Federal Emergency Management Agency

One "change" we're seeing in the newly forming administration is the return of expertise and a respect for academic accomplishment. George Bush loved to brag about being a C student. Somehow I don't think that approach will continue in the Obama White House. And while good leadership doesn't require an advanced degree, it doesn't hurt to have some expertise. I put together this comparison of Bush's original team and Obama's so far (source: Wikipedia). I've bolded those with more education.  read more »

Wasn't that something?  Mitch McConnell denouncing unemployment insurance?  Roger Wicker attacking food stamps?  Richard Shelby ranting against senior meals programs? George Voinovich railing against infrastructure spending that would creat 384,000 jobs?  Pat Roberts frothing at mouth against weatherizing homes?

Oh, wait...

That didn't happen. None of it did.  Not even close.  Harry Reid didn't force the Republican obstructionists to actually fillibuster to kill the $56.2 billion stimulus plan in the Senate this week.  In fact, he hardly did anything to make it more than the briefest of blips on the sharpest of political radar screens.  And therein lies virtually everything you need to know about the political economy of America today, and the sorry, sorry state of our democracy, and the Democratic Party.  read more »

I'm trying to track all of the negative stories that have come out on Sarah Palin in the last three days. It isn't easy, as new revelations pile on seemingly every hour. In the extended entry, I give such a compendium my best shot.  read more »

(An Escape From Presidentialism)

On the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, an award-winning documentary film about Katrina, and what is revealed about America has opened in Los Angeles, Irvine (go figure!) and New York City, with a broader release in 18 states and Washington DC already scheduled. It won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Festival this year, and was executive produced by Danny Glover, along with three others.  It was directed and produced by Tia Lessin and Carl Deal. All three talk about the film on the flip. It contains a documentary within the documentary shot by a couple from New Orleans whom the filmmakers met and integrated into the heart of their film.  Watch the trailer:

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S. 2382 would require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to quickly and fairly address the abundance of surplus manufactured housing units stored by the Federal Government around the country at taxpayer expense....

• Vote on This Bill: For | Against

H.R. 6413 would prohibit the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency from updating flood maps until the Administrator submits to Congress a community outreach plan....

• Vote on This Bill: For | Against

H.R. 6424 would establish a homeowner mitigation loan program within the Federal Emergency Management Agency to promote pre-disaster property mitigation measures....

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The Obama campaign sends its volunteers and now its candidateto the flood zones. No telling where FEMA is, but I'm guessing John McCain may be following tradition and spending this tragic day with his BFF.

Most of the right wing pundits, and columnists are all talking about re-branding the GOP. 
They distance themselves from Bush 43, like they did from Hoover, and Nixon and Bush 41. 
They have a brand that just isn't good. 
 The GOP says many things, but talk is cheap...as cheap as talk radio and cable news.

They destroyed the brand again. This time, they may have succeeded in committing suicide, along with a drop in market share. They are not good at promoting positive human behaviors. 
The Republicans are letting the party die. 
Republicans are not too loyal to the values Lincoln had.

 I can't see how they can repair or replace the 'brand', in 2008. 
How does one Re-brand a political party?  

What is that..a 'new & improved' form of neoconservatism?  read more »