Gustov and irony.

[jon71]

I just wanted to toss things out for everybody to sink their teeth into. As you probably know Hurricane Gustov is, amonst other things, being a bit of a monkey wrench for the G.O.P. convention. Some of their changes are probably smart and necessary and others are probably just an attempt to say "we get it, we take natural disasters seriously now" after their response to Katrina was almost as big a disaster as the hurricane itself. The thing is if this had happened last week you know good and well that right wing "preachers" like Robertson, Dobson, and others would be jumping up and down saying "it's GOD's judgment on the Democrats". Some of the talk would be snide and fleeting and others would harp on it until they're hoarse. Does anyone expect to hear this about the Republicans? If not then why not? Personally I am heavily disinclined to accept people's claims of seeing GOD's fingerprints in what happens, especially in secular affairs like politics. My views are hard to define. I reject the predestinationalists view that GOD has HIS hands on everything. I reject the Deist's view that GOD is passive and completely uninvolved. The truth lies somewhere in between. Basically I know that we are supposed to look for that "still small voice". Btw I'd love it if someone could give me that verse exactly. I personally wish that GOD used a flashing neon sign but that's another topic entirely. Anyway I wanted to get this discussion going. I don't think Gustov is divine retribution on the Republicans but I know they'd be saying that if things were reversed and I don't know why that hypocricy isn't be talked about more.

[Home Nudist]

I don't think Gustov is divine retribution on the Republicans but I know they'd be saying that if things were reversed and I don't know why that hypocricy isn't be talked about more.

I agree with that statement -- especially the hypocrisy part.

They mentioned on the news this AM that the hurricane is going to stunt the "glory" of the Republican Convention, and that McCain won't get the attention that Obama got. Of course, the Republicans will use this event to show that they are prepared for a disaster. They can't afford a repeat of the last time. It's sad that everything boils down to politics.

My first reaction to this news that the Republicans will probably whine about it and find some way to blame the Democrats and the media for the entire thing. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I listen to Conservative radio, and all they do is whine, b!tch, complain and distort things. It's sickening. They sound like a bunch of spoiled children.

Wish I could answer your questions about God. But, I have many questions of my own about the nature of God and His involvement in human affairs.

While I am deeply concerned about the safety of the people in the Gulf and in some disbelief that they have to go through this again, my feeling is that this turn of events couldn't have happened to a nicer bunch of people (the Republicans). That's life. We all take our lumps. There's no one to blame -- not even God.

[Baron Lake]

Irony indeed, considering a wingnut preacher called upon god to rain on Obama's stadium event. (He said he was just kidding of course).
b.l.

Hmmm... maybe there's something to this "devine retribution" thing afterall.

[Boreas]

Yep, the Republicans definitely have to tread carefully on this one. It is definitely ironic. While I agree with your view jon and I fall somewhere in between the two, one has to wonder if this isn't some kind of divine retribution for the GOP. ;)

I am just listening to the radio and they are saying the hurricane has been downgraded to a level two, so everyone is crossing their fingers as it steps ashore. I wonder if this will make the repairs to the dikes speed up, that is if they are not further damaged.

My prayers are with the folks in Lousiana and New Orleans in particular.

[luvnaturism]

The extreme wings of both parties have their nuts and fruitcakes who embarrass the large majority of their parties. Pat Robertson has been increasingly seen as someone whose roof has lost a lot of shingles for some time now, and he has correspondingly less influence. Dobson is moving in that direction, though of course he remains more influential than Robertson. The direction that politics has taken since Nixon has worked to expand the influence of the radical wings of both parties, which is sad for the nation.

My view of what happened after Katrina is different than most. I see that disaster as the result of the failure of government at all levels, whereas most people only blame Bush and Company. This is the direct result of media ignorance and incompetence

I don't blame the reporters on the Katrina scene. Reporters get sent to cover whatever story is happening, and they can't be expected to be experts on everything. But it's amazing to me that the major wire services and networks didn't have a senior editor someplace in their systems who knew that BY LAW the Federal government is not allowed to do first response work. That role is reserved to state and local governments, and in Katrina both the mayor and the governor demonstrated total, utter incompetence. The governor didn't even know that the President by law cannot send in military assistance until the governor has requested it.

However, the media coverage passed over those dismal and embarrassing facts and went straight to blaming the Feds, and today that's all that most people remember.

The Federal response was absolutely inadequate, partly because of simple incompetence in high places and partly because no one had imagined a catastrophe that spread over 90,000 square miles—an area nearly as large as the entire United Kingdom. The Feds are responsible for extending the misery, but city and state leaders were responsible for many of the deaths.

[hm0504]

Irony indeed, considering a wingnut preacher called upon god to rain on Obama's stadium event. (He said he was just kidding of course).
b.l.

Hmmm... maybe there's something to this "devine retribution" thing afterall.

The video calling for Christians to pray for a torrential rains during Obama's acceptance speech was posted by Focus on the Family.[1] Though they said it was just done in jest, I have not doubt if Hurricane Gustav had interfered with the Democrat convention, they would have said it was divine retribution. It is then, deliciously ironic that no such thing happened and that fear of Gustav (now thankfully downgraded) has caused to the Republicans to have to re-organize their convention.

