I don't have an answer other than maybe the leadership needed was there, and evacuations were actually carried out.

I think that Undies is on the right track.......and I realize that everyone that thinks about this delimma has to tiptoe around making a statement that others would consider "racist".......however the differences in the thoughts and actions of the people in these two instantances cannot be denied.......therefore there seems to be a valid racial component, both in the actions of the residents, as well as the media coverage.

Politically, both states are "blue", so we have to arrive at the assumption that there are deep differences in the values and reactions of the citizens of the two left-leaning states.  Given that midwesterners tend to be more self-reliant, I think that there might be also an "urban/rural" dynamic at play here as well.  Why else would the media have ignored all of the efforts of the folks in MS, and AL in the Katrina aftermath.

As to leadership, I have no idea how strong a leader either the governor or mayor is in the current crisis, as we are seeing/hearing very little in the media reports about either of them......it could be that they are quietly doing their jobs, and not running in front of every TV camera that they can find.....this is also telling us something, but I'm not certain what just yet.......

doc

The mass left wing media is not given to printing "good news" or "good deeds" so that may be why you don't hear much about the perspective Gov. (I can tell ya I saw him on TV and he is a hunk) and Mayors. Their people for the most part are alive, evacuated and safe! albiet homeless. NO on the other hand was a monumental screw up per Nagin and Blanco and from there right on up to FEMA.

[Willow]

Because a thousand people are not dead or stranded on their rooftops

And WHY is that....since the events are similiar.........

doc

I don't have an answer other than maybe the leadership needed was there, and evacuations were actually carried out.

I think that Undies is on the right track.......and I realize that everyone that thinks about this delimma has to tiptoe around making a statement that others would consider "racist"..Don't worry so much about that, those people are going to call you racist no matter what you think or say, so you may as well say what you think......however the differences in the thoughts and actions of the people in these two instantances cannot be denied.......therefore there seems to be a valid racial component, both in the actions of the residents, as well as the media coverage.

Politically, both states are "blue", so we have to arrive at the assumption that there are deep differences in the values and reactions of the citizens of the two left-leaning states.  Given that midwesterners tend to be more self-reliant, I think that there might be also an "urban/rural" dynamic at play here as well.  Why else would the media have ignored all of the efforts of the folks in MS, and AL in the Katrina aftermath.

As to leadership, I have no idea how strong a leader either the governor or mayor is in the current crisis, as we are seeing/hearing very little in the media reports about either of them......it could be that they are quietly doing their jobs, and not running in front of every TV camera that they can find.....this is also telling us something, but I'm not certain what just yet.......

doc

[Rebel]

I am not buying that. Not now. Our country is in a crisis and Iowa is going to intensify that crisis. Economic. Not to mention they are human beings almost a whole state full of them. The USA sends aid by the mega tons all round the world. President Bush is responsible for leadership in the USA. And nobody even mentioned that Iowans are sitting around whining like helpless little creatures while waiting to be saved from the adversities of life.

Wrong, he can send money to other countries because he's Head of State. The President. He cannot, however, do a damn thing in Iowa without Iowa's consent. Iowa can handle this problem, as they did before. If they need help, all the governor has to do is request it. Read the Constitution.

[Willow]

I am not buying that. Not now. Our country is in a crisis and Iowa is going to intensify that crisis. Economic. Not to mention they are human beings almost a whole state full of them. The USA sends aid by the mega tons all round the world. President Bush is responsible for leadership in the USA. And nobody even mentioned that Iowans are sitting around whining like helpless little creatures while waiting to be saved from the adversities of life.

Wrong, he can send money to other countries because he's Head of State. The President. He cannot, however, do a damn thing in Iowa without Iowa's consent. Iowa can handle this problem, as they did before. If they need help, all the governor has to do is request it. Read the Constitution.

There has got to be some middle ground for helping folks out short term vs being on the state tit. I am saying this is a massive flood and some US citizens may need some help from the US of A. And, I see nothing wrong with lending aid to our own people. That's all I'm saying.

