It's Good Enough for the Poor

[MBismyPlayground]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20050 ... ion/120080

John Nichols
Tue Sep 6, 1:08 PM ET



The Nation -- Finally, we have discovered the roots of George W. Bush's "compassionate conservatism."
On the heels of the president's "What, me worry?" response to the death, destruction and dislocation that followed upon Hurricane Katrina comes the news of his mother's Labor Day visit with hurricane evacuees at the Astrodome in Houston.

Commenting on the facilities that have been set up for the evacuees -- cots crammed side-by-side in a huge stadium where the lights never go out and the sound of sobbing children never completely ceases -- former First Lady Barbara Bush concluded that the poor people of New Orleans had lucked out.

"Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this, this is working very well for them," Mrs. Bush told American Public Media's "Marketplace" program, before returning to her multi-million dollar Houston home.
On the tape of the interview, Mrs. Bush chuckles audibly as she observes just how great things are going for families that are separated from loved ones, people who have been forced to abandon their homes and the only community where they have ever lived, and parents who are explaining to children that their pets, their toys and in some cases their friends may be lost forever. Perhaps the former first lady was amusing herself with the notion that evacuees without bread could eat cake.

At the very least, she was expressing a measure of empathy commensurate with that evidenced by her son during his fly-ins for disaster-zone photo opportunities.

There is more to the story at the web site.......
I am sick to my stomach now.....

[Roxy]

well, this article is clearly biased and written to piss people off.

[Mattie]

Not trying to start another political debate - but folks - be real - it is true! Those that have not been/lived/worked in the areas that evacuated to the superdome/convention center cannot even possibly imagine how well the people from those areas have it now. Big screen tvs, daycare center on site, Moms and Dads are free to leave their kids "to take care of business", meals are provided, clothes, just for the asking.

AND IT SHOULD BE THAT WAY!!! They deserve all the respect, support and material things that they need to get back on track and find a new life.

I've been to the shelters and there is a common echo - this is too nice. We are so lucky. For people to not have their homes and communities it is indeed a tragedy. Yes - the kids lost their friends, many many emotional scars for all will abound once things get to "normal".

Our area is so glad to assist! We have and continue to have the ability to provide for these unfortunate people.

I'm not supporting politics here - just stating that yes indeed, these people are doing great. A step above what some had - free FEMA cards, people handing them cash outside of the shelter, offers of employment and/or leads for them to become productive citizens in a new area. They have an opportunity to move up from the lower poor area in New Orleans that is not maintained very well and can definitely take a step forward due to the support, concern and caring of those communities that have readily adopted them.

It's not a political/class/racist/or anthing else but a situational thing. These people were in the very "poor" area of New Orleans. Living on food stamps and many on pension checks for their total income. Right now, they are sleeping next to a stranger in a shelter, and the potential for illnesses and the like are great. Again, no particular picnic, but it is bearable for these guys for a while - and some who said they would never want to leave the shelters.

And then, what happens when the shelter close - and people still "need". . . another thought altogether.

[mf_dolphin]

That article just proves what a 'journalist" can do to twist an event. Compared to where they were the evacuees are in a much better place than they were. Does anyone really believe this garbage? If they do then we're in much worse shape than I thought.

Please take a look at the web site that this comes from and you'll see the 'source".

[gtalum]

As the mother and wife of politicians, Mrs. Bush should know better than to make such a comment. Sure it's true, but it sounds really bad.

[JenBayles]

Just another crock o' shite on the shelf of biased journalism.....

[Roxy]

As the mother and wife of politicians, Mrs. Bush should know better than to make such a comment. Sure it's true, but it sounds really bad.

Yeah I agree, but I really don't think she meant it that way. Probably had a "W" moment.

[huricanwatcher]

Im sorry but that does not sound like something Mrs Bush would say, typical media putting a twist on things again

[x-y-no]

Yeah ... this is a hit piece all right.

You know ... there are enough real issues to criticize, I don't know why some feel the need to push the envelope like this. She may have not chosen the best possible way to say it, but I read this as a reaction to the great job the folks there in Texas are doing in taking care of these people.

[alicia-w]

i thought political comments were being banned in this forum. why wasnt this thread locked at the first post?

[soonertwister]

The Nation has been attacking President Bush since before he took office. This is just another of their slander jobs. Please lock this thread.

[mf_dolphin]

I'm going to lock this thread but leave it as an example of trash "journalism"