By now most of you have seen that long string of FEMA e-mails at Malkin's. I've been reading through them and I just don't think they're quite as damning as they're made out to be. Let me point out a couple of things:

1. The dinner--someone complained that FEMA director Michael Brown wasn't getting enough time to eat (20-30 min.) before going on the Joe Scarborough show. There is a wonderfully sarcastic reply from Marty Bahamonde, the FEMA dude on the ground, who shoots back "Just tell her I just ate an MRE and crapped in the hallway of the Superdome along with 30,000 other close friends."

The "her" referred to in that e-mail is Sharon Worthy, the FEMA press secretary tasked with arranging the Scarborough appearance. She's worried about traffic and getting Brown to the studio on time for the show, which is her job, and yes, she's operating in a completely different world there. Ironically she created bad press for FEMA by trying to set up an emergency interview like it was a normal appearance. She should have said, "sir, I can make arrangements, but maybe it would be better if I got you to the station and then I went out to rustle up a chalupa."

I'm not sure Worthy's mistake reflects so badly on Brown. While the Bahamonde e-mail mention's a Ruth's Chris (fancy steakhouse), and there is an RC in Baton Rouge, there's no evidence Brown went there or anywhere particularly nice. Brown was hopefully busy and not really involved in the minutiae of his schedule planning, so a well-meaning but clueless staffer is likely at fault.

2.The "Potential Hot Issue" series of emails. The e-mails concern the provision of oxygen tanks to sick people sheltering in the Superdome. Michelle concludes that titling the e-mails that way suggests that FEMA officials were concerned about "negative publicity".

I don't see that at all. "Hot" would seem to indicate "high priority" and they were giving it that. There was supposed to be a response team in from Oklahoma that would deliver the O2 but the weather prevented them from making it on time.

As the original e-mail (from Dave Passey) points out, local-level fumbuckery failed to stock the Superdome to deal with the disaster (even though Mayor Nagin told people to take shelter there.) Then he points out that local officials "have struggled to put meaningful resource requests together." The rest of the e-mails suggest a group effort to find O2 tanks and mobilize someone to get them there, in the midst of complete anarchy.
__
All in all the e-mails don't look good for FEMA, but I wouldn't call them damning. And in one respect they explain FEMA's shortfalls, by showing clearly the difficulties presented by local-government incompetence and poor planning, and how that poor planning in turn handicapped FEMA's mission and introduced an even greater degree of uncertainty into the mix. And they also show these problems coming to light at the time--the decision to blame local government was not an afterthought, but a genuine reaction to New Orleans' lack of any kind of realistic disaster plan.

Brown's gone; but on the question of whether he's a scapegoat or whether he really did screw the pooch as badly as everyone thinks, these e-mails don't shed a whole lot of light.

Posted by: seedubya at 05:45 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Mike Pechar reported Wednesday that Rory Carroll a reporter for the UK guardian had been kidnapped in Baghdad. Rory was held 36 hours before his release was secured. Today Roy tells his story.

CNN:I was also afraid that I would be handed over to another gang which would have bought me from the original gang. This other gang could turn out to be an insurgent group who in the past had beheaded Western hostages for propaganda purposes. That was my main concern.

Oh you bet. Glad to hear Rory is safe.

Posted by: Howie at 05:03 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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Thanks to all the guest posters helping Rusty out this week. IÂ’ve got more than I can shake a stick at. YaÂ’ll make my job here as Paduan Beotch very easy indeed.

Thanks to Demosophist.
Vinnie who really turned it on for us.
Mike Pechar.
See-Dubya who also posts here.
Chris Short.
Traderrob.
The Dread Pundit Bluto.
Chad Evans.
Drew.

Great work guys. Keep it up. IÂ’ll post when I can but you guys are great. No telling when my Master Dr. Rusty Shackleford will be back, letÂ’s keep this sand crawler moving.

What a party. But 241 grand on strippers?

Man attempts carjacking, driver takes his gun and kicks his ass. Oh yeah.

Snatchy Fired replaced by Huggy.

Cooking with Filthy and I mean heÂ’s cookin today. Uh one question Filthy do you sleep?? Sounds Yummy though.

more...

Posted by: Howie at 03:13 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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She fills out a questionnaire as part of the process for confirmation to the Supreme Court, and she can't do a spell check or find a decent editor? I don't care if she is a school mate, none of us would get away with that on an ordinary job application. God, how embarrassing!

