# 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:** 6
**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, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/101 "2005-09-04T21:16:20Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > As I understand it, it happened when he was flying over the area, not when he was making a speech. Cite? Wouldn’t it be prudent for the air traffic to be controlled, as it always is for Airforce One, if he were flying over the area? How long do you think it took for Bush’s 747 to survey the damage? Half hour? Tops? The article doesn’t say how _long_ the food “baked” in the sun. I can’t imagine very long. It doesn’t say. But it _is_ a great little tidbit to feed the frothing masses. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/102 "2005-09-04T21:20:20Z")
Why was it necessary for Bush to survey the damage at all? It’s not like he has any ability to make an informed evaluation. I don’t think he had any busines in New Orleans at all, an no I would NOT have criticized him if he hadn’t shown up. I actually would have given him credit for not trying to exploit yet another tragedy for a photo op. ---
**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, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/103 "2005-09-04T21:55:30Z")
So simply a difference of opinion. Nothing to get frothy about. You wouldn’t. He did. Meh. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/104 "2005-09-04T22:10:41Z")
> [@newcrasher](#): > > Cite? > > Wouldn’t it be prudent for the air traffic to be controlled, as it always is for Airforce One, if he were flying over the area? How long do you think it took for Bush’s 747 to survey the damage? Half hour? Tops? > > The article doesn’t say how _long_ the food “baked” in the sun. I can’t imagine very long. It doesn’t say. But it _is_ a great little tidbit to feed the frothing masses. I think there are misconceptions here. I’m williing to be proven wrong, but this is what I think people are talking about. We may be talking about two or more different events. Bush flying around New Orleans, Bush on the ground in New Orleans and Bush on the ground in Biloxi, etc. I’m not sure just where Bush was when **newscrasher** first posted in this thread… > [@](#): > > 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. I have no proof but I think the helicopters in the background wre either when he gave a speech from the airport as he was leaving NO, or in Biloxi. I’d welcome a cite/site. I’d be surprised if the helicopters were flying when he was on the ground viewing the levee break in NO. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/105 "2005-09-04T22:11:10Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Do any of you realize that _anywhere_ that _any_ US president visits is, to a certain extent, “staged?” The SS has to secure the area and that _might_ mean moving heavy pieces of equipment around. The WH press corps has to be accomodated. > [@Stephe96](#): > > The idea that someone could be so consumed with an irrational hatred for Bush that they would even _consider_ the fact that he would stage a photo-op in a ravaged flood region for some kind of vague political gain speaks volumes to me. These two statements contradict each other. ---
**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, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/106 "2005-09-04T22:14:32Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > These two statements contradict each other. Not at all. A presidential visit is ‘staged’ to the extent that safety has to be ensured and crowds have to be accomodated. This does _not_ mean, as I said in the above post, that it is done for “political gain.” ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/107 "2005-09-04T22:19:01Z")
Count me as one of the confused as to what **Stephe96** actually thinks he is accomplishing here. He has systematically argued, in this and other threads, against any statement even hinting that the federal government, which, last I checked, was headed by one George W. Bush, may have dropped the ball concerning the Katrina relief effort. He repeatedly accuses other posters of only criticising the federal effort, when it is clear from reading these threads that numerous posters feel that failures were systematic at all levels. His primary argument so far has not been factual rebuttal of points raised, but the simple accusation that any criticism of the relief effort at the federal level is “Bush-hating”. He has several times invoked [Moveon.org](http://Moveon.org) and Michael Moore, when not a single person on this board appears to have ever referenced any statement they may have made concerning the Katrina relief effort. Iwill happily stand corrected if I amin error on this. Apparently **Stephe96** feels that there is no valid reason whatever to criticise the relief effort above the city and state level, although when asked point-blank he has refused to state his personal opinion on this. I note that the government officials responsible at these levels are Democrats, while at the federal level are Republican. I therefore conclude that **Stephe96** ’s position is entirely ideological in nature, and that he is uninterested in factual discussion. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/108 "2005-09-04T22:34:41Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > I think there are misconceptions here. I’m williing to be proven wrong, but this is what I think people are talking about. > > We may be talking about two or more different events. Bush flying around New Orleans, Bush on the ground in New Orleans and Bush on the ground in Biloxi, etc. > > I’m not sure just where Bush was when **newscrasher** first posted in this thread… I have no proof but I think the helicopters in the background wre either when he gave a speech from the airport as he was leaving NO, or in Biloxi. I’d welcome a cite/site. I’d be surprised if the helicopters were flying when he was on the ground viewing the levee break in NO. According to this [url=“[http://www.blah3.com/article.php?story=20050903214041794](http://www.blah3.com/article.php?story=20050903214041794)”]blog\*\*, Bush’s “briefing” against the helicopter backdrop took place in NO. That blog has some other damning accusations in it. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/109 "2005-09-04T22:35:55Z")
