American genocide

As I did yesterday with regards to the terrorist threat, I'm going take a step back from the calamitous human tragedy taking place along the Gulf Coast. I've noticed something, and it greatly distresses me.

Over the past few days, so many of us have paid attention to what the Bush administration is not doing as part of the disaster relief. But what we're missing – and what may be even more sinister – is what the administration is doing.

Since Hurricane Katrina struck and the man-made disaster followed, we've seen officials on the ground in Louisiana make impassioned cries for help. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin begged and pleaded for federal help, assistance that he said his city wasn't receiving. Further, Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco called for massive National Guard assistance when her state – especially New Orleans – was quickly overwhelmed.

Watching those stranded in the city, it was clear that Nagin's pleas were not initially being met. And, according to today's Baltimore Sun, neither were Blanco's:

From the start, Louisiana appeared to lack enough Guard troops with the specific skills to handle the lawlessness, namely military police and other security forces.

Neighboring Mississippi, also hard hit by Katrina, requested – and is receiving – hundreds more MPs and other Guard security forces from other states, according to a list of National Guard troop deployments obtained by The Sun.

A document listing troops heading to both states shows that some 1,700 Guard security personnel from Maryland and four other states began streaming into Mississippi starting Wednesday. That day, just 150 security troops arrived in Louisiana from the Texas National Guard.

Curious. Why would Louisiana – a state just as hard hit as the rest of the Gulf Coast – be experiencing such tragic delays? Why would Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff – in addition to blaming those who were forced to stay for their predicament – incorrectly state that the Superdome was "secure," as The Sun reported? Why would anchors like CNN's Lou Dobbs run counter to the overwhelming tide of critical media members and shift the blame to Nagin and his predominantly African American administration?

Because the administration's terrible foot dragging is part of a larger, less overt, strategy to maintain Republican hegemony. Because both of Louisiana's squeaky wheels – Nagin and Blanco (to say nothing of Sen. Mary Landrieu, who has also called for action) – are Democrats, Democrats trying to lead in a time of crisis while being left behind by their president. Because politics – not assistance (especially assistance to the poor) – has always meant more to the Bush administration. Because, with the Bush administration, gross incompetence has consistently had a dance partner in political expediency.

Where are the busloads of "refugees" – a terrible, derogatory term completely misused in this case – leaving from? New Orleans. Where are the law enforcement efforts of local officials being called into question? New Orleans. Where are individuals stealing food, medicine and other goods – a group as large if not larger than the criminal shoplifters – being referred to as looters? New Orleans. Where are suggestions being made about not rebuilding? New Orleans.

Every criticism of the administration, if you've been paying attention, has been met with anger: Anger at those who had the unfortunate luck of not having the means to leave. Anger at those who are stealing from completely destroyed stores to obtain the bare necessities. Anger at the local officials who are speaking truth to power.

Is this simply federal incompetence writ large? Or is it a symptom of something more?

You're hearing nary a peep of this consternation aimed at Mississippi. Could it be due to the fact that Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who has been doing a tremendous job at covering for the president's grievous failings since early in the week, is a Republican?

The mass exodus from New Orleans has been rough from the start. Busses called for did not arrive. Busses that headed to Houston were turned away. Families have been torn apart. Families lucky enough to make it to the Astrodome are now seeing conditions as unfortunate as they left at the Superdome.

Back in New Orleans, it is clear that, for much of the week, the federal government has abandoned its citizens. Thousands were left for dead by a president more intent on selling his failed policies and playing guitar than stepping in. President Bush's shameless inattention, which has since been followed by staged photo opportunities, can now be seen for what it is: The administration's callous attempt to destroy its opposition. Genocide is no longer a word spoken in a foreign tongue.

The poor throughout New Orleans and Louisiana – clearly not among the Republicans' primary constituency – are paying the political price for their hardship. A group never given a chance before disaster struck has no opportunity to succeed in its aftermath – nor is one being offered. Their home will never be the same; the chance they will see the financial fruits of Louisiana's rebirth is very slim.

When a Big Business-built tract of massive resorts and subdivisions replaces genuine culture and centuries-old charm along the Gulf Coast, it will be to their detriment. When the tragic combination of new bankruptcy regulations and eminent domain claims millions of victims, it will be to their disadvantage. When the final federal accounting is done and the finger of blame is pointed, it will no doubt be pointed in their local officials' direction.

And it didn't have to be this way.