(no subject)

Post-Katrina Rant of the Day

Make no mistake:

"The particularly disgusting autocratic, incompetent, reflexively government-destroying Bush administration is particularly to blame for this response. But blame is shared much wider, as well. This is an indictment of late American neoliberal capitalism in no uncertain terms and of the reflexively individualistic bent of this entire society. The most striking example is the fact that there was no evacuation plan – the residents of New Orleans just left in their cars, clogging up the highways and, even though there was plenty of space in those cars, leaving behind the 100,000 least able to ride out the storm – but there are many others. This is also the first opening we've seen to talk about the systemic problems with capitalism, instead of just the symptoms."
-Rahul Mahajan

(emphasis mine)

Interesting BushCo analysis

"These are not really Nazis that we're dealing with--with an agenda of racist, lockstep militarism--but rather murderous thieves..."

Hmm...could it really be that simple...?

(no subject)

Essay of the Day.

Yet another intriguing post-Katrina analysis

"You and I and like-minded people all thought saving as many lives as possible before and after the storm was top priority. But suppose the people in charge of this Administration are so profoundly emotionally disordered that saving as many lives as possible is not their top priority?

"With great effort, I wrenched myself out of a lifetime of compassionate reality-based reasoning, and started considering possible alternative priorities. Suddenly the answer came to me and I was stunned at how it explained everything. It not only explains their response to Hurricane Katrina, but every decision and non-decision made by these people in the last five years wove themselves into one seamless garment. I even felt like a fool for not having figured it out sooner, given everything we know about Lakoff and the Republican neocon mindset.

"Their top priority is obtaining and maintaining power and authority.

"Doesn't it all make sense now?

"Read that again and take in the full magnitude of it. Their top priority is obtaining and maintaining power and authority. If people have to lie, fine. If people have to die, fine. Maybe this has been obvious to other people for a long time but it is only Hurricane Katrina that has made it crystal clear for me. It explains every otherwise inexplicable decision this Administration has made from day one..."