Ah! According to this [blog](http://www.blah3.com/article.php?story=20050903214041794), Bush’s “briefing” against the helicopter backdrop took place in NO. That blog has some other damning accusations in it. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/110 "2005-09-04T23:04:11Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > Ah! > > According to this [blog](http://www.blah3.com/article.php?story=20050903214041794), Bush’s “briefing” against the helicopter backdrop took place in NO. I’d still like to know if the helicopters in the background were at the airport as he was leaving or when he was downtown at the levee. If the blog is correct, I still surmise at the airport. ---
**Author:** ![bizzwire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/958977/32.png) [@bizzwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizzwire)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/111 "2005-09-04T23:25:39Z")
**Stephe** : Does the RNC pay you by the word, or by the post? Whichever it is, I’d like to get in on that sweet action. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/112 "2005-09-04T23:27:38Z")
If there is money in it, count me in. I’ll shill for either side (or both) for some cash. 😛 -XT ---
**Author:** ![Alpine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpine/32/17813_2.png) [@Alpine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpine)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/113 "2005-09-05T00:18:47Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Show me a post where I’ve said I “support” Bush on anything. > [@Colibri](#): > > Do you support Bush on anything? Do you support Bush on anything? ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/114 "2005-09-05T00:32:46Z")
Damn, I just saw the Shepard Smith and Geraldo clip from **monstro’s** link. My entire paradigm has shifted. ---
**Author:** ![Twin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/85f322/32.png) [@Twin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twin)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/115 "2005-09-05T01:38:00Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > The question of whether Bush bears responisbility for the levee failures in New Orleans cannot be resolved by a public opinion poll. He either does or he doesn’t The facts are not affected or decided by public opinion. > > Bush diverted funds from levee defenses in new Orleans to fund his war in Iraq. The hurricane isn’t what devestated NO, it was the failure of the levees. Those are facts. If the public is unaware of those facts, that doesn’t make them go away. > > Do you have a response or a defense for the FACT that Bush syphoned funds from the levees to pay for the war? Citing an opinion poll is not a response. Bush diverted funds from the levees. However, this had NO EFFECT. Hurricane Katrina was just too strong [Those are the facts.](http://factcheck.org/article344.html) ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/116 "2005-09-05T01:44:25Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > If there is money in it, count me in. I’ll shill for either side (or both) for some cash. 😛 > > -XT I don’t believe the paying journalists paradigm has trickled down to message board posters yet. More’s the shame - I’ve got a vacation coming up. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/117 "2005-09-05T02:09:04Z")
[Proof?](http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/12524309.htm) (of the grounded helicopters) Click on the link, (Reguires registration) go below ‘Wednesday’ to overview I. Click forward to photo 5. On the flooded overpass on the right sits a helicopter. There appears to be no prop wash, and no blur as you’d see on a running helicopter. It’s just sitting there. Waiting to get back to work saving lives. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/118 "2005-09-05T02:23:17Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > Click on the link, (Reguires registration) go below ‘Wednesday’ to overview I. Click forward to photo 5. [Or just click here](http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/8074/katrinaarial2kl.jpg), if you’d rather. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/119 "2005-09-05T02:28:17Z")
Damn, how’d you find that so fast? It took me a while to remember where I originally saw it. The link I have is slightly higher res, and of you ctrl-click it on a Mac you can zoom in. Good work Mr. Mudd. ---
**Author:** ![AFAIKnow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a6a055/32.png) [@AFAIKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AFAIKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006/120 "2005-09-05T02:29:45Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > [Proof?](http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/12524309.htm) > (of the grounded helicopters) > > Click on the link, (Reguires registration) go below ‘Wednesday’ to overview I. Click forward to photo 5. > > On the flooded overpass on the right sits a helicopter. There appears to be no prop wash, and no blur as you’d see on a running helicopter. It’s just sitting there. Waiting to get back to work saving lives. I didn’t see the link, but from your description you are saying that a photo of an idle helicopter is proof? I’ve seen those all week. Right this second I am watching old video that they keep showing of the supply convoy making that turn around what looks to be a parking garage with helicopters on it. One is “blurring” and another is obviously turned off and sitting. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-fake-a-katrina-photo-op/320006.md?page=7)