Burnt Orange Report

Y'all make sure to give David some love (aka money) on his website. If anybody deserves to lose, it's Joe Barton. Thanks to him, you can't drive through Ellis County without your windows rolled up and your air conditioner off. David's got a great chance if he can get some money and enthusiastic young supporters willing to work!

Democratically,
Jake Gilbreath

As I already pointed out when Ron Paul was attacked for voting against the bill, standing alone screaming at the wind apparently, maybe these 11 horrible representatives voted against it BECAUSE they're tired of Halliburton and the blank checks written to it. READ THE ACTUAL BILL INSTEAD OF ASSUMING YOU KNOW WHAT IT SAYS. There is NO ACCOUNTABILITY and NO OVERSIGHT as to how the administration spends the funding committment. You want to allow this president to sign more blank checks to Halliburton? Go right ahead. But you pay for it. The rest of this country, which apparently those 11 finally heard, are fed up. Even the newest addition to the Bush household, Bill Clinton, finally took his "brother" and his administration to task over its blank checks. Maybe Daddy will be next.

We are now borrowing from other countries to pay for the war in Iraq. We are supposed to borrow even more so Halliburton can enrich itself off of New Orleans as well as Baghdad?

People who blind themselves in rage, particularly partisan rage, usually are the first over the proverbial cliff.

Do I like Barton otherwise? No. So anyone tempted, please take that somewhere else.

Please shut up already. Please.

I have First Amendment rights too Marie.

"standing alone screaming at the wind"

Can we make that Baby Snooks' official sign-off tagline? Also, can someone tell Marie to grow up? Way to show some intelligence there, Marie. Sticking your fingers in your ear is hardly a way to persuade others to your side.

Personally, I think Baby Snooks has a point. Writing blank checks is dangerous, but it's also the only thing most of the Congressman could do. Many Republicans and Democrats wanted to have increased accountability measures for the money going to the disaster area, but Karl Rove et. all needed to show Bush doing something productive, and were effectively told to "sit down and shut up." Bills move fast when there's an image to maintain (re: Terry Schiavo).

That being said, something is better than nothing, and I'd imagine that, in the next few weeks, more money than not will get to where it needs to go. The biggest problem facing New Orleans, Mississippi, and Alabama will be rebuilding their tourism industries. That's where these states made their money, and that's where most of the jobs (service jobs) were to be had. The Louisiana State Legislature should create a plan to rebuild the tourism industry, then appeal to Congress for some focused money.

Also, we should have more tax cuts. Lots and lots of tax cuts, to stimulate the economy and help lower the deficit. (Sorry, just wanted to see if anyone was still reading).

I said "please." I really don't care to hear from those defendig Joe Barton or the rest of the racist republican ilk, especially on BOR.

I was not defending him. I was applauding 11 members of Congress who in essence told George W Bush "no more blank checks."

Ok I have to jump in here. To somehow "suggest" that Joe Barton is a crusader against Halliburton is beyond laughable. Joe has had NO problem whatsoever writing black checks out in the past to Halliburton for Iraq reconstruction, in fact he is about the biggest cheerleader in Congress for HalliBurton and other greedy oil companies on the Energy and Commerce Committee where he sits as chair.

Barton never met a corporate special interest he didn't like, he voted against the Katrina relief package because spending all that money in New Orleans might move Congress to increase taxes to pay for it which would not make his cronies very happy.

As for Ron Paul, Ron is a devout Lib. Libs think that the federal government shouldn't have a role in disaster relief, funding public schools, building highways bridges and dams, (you can only assume levies as well) or enforcing any kind of environmental laws. Now there's something to be applauded!

http://www.lp.org/yourturn/archives/000090.shtml

This is from the Libertarian website. I don't see where they are saying there should be no funding. Simply that there shouldn't be a blank check.

Republicans are Nazis. Democrats are Communists. Not sure what Libertarians are really. Punching bags apparently.

Anyone you don't agree with gets labeled in this country. Usually by politicians and their supporters waving their little partisan flags. It used to be a phenomenon observed only in the Republican Party. Now it is pretty much the standard in the Democratic Party as well. People like Rush Limbaugh have become wealthy by it. Hate, hate, hate. All you hear in politics anymore. Hate this party, hate that politician.

What's wrong with demanding some accountability finally from our government? Regardless of who is demanding it and what party they belong to?

"...or enforcing any kind of environmental laws."

I beg your pardon? This is a more accurate refelction of the position of the Libertarian Party:

http://www.lp.org/issues/environment.shtml

"Wouldn't we be better served if naturalist organizations, such as the Audubon Society or Nature Conservancy, took over the management of our precious parks? The Audubon Society's Rainey Wildlife Sanctuary partially supports itself with natural gas wells operated in an ecologically sound manner. In addition to preserving the sensitive habitat, the Society shows how technology and ecology can co-exist peacefully and profitably."

Wave your flag, spread your propaganda, bash the other party. And support the blank checks. You can always blame it on the Republicans after all. The way some used to blame the Democrats.

