# Did Bush fake a Katrina photo op? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 4, 2005, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006 "2005-09-04T04:52:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/61 "2005-09-04T17:51:30Z")
> [@Tracy Lord](#): > > If I had multiple sources, including a Republican US senator and two different international presses, I’d be boggling (as I am now) but find it difficult to deny (as I am now). > > What the fuck is wrong with you? People are _dying_ and you’re trying to defend the man who’s harming them? Bush is “harming” them? Jesus Christ. Is that an “Air America” or a Move-On talking point? Not only is Bush not “harming” anyone, a majority of Americans don’t even _blame_ him for what’s happening! Here’s the poll: [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/03/national/main814625.shtml](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/03/national/main814625.shtml) _Americans are broadly critical of government preparedness in the Hurricane Katrina disaster — but far fewer take George W. Bush personally to task for the problems, and public anger about the response is less widespread than some critics would suggest._ Stop listening to Michael Moore for a few minutes and you might learn something. ---
**Author:** ![markdiscordia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c6cbf5/32.png) [@markdiscordia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdiscordia)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/62 "2005-09-04T17:52:27Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > You mean you’d doubt it? Good. There are some things that are so stupid even you wouldn’t believe them. On the other hand, you still support Bush even after everything that went on this week and over the last five years, so there’s clearly nothing too stupid or absurd that YOU wouldn’t believe it. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/63 "2005-09-04T17:53:19Z")
> [@markdiscordia](#): > > On the other hand, you still support Bush even after everything that went on this week and over the last five years, so there’s clearly nothing too stupid or absurd that YOU wouldn’t believe it. Show me a post where I’ve said I “support” Bush on anything. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/64 "2005-09-04T17:55:42Z")
The staged photo up thing is ridiculous, of course, but Bush diverted funds from repairing the levies in NO to fund his war, and FEMA has declined under his leadership. Polls of the American people just reveal how ill informed they are. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/65 "2005-09-04T17:58:18Z")
> [@cricetus](#): > > The staged photo up thing is ridiculous, of course, but Bush diverted funds from repairing the levies in NO to fund his war, and FEMA has declined under his leadership. > > Polls of the American people just reveal how ill informed they are. Ha ha ha! I love it. “Blame the public.” Will you follow through with this ‘logic’ if we find a poll in which a majority of Americans _do_ blame Bush for the hurricane? ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/66 "2005-09-04T18:08:41Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > This is pretty much what I’ve been saying. All presidential visits are, to some extent, an arranged photo-op. They sort of have to be since they have to accomodate the WH press corps. And of course the Secret Service is there ahead of time “arranging” various aspects of the visit for security purposes. So somebody saw a piece of rescue equipment being moved before and after Bush’s visit and immediately thinks, “Staged?” Well, I suppose it’s true. Sometimes the curtain drops and we see the great and powerful Oz. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/67 "2005-09-04T18:12:29Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Show me a post where I’ve said I “support” Bush on anything. Do you support Bush on anything? ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/68 "2005-09-04T18:13:50Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Ha ha ha! I love it. “Blame the public.” Will you follow through with this ‘logic’ if we find a poll in which a majority of Americans _do_ blame Bush for the hurricane? I’m not “blaming” the public you idiot. I’m just saying their response on polls doesn’t mean anything. 75% of the public beleives that angels personally watch over them. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/69 "2005-09-04T18:14:54Z")
75% of those polled so, not the public. ---
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Lord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/70 "2005-09-04T18:22:28Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Bush is “harming” them? Jesus Christ. Is that an “Air America” or a Move-On talking point? Not only is Bush not “harming” anyone, a majority of Americans don’t even _blame_ him for what’s happening! Here’s the poll: [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/03/national/main814625.shtml](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/03/national/main814625.shtml) > _Americans are broadly critical of government preparedness in the Hurricane Katrina disaster — but far fewer take George W. Bush personally to task for the problems, and public anger about the response is less widespread than some critics would suggest._ > > Stop listening to Michael Moore for a few minutes and you might learn something. I dislike Michael Moore, I haven’t listened to anything but NPR for years, and I didn’t know [MoveOn.org](http://MoveOn.org) even _had_ talking points. What am I supposed to be “learning” from the poll? ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/71 "2005-09-04T18:26:55Z")