Posted by: Demosophist at 12:50 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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The lawyer who was kidnapped yesterday has been found dead:

A lawyer who was defending an associate of Saddam Hussein has been found dead after being abducted in Baghdad.

It's puzzling why they'd go after the defense attorneys, but, maybe it's because they can't get to anyone else:

Four of the five judges and most of the prosecution lawyers have remained anonymous for safety reasons.

The names of the chief judge and the top prosecutor were the only ones revealed.

The defence team's identities were not kept secret, and Saddam Hussein's top lawyer, Khalil Dulaimi, said many had been threatened.

The government has now offered protection to any defence lawyer who wants it.

Dunno, terrorists aren't exactly known for their intellectual prowess.

Also at Ace's

Posted by: Vinnie at 10:49 AM | Comments (17) | Add Comment
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BBC NEWS | South Asia | Pakistan aid 'totally inadequate'

Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf says the amount of foreign reconstruction aid pledged after the South Asia quake is "totally inadequate".

Translation: "It's not MY fault I'm an unelected dictator content to let my citizens suffer in grinding poverty, the world just isn't giving enough!"

Don't worry, Pervez, we stingy Americans are well aware that you were dragged kicking and screaming over to our side to help in the GWOT. We've also forgotten that your intelligence service propped up the Taliban, who in turn propped up OBL.

We're also well aware of the outpouring of love and support your nation showed ours after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and, I'm sure, will do so again when Wilma shows up.

One last thing, Musharraf, should he be toppled and survive, sounds like he'd make an excellent candidate for Mayor of New Orleans.

Oh, wait, one very last thing that needs no commentary:

Neighbouring India has also offered to send more aircraft, but Pakistan insisted they be provided without Indian crews, which India has refused to do.

Posted by: Vinnie at 10:10 AM | Comments (16) | Add Comment
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(Washington) By a vote of 283 to 144, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation Thursday that gives gun makers and dealers immunity from civil lawsuits. Considered a major victory for the National Rifle Association and its allies, the measure is supported by President Bush who only needs to sign for it to become law since the Senate previously passed it.

The bill will stifle frivolous lawsuits from groups that believe the manufacture and sale of firearms drives violence in communities. The measure excludes from liability protection those that knowingly sell firearms for the commission of crimes. And, although child safety locks will be required under the new law, gun control advocates are displeased and have vowed to challenge the law's constitutionality.

Across the pond, the Brits have weighed in with the opinion that President Bush succeeds only at protecting big business while stumbling through every other effort. I think that Britain needs a Bill of Rights. Maybe then they wouldn't be so quick to criticize what they don't understand.

Companion post at Interested-Participant.

Posted by: Mike Pechar at 06:12 AM | Comments (28) | Add Comment
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Released yesterday, the UN report of the assassination of Lebanese former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri indicates that it was a terrorist act planned by high-ranking Syrian and Lebanese intelligence officers. Frankly, the report only voiced what everyone knew or strongly suspected. Hariri and 15 others died when a six-car convoy was bombed in downtown Beirut. It wasn't an accident nor a suicide.

Chief UN investigator Detlev Mehlis identified several Syrian and Lebanese suspects;

Syrian Major General Asef Shawkat,
Syrian Lt. General Rustom Ghazali,
Syrian former Presidential Aide Farouq Al-Sahraa,
Lebanese Major General Jamil al-Sayyed,
Lebanese Brigadier General Mustapha Hamdan, and
Lebanese Major General Ali Hajj.

In response, Syrian Information Minister Mehdi Dakhlallah stated that the UN report was "politicized," "false," and "far from professional." Damascas is obviously embarrassed and expects the investigation results will lead to increased international pressure on Syrian President Bashar Al Assad to cooperate with the inquiry, to quit helping Palestinian terrorists, and to stop supporting instability in Lebanon and Iraq.

Four pro-Syrian security chiefs in Lebanon have been arrested and charged with murder on the recommendation of UN investigator Detlev Mehlis. Already, an anti-Syrian member of the Lebanese Parliament, Jibran Tueini, has called for President Emile Lahoud to step down.

Companion post at Interested-Participant.

Posted by: Mike Pechar at 04:30 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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1 I bet Syria, and Lebanon officials are staying awake at night, knowing that the United "toothless" Nations are about to exercise their gums on them? Will they issue a strongly worded letter?, another useless sanction? or a scathing speech in the U.N? I'm sure the response will be "strong" enough, to make them consider blowing up anyone who they label an enemy, and just chance another useless U.N finding.

Posted by: dave at October 21, 2005 07:44 AM (CcXvt)

2 Well, lessee, with Iraq, Bush has sprinkled Flea Powder on the Dog's A**hole. Do ya suppose he might finally be interested in the whole dog?

Posted by: large at October 21, 2005 10:29 AM (Ny1Tj)

3 I think Bush is going to keep pretending that Iran, Syria, China, Pakistan, et al, don't even exist as long as he's in office, and he's leaving them for the next poor bastard. Maybe he's doing so because he thinks Hitlery will win in '08, and he doesn't want her to have it too easy. Sometimes politics is the practice of taking the worst course of action so that your enemy won't be able to benefit from the good that you might have done otherwise.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at October 21, 2005 11:55 AM (0yYS2)

4 Such deductive insight from the UN! What convinced them it wasn't suicide.

Posted by: hondo at October 21, 2005 01:11 PM (bayez)

5 Nicely written. Anyone who suggests that President Bush isn't doing anything about this is yanking their own chain. He has been in Syria for a long time now. Where have you been? Oh! I forgot. No one was supposed to know! lol. On the serious side, remember we were told were told that everything being done would not be able to be discussed? It isn't just because of the NY Times, et al. It is a very dangerous line we are walking. I do not think he wants the world to be at any more anxiety than necessary.

Posted by: Rosemary at October 21, 2005 10:54 PM (qgEYh)

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"Oh, he's a monster. Pure psychopath. So rare to capture one alive."

It's just a guess, but the trial of Saddam Hussein may go a long way towards making Iraq a much better place.

But, as with all healing, the wounds still fester, and need cleansing from time to time:

Why do you think the trial was fine? It was pathetically weak and you cannot imagine the pain I felt when I saw the bloody murderer being allowed to speak and to defy the court. I could see the smiles on the faces of the BaÂ’athists and the Arab mercenary who speak of Saddam as a brave lion, havenÂ’t you heard what Raghad said on Al-Arabiya? She said: I never saw a greater or a braver father.

She killed me again, killed me and my mother whom Saddam stole her life. I was small when my dad was murdered but I see sadness in my motherÂ’s eyes everyday, that woman had to bury her father, brother and husband.
I cannot celebrate justice now because to me justice means that Saddam must be cut into pieces and burned with his gang and familyÂ…justice means that the suffer like we suffered.

More:

You know, we never thought of carrying arms and fighting, we were good citizens serving the country with the knowledge and degrees we earned with hard work and we never imagined we would be forced one day to carry arms and battle the BaÂ’athists in the mountains and deserts but itÂ’s Saddam and his oppressive regime that left us with no other choiceÂ…
IÂ’m telling you this and IÂ’m free again and IÂ’m proud of what I and my family did while that miserable coward is sitting in a cage and about o beg for mercy.

Yes I do feel that justice is winningÂ….

This is why it is a pointless exercise, both in brain power and in time, to read the Mainstream Media's coverage of Saddam's trial.

The AP doesn't talk to these people, Reuters doesn't talk to these people, none of them do.

The Internet in general, and bloggers in particular, are the ones getting stories like this out. It's intrepid souls like Mohammed and Omar doing it. It's people like Jane, championing the plight of Yemenis, like Stefania, and Bridget going to bat for Iranians.

The folly of today's dictator is that they love shiny new technology, but are unable to comprehend that that very technology may lead to their downfall. No longer do the oppressors control the printing press, for once the first computer is hooked into the 'net, the world becomes the printing press. And no dictator in history has ever succeeded in conquering the entire world.

Totalitarian thugs aren't going to be defeated from those of us commenting on their actions from the outside looking in, although we can do our part by helping to spread the word. They are going to be defeated by those brave souls who dare to speak the truth from within.

Posted by: Vinnie at 01:49 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Infuriating AP article about the Plame investigation, under this headline:

White House Defense Crumbling in Leak Case

Wow, sounds like prosecutor Fitzgerald must have assembled a pretty good case, huh?