"People who blind themselves in rage, particularly partisan rage, usually are the first over the proverbial cliff. "

"Even the newest addition to the Bush household, Bill Clinton, finally took his "brother" and his administration to task over its blank checks."

Uh, I think it is pretty clear that President Clinton would have taken drastically different measures had he been President. Having to walk a fine line between being half of America's bi-partisan feel good fundraising dynamic duo and figurative leader of the Democratic Party. Can't exactly say, "W's is an idot. What do you think, 41?"

Just because he is helping does not been he is a member of the household. Is Bill Clinton not Democratic enough for you? Just wondering if you had a completely impossible standard.

Well I don't see Jimmy Carter being adopted by the Bushes. Or by the Clintons. Of course he's not always available for the "bipartisan" photo-ops. Sometimes he's out there "on the road" helping Habitat for Humanity build homes for the poor or working with the Ethiopian government in its fight to eradicate trachoma which blinds millions of Africans each year. Standard? That's a good standard. And not an impossible one. Reflects both real Christian charity and real Democratic principles. Jimmy Carter doesn't sit in an office and talk about what others should do. He gets out there and does it.

"Uh, I think it is pretty clear that President Clinton would have taken drastically different measures had he been President."

I don't see where he did anything to address the problem with the levees while he was president. From what I've been told and what I've read, there has been concern over those levees since at least 1990.

And now we have another possible disaster about to move into the Gulf of Mexico.

Jimmy Carter never lied to Congress either. Iran-Contra, Monica Lewinsky, "weapons of mass destruction." Bipartisan indeed. Shared values is more like it.

Clinton appointed a professional who was universally applauded as FEMA Director and was not about to lead the United States into the quagmire we are now in with Iraq. He would have also not cut taxes for the rich or appointed a political hack to oversee reconstuction, thus allowing a more fiscally secure and compotent country to help heal our wounds. I think those points alone show a "drastically different" approach.

Great job bringing Monica's name into this agruement, where it surely belongs. . . . Are you getting into a "who's a better Christian?" dive between Clinton a Carter? Why? Clinton this weekend held one of the most impressive events in global cooperation (but I guess you could say he was "sit(ting) in an office and talk(ing) about what others should do," but I guess you were too busy bashing Chris Bell to notice.

OK, here's a good game, let's see who raises more money for Katrina victims, the two liars (you're words, not mine) or you (of course, any $$ you raise for Ethopian trachoma can be used in your total). Then we'll see who has "real Christian charity and real Democratic principles." Oh, and don't bust out with Jesus parable about a poor woman giving two copper coins at temple and Jesus saying she gave more than all the others. That poor woman didn't call anyone a liar or question their compassion. That would be you.

I'll call Double Trouble tomorrow and make sure they know what their up against. Maybe you could ask the "Draft John Sharp" camp for some coin?

BS, are you mad at the whole world, or just the parts you know about?

Just being honest. And blunt. Sometimes you have to be blunt in today's world to be honest.

You want to talk about ethics and values? The Clintons do not have them. The Bushes do not have them. I don't know if John Sharp has them. I am NOT backing John Sharp. You must be a Bell buzzer. They seem to have John Sharp on the brain. I wonder why? Maybe he knows Chris Bell doesn't have them. Who has them? Who cares? Apparently most don't. Winning is all. Like a football game. Republicans versus Democrats. The fans, however, always lose no matter who wins.

Let's see instead where the money they raise goes. Has anyone seen an audit of where all the Tsunami Relief funding actually went? Did anyone really ask?

I remember a similar drive by Red Cross and others to help victims of the big earthquake in Mexico City 20 years ago today. According to a story in today's Chronicle, most of the victims are still waiting for their housing. 20 years later.

"They promise, promise and promise," Pacheco said, quoting the lyrics of a Mexican folk song. "But it never comes."

Sounds like an American folk song as well.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/headline/world/3359319

Wow, I'm amazed that BS was able take a Congressional race message about Hurricane relief and twist it in such a way as to bash Chris Bell. Good show! You're slipping though, it took ya seven comments to get there. What will be your next trick?

Not bashing anyone. Just making an observation. There is another announced candidate. The only other candidate anyone ever seems to talk about is John Sharp. Who hasn't announced.

Lot of politics going on behind all this "community concern" that I think is out of place and taking advantage of tragedy. Taking political advantage.

"Maybe you could ask the "Draft John Sharp" camp for some coin?"

This implies that I am supporting John Sharp. Made on a false assumption. One made by a lot of people. If you don't support Bell, you must support Sharp. What about Alvarado? Who decided he is not really a candidate? A lot of people don't support Chris Bell or John Sharp. I support Kinky Friedman. If the Democrats come up with someone viable, I may support them. Chris Bell is not viable to me. Neither is John Sharp. For the reasons others have stated right here on BOR.

My point about criticizing anyone who voted against another "blank check" spending bill is that it is criticizing on personal dislike, always partisan, instead of looking at the matter itself which is, again, another blank check.

We are on the verge of economic collapse in this country and the Bush administration apparently feels the government can just borrow and borrow and borrow and borrow without any repercussions.

