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Day by Day by Chris Muir
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Hurricane Katrina: Clinton and Bush Sr. to Lead Private Fundraising for Katrina Victims
The ASSociated Press has Congress Sending $10.5B in Relief Aid.
Congress rushed to provide a $10.5 billion down payment in relief aid for Gulf Coast victims of Hurricane Katrina on Thursday as President Bush ordered new action to minimize disruptions in the nation’s energy supplies.
Bush, who intends to visit the devastated area on Friday, expressed sympathy with the victims. “I know this is an agonizing time. … I ask their continued patience as recovery operations unfold,” he said.
Congressional officials said $10 billion in relief aid would go to FEMA, the government’s first-line defender in case of natural disasters. The remainder is ticketed for the
Pentagon, which has dispatched ships and other assistance to aid in the relief effort.In a letter to Capitol Hill that accompanied the request, Bush said the situation “requires immediate action by the Congress to ensure that the federal response to this disaster uninterrupted.” And he put lawmakers on notice that the $10 billion was only a first installment, with another request expected after a fuller assessment of the storm’s impact.
With the Republican-controlled Congress officially on vacation, top leaders said they would pass the relief measure without waiting for lawmakers to return to the Capitol. Instead, they announced the money would be cleared — by Friday — without the formality of a vote, as is often the case on non-controversial measures.
So, please help the private charities that will also aid the many victims of this disaster. Please go to Catholic Charities and be generous.
In the meantime……
In addition to his ABC interview, he announced he was asking his two immediate predecessors to head an appeal for public donations to help hurricane victims. The two men, his father, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, performed a similar role in the wake of the tsunami that struck nations along the Indian Ocean last year.
Flap asks you to be generous and GIVE.
You will be glad you did.
Technorati Tags: Hurricane Katrina, flood aid
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Mayor Sam’s Sister City Blog: Scoop of the Century
The creators of Mayor Sam’s Sister City – home of Los Angeles Politics have outed themselves in the scoop of the century.
My name is Michael Higby. Who? Exactly. I’m Joe Citizen – a lifelong valley resident, a voter and a taxpayer. I’ve been active as a community volunteer most of my life, but have never worked for an elected official and my involvement in political campaigns has been limited to volunteering such as phone banking, precinct walking, etc. I was a frequent reader and participant in the Fourth Floor Blog and when the owner of that blog felt compelled to shut it down, on a lark I started Mayor Sam. I only expected three or four people to read it, for it to last maybe a few weeks and that would be it. It has gone beyond my wildest expectations. I am quite proud of the service we provide to our city.
and what about……
I, Brian Hay, am pleased to announce that I am Mayor Frank. Ahh. It felt good to say that. Why, because I am proud to be a part of this forum. On a daily basis I hear about individuals both inside and outside politics discussing the issues presented on this blog. While this web page serves as a bulletin board for a daily update on local politics, it also allows the public to express their opinions on the issues in real-time. This is a feature that newspapers and other media outlets are unable to provide. Much of the content is pushed from the main stream media and anonymous tips from all of you, our loyal readers, and I want to thank you for your cooperation. I hope you continue to share your thoughts and ideas with me and my team members as we forge ahead into a new era here at Mayor Sam, and I urge you to celebrate with us as we roll past 250,000 visits.
Now, what about that drink with Flap?
Update #1
The gang over at Mayor Sam’s place has made the Los Angeles Times, City Hall Bloggers Revealed.
Three authors of the City Hall tell-all blog Mayor Sam’s Sister City revealed their identities today, after a Times reporter asked them to confirm their association with the website.
Brian Hay, a political consultant for Bob Hertzberg, and Mike Trujillo, a spokesman for Rob Reiner’s preschool initiative, said they played key roles on the website. Michael Higby, a community activist in the San Fernando Valley, could not be reached this morning, but in the afternoon he and Hay confirmed their roles in a post on the Mayor Sam website.
Hay said that he was posting to the Mayor Sam site at the same time he was running a campaign blog for his boss Hertzberg. On Thursday, Hertzberg said that he was unaware of Hay’s involvement in the anonymous blog.
“I didn’t know it until today. I don’t know what he wrote and what he didn’t write,” said Hertzberg. “I probably would have stopped him if I had known. I certainly believe in blogging and the Internet and it’s doing fabulous things for political participation.”
Nahhhh Hertzberg would have hugged Brian and said aight!
Oh! And here is Brian discussing Republican strategy with Alan Hoffenbloom at the Summer Bear Flag League Conference. (Heh!)
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Hurricane Katrina: New Orleans Mayor Issues “Desperate SOS”
A woman cries as she waits with other flood victims at the Convention Center in New Orleans, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005. Officials called for a mandatory evacuation of the city, but many residents remained in the city and had to be rescued from flooded homes and hotels and remain in the city awaiting a way out.The ASSociated Press has New Orleans Mayor Issues ‘Desperate SOS’.