[Lord Undies]

I am not buying that. Not now. Our country is in a crisis and Iowa is going to intensify that crisis. Economic. Not to mention they are human beings almost a whole state full of them. The USA sends aid by the mega tons all round the world. President Bush is responsible for leadership in the USA. And nobody even mentioned that Iowans are sitting around whining like helpless little creatures while waiting to be saved from the adversities of life.

Wrong, he can send money to other countries because he's Head of State. The President. He cannot, however, do a damn thing in Iowa without Iowa's consent. Iowa can handle this problem, as they did before. If they need help, all the governor has to do is request it. Read the Constitution.

There has got to be some middle ground for helping folks out short term vs being on the state tit. I am saying this is a massive flood and some US citizens may need some help from the US of A. And, I see nothing wrong with lending aid to our own people. That's all I'm saying.

We have all lived through recent history.  What in the world compells you to believe these people will go without aid?  What do you base that upon? 

[Rebel]

There has got to be some middle ground for helping folks out short term vs being on the state tit. I am saying this is a massive flood and some US citizens may need some help from the US of A. And, I see nothing wrong with lending aid to our own people. That's all I'm saying.

Then if your governor isn't asking for help, recall his ass or vote him out. I hear he has asked for help and help is on the ground.

[Willow]

I am not buying that. Not now. Our country is in a crisis and Iowa is going to intensify that crisis. Economic. Not to mention they are human beings almost a whole state full of them. The USA sends aid by the mega tons all round the world. President Bush is responsible for leadership in the USA. And nobody even mentioned that Iowans are sitting around whining like helpless little creatures while waiting to be saved from the adversities of life.

Wrong, he can send money to other countries because he's Head of State. The President. He cannot, however, do a damn thing in Iowa without Iowa's consent. Iowa can handle this problem, as they did before. If they need help, all the governor has to do is request it. Read the Constitution.

There has got to be some middle ground for helping folks out short term vs being on the state tit. I am saying this is a massive flood and some US citizens may need some help from the US of A. And, I see nothing wrong with lending aid to our own people. That's all I'm saying.

We have all lived through recent history.  What in the world compells you to believe these people will go without aid?  What do you base that upon? 

I have no idea where I got that from Other than I reported what an internet friend living in Cedar Falls reported to me. And you can read the rest.

[Willow]

There has got to be some middle ground for helping folks out short term vs being on the state tit. I am saying this is a massive flood and some US citizens may need some help from the US of A. And, I see nothing wrong with lending aid to our own people. That's all I'm saying.

Then if your governor isn't asking for help, recall his ass or vote him out. I hear he has asked for help and help is on the ground.

Gov. Crist won't be of any help to Iowa! 

[RightCoast]

Shephard Smith is not broadcasting from the top of a flooded overpass in town......

...while crying like a baby.


fixed.

[RightCoast]

Midwesterners overall tend to be a little more self reliant than other parts of the country.

As a midwesterner, I am aware of that.....but the MSM doesn't know that.......

Perhaps since Cedar Rapids is only a third the population of NOLA it doesn't warrant Shepherd Smith, but shouldn't there at least be a Fox blonde bimbo on an overpass somewhere?

doc

There should be a Faux Blonde Bimbo EVERYWHERE.

[Schadenfreude]

Midwesterners overall tend to be a little more self reliant than other parts of the country.

As a midwesterner, I am aware of that.....but the MSM doesn't know that.......

Perhaps since Cedar Rapids is only a third the population of NOLA it doesn't warrant Shepherd Smith, but shouldn't there at least be a Fox blonde bimbo on an overpass somewhere?

doc

There should be a Faux Blonde Bimbo EVERYWHERE.

Hello! 

[RightCoast]

Midwesterners overall tend to be a little more self reliant than other parts of the country.

As a midwesterner, I am aware of that.....but the MSM doesn't know that.......

Perhaps since Cedar Rapids is only a third the population of NOLA it doesn't warrant Shepherd Smith, but shouldn't there at least be a Fox blonde bimbo on an overpass somewhere?

doc

There should be a Faux Blonde Bimbo EVERYWHERE.

Hello! 

 :innocent: