But even a partial recovery will take time — too much time, probably, for a president already on the verge of lame duckhood. And there’s always the risk that a fresh eruption of reality — in Iraq, the financial markets, or maybe some other patronage infested federal agency — will spray more mud in Shrub’s face. Damage control, in other words, could become a full-time job for the Mayberry Machiavellis, ..
Back to Main
September 13, 2005
WB: A Movable Feast
Comments
Bush’s accepting responsibility is probably the shrewdest political move of his sorry assed life.
Posted by: ken melvin | Sep 13 2005 19:56 utc | 1
I keep telling you, it’s not about Bush!
It’s about Bolton, Negroponte, Chertoff,
Gonzales, Rice and Goss. Christ, Deep
Throat would’ve been waving a road map!
http://www.indybay.org/archives/archive_by_id.php?id=2972&category_id=45
Posted by: tante aime | Sep 13 2005 20:12 utc | 2
ahhh, bilmon- welcome back
laughing myself silly
w/ your trenchant remarks –
You know how it goes: One minute you’re cracking jokes about Bush and his air guitar, and the next minute you’re looking around for a corpse to snack on. Fortunately, thanks in part to Shrub and the boys at FEMA, there’s plenty to go around. (And if you’re a ghoul with connections, you might even be able to get a sole source contract to haul them away.)
if you were a working member of the fourth estate
we’d be deprived of your witticisms. Although would actually
buy a NYT if the above remark were printed there.
The image of the leader is in essence a gestalt — a picture that can be seen in two entirely different ways, depending on the viewer’s mental inclination. The role of propaganda is to reinforce and defend the desired image, while encouraging the audience to unconsciously suppress the other.
Astute. You’re in the wrong line of work, billmon.
Instead of churning the funds of little old ladies
w/ blue hair ( read: pension funds),
why not join the brain scramblers on Madison Avenue
where the real money is. Oh. Right. Forgot.
You’re shillin’ for God. Hah
Actually, Bush is a ‘lame duck’ president. He cannot be re-elected.
Not unless the doofi repeal that tw0-term-limits thing.
Lame BRAIN, is more accurate.
This was, otherwise, a pretty great post–until you consider that by all rights, there should be impeachment hearings starting up right now. Nothing at all appears to be going on. What has to happen to get rid of these guys? I don’t like to speculate…
Posted by: Mrs. Creosote | Sep 13 2005 21:24 utc | 4
There are almost 300 million ppl in the US of A.
The ones are bitching about how Bush plays the guitar. (And more!)
Others still venerate Bush and kiss his feet, oops no, just bend down a little and stay open-mouthed, wide-eyed, adoring, after he //deleted for decency// …A Jesus figure who knows best.
So many people, polarised on one sad specimen – a man who should be running a garage, financed by his Pop, his wife doing the accounts, pacifying the employees, and trying to control the kiddies.
Of course, many don’t bother, they know it is each to his own.
Posted by: Noisette | Sep 13 2005 21:31 utc | 5
” Heck, it seems like only yesterday that Joe Allbaugh was complaining about how FEMA was nothing more than an “overgrown entitlement program” for the poor.
Of course, that was before Joe became an overgrown entitlement program — although not exactly for the poor.”
Of course Billmon.
Didn’t you get the memo?
Apparently, it’s the Roving Cheneyburtonians’ last best hope for a slam-dunk FDR/Reaganomics fusion-o-rama known as……
‘Trickle Down Entitlements’
FOX news, June 05
Excerpt:
“But should the Constitution be changed? In a recent speech, former President Clinton commented that he thought the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution “should probably be modified” to allow an individual to serve more than two terms as president. In the latest FOX News poll, conducted June 3-4 by Opinion Dynamics Corporation, most Americans oppose making such a change to the Constitution.”
Link
Prison Planet, June 05
“A House bill has been introduced that would change the 22nd amendment and enable George Bush to remain President for the rest of his political life.
The bill would repeal limitations on a President holding office for a maximum of two terms.”
Link
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution. (Introduced in House)
(Feb 2005)
Link
What went down?
I need a drink…Cheers!
Posted by: Noisette | Sep 13 2005 22:03 utc | 7
Because it has to be said…often: the funniest joke of the budding 21st century
Q: What’s George Bush’s position on Roe v. Wade?
A: He really doesn’t care how people get out of New Orleans.
From Balkinization by way of Proof Through the Night
Posted by: citizen | Sep 13 2005 22:41 utc | 8
Where has Cheney been, save his one brief photo-op?
Tinfoil hat time: Did the VP let the White House sink or swim on it’s own when Katrina hit?
Posted by: Mal | Sep 13 2005 22:53 utc | 9
Actually, Bush is a ‘lame duck’ president. He cannot be re-elected.
Not unless the doofi repeal that tw0-term-limits thing.
I was wondering about that the other day myself and I don’t think interpretation of the 22nd Amendment has ever landed in court. It got me to wondering if there are any potential loopholes and how long it would be before we start hearing about some from Bush supporters.
Posted by: bcf | Sep 13 2005 23:04 utc | 10
I need some help with my interpretation of Bush’s body language (culture thing, perhaps?): When he said that he accepts the responsibility, he spoke it far out to his left, as if speaking not into the microphone, not even really addressing the assembled journos. ‘Inward’ gaze, looked to me like a mixture of condescension and disgust. Wrong? Some encoded message that resonates with ‘the folks’ who think that he is such a regular guy?
I hope there are people left who have the firmness of character (or numbness) you need to bear Bush on TV.
Posted by: teuton | Sep 13 2005 23:12 utc | 11
One thing I haven’t seen noted is the Fema guys background, which Alan pointed out at bloggingoutloud.
The new FEMA guy? He’s the one who suggested we all stock up on duct tape in case of a biological or chemical attack. Feel better now? By the way, Tom says an average roll of duct tape is expensive now. Coincidence?
Yeah the whole things a coincidence.
Posted by: EZSmirkzz | Sep 13 2005 23:32 utc | 12
I also noticed that W had trouble with the ‘accepting responsibility thing’ A weird combination of squirming, a sorta thousand yard stare pointed nowhere and enough hesitancy to show that for him it felt like pulling teeth. Until of course he put himself in the place where it wasn’t really happening ie the lips were moving but the awareness was disengaged.
Now back to the DiD talking point for the day. Continuing on interminably about the failure of leadership in New Orleans will ultimately play out well for the repugs.
Just about all of the people that are likely to get the message have done so. Keeping on about it will end up desensitising the population to the point of boredom and while everyone is caught up in this debate the shameless greed heads will have moved on and be concentrating on the best way to make a buck at everyone else’s expense.
What happened is done and too much concentration on that will help perpetuate the dissolution of poor Louisianans.
Caring people should be concentrating on the best way to obstruct the theft of a community and destruction of it’s culture.
There is one area of minor interest that those wanting to expose this corrupt regime may wish to take a look at. That is what happens to ‘Brownie’.
It is foolish to imagine that the initial move to protect and praise Brown was based on loyalty. BushCo heavy hitters know that the only thing that keeps this mob of self serving assholes singing from the same sheet is the knowledge that they will be looked after.
If some of the less empowered egocentrics come to think that they could be left to the wolves, they will make their own arrangements to save themselves a la John Dean.
Therefore it would be wise to keep an eye on Brownie’s journey into low profile because he will almost certainly cop some sort of square up as soon as BushCo imagines few are looking.
The fact that he was allowed to resign rather than be pushed is a good indication of this.
Some leaders would wait until time has passed and no one is interested and then really stitch Brown up. The theory is that by that time if Brownie did try and sling some dirt he wouldn’t be taken seriously since people would wonder why he said nothing at the time.
BushCo just cannot run the risk of the troops doubting BushCo loyalty to them so they will try and find a way to make Brown ‘comfortable’.
Of course they will lean on ‘friends’ in the private sector since they don’t want to be seen to be too close to Brownie’s rehabilitation.
BushCo may find this more difficult than usual given their current lame duck status combined with Brown’s notoriety. They might have to fall back on an obvious suspect such as Halliburton to reward Brown.
As soon as the ‘square up’ is uncovered then it should be publicised. In the meantime the more anyone can do to mitigate the awful position survivors of the storm are in the more useful they will be.
Posted by: Debs is dead | Sep 14 2005 0:03 utc | 13
Billmon, whoever you are, that was one of the best pieces of writing I have ever read in my long bookish life.
Posted by: lightly | Sep 14 2005 0:34 utc | 14
I hope there are people left who have the firmness of character (or numbness) you need to bear Bush on TV.
Posted by: teuton | Sep 13, 2005 7:12:39 PM | #
Not me….I’ve been putting my fingers in my ears and going, lalalalalalala for 5 years now.
billmon – can I have that recipe for gin fizzes?
Posted by: beq | Sep 14 2005 0:37 utc | 15
“Jeb!” and the Politicization of FEMA
This documents that “Jeb!” had delayed releasing show that Dubya, Brownie, “Jeb!”, FEMA consultants/political hacks were playing politics with FEMA prior to the 2004 election. That revelation is particularly significant now: in the wake of the Katrina tragedy, it has been exposed that FEMA has been run by campaign operatives and GOoPer hacks since Dubya took office.
oh, this is eye opening: (read on…)
Back in March, in the middle of the Schiavo media malestrom (and largely unnoticed at the time), the following story appeared in the Sun-Sentinel: “State records show Bush re-election concerns played part in FEMA aid”. We posted it on March 23, 2005 (“Abuse of Power”). With the Schiavo story dominating the news, there was little follow up to the Sun-Sentinel piece (which perhaps explains why “Jeb!” released it in the middle of the Schiavo mess).
Posted by: Uncle $cam | Sep 14 2005 0:48 utc | 16
Even more obfuscation!!!
Justice Department granted White House delay on order to preserve records in CIA exposure scandal Now who’s playing “the p/blame game”
Oh, and fuck you NPR!
Posted by: Uncle $cam | Sep 14 2005 1:04 utc | 17
Here’s another good take on Bush “accepting” the blame:
Accountability Moment?
excerpt:
Of course, beneath the blunt and shallow headlines to reports like the one above, there’s a world of difference between “taking responsibility” and actually accepting blame. And since the path to the latter runs straight through the results of independent investigation, we’ll see the extent to which the president’s words today actually mean anything. Something that has always infuriated me is the cheap, empty “acceptance” of responsibility and blame without any attendant consequences. But if accepting blame and its consequences was the goal of a twelve step program, Bush would have pleased his therapist today by progressing to about step four.
It’s important to note that the president’s comments were in response to a question posed by a reporter. He’ll make a prime time speech to the nation on Thursday night, so we’ll soon see whether today’s flirtation with accountability has the potential to blossom into a head over heels love affair.
Posted by: Jill | Sep 14 2005 1:17 utc | 18
Nice post Billmon.
On my way home from a class today I tuned to Limblowhard. He said Landrieu was talking about him as the GOP/WH spin machine. He stated he doesn’t get talking points and thats the problem with liberals is that they don’t believe a conservative can have their own intelligent thoughts. I about run off the road laughing.
That pill popping bastard hasn’t had an original thought in his life.
I was at an economic developers course today and one of the business themes is giving manufacturing tax breaks9Which has been a theme for years, but still asked for). As if they don’t get enough. The focus was to market your community as having great fire, police, schools and tax breaks. So, who picks up the tab. Thats right, the local yocals.
Posted by: jdp | Sep 14 2005 1:47 utc | 19
Noisette wrote:
There are almost 300 million ppl in the US of A.
The ones are bitching about how Bush plays the guitar. (And more!)
Others still venerate Bush and kiss his feet, oops no, just bend down a little and stay open-mouthed, wide-eyed, adoring, after he //deleted for decency// …A Jesus figure who knows best.
Don’t worry about them – see Nixon’s Silent Majority. Every stable society has them. They’re merely the ballast necessary for stabilizing the Ruling Elite. Like the ballast of every boat, they’re stuffed down in the keel & so unable to perceive anything. Their job is to prevent change & they perform it well. Only in the case of a Catastrophic Storm do they fail to function. Despair Not. 🙂
Posted by: jj | Sep 14 2005 2:32 utc | 20
I thought I heard Bush mutter”Forgive them father for they know not what they do” but maybe he was talking to 41!
Posted by: R.L. | Sep 14 2005 4:32 utc | 21
Billmon-
Jesus, your site should come with a warning label. I got as far as “a bottomless tureen of hot buttered bullshit” before my dinner beverage was coming up my nose. It very nearly got ugly. I’m reminded of Monty Python’s deadly joke weapon. TC
Posted by: Ted C | Sep 14 2005 4:42 utc | 22
Billmon you deliever again. Pretty much stopped reading most blogs – dkos is growing increasingly hard to visit, but Billmon you still deliver. Keep it up!
Posted by: jg | Sep 14 2005 4:53 utc | 23
Am I alone in thinking Bush is simply going to blame government (serious deficiencies at all levels of government) again as he did in the WMD fiasco, look like an upstanding leader for taking responsibility (what do leaders do?), and come out of this with a small ratings boost?
Posted by: Joe_Thomas | Sep 14 2005 5:29 utc | 25
If you’re reaching for the Pepto Bismol, digest this: the local mil base is pounding ordinance again and it’s past midnight. Also a little birdy in warehousing chirped there’s moving more B-2 ordnance and smart-bombs to Norfolk for Qatar.
I don’t think they need B-2’s anymore in Iraq,
there’s no more air defenses, so maybe they’re just doing range practice on the Kurd villages
or something, prep to Iran. Or maybe it’s just
in some air ordnance IDIQ cost-plus contract to
keep stockpiling smart-bombs in Islamic lands?
That would sure take the heat off New Orleans,
and be Bush’s excuse for a new Reichstag putsch.
What’s it gonna be? Another fake Italian memo
about Pakistani (our “ally”) sales of enriched
uranium hexafloride? Another drunk inchoate Iraqi “nuclear scientist” claiming secret knowledge of
an Iranian nuclear buildup? Another British M-9 document alluding to deep informants in Syria?
Either “I take responsibility. Here, have a bale of shrink-wrapped $100 dollar bills!” will work,
or the B-2’s will start warming up at Al Udeid.
Posted by: Terry Michaels | Sep 14 2005 5:56 utc | 26
As Mrs Creosote pointed out above, Bush is a lame duck anyway.
You don’t think the fascists are going to give up because their present sock puppet is getting a bit ratty?
In fact if anything, blaming Bush can help usher a Newer, Stronger Bush.
Posted by: Lupin | Sep 14 2005 6:24 utc | 27
Lupin–
I agree, they’re making a new batch of Kool-Aid out of Twigs for the next Super ‘Uber’ Ranger Party.
Brilliant!
I liked Dowd this morning, too:
“The president should stop haunting New Orleans, looking for that bullhorn moment. It’s too late.”
Posted by: Coral | Sep 14 2005 13:36 utc | 29
When the going gets tough, the tough get weird
Is it just me or do these clips from a WaPo article sound conflicted to you too? Maybe someone there finally couldn’t suppress the retching upon hearing “Who would Jesus deluge?”
The latest elected official to step into the swamp was Rep. Richard H. Baker, a 10-term Republican from Baton Rouge. The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that he was overheard telling lobbyists: “We finally cleaned up public housing in New Orleans. We couldn’t do it, but God did.”
[snip]
Baker issued a lengthy statement saying he was “taken aback” by the Journal’s brief item. “What I remember expressing, in a private conversation with a housing advocate and member of my staff, was that ‘We have been trying for decades to clean up New Orleans public housing to provide decent housing for residents, and now it looks like God is finally making us do it,’ ” Baker wrote. “Obviously I have never expressed anything but the deepest concern about the suffering that this terrible catastrophe has caused for so many in our state.”
Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, Santorum was drawing a second round of fire, this time for saying the National Weather Service’s forecasts and warnings about Katrina’s path were “not sufficient.”
[snip]
In fact, many people think the Weather Service got the Katrina prediction exactly right. They include GOP Sen. Jim DeMint (S.C.), who chairs the Senate Commerce subcommittee on disaster prediction and prevention. He issued a statement headlined “DeMint Gives National Weather Service ‘A’ Grade for Katrina Prediction.”
Santorum, long at odds with the federal agency, is pushing a bill that would require it to surrender some of its duties to private businesses, some of them located in his state. The National Weather Service Employees Organization said in a statement: “We did our job well and everyone knows it. By falsely claiming that we got it wrong, Rick Santorum is continuing his misguided crusade against the National Weather Service.”
Or perhaps they’ve finally arrived to the anal/oral stage.
From Amygdala
Posted by: citizen | Sep 14 2005 18:25 utc | 30
citizen–
This ‘bifurcation’ strategy where they win if they do it right (ie. gov’t agency does job) and win if they do it wrong (ie. agency fails and privatization is the only answer) has to be hammered into the earth’s core with a titanium-tipped stake forever.
RossK–
perhaps this will help with the hammering (from Martha commenting at fafblog)
I heard that Pres. Bush is starting an investigation into the Katrina response readiness issue. Which reminds me – did we ever get the final report on OJ’s search for the real killer?
Posted by: citizen | Sep 14 2005 18:55 utc | 32
Ross K,
I’m pretty much convinced that (bifurcation) is the sextant used to navigate all decisions in the white house. A winning strategy must cut both ways: pre 911 intellegence, Iraq, and the katrina “relief” thing, all have a significant payoff for “incompetence”.
Posted by: anna missed | Sep 14 2005 20:16 utc | 33
I know it’s hard to imagine now, but there was a time when liberals were the ones who liked to throw vast amounts of federal money at big, complicated problems and conservatives were the ones who bitched and moaned about it.
Ok, everyone knows it, but it’s worth repeating: In response to a big, compicated problem, the liberals throw vast amounts of money at the problem. The modern-day “conservatives” throw vast amounts of money at their friends and supporters.
Posted by: jackd | Sep 14 2005 20:21 utc | 34
Gut it out?
That’s great. I want to use that at work.
“What are you working on?”
“I’m going to gut this Garver index out.”
In line with the classic Microsoft phrase, “drill down,” as in, “I’m drilling down on the Garver project.”
…in the suddenly changed political and budgetary environment.
I think that sums up the theme of your extraordinarily entertaining essay.
Posted by: Trilby | Sep 15 2005 3:23 utc | 35