Things we don't talk about.

When the president roared his cavalcade of trucks into New Orleans 2 days ago, they brought with them a truck load of generators.

These generators were hooked up lickity split, and behold, this one small area was lit up again! Citizens were heard cheering this. The photo op was set up, the area nicely lit for the presidential speech, and then when it was over...the generators were shut off. Audible groans sounded out, as these poor people were once again, left in the dark by this this administration.

Where did they take the generators? Were they really needed someplace else?

President Bush's speech said many stalwart things. Many of the same things, of course. Lots of big "we will do this" rhetoric. Not a whole lot of "how we will do that" solutions. Lots of grand ideas, no idea how to get there. Sound familiar? This is what was not discussed.

In the 30's, a law was passed, forgive me, I cannot remember the exact name of this law, but it was passed for situations of disaster reconstruction. The law allowed the President to suspend the prevailing wage in favor of lower wages. This law has been enacted before, but usually for periods of a week or two, and when it has been enacted, the time limit was set upon activation.

Bush has enacted this law, but not set a time limit. He, upon activation of the law, proposed that there be no cap on it. He also gave the reconstruction contract to, guess who? Haliburton. So, in effect, here is the replay, folks: Haliburton will be making the money off of this reconstruction, and paying the employees who are doing the reconstruction at a discounted and below minimum wage standard. These reconstruction employees will be made up of mainly citizens of New Orleans, who need a job to make money and a living again!

I reflect on a book I once read about the California earthquake of 1904. Do you know that in 1904, with no phones, just telegraphs, the army was in the streets 2 hours after the quake. They put up signs immediately saying "Looters Will Be Shot". They started search and rescue operations within 3 hours. There were shelters and a train load of food and water available that night. Teddy Roosevelt was a pretty efficient cookie.

We don't hear about these things. They use religion to mask over facts. We have days of national prayer to make us feel better about it all, and divert attention elsewhere. When the citizens of New Orleans checked into the Superdome, you know what they were issued? A blanket, some food, and a bible. ? Who spent the money on all those? Wouldn't you prefer to have a gallon of water instead? So strange.

I'll leave this snarky rant with a few well put quotes from the past few shameful days...

"Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job"-W.

"I'm going home to my kids and making a stiff drink.." Michael Brown, upon being relieved of his New Orleans privileges and sent back to Washington. For a day or two.

"Most of these people were under privileged before, so they are better off now."-Barbara Bush, remarking on the Citizens of New Orleans in the Astrodome. Let them eat cake?

"Come on kids, tell the truth...isn't this all kind of fun?" Tom Delay, talking to children in the Astrodome.

Hmmm....Sound bytes and photo ops and Americans left in the dark. Life in the Bush years, I'm afraid. Par for the course.