Okay....here we go. Boys.
My daughter just turned 13 a couple of days ago. She has a boyfriend. He is a very good looking kid and ALL the girls love him. Now, my daughter had a boyfriend last year, but they were just better friends than anything else. I think this boy she is "going out with" now is one she really likes and cares for. My problem is that I can see the heart break coming. Maybe I am wrong, but something has been nagging me about this kid. He is very nice, we know his parents, but something is not right. He seems to care for her a lot. He walks her to her classes and stuff like that. Sometimes they want to see each other and they don't get on their buses and start walking home together and I go pick them up and take him home. Nothing wrong there, I don't mind because the buses are crowded and slow. Plus, they both have musical instruments and it's pretty much a nightmare to get them on the buses anyways. Maybe I am reading it all wrong, and maybe I don't know him as well as I think I do. Last night I happened to be online at 11:30 and so was he (yeah..he should have been asleep), so we had a little discussion about how boys treat girls, etc., etc. He seemed okay with the conversation, so I will see when my daughter gets home how things were today. I told him I would deny the conversation ever took place and he agreed - he said he would not tell her we had that discussion. Now, just to let you know I asked him to not hurt her. Now, although this kid is like 13, he was talking like a 30 year old man (scary huh?). He was telling me he really cared for her and would not cross any lines. He says he knows his limits.....HUH? Does that sound like a 13 year old? He is very mature for his age and I think this is where my uncomfortable feeling comes from. Now I am no fool, I know she will get her heart broken eventually, and I know this thing will not last forever. I just told him if he was thinking of doing anything stupid (like hurting her in anyway)...just end it now because the longer this thing lasted, the more it will hurt. I think he got mad at me for that because he told me I sounded like I was tempting him to hurt her. That is not all what I meant. I was asking him to be nice about things and if he was thinking of doing anything that was going to hurt her, to end it now nicely.
I am not sure if I stepped over the line here, but I have known this kid for several years and I knew I could talk to him. He has talked to us about several family type problems, so I felt I could talk to him about this.
Did I do the right thing? I am trying to protect my child. I know she will toughen up eventually, but I really don't want this kid to hurt her.
Did I cross the line?
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Tornado Town
Okay...today has been fun. We have been under a tornado watch most of the day and it looks like most of them will become warnings. Let's hope not, but thanks Rita! I hate tornado weather. It gets really hot and muggy. You can walk outside and feel it coming. Ugh.
Yesturday was pretty fun. Because me and another mom love our daughters so much and they begged us to go to the local music festival, we did it. We took three girls We braved the crowds, the cigarette (and other types of cigarettes) smoke, drunk people, etc...you get the point. Lots of people. I said I wasn't going to do it, but I actually had a lot of fun. The best act (in my opinion) last night was Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits. I love him. He is funny and awesome and puts on a great show. Damn I am old. Also got to see Dwight Yoakum. At one point in my life I had the biggest crush on him - until I saw Sling Blade. Then I didn't like him so much. He did put on a great show, but he is really starting to show his age. This festival was suppose to go on all weekend, but because of the treat of tornadoes, I am not sure if they will have it today. They have delayed the start today until 5 pm, and then they will meet and decide what to do. That's a shame, but still, I think it was pretty successful the last couple of days. Next year I think we may just do the whole weekend thingy.
Now back to last night. My daughter's little boyfriend was there and they were hanging out. A whole group of kids they knew were all together for most of the night. When we first got there we let them sort of go out on their own and met up with them every hour. When it started getting dark and all the freaks came out, we just started following them far enough away that we were not in their space, but we could still see them. I am sorry, I am not willing to let go yet. I think my daughter was a little annoyed, but you know, she is my child and that is just how it is going to be. I told her last night I was sorry if she had a parent that cared and that she should consider herself lucky. Her little boyfriend was very good natured about it and didn't seem to mind. Good for him because it wouldn't have made a difference anyways. ha!
Oh well..back to weather watching.
Have a great day!
Yesturday was pretty fun. Because me and another mom love our daughters so much and they begged us to go to the local music festival, we did it. We took three girls We braved the crowds, the cigarette (and other types of cigarettes) smoke, drunk people, etc...you get the point. Lots of people. I said I wasn't going to do it, but I actually had a lot of fun. The best act (in my opinion) last night was Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits. I love him. He is funny and awesome and puts on a great show. Damn I am old. Also got to see Dwight Yoakum. At one point in my life I had the biggest crush on him - until I saw Sling Blade. Then I didn't like him so much. He did put on a great show, but he is really starting to show his age. This festival was suppose to go on all weekend, but because of the treat of tornadoes, I am not sure if they will have it today. They have delayed the start today until 5 pm, and then they will meet and decide what to do. That's a shame, but still, I think it was pretty successful the last couple of days. Next year I think we may just do the whole weekend thingy.
Now back to last night. My daughter's little boyfriend was there and they were hanging out. A whole group of kids they knew were all together for most of the night. When we first got there we let them sort of go out on their own and met up with them every hour. When it started getting dark and all the freaks came out, we just started following them far enough away that we were not in their space, but we could still see them. I am sorry, I am not willing to let go yet. I think my daughter was a little annoyed, but you know, she is my child and that is just how it is going to be. I told her last night I was sorry if she had a parent that cared and that she should consider herself lucky. Her little boyfriend was very good natured about it and didn't seem to mind. Good for him because it wouldn't have made a difference anyways. ha!
Oh well..back to weather watching.
Have a great day!
