http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090326/ap_on_re_us/midwest_flooding

Were the hell is the Federal govenment?

It's a red state... so yeah. thats the plan

Were the hell is the Federal govenment?
What do you expect them to do?

Looks like the Red Cross and a few thousand National Guard troops are already on the scene. The entire state was declared a Federal Disaster Area last week.

Doesn't seem like there's a big risk of life, mostly property. Obama can get out his pen but you're not going to stop a river.

Crazy situation though, at least when Cedar Rapids flooded last year it wasn't 20 freaking degrees!

-spence

What do you expect them to do?

Looks like the Red Cross and a few thousand National Guard troops are already on the scene. The entire state was declared a Federal Disaster Area last week.

Doesn't seem like there's a big risk of life, mostly property. Obama can get out his pen but you're not going to stop a river.

Crazy situation though, at least when Cedar Rapids flooded last year it wasn't 20 freaking degrees!

-spence

And yet Bush was to blame for New Orleans.........
He offered help, long before the governor excepted it. But it was all blamed on Bush who made none of the mistakes on the ground, like sending busses to the wrong place. or having the rescue helicopter fly to his residence to get personal items vice rescue people.

Seems like republicans get blamed for the bad, while democrats accept the blame for things gone right.

Example, first 2 months of Obama's presidency stock market loses 1/3 of its value (not his fault) and yet it has a small rebound and Obama is credited by the drive-bys for it.. Total rubish

And yet Bush was to blame for New Orleans.........
He offered help, long before the governor excepted it. But it was all blamed on Bush who made none of the mistakes on the ground, like sending busses to the wrong place. or having the rescue helicopter fly to his residence to get personal items vice rescue people.

Seems like republicans get blamed for the bad, while democrats accept the blame for things gone right.
Apples and oranges. You're just trying to make hate.

-spence

Bush started that flood from the snow fall of 'o8.

Apples and oranges. You're just trying to make hate.

-spence

Not really, It does seem to happen pretty often. If I am somehow looking at the world upside down and Republicans are all to blame, I'll apologize when proven wrong. Until then this is just my opinion.

Bush started that flood from the snow fall of 'o8.

You are a funny bastard Nebe:rotflmao:
I just thought it was a contrast to see the Fargo folks working together to protect what they can. New Orleans.... don't listen to the warnings and then blame someone else for the situation.

You are a funny bastard Nebe:rotflmao:
I just thought it was a contrast to see the Fargo folks working together to protect what they can. New Orleans.... don't listen to the warnings and then blame someone else for the situation.

Lets mobilize Ray Nagin and his fleet of unmanned buses, I think they are still sitting there. Did anyone check any of the dams, levees and storm drains around Fargo for explosives planted by the Bush Administration? Have we looked into whether the Republicans are actually using snowmakers to increase snowfall and flooding to make Obama's lack of response look worse. Let's go people!

See... now your lumping the real wing bats in with the people that think the administration, including Bush, but certainly extending into FEMA botched the handling of Katrina, where Nagin and the Govenor wanted help or not...
I don't think any rational people think GWB was down at the levee wiring explosives himself... :D



the CIA did it for him

:D:D:D:D:D

This is what we pay taxes dollars for IMO, to help those in need.
But neither one , Katrina nor ND, with get anything.
go outside of NOL, its still Afghanistan out there.

This is what we pay taxes dollars for IMO, to help those in need.
But neither one , Katrina nor ND, with get anything.
go outside of NOL, its still Afghanistan out there.

Don't know why you'd say that. The entire state of ND has been declared a disaster area which means they're legally entitled to Federal Funds and assistance.

As bad as Fargo is, and it's pretty bad, this is not even close to Katrina.

-spence

go to La. you tell me, I've been there. I've nailed 2x4s in houses that had been under 20' of water, I've walked on slabs of concrete that had everything that was on it in piles of sorted %$%$%$%$ in the neighborhood streets waiting for months for the EPA to get rid of it. Those piles existed only because of volunteer groups that paid for their own efforts to come and assist in the cleanup because our government didn't have the wherewithal to see outside of the metro area and help their fellow citizens

Fargo has topped the all time recorded flood level of 40.1
with 42' above flood stage and stay there thru Wednesday night. That's worse than katrina. The only thing that makes it anyway near better is that less people live there.

And yet Bush was to blame for New Orleans.........
He offered help, long before the governor excepted it. But it was all blamed on Bush who made none of the mistakes on the ground, like sending busses to the wrong place. or having the rescue helicopter fly to his residence to get personal items vice rescue people.

