The Storm Over Katrina

" Anyone who has ever lived in New Orleans recognizes the state of mind that prevailed before Katrina. That something like this could happen, and probably would happen, was utterly common knowledge. Equally known was that local officials were too corrupt and incompetent to manage a catastrophe. But a combination of fatalism and denial, and a good stiff drink, always served to banish the reality principle."

A very insightful piece by former Tulane professor Wilfred M. McClay.

Note To Mexico's National Human Rights Commission

"Mexico's National Human Rights Commission described the U.S. measure (to build a border fence) as "part of a tendency to criminalize migration with a wall that calls to mind the Berlin Wall."

...except, if I recall correctly, the Berlin wall was built to keep people in, not out, so I guess that comparison pretty much sucks!

Sidenote: though not scientific, this AOL poll is probably pretty indicative of American sentiment when it comes to protecting OUR borders.


Do you support a border fence between Mexico and the United States?
Yes
84%
No
16%
Total Votes: 83,688

So I suggest, IMHO, Mexican Human Rights Commission, that the human rights of your compatriots would be better served if you tried to deal with the profligate graft and corruption in your own country instead of preening about in mock moral outrage!

UPDATE: 12/18
Do you support a border fence between Mexico and the United States?
Yes
84%
No
16%
Total Votes: 231,889

Nancy Pelosi Illustrates Dem's Iraq Strategy

"There is no one Democratic voice . . . and there is no one Democratic position," Pelosi said in an interview with Washington Post reporters and editors.


To better illustrate the complexity of her statement, Rep. Pelosi has posted the above diagram on her own website. Really.

Warm & Fuzzy: And Living Tributes!

Meet Flagg

Now go read about Flagg and some of his friends at Florida Cracker! Go on...off with you!

We Are Amused

From the desk of cartoonist Linda Eddy. I am soooooo getting these calendars for a couple of people on my CHRISTMAS list.

Keeping Up Appearances

...but do these pants make my ass look fat?


"Gov. Blanco might dress down a bit and look like she has rolled up her sleeves," press consultant Kim Fuller of Witt Associates wrote in a Sept. 4 e-mail to aides including Bottcher, Mann and Kopplin. "I have some great Liz Claiborne sports clothes that look kind of Eddie Bauer, but with class, but would bring her down to level of getting to work."

...and while Gov. Blanco fretted about "down-to-earth-yet-classy" sportswear (you know, gotta stay on message), the buses were lining up for there monthly wash and wax.

Sen. Kerry Volunteers To Counter US's Terrorizing Troops

Bohemian Like You has the incredible scoop:



...random thought...how often, do you suppose, does Sen. Kerry wish he could open a big ol' can of bitch-slapping whoop-ass on whoever it was in his campaign that recommended he go to NASA?