Saturday, September 24, 2005
On mulching and things like that
Two nights in a row I have not slept good....grrrr. Is this a sign of pre-menopause? Let's hope not. I love, love, love my sleep. Yesturday hubby called me at work and told me he had a very special surprise. It would be delivered at our house around 5:15 pm and make sure I was here so I could receive this very special delivery. Imagine my surprise when a huge truck pulled up the driveway with 9 scoops of shredded pine mulch. Okay..isn't that romantic? Guess what my entire weekend will consist of? How happy do you think I was to see him when he got home? Right.
I was going to get up early this morning because I had bought a charity ticket through my daughter's school to go to the local upscale department store and get 20% off my entire purchase from 7:00 am - 9:00 am. I slept through that damnit. I missed out on 20% off Karen Kane for gosh sakes!!!! I love it when they do these charity events, because items you usually cannot use the discount for, are allowable for these special sales (Dooney and Bourke, Coach, Free People, Ralph Lauren, etc...you get the point). It makes me mad that I could have save 20% all in the name of charity! Well..I bought the ticket so the school gets their money and the store did not get my money which I guess is a good thing, and I get to spread mulch!. I don't think I would have been that into it anyways. Lately, I just have not felt like shopping which tells me something is definately going on with me. Normally, I am always up for shopping. What do I mean normally, I mean definately.
Otherwise things are good. Waiting to hear from my sailor who is almost back to his homeport from his last trip out to sea. I think he will be back in port for like a week and then back out again. The beginning of next year they will be heading out for a 7 month tour so they are getting geared up. He is pretty excited. He will get to go on his first trip to Australia. That will be a great experience for my 21 year old son. They are hitting many other ports too. I am a little jealous he will get to see parts of the world I may never see. *sigh*
Oh well...gotta put my gardening stuff on.
I was going to get up early this morning because I had bought a charity ticket through my daughter's school to go to the local upscale department store and get 20% off my entire purchase from 7:00 am - 9:00 am. I slept through that damnit. I missed out on 20% off Karen Kane for gosh sakes!!!! I love it when they do these charity events, because items you usually cannot use the discount for, are allowable for these special sales (Dooney and Bourke, Coach, Free People, Ralph Lauren, etc...you get the point). It makes me mad that I could have save 20% all in the name of charity! Well..I bought the ticket so the school gets their money and the store did not get my money which I guess is a good thing, and I get to spread mulch!. I don't think I would have been that into it anyways. Lately, I just have not felt like shopping which tells me something is definately going on with me. Normally, I am always up for shopping. What do I mean normally, I mean definately.
Otherwise things are good. Waiting to hear from my sailor who is almost back to his homeport from his last trip out to sea. I think he will be back in port for like a week and then back out again. The beginning of next year they will be heading out for a 7 month tour so they are getting geared up. He is pretty excited. He will get to go on his first trip to Australia. That will be a great experience for my 21 year old son. They are hitting many other ports too. I am a little jealous he will get to see parts of the world I may never see. *sigh*
Oh well...gotta put my gardening stuff on.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Wake me up when September ends
"Wake Me Up When September Ends"
Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends
like my fathers come to pass
seven years has gone so fast
wake me up when september ends
here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are
as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when september ends
summer has come and passed
the innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends
ring out the bells again
like we did when spring began
wake me up when september ends
here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are
as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when september ends
Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends
like my father's come to pass
twenty years has gone so fast
wake me up when september ends
wake me up when september ends
wake me up when september ends
Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends
like my fathers come to pass
seven years has gone so fast
wake me up when september ends
here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are
as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when september ends
summer has come and passed
the innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends
ring out the bells again
like we did when spring began
wake me up when september ends
here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are
as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when september ends
Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends
like my father's come to pass
twenty years has gone so fast
wake me up when september ends
wake me up when september ends
wake me up when september ends
"Love Letters"
Ever gotten a "love letter"? I don't think I have since high school. You know, one of those letters that tells you how you have annoyed someone? I have some to write today.
Dear girl (and if you were not 12 I would call you something not so pleasant) that called my daughter ugly,
Well...where do I start? First of all, you had the nerve to call my daughter ugly which really hurt her feelings (because, as most boys at her school agree - she is far from ugly and has never even been called unattractive), yet last night, someone pointed you out to me - and you have absolutely no room to talk. Your greasy ringlets of hair were disgusting, I cannot believe your parents let you out of the house in those booty shorts that showed everything you had and then some, and most of all, no 12 year old should ever have dark roots like that that stick out from your obviously home done bleach blonde dye job. Please let me predict your future. I predict by the age of 17, you will have been pregnant at least a couple of times, you will live in a trailor with a man that wears wife beaters and burps constantly, and maybe if you are lucky, can keep a job for a couple of months a year. Next time, before you go spouting off your big mouth about how someone else looks (in your eyes anyways), take a long hard look in the mirror little girl. My daughter has had a terrific life so far and she don't need some slutty looking, jealous 12 year old who craves attention in the worst sort of way, messing around with her previously un scathed psyche. I am sure you don't know what that means since I read on your website under expertise, you stated this, and I quote: "I don't even know what that means, but whatever! LOL!!!" Ask my daughter what her expertise is, and I guarantee you that she will know exactly what that is. You may have hurt her feelings for now, but I am sure that in the brains category (and beauty too), she could kick your ass.
Love,
A Loving, Caring Mother
Letter #2:
Dear Chevron,
Today after my eye doctor appointment, I looked down and noticed that my gas light was on. Since I am not like everyone else in a frenzy topping off my gas tank, I decided it was getting close so I better stop and get gas. Please, please, please, NEVER have on your sign that medium grade gas is $2.90 a gallon, and then as I start pumping actually look at the pump and notice that I am actually paying $3.10 a gallon for gas. Actually, I think this is illegal. I have my receipt and have already called and turned you in. Please be aware that some people actually pay attention to what the pump says (although, I didn't notice until I already started pumping...grrrr). I am pissed at you Chevron. I cut your card up today in anger. I have no regrets.
Love,
Gassed up
Letter #3:
Dear Lady in Houston,
Today I was listening to you as you called into a radio show I was listening to. You live in the Houston area. You plan is not to evacuate because "you don't think it will be that bad". Hmmm....I am sure many people in the New Orleans/Gulf Coast area had those exact same thoughts not long ago. This thing is big and bad (just so you know, I am sure George Bush didn't create it). This thing may be worse than Katrina. As you spoke I heard small children in the background. Please lady...get out. If not for you, your children. One of my best friends lives in Houston and she and her family are leaving tonight. Now, these folks are usually not the panicky type, but they are smart and do not want to take any chances. Please lady, be smart. I would hate to see you or your children on the news looking for each other, or you on there crying about how you have stayed through others but didn't think this would be that bad. Get out....please?
Signed,
Scared for your children
Ahh....I feel better now.
Dear girl (and if you were not 12 I would call you something not so pleasant) that called my daughter ugly,
Well...where do I start? First of all, you had the nerve to call my daughter ugly which really hurt her feelings (because, as most boys at her school agree - she is far from ugly and has never even been called unattractive), yet last night, someone pointed you out to me - and you have absolutely no room to talk. Your greasy ringlets of hair were disgusting, I cannot believe your parents let you out of the house in those booty shorts that showed everything you had and then some, and most of all, no 12 year old should ever have dark roots like that that stick out from your obviously home done bleach blonde dye job. Please let me predict your future. I predict by the age of 17, you will have been pregnant at least a couple of times, you will live in a trailor with a man that wears wife beaters and burps constantly, and maybe if you are lucky, can keep a job for a couple of months a year. Next time, before you go spouting off your big mouth about how someone else looks (in your eyes anyways), take a long hard look in the mirror little girl. My daughter has had a terrific life so far and she don't need some slutty looking, jealous 12 year old who craves attention in the worst sort of way, messing around with her previously un scathed psyche. I am sure you don't know what that means since I read on your website under expertise, you stated this, and I quote: "I don't even know what that means, but whatever! LOL!!!" Ask my daughter what her expertise is, and I guarantee you that she will know exactly what that is. You may have hurt her feelings for now, but I am sure that in the brains category (and beauty too), she could kick your ass.
Love,
A Loving, Caring Mother
Letter #2:
Dear Chevron,
Today after my eye doctor appointment, I looked down and noticed that my gas light was on. Since I am not like everyone else in a frenzy topping off my gas tank, I decided it was getting close so I better stop and get gas. Please, please, please, NEVER have on your sign that medium grade gas is $2.90 a gallon, and then as I start pumping actually look at the pump and notice that I am actually paying $3.10 a gallon for gas. Actually, I think this is illegal. I have my receipt and have already called and turned you in. Please be aware that some people actually pay attention to what the pump says (although, I didn't notice until I already started pumping...grrrr). I am pissed at you Chevron. I cut your card up today in anger. I have no regrets.
Love,
Gassed up
Letter #3:
Dear Lady in Houston,
Today I was listening to you as you called into a radio show I was listening to. You live in the Houston area. You plan is not to evacuate because "you don't think it will be that bad". Hmmm....I am sure many people in the New Orleans/Gulf Coast area had those exact same thoughts not long ago. This thing is big and bad (just so you know, I am sure George Bush didn't create it). This thing may be worse than Katrina. As you spoke I heard small children in the background. Please lady...get out. If not for you, your children. One of my best friends lives in Houston and she and her family are leaving tonight. Now, these folks are usually not the panicky type, but they are smart and do not want to take any chances. Please lady, be smart. I would hate to see you or your children on the news looking for each other, or you on there crying about how you have stayed through others but didn't think this would be that bad. Get out....please?
Signed,
Scared for your children
Ahh....I feel better now.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Day off you ask?
YESSSSSSS.....I own this day! Whoohooo! So much has been going on lately. Daughter's drama is finally over. The little hussies who were bothering her have apologized (and I am sure it was sincere...you know how little demons are). Meanwhile, she has been keeping me busy running her friends around and such. She also has a sweet little boyfriend that basically has been protecting her and being the best boyfriend she has ever had (okay, she has only had one other, but he never called or really acted like a boyfriend). It's amazing how good her friends and her little boyfriend have been. Many of the kids she has known for years have really stood up to these bullies (one is a new kid at the school and the other is a 6th grader who probably will not get a warm reception when she gets to her school next year - one of the cheerleaders informed her of this on her website...can you believe this? These kids already have their own websites). Meanwhile, life has been going on. I am finally back to my part-time schedule, and for good I hope. I really do enjoy my two days off a week. It gives me time to do stuff like this. Also, my poor house looks like crap. I really need to get on it. Yesturday my youngest son turned 19. I cannot believe I have kids this age. My oldest son will be 21 in February. I feel old.
Today's schedule involves a cleaning house, a bank run, then a middle school football game.
I already can't wait till Thursday, my next day off. ha!
Today's schedule involves a cleaning house, a bank run, then a middle school football game.
I already can't wait till Thursday, my next day off. ha!
Thursday, September 15, 2005
The Post where I explain where I have been
Well....I am not sure where I have been. I have been in a funk I guess. We had some drama this weekend. My daughter had her first experience with some mean (and I am talking skanky, nasty) girls. So far her little life has involved nothing but love and acceptance. Unfortunately, I guess there comes a time where you realize not everyone is going to like you. These skanky girls don't like her just because everyone else does. Let me tell you, it's been bad. Oh, and you just know it would involve a boy too. She has been friends with this boy for years and now one of these skanky girls likes him (they are like 12). Evidently skank girl puts out (she is easy..and that's really sad because she is so young), and therefore, boy likes girl that puts out over nice girl that does not. You see where I am going with this? Well...nice girl got told to f**k off by skank girl among other things (I am not sure I can go into all of it, even I don't talk like that). Anyways, it's been hard on my girl who has led a nice comfy love filled life. I will go into more detail later. All I know is this...raising a girl is going to be full of drama.
Fun!
Fun!
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Friday, September 09, 2005
Oh Gosh
I am so tired. This has been a hard week. I have worked every day - and it's been busy. I have been feeling sorta sickly and yucky all week. Many in my office seem to be having sinus problems and sore throats, and I am not sure if that is it or not, but I went and purchased some Vitamin B-Complex, and I am hoping that my energy comes back soon. I plan to sleep a lot this weekend so there may not be much or any posting. I haven't had time to read many blogs lately and some I have just given up on all together. I don't have time for dumb people. It's depressing enough out there without all the negativity and blaming and such. I did read Mrs. du Toit tonight and she says something that makes great sense to me. Instead of getting all heated up and joining in on the blame game stuff, why not just give up on them? Why give stupid people your precious time? You cant win. I mean, we all know how this thing is going to turn out, and most of these wackos are just wasting their breath. Whatever. Have fun with that. But I really did enjoy her post. I feel so much like this myself. As read at: Mrs. Du Toit
Mrs. du Toit says:
I’m going to try to stop watching the hurricane news for a while. Obviously, given the nature of events, I’ll still be current with things, but I can no longer handle the constant broadcast of the carping, by Democrats, that Bush should have done something to prevent the hurricane from being horrible.
Two things concern me about the carping:
1. That people really don’t understand how our Republic functions. They really don’t seem to understand that the President can no more sweep down on his hurricane-consequences-eradicator airplane and take over Louisiana, than he can make pigs fly. Of course, if he did, the Democrats would be going ape-#### for him over reaching his authority and probably accuse him of being insensitive to Muslims for giving special ability to pigs. But what concerns me is that people are listening to any of this nonsense. If they REALLY understand how our government works, they’d not say a thing about it.
Because of that, I’m going to announce something I never announce. I’m going to de-link any blog that complains about how the Feds handled this. I’m not going to say who it is/was, they’ll just be gone. So if you’ve been using my blogroll to jump to other sites, I suggest you make note before a few more disappear from the rolls. It just demonstrates to me that the person is not worth reading. I should have figured it out before, but I didn’t. Now I have a litmus test. If people do not understand, at so basic a level, how our system of government works, I don’t want to hear anything else they have say. Since the handling of the affair was so bungled at the local and State levels, it would have been impossible for the outcome to be anything other than a goat rodeo. But even saying that, the men and women who are on the ground deserve better. This whole thing is like Vietnam, only in peacetime. Every time you criticize the handling of the affair now, you’re actually criticizing the volunteers and employees who are squeezing out every ounce of energy they have to do as much as they can. You can’t say “I support the troops but not their mission.” That’s an oxymoron. And you can’t say, “I support the work the volunteers are doing, but not the people who are directing it from above.” You can’t have it both ways.
2. There’s a point where the coverage becomes a kind of voyeurism. Finding the balance between vigilance and voyeurism, at times like this, can be tough. I may have passed the point, but I can only rectify it from this point forward.
What I’ve really learned from this experience is that some people are really terrific—near heroes in their ability to help others. I’ve also learned that I hate Democrats even more than before. The day that party fades away into oblivion will be the day I have renewed hope for our species.
To that I say Amen!
Mrs. du Toit is my hero!!! She gets what I have been trying to say for the last week or more: We (most of us anyways) went to school. We took a class called "Government", in this class we learned how "Government" functions. It makes me angry and sad that my 18 year old (who is a history major btw) and 12 year old understand how government works, and how natural disasters are handled (as witnessed in other states where there is competent leadership). As for now though, I am just going to start ignoring people that can't grasp the stuff they should have learned beginning in elementary school. As we were reminded with Katrina, life is too short.
Mrs. du Toit says:
I’m going to try to stop watching the hurricane news for a while. Obviously, given the nature of events, I’ll still be current with things, but I can no longer handle the constant broadcast of the carping, by Democrats, that Bush should have done something to prevent the hurricane from being horrible.
Two things concern me about the carping:
1. That people really don’t understand how our Republic functions. They really don’t seem to understand that the President can no more sweep down on his hurricane-consequences-eradicator airplane and take over Louisiana, than he can make pigs fly. Of course, if he did, the Democrats would be going ape-#### for him over reaching his authority and probably accuse him of being insensitive to Muslims for giving special ability to pigs. But what concerns me is that people are listening to any of this nonsense. If they REALLY understand how our government works, they’d not say a thing about it.
Because of that, I’m going to announce something I never announce. I’m going to de-link any blog that complains about how the Feds handled this. I’m not going to say who it is/was, they’ll just be gone. So if you’ve been using my blogroll to jump to other sites, I suggest you make note before a few more disappear from the rolls. It just demonstrates to me that the person is not worth reading. I should have figured it out before, but I didn’t. Now I have a litmus test. If people do not understand, at so basic a level, how our system of government works, I don’t want to hear anything else they have say. Since the handling of the affair was so bungled at the local and State levels, it would have been impossible for the outcome to be anything other than a goat rodeo. But even saying that, the men and women who are on the ground deserve better. This whole thing is like Vietnam, only in peacetime. Every time you criticize the handling of the affair now, you’re actually criticizing the volunteers and employees who are squeezing out every ounce of energy they have to do as much as they can. You can’t say “I support the troops but not their mission.” That’s an oxymoron. And you can’t say, “I support the work the volunteers are doing, but not the people who are directing it from above.” You can’t have it both ways.
