September 2, 2008
The Bush administration and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal have done a magnificent job evacuating people from the path of Hurricane Gustav. As of now there appears to be minimal loss of life and property damage and the levees around New Orleans seem to be holding.
Do you think the major media or certain politicians who criticized the president for failing to act swiftly during Katrina three years ago will praise him now? You must be joking! Never mind there was an inept Democratic governor of Louisiana three years ago who refused to ask the president to federalize the National Guard until it was too late. She didn’t get the blame then. It was all Bush’s fault. Granted, he bore some of the blame, but not all, or even most of it. Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans and Governor Kathleen Blanco were largely at fault.
When Republicans and conservatives triumph – whether in this storm or ending the Cold War – they get no credit. But the public can see for itself. Whatever the shortcomings during Katrina, this time advance preparation and execution worked.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
