September 07, 2005

Dodging a Bullet On Sunday's Meet the Press, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said "I remember on Tuesday morning picking up newspapers and I saw headlines, 'New Orleans Dodged The Bullet.'" In a press conference today, "The headline, of course, in most of the papers on Tuesday--'New Orleans Dodged a Bullet,' or words to that effect." None of these papers have that headline. Does the government rely only on the Grenada, Mississippi Daily Star for its information?
posted by kirkaracha 19 years ago
  • If they are unable to assess the situation on their own and have to rely on newspaper headlines we are all screwed. I heard on the news that FEMA officials were in New Orleans (they were certainly in Louisiana) for the hurricane, so they damn well should have known what was going on. They haven't made us safer.
  • The fact that No'Oreleans did in fact dodge the bullet for a bit of time wasn't lost on our Chertoffs. They internalised that bit of info, filed it in that folder labelled "Halleluja, all is well" and then reguritated when there was need for "all is well" vibes. I assume that he meant to add that he ceased reading any news after the halleluja moment. Unfortunate that Chertoff has no more sources of information than myself....without TV, radio, newspaper, cabinet meeting, etc.
  • Having come from the future, I can say with utmost confidence that years from now, the Grenada Mississippi Daily Star will be the official paper of record. My fellow time traveler, Chertoff, knows this as well and wanted to make sure the fact was noted in the future history of our autarchy. Sadly, as a fellow visitor from the future, Chertoff is bound by the Temporal Parodox, and cannot act to change our past, by being helpful in any manner. Although this is regrettable, it is for the best, as the ensuing investigation will prepare the states for the Great Flood of 2031, when the Grand Banks of Florida are formed.
  • So, their excuse, which was pathetic in the first place, was a lie. Let's watch our new super tough media call them out. (Hey, maybe it'll happen, since they were the ones blamed)
  • He's spinning so hard, he's beginning to wear a groove in the floor.
  • My fellow time traveler, Chertoff, knows this as well and wanted to make sure the fact was noted in the future history of our autarchy. I salute you!! ..wait..make that 4 !!!! Time travell with a Chertoff is definitely economy class travell! I trust the flying lies didn't cause too much turbulence in your journey. You have my admiration for the exploratory journey you have undertaken. Bring back aged beer from the future if you would.
  • Lol, briank
  • How fast is he spinning? He's spinning so hard, his ass is ready to susccumb to the centrifugal force.
  • I'm not trying to troll here, but the link to the headline article is for an AP story run by a newspaper. If the AP generated this headline, it would be one that stuck in his mind. I doubt he was going down to the newsstand that day to read the Washington Post over tea and biscuits. Anyhow, in this scenario, he could have gotten this headline from the AP, a more trusted source that the newspaper cited in the article above. --Pat P.S. That said, FEMA really blew it. I am saddened that so many people died or went through hell because FEMA couldn't get to them, when reporters, taxis, and even Wal-Mart deliveries could get there (except FEMA blocked those)
  • This guy probably has a point, and this whole fiasco won't change a thing. Thousands of needless and preventable deaths, thanks to the gross negligence of the perpetually vacationing president, and millions of people will continue support him. This spin isn't for us, it's for them. He's giving his base- the heartless scum who will swallow any amount of shit for a tax cut- something to believe. We're not falling for it, but they sure will. They will lick it up and beg for more. But that's just the base. Judging by the poll numbers, the moderates and independants think this spin is just as despicable and pathetic as I do.
  • Anyhow, in this scenario, he could have gotten this headline from the AP, a more trusted source that the newspaper cited in the article above. Both Chertoff and Myers specified newspapers, plural. These headlines, from papers like the Washington Post, New York Times, Washington Times, New Orleans Times-Picayune, Palm Beach Post, Detroit News-Press, Miami Herald, are Storm Thrases Gulf Coast; Hurricane Slams Into Gulf Coast; Catasrophic; Devastated; Death, Destruction, and Gone. Are you suggesting they meant something besides "newspapers"? And what are they doing relying on newspapers anyway?
  • And what are they doing relying on newspapers anyway? Well you certainly can't expect them to rely on our extensive intelligence networks.
  • 11 members of congress voted against the aid package for Katrina victims. Each of them is a republican. I'm shocked, shocked.