Thursday, September 01, 2005
Bush Claims Disaster wasn't predictable
The Democratic Party: "Bush Claims the Disaster Wasn't Predictable
Bush today:
I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees.
New Orleans Times Picayune story from June 8, 2004:
'When levees are below grade, as ours are in many spots right now, they're more vulnerable to waves pouring over them and degrading them,' Naomi said. 'We're not below storm-surge elevation yet, but we will be if we stop raising our levees as they subside.'
Bush budget falls short
The Bush administration's proposed fiscal 2005 budget includes only $3.9 million for the east bank hurricane project. Congress likely will increase that amount, although last year it bumped up the administration's $3 million proposal only to $5.5 million.
'I needed $11 million this year, and I got $5.5 million,' Naomi said. 'I need $22.5 million next year to do everything that needs doing, and the first $4.5 million of that will go to pay four contractors who couldn't get paid this year.'
Bush is already focusing on avoiding any kind of accountability for this tragedy. But his budget cuts are responsible for for what we're seeing.
UPDATE: FEMA identified this scenario as one of the three most likely disasters that could hit the country back in 2001.
The full Times-Picayune story from June 2004 is after the jump.
Keep reading 'Bush Claims the Disaster Wasn't Predictable'"
Bush today:
I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees.
New Orleans Times Picayune story from June 8, 2004:
'When levees are below grade, as ours are in many spots right now, they're more vulnerable to waves pouring over them and degrading them,' Naomi said. 'We're not below storm-surge elevation yet, but we will be if we stop raising our levees as they subside.'
Bush budget falls short
The Bush administration's proposed fiscal 2005 budget includes only $3.9 million for the east bank hurricane project. Congress likely will increase that amount, although last year it bumped up the administration's $3 million proposal only to $5.5 million.
'I needed $11 million this year, and I got $5.5 million,' Naomi said. 'I need $22.5 million next year to do everything that needs doing, and the first $4.5 million of that will go to pay four contractors who couldn't get paid this year.'
Bush is already focusing on avoiding any kind of accountability for this tragedy. But his budget cuts are responsible for for what we're seeing.
UPDATE: FEMA identified this scenario as one of the three most likely disasters that could hit the country back in 2001.
The full Times-Picayune story from June 2004 is after the jump.
Keep reading 'Bush Claims the Disaster Wasn't Predictable'"