I am reminded by a post from back in 2000 or 2001, by Saint Naturist Mark I believe, highlighting that paths across Florida tended to rip across Republican-leaning counties while avoiding the Democrat-leaning ones.

Fascinating indeed.

[1] http://www.thedenverchannel.com/politics/17166715/detail.html

[Qikdraw]

My view of what happened after Katrina is different than most. I see that disaster as the result of the failure of government at all levels, whereas most people only blame Bush and Company. This is the direct result of media ignorance and incompetence

Well I both agree and disagree on this. I agree that it was a failure at all levels of government, but that the Feds botched it the worst.


However, the media coverage passed over those dismal and embarrassing facts and went straight to blaming the Feds, and today that's all that most people remember.

Most people remember that because of everything that has happened sice. The Feds have screwed up the rebuilding effort just like they have screwed up the Iraq war. Sending people to live in poisonous trailors, Canada rsponding faster than the US, mismanagement of supplies, etc...


The Federal response was absolutely inadequate, partly because of simple incompetence in high places and partly because no one had imagined a catastrophe that spread over 90,000 square miles—an area nearly as large as the entire United Kingdom. The Feds are responsible for extending the misery, but city and state leaders were responsible for many of the deaths.

Actually thats not completely true, that they didn't know it could happen. There is a video (somewhere, I can't find it right now, it was 3 years ago when I last saw it) about a meeting that explained the dangers coming, yet nothing was done. If I remember correctly Bush was there.

But yes, city and state also share blame for not evacuating when they should have. One of the main people was voted out of office, the other got reelected... Which I find odd at best.

[jon71]

Something new came out today. Palin's 17 year old daughter is pregnant. In and of itself I don't care. They said it should be a private family matter and I agree. I do think it's something you see far too often when you have abstinence only "education" which Palin supports but if this enters the debate any I hope it sticks to policy and doesn't focus on individuals. Here's the thing. If when one of Barack Obama's daughter's turned 17 and this happened (or any age unmarried) don't you think that Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and every other right wing mouth piece would be screaming themselves hoarse "this is what happens from liberal parenting". Never mind that the rates of unplanned pregnancies and for that matter abortions happen more in abstinence only states and I imagine are much more common in conservative families. I expect a little muttering from this but I think it'll be fairly subdued. The "Christian" leaders contacted for comment basically just said something along the lines that "we're proud she won't have an abortion" (she's five months along now). If the political parties were reverse would we ever hear the end of it?

[Home Nudist]

If when one of Barack Obama's daughter's turned 17 and this happened (or any age unmarried) don't you think that Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and every other right wing mouth piece would be screaming themselves hoarse "this is what happens from liberal parenting".

Exactly. Agree again with the hypocrisy and the "holier than thou" attitude of the right wing. That's why you can't help but feel a little twinge of glee when one of them is caught with his (her) pants down -- in this case literally. Gotta love the "family values."

Every once in a while, that obnoxious Hannity goes on a rant about how, "his kids aren't going to do this, and his kids aren't going to do that." He sounds like he wants to keep them locked in a closet till they're 40.

Well, I wish him no harm, but it wouldn't surprise me if his kids, being rich and privileged, turn out to be among the biggest pigs on the planet.

They criticize and criticize. My mother used to say, "Don't talk about anyone else's kids, because you don't know what yours are going to do." Palin's daughter is a case in point.

[Bob S.]

Both Michael Moore and Don Fowler, a former DNC chairman have both made comments about Gustav being retribution or just desserts for Republicans.

Bob S.

[Boreas]

I understand that Gustav is now category 1. I suppose that is much better than what they expected. They have also said that the Carnarvon Levy has probably broken. I am not sure what an impact this will have, though it can't be a good thing.

[usmc1]

I understand that Gustav is now category 1. I suppose that is much better than what they expected. They have also said that the Carnarvon Levy has probably broken. I am not sure what an impact this will have, though it can't be a good thing.

This looks to be a very "wet" one. I'm hearing that Plaquemine Parish has at least two levees close to breaching. That is not good. Inland flooding is going to be an issue.

The Industrial street levee is topped and leaking, or so I'm hearing. That is the ninth ward in NOLA, and supposedly is already ankle deep on some streets.

We'll know overnight just how bad it is. LA, is drowning right now, Tuesday and Wednesday East Texas, will be swimming.

[usmc1]

Both Michael Moore and Don Fowler, a former DNC chairman have both made comments about Gustav being retribution or just desserts for Republicans.

Bob S.

Well hell yeah! Old Dobson and his imps are the one that started that stuff about praying for torrential rains on Obama's speech. Go figure! Either God got his days crossed, Doesn't accept the new calendar, or else has one rip-snorting sense of humor, letting the rains come as the GOP start their mawk-fest.

Be careful what you pray for, you may get it...just not on your timetable. If it weren't such a ******* tragedy, it would be hilarious.

[MJ_KC]

Here's the thing. If when one of Barack Obama's daughter's turned 17 and this happened (or any age unmarried) don't you think that Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and every other right wing mouth piece would be screaming themselves hoarse "this is what happens from liberal parenting".
You can bet on it. It is this lack of objectivity in what they present that makes me not listen to anything that they have to say. They are hypocrites in how they cover issues facing the country.