Another Insult to Katrina Victims

On tonight's "hard hatting" interview with ABC:

VARGAS: When you look back on those days immediately following when Katrina struck, what moment do you think was the moment that you realized that the government was failing, especially the people of New Orleans?

BUSH: When I saw TV reporters interviewing people who were screaming for help. It looked -- the scenes looked chaotic and desperate. And I realized that our government was -- could have done a better job of comforting people.

Really? I thought you were eating cake with John McCain on August 29?


And playing guitar on August 30:


In the interview, he also couldn't resist referring to 9/11:

ARGAS: So you don't agree with that report that calls the U.S. "woefully unprepared?"

BUSH: I think the U.S. is better prepared than woefully unprepared. There's no question we've got more work to do, and our report on Katrina outlined the work that needs to be done.

I thought, for example, the reaction to the 9/11 attack was a remarkable reaction, positively. When the terrorists attacked and destroyed two buildings, there were rescue teams rushing in to save lives. There was a response by the city that was a coordinated response. Katrina was one that we could have done a much better job [on], and we're learning the lessons from Katrina. But the country has got to constantly be evaluating our capabilities and preparing for the worst.

Bush/Cheney 2000-2006: Preparing for the worst.

The AP got its hands on video in which federal disaster officials warned Bush and Chertoff before Katrina struck that the storm could breach the levees, put lives at risk in the Superdome and overwhelm rescuers. How did Bush respond?

Bush didn't ask a single question during the final briefing before Katrina struck on Aug. 29, but he assured soon-to-be-battered state officials: "We are fully prepared."

The entire piece is worth the read.