Oh, wait:

In light of all the disclosures, "it's going to be as difficult for the defense to prove the theory that the White House got the information from reporters as it is for Fitzgerald to prove that the White House leaked the information about Wilson's wife," said Washington-based white-collar defense attorney James D. Wareham.

Okay, legal experts, and people who have watched more than three Law and Orders:

1. In a criminal trial, which is what this would be if the grand jury returns an indictment, must the prosecution prove its case is
A: more probable than what the defense says? OR
B: true beyond a reasonable doubt?

2. If an expert thinks that the prosecution is going to have a difficult time making its case, well, does that headline make a ding-blasted bit of sense?

Ooh, sorry, AP Reporter Mark Yost, would you like to try for Double Jeopardy where the scores can really change?

(Besides the fact that Fitzgerald will have trouble making a case, the main news here seems to be that there is a swearing contest forming up between Tim Russert and Scooter Libby, each of whom says he learned about Plame's covert job from the other. )

Posted by: seedubya at 01:20 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Fox:

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Ten masked gunmen kidnapped the lawyer for one of Saddam Hussein's co-defendants Thursday, police said.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, ladies and germs, but no, it wasn't Ramsey Clarke.

We're still stuck with him.

Posted by: Vinnie at 03:23 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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Yes the whole state, See The Right Place for details.

"Travis County, Texas Prosecutor Ronnie Earle issued a press release earlier today stating that he had sought and obtained an indictment against millions of Texas residents on charges of "Conspiracy to Elect Republicans." He also charged them all as "Accessories to Murder" in the case of Casey Sheehan, son of professional protester and media-whore, Cindy Sheehan. Earle stated that he will seek the death penalty against all of the defendants, cutting Texas' population roughly in half.

Related: Do I look worried???

She don't look worried either. Or her or this one.

Trying to blog goodr, cheap I know But that's what Iowahawk said to do.

Posted by: Howie at 02:48 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Dangerous dog bites lawmaker, will his own law make him a felon?

Yahoo News, New Mexico:

The author of a new state law that allows felony charges against owners of dangerous dogs was hospitalized over the weekend after his own dog attacked him... ...Schwartz was instrumental in getting a law passed during this year's regular legislative session that would allow felony charges to be filed against owners of dogs deemed dangerous or potentially dangerous and that seriously injure or kill another animal or person

more...

Posted by: Howie at 02:27 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Today President Bush met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. After the one hour meeting short statements were made. President Bush called Palestine to confront the armed gangs that constantly cause problems there. IÂ’ve noted that this is a problem. The Palestinian forces have not been wiling or able to face Hamas leaving Israel with the rather nasty job of doing so. If you are going to have a state you canÂ’t depend on your neighbor to do the dirty work for you.

MSNBC:

President Abbas is a man devoted to peace and to his people’s aspiration for a state of their own,” Bush said. “And today, the Palestinian people are closer to realizing their aspirations.” But, Bush said at a news conference after a one-hour meeting in the Oval Office, “the way forward is confronting the threat armed gangs present to creation of a democratic Palestine.”

At the same time the President warned Israel to be also following the roadmap to peace.

Israel should not undertake any activity that contravenes its roadmap obligations... ... Without elaboration, the president said Israel would be “held to account” for any actions that hamper peacemaking or burden the lives of Palestinians.

So it appears the US is being fair and balanced to both sides. Contrary to the perception that Israel wags our dog Mr. Bush seems to have both these dogs by the tail. I would even go so far as to say that if these parties get out of line hit them in the pocket book. Palestine desperately needs the aid we have been giving. How the same thing will work on Israel needs no explanation. The US has invested many years and untold billions of dollars trying to clean up this UN mess. ItÂ’s time we stop holding hands and pussyfooting around and demand not ask for both sides to get it together.

Posted by: Howie at 01:35 PM | Comments (30) | Add Comment
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Conservative Thinking covers quite a few topics in its day-to-day activities but one topic that is occassionally covered that needs more coverage is the 2nd Amendment, firearms, gun control laws, and crime. Gun ownership is a right of Americans that has been slowly stripped away since the beginning of time and has been heavily (and worthlessly) assualted by liberals.

Conservative Thinking is looking for a blogger to fill a role in covering 2nd Amendment issues. If you can dedicate a few posts a week to this issue at Conservative Thinking please contact Chris Short.

