George Bush goes to New Orleans

[illusionofjoy]

There it was on the front page of my morning newspaper: George Bush, posed for his photo-op, looking out the window of Air Force One at what used to be New Orleans. It took a hurricane to make this so-called "compassionate conservative" cut his vacation short – and that was only by two days. It would seem that Katrina did what Cindy couldn't, but only marginally.

Like most photos of George Bush, this one made me angry. Once again, the leader of the free world was busy making pretty pictures for the history books, rather than thinking about the present. Were this an election year, I'm certain that our illustrious leader would have sprinted for the scene of the disaster. However, this is not the fall of 2004 and Florida isn't the state in trouble. This is the waning summer of 2005 and Bush has nothing to lose politically. He's made it all the way to the top: eight years in office. All he has to worry about is what the history books will say about him...and that's all he seems to be worried about.

In the photo, I don't see a man particularly concerned about all the lives that were lost, nor too shaken that one of America's most unique cities has been quite possibly irreparably damaged. I don't see a man contemplating in shocked reflection as to what may be revealed once the floodwaters recede. Nor do I see a man who is trying to conceive the degree of human suffering that continues among the survivors. The lootings, the murders, the deaths – even the depth of the floodwaters – are all just numbers to him. These are numbers that will only fit into an equation where x is a furtherance of his own political ends.

George Bush the imperialist never sleeps. Today it was pointed out to me that he told ABC news, "I'm not expecting much from foreign nations, because I haven't asked for it. I'm expecting sympathy and maybe some will send cash." In effect, the man is throwing the generous unsolicited offers of help from other nations back into their faces, like an ungrateful child. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that I do not support this sort of mindset and find it embarrassing that the president would choose to represent the nation in such a way.

Whatever happened to gracious, well-spoken leaders? George Bush could actually learn something from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who despite calls from hard-right "Christian" nut job Pat Robertson for his assassination, offered food and fuel for victims of Katrina. If that isn't a gracious offer of peace and goodwill, then I don't know what is.

Things are just getting worse in New Orleans. Those who stayed had the wrong mindset: it won't happen to us. Well, it did, and now everyone who stayed has become a prisoner. Unfortunately, much like a prison that doesn't have enough guards, the embittered masses are descending into chaos and barbarism. It must be nice to be able to fly over it all and not have to dodge bullets nor smell the stench of three-day old faeces. It must also be nice to know that New Orleans National Guard is in Iraq, where they can be plenty of aid to those affected by the wrath of Katrina. Furthermore, it must be nice to know that the money that was supposed to be used to brace the levees surrounding New Orleans, which could have prevented the flood, was diverted to the war in Iraq. I guess it's better to "spread democracy abroad" than to fix your own house.

In times of disaster, many people warn not to "politicise" the tragedy. To that, I ask, "why not?" The act of laying blame doesn't bring back the dead, heal the sick nor rebuild the city, but I wonder if we can't learn from our mistakes. Can we?