2. There’s a point where the coverage becomes a kind of voyeurism. Finding the balance between vigilance and voyeurism, at times like this, can be tough. I may have passed the point, but I can only rectify it from this point forward.
What I’ve really learned from this experience is that some people are really terrific—near heroes in their ability to help others. I’ve also learned that I hate Democrats even more than before. The day that party fades away into oblivion will be the day I have renewed hope for our species.
To that I say Amen!
Mrs. du Toit is my hero!!! She gets what I have been trying to say for the last week or more: We (most of us anyways) went to school. We took a class called "Government", in this class we learned how "Government" functions. It makes me angry and sad that my 18 year old (who is a history major btw) and 12 year old understand how government works, and how natural disasters are handled (as witnessed in other states where there is competent leadership). As for now though, I am just going to start ignoring people that can't grasp the stuff they should have learned beginning in elementary school. As we were reminded with Katrina, life is too short.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
You too....can read this
CNN Transcripts
This is how that bitch of a Governor works in Louisianna:
NAGIN: Look, I've gotten promises to -- I can't stand anymore promises. I don't want to hear anymore promises. I want to see stuff done. And that's why I'm so happy that the president came down here, because I think they were feeding him a line of bull also. And they were telling him things weren't as bad as it was.
He came down and saw it, and he put a general on the field. His name is General Honore. And when he hit the field, we started to see action.
And what the state was doing, I don't frigging know. But I tell you, I am pissed. It wasn't adequate.
And then, the president and the governor sat down. We were in Air Force One. I said, 'Mr. President, Madam Governor, you two have to get in sync. If you don't get in sync, more people are going to die.'
S. O'BRIEN: What date was this? When did you say that? When did you say...
NAGIN: Whenever air Force One was here.
S. O'BRIEN: OK.
NAGIN: And this was after I called him on the telephone two days earlier. And I said, 'Mr. President, Madam Governor, you two need to get together on the same page, because of the lack of coordination, people are dying in my city.'
S. O'BRIEN: That's two days ago.
NAGIN: They both shook -- I don't know the exact date. They both shook their head and said yes. I said, 'Great.' I said, 'Everybody in this room is getting ready to leave.' There was senators and his cabinet people, you name it, they were there. Generals. I said, 'Everybody right now, we're leaving. These two people need to sit in a room together and make a doggone decision right now.'
S. O'BRIEN: And was that done?
NAGIN: The president looked at me. I think he was a little surprised. He said, "No, you guys stay here. We're going to another section of the plane, and we're going to make a decision."
He called me in that office after that. And he said, "Mr. Mayor, I offered two options to the governor." I said -- and I don't remember exactly what. There were two options. I was ready to move today. The governor said she needed 24 hours to make a decision.
S. O'BRIEN: You're telling me the president told you the governor said she needed 24 hours to make a decision?
NAGIN: Yes.
S. O'BRIEN: Regarding what? Bringing troops in?
NAGIN: Whatever they had discussed. As far as what the -- I was abdicating a clear chain of command, so that we could get resources flowing in the right places.
S. O'BRIEN: And the governor said no.
NAGIN: She said that she needed 24 hours to make a decision. It would have been great if we could of left Air Force One, walked outside, and told the world that we had this all worked out. It didn't happen, and more people died.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
S. O'BRIEN: The mayor making it clear that much politicking was going on, even as people here were continuing to suffer. The mayor clearly thinking that the governor did way too little, way too late for her part.
We put a call into Governor Blanco's office. They declined to come on our show this morning and talk to us. Her spokesperson did say, though, that it was a -- this was a tragedy now that was being reduced to politics.
NO SHIT!
This is how that bitch of a Governor works in Louisianna:
NAGIN: Look, I've gotten promises to -- I can't stand anymore promises. I don't want to hear anymore promises. I want to see stuff done. And that's why I'm so happy that the president came down here, because I think they were feeding him a line of bull also. And they were telling him things weren't as bad as it was.
He came down and saw it, and he put a general on the field. His name is General Honore. And when he hit the field, we started to see action.
And what the state was doing, I don't frigging know. But I tell you, I am pissed. It wasn't adequate.
And then, the president and the governor sat down. We were in Air Force One. I said, 'Mr. President, Madam Governor, you two have to get in sync. If you don't get in sync, more people are going to die.'
S. O'BRIEN: What date was this? When did you say that? When did you say...
NAGIN: Whenever air Force One was here.
S. O'BRIEN: OK.
NAGIN: And this was after I called him on the telephone two days earlier. And I said, 'Mr. President, Madam Governor, you two need to get together on the same page, because of the lack of coordination, people are dying in my city.'
S. O'BRIEN: That's two days ago.
NAGIN: They both shook -- I don't know the exact date. They both shook their head and said yes. I said, 'Great.' I said, 'Everybody in this room is getting ready to leave.' There was senators and his cabinet people, you name it, they were there. Generals. I said, 'Everybody right now, we're leaving. These two people need to sit in a room together and make a doggone decision right now.'
S. O'BRIEN: And was that done?
NAGIN: The president looked at me. I think he was a little surprised. He said, "No, you guys stay here. We're going to another section of the plane, and we're going to make a decision."