Fights and fires broke out, corpses lay out in the open, and rescue helicopters and law enforcement officers were shot at as flooded-out New Orleans descended into anarchy Thursday. “This is a desperate SOS,” the mayor said.
Anger mounted across the ruined city, with thousands of storm victims increasingly hungry, desperate and tired of waiting for buses to take them out.
“We are out here like pure animals. We don’t have help,” the Rev. Issac Clark, 68, said outside the New Orleans Convention Center, where corpses lay in the open and he and other evacuees complained that they were dropped off and given nothing — no food, no water, no medicine.
The plea from Mayor Ray Nagin came even as National Guardsmen poured in to help restore order and put a stop to the looting, carjackings and gunfire that have gripped New Orleans in the days since Hurricane Katrina plunged much of the city under water.
About 15,000 to 20,000 people who had taken shelter at the convention center to await buses were growing angry and restless in what appeared to be a potentially explosive situation. In hopes of defusing it, the mayor gave them permission to march across a bridge to the city’s unflooded west bank for whatever relief they can find.
In a statement to CNN, he said: “This is a desperate SOS. Right now we are out of resources at the convention center and don’t anticipate enough buses. We need buses. Currently the convention center is unsanitary and unsafe and we’re running out of supplies.”
In Washington, Homeland Security SecretaryMichael Chertoff said the government is sending in 1,400 National Guardsmen a day to help stop looting and other lawlessness in New Orleans. Already, 2,800 National Guardsmen are in the city, he said.
Flap asks you to please open up and give generously to the numerous charities that are supporting the effort to help our fellow citizens.
Please visit Flap’s charity and make your online contribution today.
Thank you!
Technorati Tags: Hurricane Katrina, flood aid
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Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: To Visit UC Merced Today
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (L) greets lead actress Camilla Belle (C) and her stunt double Daniel Borgio (R) as he tours the set of the film ‘When A Stranger Calls’ at Culver Studios in Culver City, California, August 31, 2005. The governor made the visit to thank the cast and crew for keeping film production in California.The Modesto Bee has Governor to visit.
Gov. Schwarzenegger will visit the new University of California at Merced campus today, although he won’t participate in Monday’s opening ceremonies.
The governor’s visit was announced Wednesday afternoon. This morning’s half-hour tour with Chancellor Carol Tomlinson-Keasey will not be open to the public, but a news conference will follow.
This visit is “a terrific surprise,” said Patti Waid Istas, director of communications for UC Merced.
Classes begin Tuesday at the state’s 10th UC campus.
Good Save Governor.
Also, scheduling at the last moment has its advantages: Avoiding the Union Stalkers.
Technorati Tags: Arnold Schwarzenegger, UC Merced, University of California
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Hurricane Katrina: Blogging for Katrina Relief
Today is the Day!
N.Z. Bear has Hurricane Katrina: Blog for Relief Day Thursday, September 1.A day of blogging focused on raising awareness of and funds for relief efforts to aid those affected by Hurricane Katrina. See here for more information, and here for the TTLB Katrina topic page.
Participating Blogs
Over 700 blogs from 11 countries so far
Add your blogPlease give and give again.
Flap’s Charity is Catholic Charities and is here. Please help them out. The need is great.
And you know you will be glad you did!
Michelle Malkin has BLOGGING FOR KATRINA RELIEF.
Today’s the day! Inspired by Hugh Hewitt, marshaled by Glenn Reynolds, and organized by N.Z. Bear, nearly 700 bloggers from 11 countries have united today to raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims. There’s a plethora of charities to choose from–pick many!
I’ve donated to and am recommending Mercy Corps, which is teaming with Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) to meet the immediate and longer-term needs of people displaced from their homes in coastal Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. Mercy Corps consistently ranks as one of America’s most effective and efficient charitable organizations. Last year, more than 92 percent of its resources went directly to programs serving people in need.
I’m also donating to Hugh and N.Z’s respective charities–Canal Street Presbyterian Church, Soldiers’ Angels, and The American Red Cross. And Strengthen The Good, an early innovator in blog charity drives, is launching a matching relief fund in honor of today’s event.
Today is about Getting Things Done. I’ll keep this post bumped to the top, and open up comments for those of you who don’t have blogs, but want to recommend other charitable efforts/relief campaigns.
Thank you to Hugh, Glenn, , N.Z., and all the participating blogs. Thanks in advance to all of you who are contributing today. And God bless all of the Katrina victims and their families who are enduring unspeakable hardships.
Charity sees the need not the cause. Please give–and give again.
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Chuck Simmins continues to track private charitable donations by Americans Helping Americans.Sooooo, PLEASE get over to Catholic Charities and donate what you can.
If you like you can go to Michelle’s or Hugh’s charities listed above.
Please give……….
Flap will keep this post bumped up to the top throughout the day.
Technorati Tags: Hurricane Katrina, flood aid