Forgive and Forget

Apparently, President Bush's mid-term message to the American people is: "Remember 9/11, Forget Katrina '05."

Why do I say this?

Well, first of all, his stance on the 9/11 attacks hasn't really changed since he said "The only way our enemies can succeed is if we forget the lessons of Sept. 11" last year.

His stance on Katrina? "I also want people to remember that a one-year anniversary is just that, because it's going to require a long time to help these people rebuild."

I see a contrast where there shouldn't be one. You can argue that actions taken after the results of 9/11 (specifically, the occupation in Afghanistan and Iraq) will take as much time, if not more, to resolve than the devastation brought on by Katrina. Both events witness an amazing level of footdragging (with 9/11 getting the Commission formed; with Katrina, getting supplies to the right locations and people out of danger). Both have been used as political footballs. Both are examples that the country needs to seriously address national preparedness.

So, the main lesson I got from 9/11 was "be prepared" and "the local, state and federal government should be sharing information more openly." Obviously, others did not learn these lessons, otherwise Katrina would have been handled better. In addition, it appears very few people learned any lessons from Katrina '05.

But...poll numbers supporting the Iraq War (or rather, the War on Terror) are more favorable for Bush than for handling Katrina.

As long as Bush can equate the WOT to Iraq (which would be a record-breaking 2-day flip-flop) and make people forget Katrina happened on his watch, I guess he figures the November mid-term elections will go fine.