> [@cricetus](#): > > I’m not “blaming” the public you idiot. I’m just saying their response on polls doesn’t mean anything. 75% of the public beleives that angels personally watch over them. Bush’s popularity in the polls is at its lowest point ever. Do you dismiss those results out of hand? ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/72 "2005-09-04T18:43:43Z")
> [@newcrasher](#): > > I call BS on this. > > When Bush gave his big "rah rah " speech in NO. He was outside. Helicopters were flying non-stop behind him. So many, in fact, that I thought it was staged to have as many helicopters in the air behind him, lending credibility that now that he was in charge, the aid would flow. > > Who was the guy, the Iraqi information officer, who stated that anyone who said US tanks were in Baghdad were liars, while in the background US tanks could be seen? Same thing. I hate to quote myself, or respond to myself. But what do you say about this? If the helicopters were grounded, what were the big flying things behind him while he spoke? Mutant mosquitos from the chemical spills? ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/73 "2005-09-04T18:46:21Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Bush’s popularity in the polls is at its lowest point ever. Do you dismiss those results out of hand? Polls on public opinion reflect public opinion. Nothing else. The media seems to think the polls mean more than public opinion. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/74 "2005-09-04T18:48:51Z")
> [@newcrasher](#): > > I call BS on this. > > When Bush gave his big "rah rah " speech in NO. He was outside. Helicopters were flying non-stop behind him. As I understand it, it happened when he was flying over the area, not when he was making a speech. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/75 "2005-09-04T18:56:53Z")
> [@cricetus](#): > > Polls on public opinion reflect public opinion. Nothing else. The media seems to think the polls mean more than public opinion. Huh? The polls “reflect public opinion?” Then why did you say this in the above post? \* I’m just saying their response on polls doesn’t mean anything.\* Which is it? Are the polls meaningless? Or do they reflect public opinion? ---
**Author:** ![markdiscordia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c6cbf5/32.png) [@markdiscordia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdiscordia)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/76 "2005-09-04T19:08:16Z")
Look, it’s very clear. When 51% of the country supports Bush, it means that glorious democracy has spoken and any opposition, dissent, or Constitution that disagrees with the agenda needs to get out of the way of the Will Of The People. When 51% of the country opposes Bush, it means that polls of the uninformed rabble are unreliable and should be ignored. Simple, really. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/77 "2005-09-04T19:20:21Z")
> [@markdiscordia](#): > > Look, it’s very clear. When 51% of the country supports Bush, it means that glorious democracy has spoken and any opposition, dissent, or Constitution that disagrees with the agenda needs to get out of the way of the Will Of The People. > > When 51% of the country opposes Bush, it means that polls of the uninformed rabble are unreliable and should be ignored. > > Simple, really. Actually (and I’m not entirely sure you’re addressing me here), I fully believe that Bush’s popularity is at its lowest point since he took office. I think the polls are accurate. ---
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Lord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/78 "2005-09-04T19:22:50Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Huh? The polls “reflect public opinion?” Then why did you say this in the above post? \* I’m just saying their response on polls doesn’t mean anything.\* > > Which is it? Are the polls meaningless? Or do they reflect public opinion? Did your mother knock back a lot of sixers when you were incubating, or what? The polls reflect public opinion, and _only_ public opinion. > [@Stephe96](#): > > Not only is Bush not “harming” anyone, a majority of Americans don’t even blame him for what’s happening! Why did you bring up the poll? It’s not proof of anything but what _some_ (not all) Americans think, which has nothing to do with whether or not the photo-op was _actually_ staged. And I just have to take a moment to comment on the other vileness of this quote: > [@Stephe96](#): > > But I don’t think her criticism holds water Niether did the levee. 😉 [/QUOTE] You filthy, disgusting, heartless excuse for a human being. I don’t believe in Hell, but if I’m wrong, I have no doubt about where you’re headed. How do you live with such sickening indifference and even schadenfraude? ---
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Lord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/79 "2005-09-04T19:24:44Z")
Screwed up coding; that should read > [@samclem](#): > > But I don’t think her criticism holds water > > > [@Stephe96](#): > > > > Niether did the levee. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/80 "2005-09-04T19:25:08Z")
> [@Tracy Lord](#): > > And I just have to take a moment to comment on the other vileness of this quote: Niether did the levee. 😉 You filthy, disgusting, heartless excuse for a human being. I don’t believe in Hell, but if I’m wrong, I have no doubt about where you’re headed. How do you live with such sickening indifference and even schadenfraude? [/QUOTE] You can insult me and criticize me and whatever else you want to do…but that was still a good line! 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006.md?page=5)