My point is that the American public finally saw the incompetence of George W. Bush during that event because it was impossible to control the story that made it onto the TV. They tried. Everything with them was a photo opportunity and that is how they reacted to Katrina too. But Katrina was too big for them to manage the entire story.

George W. Bush and his crew were glaringly incompetent many times before Katrina but not too many people were able to see that because Bush’s handlers were better able to control the story as seen on the TV.

As a person who worked in TV news for many years, I do not watch the news in the same way most people do. I know the limitations of the medium and think books are a much better source for accurate information. Of course books are not a day-to-day source. But I read a lot of books.

I think it is incredibly difficult for anyone to know what is really going on in this world if they rely merely on TV news, but unfortunately, most people do not have the time or inclination to investigate facts beyond what they see on TV news.

To understand how the media really works, read a book called “Toxic Sludge is Good for You,” by John Stauber and Shelton Rampdon. I LOVED that book.

Lorraine

Clearly it was Bush’s job to call the mayor of New Orleans and personally tell him what to do to save his citizens. How is he supposed to know that a huge storm is coming? It wasn’t like it was broadcast over EVERY TV, RADIO and NEWSPAPER for a WEEK before it hit. He was busy doing something that was very important I’m sure.

And while we’re pointing the finger of incompetance at Bush, let’s not forget the county officials and state officials. At least Bush could have personally called one of them and said, “Hey, you may want to evacuate your citizens”.

Why didn’t Bush fly down and drive the buses himself? Was he all high and mighty, just sitting in the White House?

Or maybe he just assumed that the citizen of the area had elected people with at least half a brain, who would actually be looking out for them. No, we can’t take responsiblity for our own actions, we have to blame Bush.

Evidently, the press thinks he’s the only one who can think and act!! Everyone else is excused.