Bush's worst nightmare

The nice thing about videotape is you always get the chance to loook at it later, even two years later. This week the prosecutor may hand down indictments for Rove, Libby and others for having leaked the name of Valerie Plame. That would be devastating to this adminstration but at least the decision will be clearcut. Rove and Libby and possibly others resign. There will be the press conferences and statements.

If no idicymenst are handed down but the special prosecutor's report staes Rove, Libby and possibly others did indeed leak the name of Valerie Plame but that act in itself did not rise to an indictable act, then roll tape. In September, 2003 said if there was a leak in "my" administration, he would basically deal with. The statement was in responseto a reporter's quaestion and obviously an unscripted moment. The use of "my administration" is intriguing. He took ownership of that situation. This would toss the president into an area he does not enjpy, the grey area. He won an election by not parsing words. He won the election because middle America knew where he stood on Iraq, terrorism, and a myriad of issues. He would then have to explin what he meant by he would handle the leakers. Middle America would not accept a slap on the wrist. They would not expect anything less than Rove and Libby being fired and tossed out of the White House. Nothing less than the values argument is at stake, here.

Yet, the president would find homself very alone in that moment. Obviously, he cannot consult with Rove or Cheney whose hands may not exactly be clean. Rumsfeld would be of no use and Condi Rice needs to avoid this, if she inrends to run on 2008. Finally, Harriett Miers is of no use. That leaves Scott McClelland and Andrew Card. You can guess Scott's answer after being misled. Andrew Card may be helpful....but the president is pretty much alone. He has to weigh his firendship and loyalty to Karl Rove against the values that broght him the presidency.

In the end, the indictments relieve him of this burden.

Screaming Fire in a Crowded Theather

The constitution protects free speech....how ever it has been said you cannot scream fire in a crowded theater and hide behind the first amendment. We almost had that in evidence this past week in New York City. This is how I view the most recent elevated terror alert in the New York City subway system and the continued flubs by the White House, especially Homeland Security. It should be called Homeland Insecurity. I have not felt any safer since this bureaucracy was created.

Lets start with the likely real story and not the ones put forth by the Mayor. The real story is somehow, WNBC channel 4 got a tip or some information regarding a "possible" terrorist plot whereby terrorists may bomb the subway system. Their preferred mode of delivery may have been a briefcase, pretty original, or a baby stroller. The televisions station contacted the mayor's office who decided triumphantly to advise the city o the threat before WNBC went with the story. Never mind checking the facts or how credible the threat is.....let's panic the public.

The mayor and police commisioner in a comical news conference advise the public to be careful on the subway and avoid carrying packages, especially baby strollers, backpacks and brief cases. Keep in mind, 4.7 million New Yorkers use the subway every day to get to work. I live in New Jeresy and visit "the city" once a month. Now, how do you tell a person going to their office, to leave home their briefcase. How do you expect these people to carry their lunch. Never mind those papers the may need at the office. The mayor advised his citizens to look for suspicious individuals.....everyone in New York looks suspicious...look for the normal people and see what is wrong with them. There has not been an incident.....but the mayor could only do what he can. He was advised the report they had an important degree of specificity.

The real Keystone Cops in this holy mess is that unholy trinity of Homeland Security, the White House and the media, in this case. They left Mayor Bloomberg out in the cold. Let's start with Scott McCullen who in a press conference, during the debacle, stated the source was not credible. President Bush in the middle of another embarassing episode for Homeland Security, stated they were getting better at sharing information with local officials...but perhaps not quite as efficient as they were at sharing it with the media. So, let's square the president's remarks with his spokesman. Indeed, both are credible, if not their sources of information. So, Homeland Security shares with local officials ( and the media ), specific information that may not be credible. I am going to blow up the Empire State Building at 10:15 a.m. Monday, with a bomb on the seventeenth floor..is that specific enough? As for credibility, not so much!! I guess this is better than two years ago when Homeland Security had news conferences regarding credible informationregarding an imminent attack but no specificity. They have come so far.

After the FEMA debacle in the Gulf......huh, we do not help directly, our role is to coordinate.... and now this, it is time to recognize Homeland Security for what it is, a bloated bureaucracy, totally inept at any kind of communication or coordination. Let' s get rid of the thing and replace it by a leader who is capable of keeping the disparate agencies in line and talkingto each other. Actually, that is what the President should do but he gave up on that, a long time ago....not enough good photo ops.