He called me in that office after that. And he said, "Mr. Mayor, I offered two options to the governor." I said -- and I don't remember exactly what. There were two options. I was ready to move today. The governor said she needed 24 hours to make a decision.
S. O'BRIEN: You're telling me the president told you the governor said she needed 24 hours to make a decision?
NAGIN: Yes.
S. O'BRIEN: Regarding what? Bringing troops in?
NAGIN: Whatever they had discussed. As far as what the -- I was abdicating a clear chain of command, so that we could get resources flowing in the right places.
S. O'BRIEN: And the governor said no.
NAGIN: She said that she needed 24 hours to make a decision. It would have been great if we could of left Air Force One, walked outside, and told the world that we had this all worked out. It didn't happen, and more people died.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
S. O'BRIEN: The mayor making it clear that much politicking was going on, even as people here were continuing to suffer. The mayor clearly thinking that the governor did way too little, way too late for her part.
We put a call into Governor Blanco's office. They declined to come on our show this morning and talk to us. Her spokesperson did say, though, that it was a -- this was a tragedy now that was being reduced to politics.
NO SHIT!
And another thing....
This comes directly from the Homeland Security Presidential Directive. You can find it at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/02/20030228-9.html.
4) The Secretary of Homeland Security is the principal Federal official for domestic incident management. Pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the Secretary is responsible for coordinating Federal operations within the United States to prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies. The Secretary shall coordinate the Federal Government's resources utilized in response to or recovery from terrorist attacks, major disasters, or other emergencies if and when any one of the following four conditions applies: (1) a Federal department or agency acting under its own authority has requested the assistance of the Secretary; (2) the resources of State and local authorities are overwhelmed and Federal assistance has been requested by the appropriate State and local authorities; (3) more than one Federal department or agency has become substantially involved in responding to the incident; or (4) the Secretary has been directed to assume responsibility for managing the domestic incident by the President.
6) The Federal Government recognizes the roles and responsibilities of State and local authorities in domestic incident management. Initial responsibility for managing domestic incidents generally falls on State and local authorities. The Federal Government will assist State and local authorities when their resources are overwhelmed, or when Federal interests are involved. The Secretary will coordinate with State and local governments to ensure adequate planning, equipment, training, and exercise activities. The Secretary will also provide assistance to State and local governments to develop all-hazards plans and capabilities, including those of greatest importance to the security of the United States, and will ensure that State, local, and Federal plans are compatible.
You may also read about the responsibility of State and Local government in a time of emergency here: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0566.xml
4) The Secretary of Homeland Security is the principal Federal official for domestic incident management. Pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the Secretary is responsible for coordinating Federal operations within the United States to prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies. The Secretary shall coordinate the Federal Government's resources utilized in response to or recovery from terrorist attacks, major disasters, or other emergencies if and when any one of the following four conditions applies: (1) a Federal department or agency acting under its own authority has requested the assistance of the Secretary; (2) the resources of State and local authorities are overwhelmed and Federal assistance has been requested by the appropriate State and local authorities; (3) more than one Federal department or agency has become substantially involved in responding to the incident; or (4) the Secretary has been directed to assume responsibility for managing the domestic incident by the President.
6) The Federal Government recognizes the roles and responsibilities of State and local authorities in domestic incident management. Initial responsibility for managing domestic incidents generally falls on State and local authorities. The Federal Government will assist State and local authorities when their resources are overwhelmed, or when Federal interests are involved. The Secretary will coordinate with State and local governments to ensure adequate planning, equipment, training, and exercise activities. The Secretary will also provide assistance to State and local governments to develop all-hazards plans and capabilities, including those of greatest importance to the security of the United States, and will ensure that State, local, and Federal plans are compatible.
You may also read about the responsibility of State and Local government in a time of emergency here: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0566.xml
Excellent Post....simple Government....just like you should have learned in school!
From Don Singleton's Blog:
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Insurrection Act
Barbara J.Stock wrote on ChronWatch ... For three long days, the governor of Louisiana and the mayor of New Orleans watched Katrina bear down on their state and city respectively but took very little action to protect their citizens other than to state the obvious: “Leave town.” No assistance was offered to the poor or elderly. Aerial views of New Orleans have shown pictures of hundreds of buses, left parked and unused. Why didn’t the mayor of New Orleans activate those buses to move the people out of the city those who wanted to leave but had no way out? Why was this golden opportunity to save lives left parked, only to be lost to the floodwaters?
Good question.
This from the Louisiana disaster plan, pg. 13, paragraph 5, dated 01/00: “The primary means of hurricane evacuation will be personal vehicles. School and municipal buses, government-owned vehicles and vehicles provided by volunteer agencies may be used to provide transportation for individuals who lack transportation and require assistance in evacuating'...” Why was the city’s own disaster plan for using those buses to evacuate people not implemented?
The mayor certainly knew of the buses, because he bragged he used them to bring people without transportation to the Superdome, but he had no answer for why he did not use them to take people out of state, such as to the Astrodome.
Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin had three days to evacuate the poor and elderly from New Orleans but they did not. Why? While the governors of both Mississippi and Alabama put in a formal request for federal assistance before Katrina even made landfall, the governor of Louisiana refused to relinquish any of her power for the good of the people. Now she and her party point the finger of blame at the White House.
When you have screwed up as much as they did, the only thing you can do is scream it is someone else's fault, and hope that some will believe you.
Liberal blogs and websites are pointing to the Department of Homeland Security’s website which states that it can take control in any disaster, natural or otherwise, but this is not true. The Department of Homeland Security can only work with the state and local officials in organizing relief efforts such as food, water, and shelter. There is no military arm of the Department of Homeland Security or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the military is what was needed and everyone knew that. Instead of asking why the Democratic leaders of Louisiana failed the people, these sites post disgusting pictures of floating bodies with the message: “George Bush did nothing.” The truth is, the Democratic governor wouldn’t allow Bush to do anything. That floating body belongs to Governor Blanco. She is the one who “did nothing.”
