National Address #19

It's probably the third best speech I have heard the President give over the last five years. It doesn't come close to his speech on September 20, 2001, but I thought he had some really good things to say. Here are some quotes that stuck out to me.

"...Yet the system, at every level of government, was not well coordinated, and was overwhelmed in the first few days. It is now clear that a challenge on this scale requires greater federal authority and a broader role for the armed forces – the institution of our government most capable of massive logistical operations on a moment’s notice. Four years after the frightening experience of September 11th, Americans have every right to expect a more effective response in a time of emergency. When the federal government fails to meet such an obligation, I as President am responsible for the problem, and for the solution. So I have ordered every Cabinet secretary to participate in a comprehensive review of the government response to the hurricane. This government will learn the lessons of Hurricane Katrina. We are going to review every action and make necessary changes, so that we are better prepared for any challenge of nature, or act of evil men, that could threaten our people."

Stopped short of an independent investigation, but I don't think that would be necessary. Interesting that he didn't talk a lot about the local response, but rather took responsibility for his own failure of leadership. Nice job Mr. President.

To help lower-income citizens in the hurricane region build new and better lives, I also propose that Congress pass an Urban Homesteading Act. Under this approach, we will identify property in the region owned by the federal government, and provide building sites to low-income citizens free of charge, through a lottery. In return, they would pledge to build on the lot, with either a mortgage or help from a charitable organization like Habitat for Humanity. Home ownership is one of the great strengths of any community, and it must be a central part of our vision for the revival of this region."

Shouldn't the government do this with all it's Federally held property? Seems like a great idea, although I think those who are in the depths of poverty will need more help than this. For those on the edge, it's a great opportunity, and that's something.

"As all of us saw on television, there is also some deep, persistent poverty in this region as well. And that poverty has roots in a history of racial discrimination, which cut off generations from the opportunity of America. We have a duty to confront this poverty with bold action. So let us restore all that we have cherished from yesterday, and let us rise above the legacy of inequality. When the streets are rebuilt, there should be many new businesses, including minority-owned businesses, along those streets. When the houses are rebuilt, more families should own, not rent, those houses. When the regional economy revives, local people should be prepared for the jobs being created."

Good call recognizing how our nations history played a role in some of the generational poverty we see today in the Gulf States (and other parts of the country). Don't really get the "So let us restore all that we have cherished from yesterday" line. I thought yesterday wasn't so good? Anyway the last part of this statement is the thing that troubles me the most. Please notice there are no links (ok just one) to articles or anything like that. This is my own opinion that isn't shaped by any talking heads, NY Times brainwashing :) or Fox News indoctrinating.

The last part of this paragraph, the "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps" part, gives me a lot of pause. While the words that surround it are good and promising, a closer examination reveals that the "shoulds" aren't necessarily backed up by mechanisms that turn them into "ensures." Deliberate intentionality is very important here. Banks, businesses, and communities must be willing to take risks for poor minorities that they haven't necessarily been willing to take in the past. The Government must coax or compel these entities to do that. The Government should also carefully monitor property owners that out price former residents and keep them from coming home or getting into the housing market. And finally Bush must be personally driven to make sure that the poor, old, young, and minorities are helped to succeed in extraordinary and unique ways. I have hope that this will happen, but we should keep watch for the details on HOW this will happen. Because it WON'T happen without intentionality from begining to end.

Despite his good speech, I am still very disappointed in what happened. A twenty minute speech doesn't come close to making up for the Governments mistakes and his mistakes (Mike Brown) in this whole thing. The actions laid out in his speech will go a long way towards making a better tomorrow for the victims of Katrina and the residents of the Gulf. However we can't forgett what happened to so many people and that the poor, young, old, and minorities suffered tremendously and continue to do so in the wake of this tragedy. I support your ideas Mr. President, but I wait to see if your words are backed up by actions.