politics of destruction

You know, it occurs to me that the horrible horrible situation along the Gulf Coast is a chance for Bush to turn himself into one of the greatest presidents ever - and I don't mean from a point of view of hagiography, I mean from a point of view of real outcomes. Tens and tens of thousands of people, out of hope, out of options, looking for help. And Bush leads the Federal Government. Even the most anti-Government Republicans must see just how important it is for them to act, and act now, in an overwhelming way.

I wish I could be more confident that he'll be up to it. I suspect we'll get a lot of speeches about how sad it is, and lots of nodding journalists telling us how wonderful it is that he cares. But little or no actual fucking help - unless he can use it as a way to justify another round of tax cuts. Because that's what trapped, starving, desperate people reduced to absolute misery really need.

Bitter, me? Maybe.