Rovegate... a follow up

On July 27, I posted a blog regarding Karl Rove and how his role in the Valerie Plame affair may upset the presidency..or at least give the democratic party a few seats in the upcoming midterm elections. If course I did not expect how much the White House would bungle the response to Hurricane Katrina. This was not a good summer for the Republicans and well, Fall is not looking very good, too.

Now, Karl Rove is being recalled to testify in front of the Grand Jury. How is he going to square his testimony with that of Matt Cooper. The latter named him as a source. Before we begin feeling sorry for Karl Robe's plight, losing his job, at a minimum, at worse a prison sentence, let's not forget what he may have done. He disclosed the name of a CIA operative. Well, so did Scooter Libby. But ir shws to what extent this man is willing to go to defame others. He has taken glee in attcking the patriotism of liberals. He has distorted facts, twisted arms and bullied people to force through a neo-conservative agenda. He will do anything. So, I will not feel sorry for him and neither should you.

Karl Rove is a con artist. He is more dangerous than your average grifter, though. This grifter is very close to the center of power. He has access to your pocketbook and state secrets. Is this the individual you want lurking in the halls on the White House? He abused his powers. I hope the judge considers this along with a perjury charge.

After Rove's grand jury testimnoy, George W. Bush will have little choice bit to fire him and ban him from the White House. That will be the cry from both sides of the House. The president is loyal to his friends. This is an admirable quality. Karl Rove is a scoundrel and does not deserve that trust.

"New" New Orleans ..let's get it right this time

I have visited New Orleans quite a few times in the past few years..usually conventions or trade shows. In fact, I was scheduled to be there the last wek in September. I was never impressed by New Orleans. During my last trip I dined with a colleague at one of New Orleans finest establishemnts, Antione's. The food was excellent and the best smoked gumbo I have ever had. My colleague bemonaned the fact that the city has become so low brow. It used to be a great city with outstanding restaurants and jazz. It had all the elements to be a world class, French and Spnaish influence in Cuisine and African American jazz. It was all there. Unfortunately, the city decided to become a touirist mecca without handing its infrastructure problems. The convention center in so far away from Bourbon Street, one needs to take a cab. The convention center, itself was becoming old and dated. Your typical executive would prefer not to do business in New Orleans or hold conventions, there. Reason being, the city has become associated with drunkenness and crime. I have heard of stories where speakers had to cancel their talks because they had partied all night. Bourbon Street is no more than one T-shirt shop after another. Many a conventioneer has been warned to avoid all side streets off Bourbon Street.

The city needs to renew itself after this tragedy. That is why I believe Mayor Nagin's call to have residents return is plain stupid. Before anyone returns to New Orleans, permanaently, he owes it to his citizens to present a master plan....beyond fixing the levees. His call is no better than the plantation master calling back his slaves. If this offends, so be it...I am a liberal. The pooreer residents of New Orleans were trapped in their homes. They had no means to evacuate. You do not begin repopulating those areas. What is the rush, anyway? In fact, if the poorer residents find employment elsewhere and a life..... wish them the best...that is true America.

I mentioned a Master Plan, didn't I? Well. here are my recommendations:

(1) Do not allow the government to solve the problem. They could not fix the levees. As such they are part of the problem. Their role is to provide an environment so investors are willing to come back. That inculdes effective law and order and getting rid of curruption. The goverment needs its own hurricane sweeping through it.

(2) The private sector will solve the problem...... i fyou have not noticed despite the recnet slowdown, this country is on a continuing real estate boom. Yes and the land around New Orleans in prime real estate...near the Gulf and warmer, albeit, more humid climate. The provate sector would build better homes and more solid construction. Obviously, these homes will be more expensive. Yes, New Orleans could become a prime place for retirees....active communities.

As for displaced residents, developpers are very generous in this way. The government could even stipulate it.... I am certain there will be many takers....

(3) The government's role is limited to reasonable zoning, demanding green spaces be built with water features, designed as retention ponds.....and yes, in exchange for the property they turn over to developpers, they may request the builing of low to moderate income housing. Again, if the private sevtor begins investing heavily, they have a reason to invest in the needed infrastructure

(4) As for the downtown area...it should be allowed to keep its charm but needs a face lift. That will only happen with stricter bylaws.... I am not suggesting we turn New Orleans into Disney World....but closer to what the Las Vegas strip has become. Above all else, New Orleans has to become high brow, once again...... and that is not easy.

Let's not pour monet down the drain in New Orleans.. instead let's provide seed money and the environment to allow the city to renew itself.