And, now for something depressing. BTC News had a "the speech that we only wish he'd give" that was one of her elite efforts; a sample:
It's also clear, to me, to my family and to the country, that I am not the man who can provide that leadership. I led you into this disaster, but I cannot lead you out. ...
I am prepared to stand accountable, and it is your duty, your solemn and necessary duty, to see that I am held to account.
Yeah, and then we wake up. As Joshua Micah Marshall notes, besides the (no really) moment (no, I'm serious) he reminds us that Karl Rove ("well, we can't go after him now ... you know ... so trivial really ...") is heading the plans to revitalize New Orleans (megaeffort, but no new taxes! cut the benefits of you know people in New York ... been four years ... Ground Zero is still a hole in the ground, but hey ...). You know, heading up talks on how it could be done following the Bush philosophy. (Ok, stop vomiting! ewww.)
Where was I? Oh yes:
Then there's the president's great line from the speech: "It is now clear that a challenge on this scale requires greater federal authority and a broader role for the armed forces."
No, it's not. Actually, every actual fact that's surfaced in the last two weeks points to just the opposite conclusion. There was no lack of federal authority to handle the situation. There was faulty organization, poor coordination and incompetence.
Sen. Graham (R-Impeachment Manager) set aside a moment from some of his folky comments in support of soon to be Chief Justice Roberts to comment on how is ready to support a new bill giving more power to the President to deal with such matters. You know, better able to deal with disasters. Graham btw also was on record against the abuse of the detainees, but is fully supportive of Roberts, who recently handed the executive mostly a blank check when dealing with such people.
[The courts, not totally to blame really, are stretching the vague authorization of force resolution in 9/01 to mean that the President has power to establish military commissions and so forth. Congress had plenty of time to pass clear regulations to clarify what powers he really has, but since they punt, various federal courts rationally (if not rightly) suggest they did so implicitly. Again, while we rail against the likes of Roberts and the 4th Cir., Congress is to blame as well. Or, is the "blame game" inappropriate?]
I do like Graham, hate to say, I do. He doesn't seem like asshole or anything, and has a down home way (yeah, I know, politician and all) that is pleasant. Likewise, he seems to not be totally in supportive of the dark side. But, at the end of the day, this really just makes him more dangerous. Seriously it basically does, since at the end of that day, he carries the administration's water. An administration that doesn't deserve to be in power.
Let's just be blunt about it. Personally, and this is just a gut reaction, I cannot stand seeing or hearing the President -- I keep on seeing his damn face (AOL News) when I log on. And, these damn speeches -- now and again he makes a "good speech" (wow! he can read a speech! very good figurehead! pat on head), and we are supposed to be so excited. "You know, that was a good speech, got to admit!" (1) They generally aren't (they generally are b.s. and if people gave a second of real thought, they'd know it) and (2) Who cares? People expect more from baseball and football players. When they say good things, you know, bfd. What did they do?
But, the people -- including voters in 2004 (I blame you too, you know ... I believe in republican government. You voted for him!) -- apparently don't expect much at all. Enough with these fucking "low poll ratings" certain libs laugh at. Yeah, ha ha! Bush is just crying his eyes at while he's in the Oval Office ... "they don't like me, Karl!" "Yeah, they liked you last November though!" (laughter) The people don't like bad weather too, but apparently are willing to live with it.
Simply put, and you know eventually one might get the idea that this will sink in, the administration is incompetent. It's bad enough that they are corrupt, cynical bastards. That eats at you. The incompetence just makes you want to scream. Bushies sorts are bad enough generally ... one would hope that you actually get something. But, as one person noted (an online sort that knows this administration is bad for the country, but is a loyal partisan, so votes for them anyway ... asshole!), he stands up to the libs and other likely suspects. Is this all one needs? Are people THAT desperate? Expecting so little from their government?
If so, and seriously this really has to be underlined, they are as much or more to blame than the leaders. Again, I'm not holier than thou. I'm not at the barricadess like some others ... I'm just here putting forth a jeremiad. But, people in a republic have a "solemn and necessary duty" to hold their leaders to account. Leadership does not mean cutting the pay of the workers to be involved in the rebuilding effort.
It doesn't mean giving Rove MORE power. It doesn't mean AGAIN rejecting an independent commission over the "bipartisan" congressional one the House Dems basically all opposed, though the "MSM" failed to underline the fact. One which currently Dems would not have subpoena power.
How can one let this administration stay in until 2009? Think of that THREE MORE YEARS. The quislings didn't sign the blank check as of three years ago. We deserve better leadership, but if the people as a whole (and a significant minority forcibly doing a lot more) does not demand it -- basically saying, you failed us too many times! -- we will not get it. So, we will be left with going on with our lives, trying our best to be good members of our families and communities.
Not good citizens though. Citizens care a bit more about the polis than this. They expect a wee bit more.
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* The other true moment of pleasure was reading the pure snarkiness of the local sports coverage of last night's Mets loss; some line was crossed when you read this sort of thing:
It is starting to get really ugly at Shea. The "crowds" are jeering. The Mets are free-falling. And the ways in which they are losing are mind-blowing.
Cliff Floyd hit a go-ahead grand slam in the fifth inning yesterday, but that wasn't the decisive moment. Oh no. There were still four innings to play - plus one extra, as it turned out.
Today was a gem, especially the finale, but that's the writing of a pure Mets fan. Betcha he loved the game earlier tonight ... true fans earn games like the one today.