Posted by: Chris Short at 11:38 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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1 This blogger writes a lot of good articles in regards to the second amendment, you might ask him: http://blog.joehuffman.org/ He also runs "Boomershoot" (shooting explosives for targets) which he also has a license to manufacture. even if you don't ask him, his articles are well worth reading.

Posted by: dave at October 20, 2005 11:54 AM (CcXvt)

2 Thanks for the heads up. I'll check him out.

Posted by: Chris Short at October 20, 2005 11:56 AM (0OCQY)

3 Hm, I'd do it. I don't write too much on the 2nd Amendment, but mainly because I'm too busy covering everything else. And I've already said what needs to be said on the topic: What part of "shall not be infringed" don't you understand?

Posted by: IO ERROR at October 20, 2005 01:06 PM (vhWf1)

4 We ral need someone who knows what the 2nd amendment means and not just interpate it for the liberal news media if they cant read the simple words THE RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE TO KEEP AND BARE ARMS SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED then they should not be allowed to run even for city garbage collector

Posted by: sandpiper at October 20, 2005 01:40 PM (ba9dN)

5 I recommend perusing the Gun Blog Community at TTLB.

Posted by: SayUncle at October 20, 2005 02:26 PM (CDrd/)

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Hat tip Stop The ACLU

ANN ARBOR, MI — On Wednesday, October 19, 2005, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco, California, will hear oral arguments in Eklund v. Byron Union School District. The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, represents several parents and children who challenged the Byron Union School District's practice of teaching twelve-year-old students "to become Muslims."
For three weeks, impressionable twelve-year-old students were, among other things, placed into Islamic city groups, took Islamic names, wore identification tags that displayed their new Islamic name and the Star and Crescent Moon, which is the symbol of Muslims, were handed materials that instructed them to "Remember Allah always so that you may prosper," completed the Islamic Five Pillars of Faith, including fasting, and memorized and recited the "Bismillah" or "In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate," which students also wrote on banners that were hung on the classroom walls.
A federal district court judge in San Francisco had previously determined that the school district had not violated the constitution.

According to Richard Thompson, Chief Counsel of the Law Center, "There is a double-standard at play in this case. If the students had done similar activities in a class on Christianity, a constitutional violation would surely have been found. If the public school's practice is upheld on appeal, all public schools should begin teaching classes on Christianity in the same manner as the Islam class was taught in this case."Source

Double standard indeed. Public schools can't even have a nativity scene in a Christmas play without the ACLU jumping on them like a rabid wolf in the bushes. But these schools think they can teach our children the religion that wants to kill us all? Teach us to be tolerant to the intolerant religion of hate? I don't have a problem teaching our children how different religions have influenced the world around them, and that even includes the religion of hate, but it should be across the board, and should not include indoctrination. If Islam is allowed to be taught, then Christianity should be too. Where are the sensitive atheist parents on this one? Where is the ACLU?

Posted by: Chris Short at 08:02 AM | Comments (61) | Add Comment
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(Columbus, Ohio) In 1861, the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus was officially completed and President Abraham Lincoln spoke before a joint session of the Ohio Legislature in the House Chamber. Since that time, the venerable and historic building has been the enduring center of law for the people of the State of Ohio.

Unfortunately, during the same time period, the Ohio Statehouse also became home to an enduring infestation of rats. For well over a century, Ohio's elected lawmakers have lived in uncompromised harmony with buck-toothed, omnivorous, and disease-carrying rats.

That is, until about a year ago, when a dozen or so stray pussycats started making themselves at home on the Statehouse grounds. Despite their cozy coexistence with the legislators, the rats could not get along with feral felines. So, the rats moved. According to spokeswoman Pat Groseck, of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Commission,

"The cats have done a yeoman's job. There have been no rat-sighting reports since the cats have been there."

Or, is it? There are no reports of how the influx of feral cats has affected the songbird population. Typically, a vigorous feral cat population will eradicate all songbirds in the area. Gone are the sweet chirps and calls of cardinals, robins, and chickadees. Call it an unintended consequence.

In closing, I'm skeptical of the assertion that all of the rats have left the Statehouse. If true, how come my taxes keep going up?

Companion post at Interested-Participant.

Posted by: Mike Pechar at 05:16 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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