Roving bands of violent criminals quickly took control of the streets. While Mayor Nagin did declare martial law, it was a toothless declaration. The New Orleans police department was instantly overwhelmed. Many policemen just threw up their hands and walked off the job. Some joined the looters and were videotaped by MSNBC “shopping” in the local Walmart. The handful that was left on the job did their best but the best they could do was try to stay alive in a now lawless and dying city. Because there was no one in charge, the initial rescue operations were feeble at best and there was chaos. The scope and magnitude of the disaster, which covers an area the size of Great Britain, still had not been realized by Governor Blanco who steadfastly refused to declare martial law and officially request that the federal government “send in the troops.” It has come to light that all during the night on Friday, September 2, the president of the United States was forced to “negotiate” with Governor Blanco for the lives of the suffering and dying people of New Orleans. She feared that allowing the federal government to take control would make her administration appear as though it had failed.
She did fail, but had she let Bush send in the troops, no one would have known or cared. The people would have been saved.
How she would be judged was more important to her than the lives of those people who were dying in the squalor. How many died as Blanco maneuvered to protect her reputation? The Posse Comitatus Act prevents, by federal law, the president of the United States from sending federal troops into any state without the direct request of the elected governor of that state. A frustrated President Bush could only stand by and watch as the horror unfolded until he received the request for help. Despite the finger-pointing at President Bush, there was little that he could do until he was formally asked for assistance.
The liberals hoped he would send in troops anyway, and then they could blame him for violating Posse Comitatus.
No matter how loudly the liberals scream, they know full well that the president was helpless to do much of anything. As the death toll rose and the animalistic behavior of some of those who chose to remain within the city became public knowledge, it was obvious that authorities needed to regain control. As the scenes from New Orleans, now a national disgrace, were being beamed around the world, a shameless Governor Blanco only cared about her own political image. There is reason to believe that President Bush, running out of patience with Blanco by Saturday morning, used the only option that remained to him. It is being reported that Bush went around Blanco and utilized the Insurrection Act to federalize the National Guard and send in active military troops to take over the rescue and put down the lawlessness that had taken over New Orleans.
He should have arrested Blanco
The forces that Bush had poised to move into the city, swung into action. It was no accident that the major, organized rescues began when the sun came up on Saturday morning. At 6:30 AM, when the sky over New Orleans was suddenly filled with military helicopters and military convoys poured into the streets, they were there because of President Bush, not Governor Blanco. The largest military evacuation the world has ever seen moved with the precision and efficiency that is only seen within the military. With men like Lt. General Russel Honore, 1st Army Commander and Army Brigadier General Mark Graham in charge, law and order was quickly restored, and an endless line of helicopters and boats began removing the stranded people and taking them out of the hell-hole called New Orleans. Those forces were ready to act because the President of the United States had positioned them to be ready.
Everyone demands answers and everyone wants to put the blame for this catastrophe on someone. The most convenient person to blame is President Bush. In truth, he is the least responsible on the local level. While the liberals feel this is the perfect time to make political hay because so many African-Americans are involved, the first line of defense for those people, the mayor of New Orleans, and governor of Louisiana, both Democrats, are the leaders that failed them. The people of New Orleans were abandoned by an arrogant governor and a hapless mayor as both struggled to save their own political careers. But, because they are both Democrats, the leftists want these ineffective leaders seen as helpless victims of a thoughtless and racist Bush who ignored their repeated pleas for help.
Mayor Nagin has been reduced to babbling about how the CIA is out to kill him because he “spoke his mind,” and Governor Blanco has become the invisible woman hoping that no one will notice that her gross incompetence and arrogance cost lives. But the left marches on, blaming President Bush because it knows it can. Most Americans are not aware of the laws preventing the federal government from “taking over” a city or a state. The Democrats have closed ranks around their incompetent members and blame the president who was forced to “deal” with an inept governor. Governor Blanco’s thanks is to point the finger of blame back at the president when she knows the fault is her own.
The Democratic Party could not possibly sink much lower than it has this past week. The mayor, the governor, and all those liberal websites, blogs, and shrieking leftist politicians should jump into the sewer water that now flows in the streets of New Orleans. That’s where they belong, with the rest of the floating waste. The Democratic or “Progressive” Party should be buried with the dead. Cause of death: Gross incompetence, asphyxiation from lies, and the failure to accept responsibility for the deaths of thousands of American citizens because power meant more to them than lives.
posted by Don Singleton at 8:44 PM
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Insurrection Act
Barbara J.Stock wrote on ChronWatch ... For three long days, the governor of Louisiana and the mayor of New Orleans watched Katrina bear down on their state and city respectively but took very little action to protect their citizens other than to state the obvious: “Leave town.” No assistance was offered to the poor or elderly. Aerial views of New Orleans have shown pictures of hundreds of buses, left parked and unused. Why didn’t the mayor of New Orleans activate those buses to move the people out of the city those who wanted to leave but had no way out? Why was this golden opportunity to save lives left parked, only to be lost to the floodwaters?
Good question.
This from the Louisiana disaster plan, pg. 13, paragraph 5, dated 01/00: “The primary means of hurricane evacuation will be personal vehicles. School and municipal buses, government-owned vehicles and vehicles provided by volunteer agencies may be used to provide transportation for individuals who lack transportation and require assistance in evacuating'...” Why was the city’s own disaster plan for using those buses to evacuate people not implemented?
