Disaster strikes Bush’s presidential failings are stupendously evident

What has happened down here is the wind have changed

Clouds roll in from the north and it started to rain

Rained real hard and it rained for a real long time

Six feet of water in the streets of Evangeline

The river rose all day

The river rose all night

Some people got lost in the flood

Some people got away alright

The river have busted through clear down to Plaquemines

Six feet of water in the streets of Evangeline

Louisiana, Louisiana

They’re tryin’ to wash us away

They're tryin’ to wash us away

— Randy Newman, "Louisiana 1927"

Many of you know this song from the classic Good Old Boys album of 1974. It is stately and mournful, beginning with a musical quote from "Old Man River." But never did we think that this tune would morph from history to prophecy, moving so many of us to tears. The idea that New Orleans, one of the great cities of the world, could be virtually wiped out was unimaginable. The death and destruction, and the pain and suffering we have seen, is unbearable. The mayor estimates that 10,000 people have died.

No, the hurricane could not have been averted, but the lack of planning for this is a national disgrace. Study after study has shown that the levees protecting the city were inadequate, and that the infrastructure badly needed work. Regardless of what Bush or anyone else says, this was well known.

This is also one of the most accessible cities in the world. There is absolutely no excuse for why it took the federal government so long to send help. The answer for why the response was so weak, so inefficient, and so late was a combination of two things: incompetence and lack of will.

Bush should never be able to get off the hook for this one. His idea of folding the Federal Emergency Management Agency into the new Homeland Security office (and it’s a very low priority in that set-up) is one of the particulars. His appointment of Michael Brown, who has virtually no experience in emergency management, and is mostly the pal of a pal, is to blame. The Bush belief (ignoring the vast body of scientific evidence) — that global warming is not a serious issue — is to blame. And his belief that tax cuts for the rich will magically ignite the economy is to blame.

Bush is incompetent, and tens of thousands of people (let’s count dead Iraqis, too) overseas and in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are dead because of his incompetence. What’s the debate about "race and class"? There’s no debate. Everything in America has something to do with race and class. It’s really simple. People with enough money had cars, they could afford gas, they had contacts in other cities, and they got out of town. Those who didn’t have the money or resources had to stay. There’s a lot of poor folks in New Orleans, and the vast majority are people of color. Get it?

Send money, do what you can, and don’t ever forget how completely incompetent Bush has been. We need to get him out of government as soon as possible.

WORSE DOWN THE LINE

In further regard to Louisiana, how about this riff on Louisiana State University (LSU), as on the song "Rednecks," on the same album, as referenced above, by Randy Newman?

And college men from LSU

Went in dumb — come out dumb, too

Hustlin’ ’round Atlanta in their alligator shoes

Gettin’ drunk every weekend at the barbecues

And they’re keeping the niggers down

Yes, the problem of race in N’Awlins keeps ascending, but it ain’t the whole problem.

P&J have spent many years of late with our friends Zeke and Martha down in the Big Easy, and we are appalled by the ruin there. Martha, a home girl, has extended family in the city, which makes it even worse.

The Zekes managed to get out of N.O., to their vacation home in Florida, with a number of friends, who are now stacked up in their beach house. Results are not yet in on their house, which is next to Audubon Park, meaning it has been looted or hit by falling trees. They do know that Zeke’s law office on Carondolet Street, Bourbon Street on the non-French Quarter side of Canal, had an attempted looting, which was cut short by an alert employee and the National Guard. The law office will be relocated to Baton Rouge, home of good ol’ LSU, for an interminable time.

What does the future hold, we asked? The whole law firm has been moved. Communicating with anyone in the area is out of the question. The Zekes figure they will not be able to return to their home for at least six months, if not more, and have rented an apartment in Red Stick. Think about that for a lifestyle change, kids.

The only good news is that President Chicken Shit finally found time to take off from his vacation, since his veep, "Big Time" Cheney, was out in the prairie with his wannabe lesbian wife, and Queen Lotasteetha Rice, secretary of state and wannabe white girl with the 1950s-style Ebony hairdo, was shopping in New York City. The assembled Loozeeanna radio stations refused to cover his press event at N.O. Louis Armstrong Airport to protest his disregard for the city and its people.

Good luck in the ’06 elections.

HOW’S IT GOING, BILL?

P&J well remember the classic encounter that Washington Redskins running back John Riggins had with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor years ago at a major DC fundraiser. The always-controversial Riggins — he once sported a Mohawk while with his original team, the New York Jets — was quite tired and emotional, and ended up lying on the floor underneath O’Connor’s table. He brightly inquired of the Supremes’ lone woman at the time, saying something like, "How’s it goin’, Sandy baby?" This classic will forever keep Riggo in our hearts.

The health of William Rehnquist is another matter. As everyone knows, Big Bill, he of the self-designed chief justice robes with the gold arm stripes (nice touch, Captain Bligh, and ever so dignified) turned up his toes last week. P&J wished only that his death would be postponed long enough to prevent President Dubya from having yet another shot at appointing a new Supreme.

Rehnquist’s stint on the court was abysmal, and his legacy is one of a semi-incompetent who kissed more conservative ass than Karl Rove at a Mississippi state fair. Sorry, no tears are being shed at Casa Diablo over the demise of this GOP-owned-and-operated creep, but that’s the way it goes when you are responsible for throwing a presidential election. Say hi to Old Nick for us, Billy boy.

Sleep tight, John Roberts. It’s going to be no picnic now.

PAWTUCKET, ART CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE

Although Herb Weiss, Pawtucket’s arts/culture/development czar is probably unhappy that this entire Phoenix is not devoted to promoting the Pawtucket Arts Festival, he’ll just have to settle for us telling you that, indeed, Pawtucket becomes the center of the arts universe, starting on Friday, September 9, and running through nearly the end of the month. Lots and lots of events all over town, and most of them are free. Check it out and share the excitement as Pawtucket continues its innovative ways in developing a real artistic spirit.

KUDOS & CONGRATS . . .

. . . to Steve Kass, who is taking a job as head communications ramrod (not the actual title, although we think it should be) in the Carcieri Administration. One of the authentic nice guys and gentlemen in local broadcasting, Steve’s understated charm and sunny disposition will be missed. At least we’ll get to see him and regularly attack him as he tries to justify the governor’s actions and backward social policies.

Send a state job and Pulitzer-grade tips to p&j[a]phx.com.