And apparently that same mindset applies to those who would support another "blank check" on the basis it was necessary to help victims of a disaster. Let's see where most of them are in six months. Let's see how many have homes, jobs, food on the table. And how many are listening to the "promises, promises, promises."

I spent the day with two people who have been "lost in the cracks" along with quite a few others. It is very disheartening. The promises. Without the delivery. This one doesn't qualify for that. That one doesn't qualify for this. Displaced people put on buses and told to go to Texas. Where most don't have family or friends to help. And a system that inevitably says "sorry, we can't help you." So you turn to private individuals, primarily through churches, and hope someone can help. Despite the massive amounts of money raised by Red Cross and others. And all the promises by the politicians.

But according to the politicians, everything is just wonderful. All we need is $50 plus billion. $50 billion for what exactly? That's what those 11 members of Congress asked. For what exactly? The bill doesn't really say for what. Just who it's going to. Government agencies already under fire for their allocations of funding to Halliburton and others in Iraq without any real accountability and any real oversight.

And talk about bashing. And partisanship. All of a sudden something people should have thought about instead becomes "another reason" to replace a Republican with a Democrat. Just because.

I said you should ask the "Draft Sharp" folks because I think they have more money than Kinky Friedman.

I'm not a "Bell Buzzer," in fact most of my time lately is going toward helping Katrina/preparing for Rita.

I'm sure you view Mayor Bill White's effort as nothing more than money grubbing "politics as usual." You make it sound like the local govt. is doing nothing and it is left to every God fearing private citizen to pick up the ball. The other 80% of Houston think he's busting his ass and working hard. In Chris Bell's words (just because), I'd say your take is "out of the mainstream." Houston is doing a heroic job at all levels, city, county, private, and religous organizations.

All are doing their best and I think you're disregard for certain efforts shows a detachment from reality, but then again you support Kinky Friedman.

When the evacuation of New Orleanians to Houston began, many wondered where we would go if we got hit with a major hurricane. Good question to have asked considering we may indeed be hit by one on Friday or Saturday.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory2/3361432

"Galveston City Manager Steve LeBlanc said the state is making plans to move out Hurricane Katrina evacuees from Houston "to make room for Texans," but authorities were discouraging Galveston evacuees from trying to stay in Houston, which is vulnerable itself and has few available hotel rooms because of Katrina."

"On Monday night, officials offered "re-evacuation" options to the nearly 1,500 Katrina evacuees remaining in Houston's two largest shelters, with the goal of clearing those facilities by this evening. Stressing that neither Houston nor the two shelters, the George R. Brown Convention Center and Reliant Arena, are safe to ride out a storm of Rita's predicted size, officials offered flights and buses to Fort Chaffee, Ark., as well as continued one-way airline tickets to other points in the country or transfers to smaller area shelters."

Bill White has been on television talking about how well-prepared Houston is. It doesn't sound like it is very well-prepared if there are no real shelters for anyone considering the call for those in areas likely to flood as a result of the storm surge, an estimated 1 million people, in addition to those whose homes may not be able to withstand strong winds. So where do they go? To Huntsville and Brenham like everyone else. Unless you don't have a car. Sounds familiar for some reason. Ah, quite a few people in New Orleans didn't have a car either. I haven't heard Bill White address this little problem, have you?

What good does an evacuation do if those who need to evacuate most don't have transportation to a shelter and don't even have a shelter to go to?

I'm quite content to be among the 20% who are not impressed with his grandstanding.

Of course if there is a disaster, he and everyone else will point a finger at Washington. Politics as usual.

The point David was making, was that if blank checks are to be written, we should be writing them in our own country. Joe Barton did not have the same moral obligation to oppose the Iraq spending and David was there for 14 months without proper equipment as a result of the Administrations "no accountability" policies. He has a right to bitch that other folks don't...Halliburton employees have the equipment they need that we did not even make certain was available for our own soldiers.

"The point David was making, was that if blank checks are to be written, we should be writing them in our own country."

I strongly disagree with this. We do not have the right to bankrupt our children and our grandchildren just to allow ourselves to "feel good" in the face of tragedy. Iraq is a tragedy. So is New Orleans. What assurances were given in that bill that the money would actually go to HELP PEOPLE?

None. None at all. I'd have applauded Hitler if he'd voted against it. And in the case of Barton, I suppose I did. All the social change and equal opportunity is not going to do much good in a bankrupt and inflation-saddled society.

I have to wonder if the vote were taken again if the majority of Congress would still vote to fund this "war" in Iraq. Knowing that it was a fraud. Looking at how the majority of Congress voted for this bill, I would imagine they would.

That disturbs me. It should disturb a lot of people.

Baby Snooks--do you have any idea how much time it would take to do a full itemization of how evey penny of the money was going to be spent on hurricane relief? How many months?

Those people need help now, and obviously you don't know anyone from New Orleans or you would not be so heartless. If the White House and Congress cannot be trusted to properly spend money during a national emergency then it's time to get a new President and Congress, which we are working on, starting with Joe Barton and Ron Paul!

"If the White House and Congress cannot be trusted to properly spend money during a national emergency then it's time to get a new President and Congress..."

I couldn't agree more. Good luck.