Why Has Bush Failed To Help Americans Suffering In The Wake Of Hurricane Katrina?

Vernon Coleman





We know that Bush is a war criminal who should, if justice were not in such short supply in the world today, be tried for his crimes. But his callous disregard for those Americans suffering in the wake of Hurricane Katrina opens up a new aspect of his appalling character.

Why did Bush take five days before doing anything?

The first, and most obvious answer, is that any normal President would have sent in the troops straight away. No other group of men and women are better able to distribute supplies, build bridges, treat and evacuate the wounded and keep order. But Bush's troops are distributed around the globe, busy killing innocent women and children and British troops. So: no troops.

Second, the vast majority of people suffering in the wake of Katrina are poor (and black). These are not the sort of people for whom George W. Bush is going to stay up late at night. He has, after all, spent much of the last four years sending troops to kill vast quantities of poor people. A few thousand more won't make much difference to his karma. If the hurricane had hit Washington or New York do you honestly think that Bush would have waited five days before doing something - and flying in for a photo opportunity?

Third, the damage done to the rigs off the coast mean that the price of oil will rise. Now, what business is most closely allied to the Bush family? Well done if you said `oil'. What happens when there is a temporary shortage caused by oil rigs blowing over? The price of oil goes up. Who benefits when the price of oil goes up? People in the oil business.

Two final thoughts.

First, would Britain's very own liar and war criminal Blair have done any better?

No, I don't think so.

Blair is driven by a desire for money, fame and power. If a hurricane had hit Hampstead or Islington he would have done something. He would have rushed in to be photographed handing designer food to photogenic babies hired from a smart London agency and he would have then rushed home, excusing himself from any confrontation with real people on the grounds of `personal security'. But if a hurricane had hit Liverpool or Newcastle he would have probably been too busy basking on the beach in Italy or the Caribbean to do anything to help.

Second, what the hell is the EU doing offering to send our emergency stockpiles of petrol and jet fuel to the USA so that American motorists can continue to drive their gas guzzlers at low cost and the American Air Force can continue to destroy much of the Muslim world?

America is constantly reminding us that it is the world's only global superpower. They boast of their wealth. And they have the world's largest emergency supply of oil - millions of barrels of the stuff stored underground.

If the Americans accept the EU's absurdly generous offer, European citizens will pay a hefty price. Speed limits throughout European countries are likely to be reduced by up to 25% (thereby causing huge tailbacks, long queues and a massive economic burden), car pooling will become compulsory (and will any legislation ever be repealed?) while civil servants will be put on shorter working weeks (doubtless to their great delight).

The people of Louisiana may well need our help. And, in the absence of help from their own Government, some of the world's aid agencies should, perhaps, start moving in to help them - but with food and water not petrol.

How wonderfully, excrutiatingly embarrassing that would be for any American President sensitive enough to feel shame and embarrassment. Sadly, George W. Bush doesn't fit into that category.

2nd September 2005


Copyright Vernon Coleman 2005 Home