Seems like republicans get blamed for the bad, while democrats accept the blame for things gone right.

Example, first 2 months of Obama's presidency stock market loses 1/3 of its value (not his fault) and yet it has a small rebound and Obama is credited by the drive-bys for it.. Total rubish

hey, your as crazy as I am. your just on the wrong side:kewl:

with 42' above flood stage and stay there thru Wednesday night. That's worse than katrina. The only thing that makes it anyway near better is that less people live there.

I don't know if I'd judge the two based on flood height alone...

Obama's going to use this as more proof we need to carbon credits (taxes)

http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/235048/

I don't know if I'd judge the two based on flood height alone...

Yeah one has ice the other had wind, how tall is your house?

Fargo has topped the all time recorded flood level of 40.1 with 42' above flood stage and stay there thru Wednesday night. That's worse than katrina. The only thing that makes it anyway near better is that less people live there.
Worse under what measurement, that the water was higher? That makes no sense.

When you look at the entire situation, Katrina is much worse in terms of net destruction and suffering.

The population makes a big difference here, as does the slow rise of the river which gives the National Guard, who are on the job, a good amount of lead time to manage the situation.

Sure if your life is upturned it sucks personally, but the thread is about why Obama isn't fixing the situation, which is just a bull%$%$%$%$ argument to fake outrage. Buck and Beans are sounding more and more like Air America every day...

-spence

Worse under what measurement, that the water was higher? That makes no sense.

When you look at the entire situation, Katrina is much worse in terms of net destruction and suffering.

The population makes a big difference here, as does the slow rise of the river which gives the National Guard, who are on the job, a good amount of lead time to manage the situation.

Sure if your life is upturned it sucks personally, but the thread is about why Obama isn't fixing the situation, which is just a bull%$%$%$%$ argument to fake outrage. Buck and Beans are sounding more and more like Air America every day...

-spence

My thread was somewhat in jest. I was just using it to point out a little bit of media hypocracy. Katrina turned into a major Bush failure, I feel because of the media's effort to drive that point home..

The National Guard are on the job because the Governor is not an idiot as was not the case for Katrina.

Fargo had the same set of options that New Orleans had they just chose to use them.

Fargo had the same set of options that New Orleans had they just chose to use them.

That's simply not true at all. Fargo has a population of about 100,000 residents compared to the millions in the Gulf area, not to mention the economic issues that made it more difficult for tens of thousands to evacuate.

This isn't to say that local officials aren't to blame for the Katrina mess, they certainly are...but you're comparing apples and oranges.

-spence

if I remember correctly there were dead bodies in the streets of NO. I'm not sure that the two are comparable. I think the right is just looking for something to blame something on Obama. 9/11, Katrina, Iraq, the economy, all results of republican policies. It would be nice if they had something to blame on the new guy.

My thread was somewhat in jest. I was just using it to point out a little bit of media hypocracy. Katrina turned into a major Bush failure, I feel because of the media's effort to drive that point home..
Yes, it's all the media's fault :doh:

Katrina was a Bush failure because the Federal government let a massive breakdown in the state and local governments go unchecked for too long, allowing a very bad situation to get much worse. It's not like Mayor Nagin got a lot of great PR over the situation, the media made him out to be an idiot.

-spence

if I remember correctly there were dead bodies in the streets of NO. I'm not sure that the two are comparable. I think the right is just looking for something to blame something on Obama. 9/11, Katrina, Iraq, the economy, all results of republican policies. It would be nice if they had something to blame on the new guy.

So now 9/11 was the result of Republican policies????

I mean we all know the Republicans caused Katrina:jester:

The big difference I see here is local leaders took charge, made right decisions, and most importanly, the people arent sitting on their butts waiting for Uncle Sam to save them, they are hip deep in freezing water, working together to save what they can. And when it is all over they will put those same values and ethics to work, and rebuild it a lil better than it was before. The mindset of someone in most of the midwest and mountain states is totally different that that of the east coast. If they have a problem, they will work "together", not riot and loot each others homes..... That alone caused alot of the additional property and human casualties from Katrina. That and many of the cops and firemen, leaving. A good friend of mine is a cop there and he was left with 1/2 his guys, doing 10 times more work,, alot of it trying to prevent or stop looters as they didnt have a boat to rescue people, they tried to protect people and property. from looters. I guarantee you will not find a single case of looting a neighbors home in North Dakota.

Yes, it's all the media's fault :doh:

Katrina was a Bush failure because the Federal government let a massive breakdown in the state and local governments go unchecked for too long, allowing a very bad situation to get much worse. It's not like Mayor Nagin got a lot of great PR over the situation, the media made him out to be an idiot.