The mayor certainly knew of the buses, because he bragged he used them to bring people without transportation to the Superdome, but he had no answer for why he did not use them to take people out of state, such as to the Astrodome.
Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin had three days to evacuate the poor and elderly from New Orleans but they did not. Why? While the governors of both Mississippi and Alabama put in a formal request for federal assistance before Katrina even made landfall, the governor of Louisiana refused to relinquish any of her power for the good of the people. Now she and her party point the finger of blame at the White House.
When you have screwed up as much as they did, the only thing you can do is scream it is someone else's fault, and hope that some will believe you.
Liberal blogs and websites are pointing to the Department of Homeland Security’s website which states that it can take control in any disaster, natural or otherwise, but this is not true. The Department of Homeland Security can only work with the state and local officials in organizing relief efforts such as food, water, and shelter. There is no military arm of the Department of Homeland Security or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the military is what was needed and everyone knew that. Instead of asking why the Democratic leaders of Louisiana failed the people, these sites post disgusting pictures of floating bodies with the message: “George Bush did nothing.” The truth is, the Democratic governor wouldn’t allow Bush to do anything. That floating body belongs to Governor Blanco. She is the one who “did nothing.”
Roving bands of violent criminals quickly took control of the streets. While Mayor Nagin did declare martial law, it was a toothless declaration. The New Orleans police department was instantly overwhelmed. Many policemen just threw up their hands and walked off the job. Some joined the looters and were videotaped by MSNBC “shopping” in the local Walmart. The handful that was left on the job did their best but the best they could do was try to stay alive in a now lawless and dying city. Because there was no one in charge, the initial rescue operations were feeble at best and there was chaos. The scope and magnitude of the disaster, which covers an area the size of Great Britain, still had not been realized by Governor Blanco who steadfastly refused to declare martial law and officially request that the federal government “send in the troops.” It has come to light that all during the night on Friday, September 2, the president of the United States was forced to “negotiate” with Governor Blanco for the lives of the suffering and dying people of New Orleans. She feared that allowing the federal government to take control would make her administration appear as though it had failed.
She did fail, but had she let Bush send in the troops, no one would have known or cared. The people would have been saved.
How she would be judged was more important to her than the lives of those people who were dying in the squalor. How many died as Blanco maneuvered to protect her reputation? The Posse Comitatus Act prevents, by federal law, the president of the United States from sending federal troops into any state without the direct request of the elected governor of that state. A frustrated President Bush could only stand by and watch as the horror unfolded until he received the request for help. Despite the finger-pointing at President Bush, there was little that he could do until he was formally asked for assistance.
The liberals hoped he would send in troops anyway, and then they could blame him for violating Posse Comitatus.
No matter how loudly the liberals scream, they know full well that the president was helpless to do much of anything. As the death toll rose and the animalistic behavior of some of those who chose to remain within the city became public knowledge, it was obvious that authorities needed to regain control. As the scenes from New Orleans, now a national disgrace, were being beamed around the world, a shameless Governor Blanco only cared about her own political image. There is reason to believe that President Bush, running out of patience with Blanco by Saturday morning, used the only option that remained to him. It is being reported that Bush went around Blanco and utilized the Insurrection Act to federalize the National Guard and send in active military troops to take over the rescue and put down the lawlessness that had taken over New Orleans.
He should have arrested Blanco
The forces that Bush had poised to move into the city, swung into action. It was no accident that the major, organized rescues began when the sun came up on Saturday morning. At 6:30 AM, when the sky over New Orleans was suddenly filled with military helicopters and military convoys poured into the streets, they were there because of President Bush, not Governor Blanco. The largest military evacuation the world has ever seen moved with the precision and efficiency that is only seen within the military. With men like Lt. General Russel Honore, 1st Army Commander and Army Brigadier General Mark Graham in charge, law and order was quickly restored, and an endless line of helicopters and boats began removing the stranded people and taking them out of the hell-hole called New Orleans. Those forces were ready to act because the President of the United States had positioned them to be ready.
Everyone demands answers and everyone wants to put the blame for this catastrophe on someone. The most convenient person to blame is President Bush. In truth, he is the least responsible on the local level. While the liberals feel this is the perfect time to make political hay because so many African-Americans are involved, the first line of defense for those people, the mayor of New Orleans, and governor of Louisiana, both Democrats, are the leaders that failed them. The people of New Orleans were abandoned by an arrogant governor and a hapless mayor as both struggled to save their own political careers. But, because they are both Democrats, the leftists want these ineffective leaders seen as helpless victims of a thoughtless and racist Bush who ignored their repeated pleas for help.
Mayor Nagin has been reduced to babbling about how the CIA is out to kill him because he “spoke his mind,” and Governor Blanco has become the invisible woman hoping that no one will notice that her gross incompetence and arrogance cost lives. But the left marches on, blaming President Bush because it knows it can. Most Americans are not aware of the laws preventing the federal government from “taking over” a city or a state. The Democrats have closed ranks around their incompetent members and blame the president who was forced to “deal” with an inept governor. Governor Blanco’s thanks is to point the finger of blame back at the president when she knows the fault is her own.
The Democratic Party could not possibly sink much lower than it has this past week. The mayor, the governor, and all those liberal websites, blogs, and shrieking leftist politicians should jump into the sewer water that now flows in the streets of New Orleans. That’s where they belong, with the rest of the floating waste. The Democratic or “Progressive” Party should be buried with the dead. Cause of death: Gross incompetence, asphyxiation from lies, and the failure to accept responsibility for the deaths of thousands of American citizens because power meant more to them than lives.
posted by Don Singleton at 8:44 PM
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