Which Government Response Has Been More Pathetic: BP or Katrina?

[clb09]

The world is once again witnessing the futility of massive, central government planning.

But which "response" has been more laughable?

That of the Silver Spoon, fake Texas good ol' boy administration to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina...

Or the administration of the smooth talkin', possible foreigner to Deepwater Horizon?

http://wordyninja.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/bush_confused.jpghttp://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/09/photogalleries/hurricane_katrina_aftermath/images/primary/katrina_flood_32.jpg
http://facefwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Obama-Confused-300x300.jpghttp://www.diversespecialties.com/new_design/new_images/Sandbagging.jpg

[Anti Federalist]

I think both examples show yet again the general worthlessness of "government" as it's come to be understood.

[RonPaulGetsIt]

I think both examples show yet again the general worthlessness of "government" as it's come to be understood.

I Agree.

[aravoth]

I almost answered, then I realized it's a trick question.

Government response is always pathetic.

you almost got me there!

[Dr.3D]

So just exactly what is the government supposed to do? It isn't like it is an expert in stopping oil from leaking out of a pipeline 5000 feet underwater.

The ones who are supposed to be doing something about the leak are doing the best they can and we can't expect them to do anything more.

Why is it people expect the government to always come up with an answer when something goes wrong? I thought we of all people would be the ones who would like the government to keep out of things and let those who know what they are doing handle the problems.

[angelatc]

Why is it people expect the government to always come up with an answer when something goes wrong? I thought we of all people would be the ones who would like the government to keep out of things and let those who know what they are doing handle the problems.

Exactly. I'd like to see Bobby Jindal ask people to come if he needs help sandbagging. Because we're Americans, we would. It would be a great spirit builder.

[low preference guy]

accidents happen.

[clb09]

So just exactly what is the government supposed to do? It isn't like it is an expert in stopping oil from leaking out of a pipeline 5000 feet underwater?

In a perfect world Obama would have a prime-time address from the Oval Office. He would announce the abolishment of the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, OSHA and FEMA. He would admit that these massive, bloated bureaucracies are nothing but giant sinkholes Americans are forced to throw their money into so that government workers can pad their pensions (and surf porn).

He would authorize a 100% tax rebate for the residents of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida.

Then he would announce his resignation like Nixon.

...that would go a long way in restoring confidence in the decision-making authorities in the Federal Government.

[tangent4ronpaul]

The two situations are not really comparable. Katrina was a situation where the government could have done a lot, instead they got in the way. Then used it as an excuse to piss away massive quantities of taxpayer dollars to a favored no bid contractor.

Here, USCG is doing a good job helping clean up surface oil and USGS is doing a good job with monitoring. The USAF is helping by transporting booms and other materials as well as using C-130's to distribute dispersant. Beyond that the gvmt is largely staying out of the way. They could help with shore cleanup but are leaving it to BP, the locals and NGO environmental and wildlife groups. On the underwater stuff, they can do nothing - but are managing to get in the way by making BP ask permission and kiss their ass for everything they try to do to fix the problem. BP know what they are doing - the gvmt doesn't in this regard. BO is in the public's face about how the gvmt is managing the situation, while blaming BP on a daily basis. He should just shut the fuck up and get out of the way. He has ordered all drilling in the gulf halted, and that's going to hurt the country. Afterwords, the gvmt will use it as an excuse to waste massive amounts of taxpayer dollars in payouts and no bit contracts to favored contractors.

-t

[libertybrewcity]

with the billions of dollars we give fema and the other disaster organizations, you would think they would have plans set in case this kind of thing happens.

[Anti Federalist]

with the billions of dollars we give get robbed and extorted to turn over to fema and the other disaster organizations, you would think they would have plans set in case this kind of thing happens.

Give?

Fixed.

[tangent4ronpaul]

with the billions of dollars we give fema and the other disaster organizations, you would think they would have plans set in case this kind of thing happens.

As far as I can tell - FEMA is not involved with this one.

-t

[jclay2]

In a perfect world Obama would have a prime-time address from the Oval Office. He would announce the abolishment of the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, OSHA and FEMA. He would admit that these massive, bloated bureaucracies are nothing but giant sinkholes Americans are forced to throw their money into so that government workers can pad their pensions (and surf porn).

He would authorize a 100% tax rebate for the residents of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida.

Then he would announce his resignation like Nixon.

...that would go a long way in restoring confidence in the decision-making authorities in the Federal Government.

LMAO clb09. I can only imagine.

[South Park Fan]

Why is Louisiana always the victim of governmental incompetence towards disasters?

[cindy25]

Why is Louisiana always the victim of governmental incompetence towards disasters?

Louisiana historically has the worst state government, dating back to Huey Long and probably before that.

[South Park Fan]

While both governments have been awful at their responses, I have to say that Bush's was more disasterous, because at least Obama hasn't (yet) declared martial law in response to the oil spill.

[klamath]

Actually this is one area that I don't think Bush or Obama were at fault besides all the rantings of people that have no clue of emgergency management. In this case the government has no clue how to manage an oil spill and in katrina the destruction to infrastructure was beyond anything ever experienced it was bound to end up a clusterfu*k. Then all the political finger pointing started and the politicians poured money down a rat hole to make up for the racist charges being leveled.

[nobody's_hero]

While both governments have been awful at their responses, I have to say that Bush's was more disasterous, because at least Obama hasn't (yet) declared martial law in response to the oil spill.

I voted the same. Until I hear about arbitrary gun confiscation from law-abiding citizens, Bush retains his title.

Although, an interesting point was made about what exactly the government is supposed to do in a disaster like this. Accidents happen. I haven't really seen the government adopt the attitude: "We MUST do something at all costs." Things go haywire when they start thinking like that.

[South Park Fan]

While both governments have been awful at their responses, I have to say that Bush's was more disasterous, because at least Obama hasn't (yet) declared martial law in response to the oil spill.

Looks like I spoke too soon. YouTube - First Amendment Has been Suspended (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXsmLMV1CrM)

[MelissaWV]

I voted that Obama's has been worse, because the minutae are lost on the public.

We know about the gun confiscations and other problems in the wake of Katrina; the people know Government inaction, and were mad about it.

In the wake of the BP spill, it's been hold, and hero; the Government does very little in the vicinity of the spill, then takes over the area and gets everything "under control," then backs off again, then swoops in again. There was a very real effort by local people to get involved and avoid this disaster coming ashore. The frustration is not what will be remembered, I wager. It will be that the Government did "everything it could" and other such bullshit. People are crying out for the Government on this one. Please regulate me. Please compensate me. Please go after the corporation that did this to me. This is not what happened in the wake of Katrina. Katrina was pure anger; this is a crafty means of getting people to reach out and beg for more, even as Government itself is to blame for the worst of their plight.

This disaster has simultaneously stimied any local efforts and free market of ideas that might have helped stop the spill, and caused people to seek Government-related avenues to keep it from "ever happening again," while also painting Obama as stern and serious and helpful in the eyes of those who choose to merely listen to soundbytes on the evening news. Amazing, amazing.

[kahless]

When the feds are blocking state, local and foreign assistance at almost 3 months out it is pretty clear this far exceeds Katrina. I think people that are voting both are just making a point about both governments being Socialist and missing the part "equally". Sure they are both Socialist but I think it is pretty clear that this one is far worse.