-spence

So Bush should have overrode the lack of leadership at the state level and sent in the National Guard? Remember we all thought for a day or two that New Orleans had been spared.

The big difference I see here is local leaders took charge, made right decisions, and most importanly, the people arent sitting on their butts waiting for Uncle Sam to save them, they are hip deep in freezing water, working together to save what they can. And when it is all over they will put those same values and ethics to work, and rebuild it a lil better than it was before. The mindset of someone in most of the midwest and mountain states is totally different that that of the east coast. If they have a problem, they will work "together", not riot and loot each others homes..... That alone caused alot of the additional property and human casualties from Katrina. That and many of the cops and firemen, leaving. A good friend of mine is a cop there and he was left with 1/2 his guys, doing 10 times more work,, alot of it trying to prevent or stop looters as they didnt have a boat to rescue people, they tried to protect people and property. from looters. I guarantee you will not find a single case of looting a neighbors home in North Dakota.

Well put.

http://www.unitedbeerfront.com/images/1_23_083105_looters2.jpg

http://www.unitedbeerfront.com/images/1_23_083105_looters2.jpg

:bgi:

heineken in bottles tastes like crap anyway

The big difference I see here is local leaders took charge, made right decisions, and most importanly, the people arent sitting on their butts waiting for Uncle Sam to save them, they are hip deep in freezing water, working together to save what they can. And when it is all over they will put those same values and ethics to work, and rebuild it a lil better than it was before. The mindset of someone in most of the midwest and mountain states is totally different that that of the east coast. If they have a problem, they will work "together", not riot and loot each others homes..... That alone caused alot of the additional property and human casualties from Katrina. That and many of the cops and firemen, leaving. A good friend of mine is a cop there and he was left with 1/2 his guys, doing 10 times more work,, alot of it trying to prevent or stop looters as they didnt have a boat to rescue people, they tried to protect people and property. from looters. I guarantee you will not find a single case of looting a neighbors home in North Dakota.

I think it's pretty safe to assume that the normal crime rate in Fargo, ND is dramatically lower than New Orleans, which I believe had the highest murder rate in the USA not all that long ago.

To assert that the people of Mayberry would repond differently to a natural disaster than say Gotham is quite an astonishing observation don't you think? :rollem:

Funny thing is I grew up in Cedar Rapids, IA which was suffered greatly in the epic floods of last summer. They said the exact same thing about no looting there as well, up until the point when there was some looting.

Most of those still suffering are from the lower income housing that was gutted, and yes, the Public Library is a goner...but there was never a chance of 1000+ dead. 500 year floods don't do that, it has to rain for weeks and you have plenty of warning.

But no, it's easier to claim parity because it highlights a social gap responsible only by socialist policy that's entitled the poor and destroyed their sense of civic duty...right?

-spence

If it were up to lake ponchartrain, civil engineering not withstanding, vast swaths of New Orleans would be underwater anyway, storm surge or no storm surge. It was a disaster waiting to happen and it could have been even worse. This leaves even greater reason to fault local & federal officials. They just should have known better.

The nature of epic flooding in the Red River of the North is a different situation given its infrequency and geography.

Equivocating the two scenarios is a stretch.

So now 9/11 was the result of Republican policies????

I mean we all know the Republicans caused Katrina:jester:

Bin Ladin Determined To Strike in US was the President's Daily Brief given to U.S. President George W. Bush on August 6, 2001. The President's Daily Brief (PDB) is a brief of important classified information on national security collected by various U.S. intelligence agencies given to the president and a select group of senior officials. The brief warned of terrorism threats from Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda over a month before the September 11, 2001 attacks.[1]

Bin Ladin Determined To Strike in US was the President's Daily Brief given to U.S. President George W. Bush on August 6, 2001. The President's Daily Brief (PDB) is a brief of important classified information on national security collected by various U.S. intelligence agencies given to the president and a select group of senior officials. The brief warned of terrorism threats from Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda over a month before the September 11, 2001 attacks.[1]

You're kidding right? Do you realize how many credible threats the president hears each day in his "security briefings".

"Good morning Mr. President, today we have a unstable situation in Venezuela, we also have a destabilization problem in Iran, we've got threats from Iran, Russia, Pakistan, and just this morning, Kim Jong Il, said he "wants to make a pudding from the bones of Americans."

