oh no no no
 

The nation's governors are closing ranks in opposition to a proposal in Congress that would let the president take control of the National Guard in emergencies without consent of governors.The idea, spurred by the destruction and chaos that followed Hurricane Katrina's landfall in Louisiana and Mississippi, is part of a House-passed version of the National Defense Authorization Act. It has not yet been agreed to by the Senate.

The measure would remove the currently required consent of governors for the federalization of the Guard, which is shared between the individual states and the federal government.

"Federalization just for the sake of federalization makes no sense," said Gov. Kathleen Blanco of Louisiana, a Democrat who had rough relations with the Bush administration after the disaster last year. "You don't need federalization to get federal troops. ... Just making quick decisions can make things happen."

Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina, a Republican, said "a whole bunch of governors" were opposed to the idea after the proposed change was brought up in a private lunch meeting.

Some two dozen governors met in Charleston for three days of discussions at the annual summer gathering of the National Governors Association. The association's leaders sent a formal letter of opposition to House leaders last week.

The language in the House measure would let the president take control in case of "a serious natural or manmade disaster, accident, or catastrophe," according to the NGA.

"The idea of federalizing yet another function of government in America is a, the wrong direction, and b, counterproductive," Sanford said. "The system has worked quite well, notwithstanding what went wrong with Katrina."

YOUR KIDDING RIGHT? CAUSE HE DID SUCH A GOOD JOB OF LEAVING HIS GOLF GAME DURING KATRINA TO RUSH BACK TO WASHINGTON TO TWIDDLE HIS THUMBS :tsk:

It is a shame that you don't get the news out in San Diego. Those of us here on the Gulf Coast, who live and work through these hurricanes every year, tend to be a bit more attuned to the truth, rather than political perspective.

The Louisiana governor refused to make the "quick decisions" she is now saying are neccessary. She had to officially request Federal assistance, but wouldn't do it for days. Even though Bush had already declared the region a Federal Disaster Area, before Katrina even made landfall.

I am not saying the proposed bill is good. I am just saying that before you spout off that it is bad, have some facts on your side.

NO No I know she sucked big time on that, we got that news, everyone majorly f-ed up, but I thought it was very insensitive that he continued golfing while it was hitting

So actions are secondary to the appearance of "concern", right? It doesn't matter if the Pres has activated all the appropriate agencies, authorized all the appropriate funds, etc. What is really important is to get on TV from the Rose Garden, acting sad and concerned?:huddle

It is always amazing to me how liberals are more interested in "feelings" and "appearances", rather than actions.

Those of us bailing the water out of our living rooms couldn't care less about such appearances. We want real actions, which Bush did. In contrast to the kind, caring and incompetent LA gov and NO mayor.

Its not all about appearances, But everyone dropped the ball, and everyone could have done a better job, not just the president, not just your mayor and not just the governor, all did a crappy job if you ask me, I was as few people know In New Orleans while Katrina was coming, I left the before the huge evacuations and its amazing how calm everyone was

OK, give me specific things that the President legally could have done, and should have done, "better" regarding Katrina. Not vague stuff...specifics.

I think he should have flown back immediatly and taken a more responsible role, then to prevent himself from looking like the entire problem he should have done a better job of letting us all know what was really going on, that what I would of done

So, in spite of being told to say something specific, you still respond with "taken a more responsible role". In other words, you have nothing but vague discontent with the President, without knowing anything to specifically be for OR against.

I am through discussing politics with you, because you cannot discuss. You think politics is standing in front of the cameras, leading the nation in a round of Kumbaya.

Look at the response in FL and MS, compared to the response in LA.

This is a local and state thing, backed by the feds. The locals and state in NO and LA failed to do their jobs. By contrast, those in FL and MS knew what was coming, and heeded the call.

I thought, in large part thanks to blonboi, as I recall, we were admonished to refrain from political posts on X5.

Personally, I live it every day, and enjoy the debate. But, people seem to not be able to debate w/o getting their feelings hurt.

Doc - I think he's too young to actually know anything about politics.

As for hurricane response, I don't think anyone who hasn't been here has the right to say a whole lot, just like I wouldn't pretend to comment on mudslides or earthquakes in CA.

Doesn't stop him from making political comments. If you can't back up your statements, you shouldn't make them.

Oh, come on. Haven't you gotten the message? We can all make grand statements of opinion. We are not required to have any basis for them. :thumbup: