I’m not going to get into the pro/con of Bush or Iraq. I read the post and it does contain facts. It just doesn’t have all of them.
First, go hear:
http://www.ngb.army.mil/news/story.asp?id=1736 to see the strength of the National Guard. Hear are a few quotes from the site:
“As of today, Louisiana has 65 percent of its troops available for state missions; Mississippi, 60 percent; Alabama, 77 percent; and Florida, 74 percent, Guard officials said.”
“And at the same time, an estimated 75,000 National Guard members are deployed to some 40 countries around the world, including Iraq, where they make up almost one-half the U.S. force, he said.”
Therefore, while Louisiana is not 100% strong, it is not depleted and National Guardsmen are in a lot more countries than Iraq. In addition, just as the National Guard from Louisiana goes to other countries, other states send guardsmen to Louisiana.
Then we get to the government not responding to the levee issue. If you go to CNN.com and then to the video file archives you will find out this issue has been discussed since 1927. Warnings long ignored (2:40) In fairness, CNN does point out Bush cut the funds allocated six years ago, after 10 people drowned, and the Army Core of Engineers is taxed with Iraq. Still “In 1969 Hurricane Camille swept through the region, resulting in many deaths and much property damage.”
http://www.bartleby.com/65/ne/NewOrlea.html You can also look at
http://www.nola.com/washingaway/harmsway_1.html. Plus, “It was common knowledge around here, that if New Orleans were ever hit by a major hurricane there would be substantial flooding. Additionally, the pump system built after Betsy in the 1960's was NEVER finished.”
http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2005/08/new_orleans_as_.html How old was Bush in 1960?
Another thing to remember is the way our government works. Even if we were not in Iraq, there is no proof Congress would have allocated the funs. That is what happens and it even happened to George Washington at Valley Forge. “A bitter George Washington — whose first concern was always his soldiers — would accuse the Congress of "little feeling for the naked and distressed soldiers. I feel superabundantly for them, and from my soul pity those miseries, which it is neither in my power to relieve or prevent."”
http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/history/vstory.html
Case in point. Despite Iraq, look what Congress did on August 10th.
“Alaska's Gravina Island is home to 50 people and more than 350 Sitka black-tailed deer. Under the U.S. highway bill passed last month, this group will get a $223 million bridge taller than the Brooklyn Bridge in New York”
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aWA7joXO0bRk&refer=us
Check out the Citizens Against Government Waste Pigbook at
http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=reports_pigbook2005. You will find out that there was money. This site shows what funds were allocated to Louisiana
http://www.cagw.org/site/FrameSet?style=User&url=http://publications.cagw.org/pigbook/pigbook.php3
).....