Lets mobilize Ray Nagin and his fleet of unmanned buses, I think they are still sitting there. Did anyone check any of the dams, levees and storm drains around Fargo for explosives planted by the Bush Administration? Have we looked into whether the Republicans are actually using snowmakers to increase snowfall and flooding to make Obama's lack of response look worse. Let's go people!

Hey don't laugh, but where do you think all the friekin water is heading anyways. South

Nope, Red River runs North

You're kidding right? Do you realize how many credible threats the president hears each day in his "security briefings".

"Good morning Mr. President, today we have a unstable situation in Venezuela, we also have a destabilization problem in Iran, we've got threats from Iran, Russia, Pakistan, and just this morning, Kim Jong Il, said he "wants to make a pudding from the bones of Americans."

wow, didn't realize you were in on the classified daily security briefings.

The declassified intelligence report said the FBI had detected "patterns of suspicious activity in this country consistent with preparations for hijackings."

Former counterterrorism aide Richard Clarke had testified before that the White House had ignored warnings about bin Laden's terrorist organization. Clarke said the Bush administration, including Rice, was aware of al Qaeda threats but did not treat them as "urgent."
http://www.wisopinion.com/blogs/uploaded_images/UAE-757486.jpg

Bssb - learn how to say what you want the first time without editing and re-editing or we'll lock down editing time so you can't say one thing and then another every few minutes.

Thank you.

You're kidding right? Do you realize how many credible threats the president hears each day in his "security briefings".

"Good morning Mr. President, today we have a unstable situation in Venezuela, we also have a destabilization problem in Iran, we've got threats from Iran, Russia, Pakistan, and just this morning, Kim Jong Il, said he "wants to make a pudding from the bones of Americans."
Yes, and how many of these threats had pretty good intel stating intent to attack within the United States?

Perhaps highlighting how they dropped the ball was Rice's statement that "had we had any idea" when there were memos from months previous. Talk about spin...

Now I believe that Clinton can and should have done more against Bin Laden, but the rate at which Bush simply ignored the issue...and then used 9/11 as an excuse to do a complete 180 has given this Country a terrible case of whiplash we're going to be recovering from for at least another decade if not longer.

-spence

Now I believe that Clinton can and should have done more against Bin Laden, but the rate at which Bush simply ignored the issue...and then used 9/11 as an excuse to do a complete 180 has given this Country a terrible case of whiplash we're going to be recovering from for at least another decade if not longer.
-spence

Both Clinton and Bush, were just following the standard game plan of cat and mouse, that we've been playing with them since Carter. Even with intel that they have a plan and want to initiate it, it is difficult to initiate a preemptive strike against a uninitiated plan. Lots of people have plans, or would like to cause us harm, but most of those never get past the planning stages. If you take action against a foreign country, even with proof of intent, is is virtually impossible to get the support of the rest of the world, and without our allies support, most in congress will not support such action. I'll give Clinton the benefit of dought on this, and say that, I am sure they both wanted to do more than they did, but hit head on with congress and the UN and were unable to do more.

It is a sad fact that, even with the intel, we were unable to properly react to the threat, other than a few warnings to the airlines of increased possible threat. It is a tough balancing act, of trying to protect ourselves and over reacting or under reacting to possible threats.

It's a shame how much polls and popular opinion get in the way of national security, knowing that much of the facts can't be given out to the public without tipping our hand, but without this support many politicians are too afraid to act.

just the opinions of an old retired navy guy.

Both Clinton and Bush, were just following the standard game plan of cat and mouse, that we've been playing with them since Carter. Even with intel that they have a plan and want to initiate it, it is difficult to initiate a preemptive strike against a uninitiated plan.
But under Clinton and Bush we weren't playing cat and mouse. After the 1993 WTC bombing there was a series of attacks against US interests that were not motivated by the political militancy we've seen before. These should have been taken more seriously but they weren't. Yes, I have the blessing of hindsight, but that's what I thought the CIA, NSA and State Department were there for!

I doubt 9/11 could have necessarily been averted so late in the planning, but it seems like our Government wasn't even watching the game.

-spence

Fargo is all set Spence, because all the FEMA trailers are stored in Fargo for use everywhere else in the country. Fargo is where the formaldahyde factory is also. Plus all the those trailers that have all the ice stored in them for use everywhere are hidden in the woods there, because its so out of the way.

Just having fun Spence. Thank you for pointing out my sentence structure shortcomings. I did a rather poor job at it.

Fargo is all set Spence, because all the FEMA trailers are stored in Fargo for use everywhere else in the country Spence. Fargo is where the formaldahyde factory is. Plus all the those trailers that have all the ice stored in them for use elsewhere are hidden in the woods there, because its so out of the way.

