Did you see the shot on tv of Bush hugging/holding a black child? Talk about a photo-op.

I'd have more respect for Bush if he would stroll through the waist infested waters in New Orleans, than showing how caring he is while holding a black child.

Bush ruined America in the eyes of those around the world by invading Afghanistan and Iraq, now he has "invaded" a domestic city (New Orleans).

Bush needs to take a good long hard look into the mirror rather than the eye of a camera.

The only kiss I have for Bush is a kick in the rear, and if I could hug him I'd squeeze him to death (literally).

39 drops,

Is this a reference to Senator Mary Landrieu's threat to punch Bush (literally)? I think she beat you to it. I would wager that before all this is over there will be more people standing in line, little old ladies, nuns and right wingers armed with wrenches, baseball bats and tea kettles just like that scene in Airplane!

My mom - who btw - voted for Bush twice (I know, I know) called me last night and well I can't repeat what she said as I would be kicked off ATS, but normally she is as polite and lovely as can be. Let me tell you, she would be one of the first to get in that Bush wacking line.

Ohhh you are sooooo right it's all Bush's fault that this has happened. Get a rope!

That dirty rat knew all along that a huricane was going to hit NO with all that fangled hi tech computer equipment that the Gov has stashed away under that big mountain somewhere.

I think it is time to Tune in, Turn on and Drop out.

Tune in to the information around you. Learn everything you can on how to survive.

Turn on your families and friends and help them prepare.

Drop out of the loop that depends on the government to help and protect you.

If I've learned anything this week, it's this. We are on our own. We can't depend on "them." We have to learn to depend on "us." Those who are not prepared to survive usually don't.

It is very hard to stay apolitical. Even though I have to say that blaming someone or being angry at them is not so much a political and well thought out reaction but a gut feeling of anger, frustration, sadness and fear for the future.

Blaming Bush is easy - he runs the country after all and if the country suffers we lash out at him.

I won't go into the political ramificiations of why I think IT IS his fault, but I think what is more worrying than anything is the way people are reacting to the situation. From rappers to politicians to mothers of politicians - NO one is calm and rational.

The responses on ATS (which is after all a microcosm of the 'real' world) fluctuate from the highly absurd to the extremely ridiculous and what we are all really saying is we don't know what else to say. Words are useless. As thoughtful and intelligent as most of the people here can be, no one is accurately expressing their emotions because there are really no words to describe what is happening/has happened.

That is why they've hired writers btw - anyone read the Richard Ford article?