Quote of the day.

My own personal former Congressman, Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA)...

"It is going to be Democrats who someday restore New Orleans, who restore education, who get universal health care. I believe that is what we are going to do. I believe that is our destiny."

Hat tip to Bryan Bissell at PolitickerWA.

You think it's gotten better since last year?

It hasn't. Via TRex…

“I believe that we, as a nation, are at risk of mission failure should our Army be called to deploy to an emerging threat,” Rep. Solomon Ortiz, D-Texas, chairman of the House Armed Services readiness subcommittee, said last year, basing his assessment on classified Army readiness reports.

"Mission failure." Helluva a way to put "Can't defend our borders," isn't it?

Really. If, say, a division of Chinese infantry was airdropped onto the Pacific coast, our only real option would be to evacuate the civilian population and try to bomb the invaders into submission. Shock and awe on our own soil, as it were. (Of course, if San Francisco slid into the sea in the process some would even see it as a side benefit. Kind of like the Bushco™ urban renewal/voter relocation program down on the Delta.)

That's all we've got. Everything else is broken.

Have I mentioned lately that I hate what they've done to my Army?

Sounds like a no-brainer.

Via Facing South...

Women of the Storm -- a nonprofit, nonpartisan alliance of Louisiana women whose lives were affected by Hurricane Katrina and/or Rita -- is working with Dillard, Loyola, Tulane and Xavier universities to encourage the Commission on Presidential Debates to hold one of their 2008 debates at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Seems like the Democratic campaigns, at least, should join in and demand a debate in New Orleans.

Hell, Americans everywhere should join in and demand a debate in New Orleans.

It's the right thing to do. The American thing.

Lesson learned…

…by some, still to be taught to many. DarkSyde offers a lesson plan...

The tragic lesson of Katrina is what will happen when men and women who openly despise our government -- who brag they plan to weaken it until they can drown it in a bathtub -- are allowed to govern.

In other words, it's what happens when you let people who don't care about you govern you.

And it's still happening.

Ya got yer' SNAFU…

…and ya got yer' FUBAR, but at FEMA they've perfected SNAFUBAR.

Feeling safer?

On the road…

…with my man John.

John Edwards kicks off the "Road To One America" tour today in New Orleans with the announcement of his three point plan to rebuild a great American City…

Rebuild: The rebuilding of infrastructure in New Orleans is stalled. The city needs new hospitals, clinics, schools and roads. John Edwards will call for building a new Veterans' hospital downtown, call on the VA to stop delaying site selection and choose downtown New Orleans, and then fast-track the design process so construction can begin. He will also propose building a 21st century infrastructure, integrating new housing, and preserving livable housing.

Create: Edwards believes we need to create good jobs in New Orleans. He will propose hiring 50,000 Gulf Coast residents to fill stepping stone jobs dedicated to rebuilding infrastructure that will help local and returning residents gain skills and experience. He will also protect workers from contractor exploitation.

Protect: Finally, Edwards believes we need to protect the city and the region from weather and crime. As president, Edwards will do whatever is necessary to ensure that Katrina never happens again, including building stronger levees and restoring coastal wetlands. Following Katrina, New Orleans has experienced an epidemic in violence. Edwards will strengthen public safety to end the epidemic of crime and violence.

Rebuild, create, protect. Sounds like a good plan for the whole country, doesn't it?