Perhaps you want to think this one through and try posting again? :bounce:

-spence

Bssb - learn how to say what you want the first time without editing and re-editing or we'll lock down editing time so you can't say one thing and then another every few minutes.

Thank you.

Are there rules about adding to a post after I posted it? I didn't realize there were rules on what you can do with your own post. Seems like someone is trying to silence my opinion. Is this web site based in China or do we still have free speech?

Perhaps you want to think this one through and try posting again? :bounce:

-spence


just don't edit your post. that's against the law. John will get you.

Are there rules about adding to a post after I posted it? I didn't realize there were rules on what you can do with your own post. Seems like someone is trying to silence my opinion. Is this web site based in China or do we still have free speech?

just don't edit your post. that's against the law. John will get you.

Actually, a couple things maybe you need to understand.

First, Free Speech is a constitutional right, not yelling "Fire in a Theater" or I'm a Conspiratorial Nitwit in an Internet Forum. Though on this Internet forum (especially the Political Talk) it is pretty rare for me or someone to edit someone's post.

As for your warning to Spence, as one of the more active soapboxers in these forums he knows that his opinion has rarely been silenced, maybe a whole two or three times in many many years. That applies to him, the Moonbats, the Freepers, and all.

Now the reason I am asking you to get it right the first time (at least most of the time) is because I'm seeing a trend here where you post a lot of crap in rapid fire and change it or clean it up a little afterward with multiple edits. Why don't you think first, figure out what you want to say next, and then post it in a manner that doesn't require you to edit a bunch of times. Couple things might happen but for one, people might take you more seriously.

As for the "rules", we periodically put a time limit on how long you can edit when someone uses "editing" frequently to take shots or post drivel. Thankfully it doesn't happen all too often by us uber right wing, great firewall of China censormeisters.

Political Threads This section is for Political Threads - Enter at your own risk. If you say you don't want to see what someone posts - don't read it :hihi:

Political Threads This section is for Political Threads - Enter at your own risk. If you say you don't want to see what someone posts - don't read it :hihi:


Aww shucks, timeout.

As for your warning to Spence, as one of the more active soapboxers in these forums he knows that his opinion has rarely been silenced, maybe a whole two or three times in many many years. That applies to him, the Moonbats, the Freepers, and all.
I need to work harder then :hihi:

Aside from the WeeWee battle many, many moons ago I can't think of any real censorship, and that was at my request!

-spence

Doesn't anyone on this thread care about Fargo anymore?

I need to work harder then :hihi:

Aside from the WeeWee battle many, many moons ago I can't think of any real censorship, and that was at my request!

-spence

Yeh, we censor real hard here. :yak5:

Doesn't anyone on this thread care about Fargo anymore?

Things look pretty good right now all things considered. Assuming they don't have a major levy failure (and yes I'm knocking on wood).

Going to take the city a long time to recover. I know Cedar Rapids has only just begun.

-spence

Strange, I havent heard a single peep from the whitehouse about Fargo.
No declaration of a state of emergency or anything. Other than the national guard being there, I haven't seen much as far as national interest. Same thing goes for the volcano in Alaska. I mentioned it to a friend here and he was surprised as he hadnt heard about it. I told him the flood and volcano have been going on for almost a week now.. National news seems to ignore those places that they can't get video of poor downtrodden people, begging for assistance. These same people that have become slaves to the government programs, that give them just enough welfare to not have to work, but never actually succeed (also keeping them in the Democrat pocket). If someone bussed in 100 people (mostly minorities) to Fargo pretending it was their homes in danger, it would be front page news.

my humble opinion

I need to work harder then :hihi:

Aside from the WeeWee battle many, many moons ago I can't think of any real censorship, and that was at my request!

-spence


You buried weewee under the Newport Bridge

Strange, I havent heard a single peep from the whitehouse about Fargo.
No declaration of a state of emergency or anything. Other than the national guard being there, I haven't seen much as far as national interest. Same thing goes for the volcano in Alaska. I mentioned it to a friend here and he was surprised as he hadnt heard about it. I told him the flood and volcano have been going on for almost a week now.. National news seems to ignore those places that they can't get video of poor downtrodden people, begging for assistance. These same people that have become slaves to the government programs, that give them just enough welfare to not have to work, but never actually succeed (also keeping them in the Democrat pocket). If someone bussed in 100 people (mostly minorities) to Fargo pretending it was their homes in danger, it would be front page news.

my humble opinion


Yup they're not democratic enough up there to get coverage

Strange, I havent heard a single peep from the whitehouse about Fargo.
No declaration of a state of emergency or anything.
It (the entire State of ND) was declared a Federal Disaster Area on Tuesday of last week.

Yesterday the President had this to say...

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Washington, DC

Even as we face an economic crisis which demands our constant focus, forces of nature can also intervene in ways that create other crises to which we must respond – and respond urgently. For the people of North and South Dakota and Minnesota who live along rivers spilling over their banks, this is one such moment.

Rivers and streams throughout the region have flooded or are at risk of flooding. The cities of Fargo and neighboring Moorhead are vulnerable as the waters of the Red River have risen. Thousands of homes and businesses are threatened.

That is why, on Tuesday, I granted a major disaster declaration request for the State of North Dakota and ordered federal support into the region to help state and local officials respond to the flooding. This was followed by an emergency declaration for the State of Minnesota. And we are also keeping close watch on the situation in South Dakota as it develops.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency continue to coordinate the federal response. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is helping to oversee federal efforts and she remains in close contact with state officials. Acting FEMA administrator Nancy Ward has been in the region since yesterday to meet with folks on the ground and survey the area herself.

In addition, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is assisting in the emergency construction of levees. The Coast Guard is aiding in search and rescue efforts while the Department of Defense is helping to move people and supplies. Members of the National Guard have been activated and are on the scene as well.

Hospitals and nursing homes in the area are being evacuated and residents in poor health or with special needs are being transported to higher ground. Teams from the Department of Health and Human Services are aiding in this work. And the Red Cross is in place to provide shelter and supplies for folks in need.

It is also important for residents in these states to remain vigilant in monitoring reports on flood crests and to follow instructions from their state and local leaders in the event that evacuations become necessary.

My administration is working closely with Governors John Hoeven, Mike Rounds and Tim Pawlenty. And I’ve been meeting with Senators Byron Dorgan, Kent Conrad, and Amy Klobuchar, as well as Congressmen Earl Pomeroy and Collin Peterson, to pledge my support. I will continue to monitor the situation carefully. We will do what must be done to help in concert with state and local agencies and non-profit organizations – and volunteers who are doing so much to aid the response effort.

For at moments like these, we are reminded of the power of nature to disrupt lives and endanger communities. But we are also reminded of the power of individuals to make a difference.

In the Fargodome, thousands of people gathered not to watch a football game or a rodeo, but to fill sandbags. Volunteers filled 2.5 million of them in just five days, working against the clock, day and night, with tired arms and aching backs. Others braved freezing temperatures, gusting winds, and falling snow to build levees along the river’s banks to help protect against waters that have exceeded record levels.

College students have traveled by the busload from nearby campuses to lend a hand during their spring breaks. Students from local high schools asked if they could take time to participate. Young people have turned social networks into community networks, coordinating with one another online to figure out how best to help.

In the face of an incredible challenge, the people of these communities have rallied in support of one another. And their service isn’t just inspirational – it’s integral to our response.

It’s also a reminder of what we can achieve when Americans come together to serve their communities. All across the nation, there are men, women and young people who have answered that call, and millions of other who would like to. Whether it’s helping to reduce the energy we use, cleaning up a neighborhood park, tutoring in a local school, or volunteering in countless other ways, individual citizens can make a big difference.

That is why I’m so happy that legislation passed the Senate this week and the House last week to provide more opportunities for Americans to serve their communities and the country.

The bipartisan Senate bill was sponsored by Senator Orrin Hatch and Senator Ted Kennedy, a leader who embodies the spirit of public service, and I am looking forward to signing this important measure into law.

In facing sudden crises or more stubborn challenges, the truth is we are all in this together – as neighbors and fellow citizens. That is what brought so many to help in North Dakota and Minnesota and other areas affected by this flooding. That is what draws people to volunteer in so many ways, serving our country here and on distant shores.

Our thanks go to them today, and to all who are working day and night to deal with the disaster. We send them our thoughts, our prayers, and our continued assistance in this difficult time.

Thank you.

Perhaps you're just not watching the right news?

-spence

That's great new, no FEMA.

And they're busing in STUDENTS to help. Now that is government in action.

I guess I missed that on the news yesterday. Thanks for posting that. Point goes to Spence. One thing concerns me though from his speech,

"That is why I’m so happy that legislation passed the Senate this week and the House last week to provide more opportunities for Americans to serve their communities and the country.

The bipartisan Senate bill was sponsored by Senator Orrin Hatch and Senator Ted Kennedy, a leader who embodies the spirit of public service, and I am looking forward to signing this important measure into law."

What legislation was that? Hopefully not the precursor to the one I've heard about that will eventually require youth to serve in some role of community or military service. Kinda makes my "spidey senses" tingle. People already have all the opportunities in the world to help, something like this is more than likely going to require it in some way.

What legislation was that? Hopefully not the precursor to the one I've heard about that will eventually require youth to serve in some role of community or military service. Kinda makes my "spidey senses" tingle. People already have all the opportunities in the world to help, something like this is more than likely going to require it in some way.
Doesn't appear so from the description on Hatch's site...

HATCH, KENNEDY BILL RENEWS CALL FOR NATIONAL SERVICE
Serve America Act To Increase Service Opportunities for All Americans

WASHINGTON – In coming days, Senators Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) will introduce new legislation, the “Serve America Act,” to expand opportunities for service for all Americans. The legislation will ask 175,000 more Americans to give a year of service to address specific national challenges, thereby expanding the number of national service participants to 250,000. The legislation will also increase opportunities for individuals to serve at every stage of their life and will support nonprofit organizations and social entrepreneurs with innovative solutions to our most pressing problems.

“Time and again we’ve learned that large numbers of Americans are ready, willing, able, and even eager to be involved in service, and that all we have to do is ask them to do so. The Serve America Act will ask. It will connect every generation through service, and enable them to help tackle a wide range of national challenges, from the dropout crisis that plagues our schools to the lack of health care in our neediest communities to the energy and environmental crisis that threatens our planet,” said Senator Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which oversees existing national and community service programs. “Many Americans are already answering the call to such service, by weatherizing homes, mentoring students, or working to bring clean water and life-saving vaccines to peoples in many lands. This legislation will dramatically expand opportunities for Americans willing to devote a year or more to address such challenges. It will draw on the talents and skills of every age group, such as by expanding opportunities for young people to improve their communities, and enabling retiring ’baby boomers‘ to transition to second careers in public service.”

Senator Hatch said, "Volunteer service is the lifeblood of our republic. It brings out the best in people and strengthens our communities. Throughout history, Americans have stepped forward and volunteered to meet every challenge. Within each of us is a desire to help and serve our neighbors the world over; and yet, the hectic lifestyle we all live often crowds out our natural ability to give service. That is why my longtime friend, Senator Kennedy, and I are introducing The Serve America Act. This historic legislation will inspire and provide opportunities for civic-minded Americans to raise the bar of service and fulfill the destiny of the immortal words of ‘America the Beautiful,’ to ‘more than self their country love. And mercy more than life!'

"America faces more challenges today than ever before. And new challenges require a new level of commitment. By harnessing the talents and efforts of the American people, faith-based groups and nonprofit organizations, we can empower more people, improve more communities and tackle more of our nation’s greatest challenges. That is precisely the intent of this bill, and I’m pleased to be working alongside Senator Kennedy to champion this important legislation."

Considering your posts the last few weeks, I'd have to ask the last time your "spidey sense" was serviced? Perhaps it's time for a tune-up :hihi:

-spence

Doesn't appear so from the description on Hatch's site...



Considering your posts the last few weeks, I'd have to ask the last time your "spidey sense" was serviced? Perhaps it's time for a tune-up :hihi:

-spence

Nope, thats the legislation I was thinking about, I guess it all depends on how hard they "ask" people to volunteer and exactly what he uses his new army of "volunteers" for.

The Peace Corps reincarnated

That's great new, no FEMA.

And they're busing in STUDENTS to help. Now that is government in action.

Well, yes FEMA.

And I think this task might be a bit below the USMC. Sounds like they have the Army Corps of Engineers in charge and why not leverage a young, fit and local talent pool who has nothing else to do? Doesn't take a lot of training to fill a sandbag, just some strength and determination.

-spence

Kinda like what we still need in Jefferson an St Bernard Parishs

How come Obama didn't bring up the Bush mistakes from Katrina? Are you sure that's his speach?

One concern I have is, as a "Community Organizer" who actually trained Acorn activists, will Acorn be one of these community service groups? And besides the money he has already given them, how much more will they receive?

One concern I have is, as a "Community Organizer" who actually trained Acorn activists, will Acorn be one of these community service groups? And besides the money he has already given them, how much more will they receive?

Hopefully a lot of money. That way they can use it to by drugs and keep the inner city folks doped up and use their ID's to vote in different states :doh:

You could be a bigger conspiracy whack than Bssb! :agree:

-spence

How come Obama didn't bring up the Bush mistakes from Katrina? Are you sure that's his speach?

Obama just says what the "teleprompter" tells him to say. :D

Here's an example of when Mr. Teleprompter lets him down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omHUsRTYFAU

I'm not a big Obama fan, now or earlier, but after the last 8 years I'm not leaning too hard on his oratory skills. :rotflmao:

Obama just says what the "teleprompter" tells him to say. :D

Here's an example of when Mr. Teleprompter lets him down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omHUsRTYFAU

I'd like to see you give 2-5 public addresses per day, often each one about a unique topic, and *you* be able to memorize each one.

At least he isn't making up words like the bumbling idiot that just left office.

I was thinking that if they made that movie, that was so damn funny, "Fargo", when it was flooded like it is now, with all the plots and sublots it could have been even more hysterical than it was, "yah", and "oh yah".

On the other hand Fargo is not someplace I would readily live after watching the high water level.

I'd like to see you give 2-5 public addresses per day, often each one about a unique topic, and *you* be able to memorize each one.

At least he isn't making up words like the bumbling idiot that just left office.

He's not writing them or prereading them either:scream:

Frankly, the lack of needed comments is probably what is best about this!
IF it was all hitting the fan w/o Federal support, then it would be a huge deal. Like Spence indicated, the proper steps seem to have been taken...

Frankly, the lack of needed comments is probably what is best about this!
IF it was all hitting the fan w/o Federal support, then it would be a huge deal. Like Spence indicated, the proper steps seem to have been taken...

In one breath, the economy is the biggest deal. All other issues should be put on the back burner. In the next breath, "The President isn't doing enough for this small town," and this is after the announcement of the Army Corp of Engineers being dispatched, systems being in place to find volunteers and resources being allocated to the area. Apache helicopters are being used to transport 1-ton bags of sand to reinforce week areas of the wall - seems pretty obvious that the federal government is doing something.

The crazy part is that they're actually being proactive as opposed to reactive. Maybe Obama should be talking about Bush's failings.

Obama also isn't on some publicity stunt to fly into the area and "survey the damage," which would accomplish nothing but hindering progress, just as it did when Bush went to New Orleans.

In one breath, the economy is the biggest deal. All other issues should be put on the back burner. In the next breath, "The President isn't doing enough for this small town," and this is after the announcement of the Army Corp of Engineers being dispatched, systems being in place to find volunteers and resources being allocated to the area. Apache helicopters are being used to transport 1-ton bags of sand to reinforce week areas of the wall - seems pretty obvious that the federal government is doing something.

The crazy part is that they're actually being proactive as opposed to reactive. Maybe Obama should be talking about Bush's failings.

Obama also isn't on some publicity stunt to fly into the area and "survey the damage," which would accomplish nothing but hindering progress, just as it did when Bush went to New Orleans.

Come on JD. We all saw the same Federal action after Katrina. Fargo's been drowning for days also. Not sure what proactive action has been undertaken.

How the hell you make a statement about Bush" hindering progress" is beyond me. You know, that if he had no showed like Obama, he would have been ripped by the media.

Come on JD. We all saw the same Federal action after Katrina. Fargo's been drowning for days also. Not sure what proactive action has been undertaken.

How the hell you make a statement about Bush" hindering progress" is beyond me. You know, that if he had no showed like Obama, he would have been ripped by the media.

I'll give you an exact example as to how he hindered progress. From the moment Air Force One entered the Louisiana airspace, every aircraft in the vicinity was required to be grounded. This included state aircraft that were providing supplies and volunteers that were assisting in rescue searches. It also shut down areas to volunteers while Bush was on the ground.

"In St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes, just south of New Orleans, victims of the hurricane are still waiting for food and water and for buses to escape the floodwaters, Melancon said. And for the entire time Bush was in the state, the congressman said, a ban on helicopter flights further stalled the delivery of food and supplies."
http://www.debatebothsides.com/showthread.php?t=29367

Melancon... That's a reliable source.

Melancon... That's a reliable source.

Quoted from the AP. I couldn't find the AP article.

Like all your sources are models of credibility.

Like all your sources are models of credibility.

OK, you got me on that one:buds:.
I'm just not sure a Dem. Congressman is the source to go to on Bush. After all they were, and are still are in the blame Bush for everything mode. Thinking about it, it's so pathetic, it's comical.

After all they were, and are still are in the blame Bush for everything mode. Thinking about it, it's so pathetic, it's comical.
Pot, it's the Kettle...you're black!

-spence

Pot, it's the Kettle...you're black!

-spence

Racist!:rotf3:

Racist!:rotf3:

hypocrite! :wave::D

hypocrite! :wave::D

That's ironic:1poke: