I'm getting so sick of the Republicans being so stupid...and especially Republicans thinking we (the people) are stupid... CLAIM "We'll have time to look at it and determine whether or not our grid needs to be modernized. I happen to think it does, and have said so all along." - George Bush, 8/14/03 http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030814/lath155_1.html SAN DIEGO - President Bush said he will order a review of why so many states were hit by a massive power blackout Thursday and said he suspects the nation's electrical grid will have to be modernized. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=544&e=4&u=/ap/bush_blackout FACT In June of 2001, Bush opposed and the congressional GOP voted down legislation to provide $350 million worth of loans to modernize the nation's power grid because of known weaknesses in reliability and capacity. Supporters of the amendment pointed to studies by the Energy Department showing that the grid was in desperate need of upgrades as proof that their legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) should pass. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration lobbied against it and the Republicans voted it down three separate times: First, on a straight party line in the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, then on a straight party line the U.S. House Rules Committee, and finally on a party line on the floor of the full House [Roll Call Vote #169, 6/20/01]. As AP reported at the time, the amendment would have amendments that would have doubled the bill's money for energy assistance for the poor to $600 "provided $350 million to support loans to improve the capacity of transmission grids. 'It's pure demagoguery,' House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas, said in a brief interview regarding the Democratic amendments. 'If Democrats had an energy policy, they'd have had one in the last eight years. They have no credibility on this issue whatsoever. They are responsible for the energy crunch more than anybody I know.' Spotlighting the high political stakes, House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., took the unusual step of issuing a written statement about the committee's energy votes. He said President Bush and Republicans are 'committed to helping the Big Energy special interests' and accused them of obstruction." [AP, 6/14/01]. http://www.buzzflash.com/analysis/03/08/15_blackout.html
What are you talking about? Modernization of energy and electrical infrastructure was part of his 2000 campaign, and is a very big part of his 2004.
Thankfully Bush was able to handle this crisis while continuing his fundraising activities. Bush is the master of multi-tasking...
It is not uncommon for congressmen to vote against a bill that does what they want generally but doesn't do it the way they want it done. It also doesn't help that the energy bill that was voted down was a democratic bill. Voting against a bill doesn't indicate he's necessarily against modernizing the electrical grid. That the Republicans haven't pushed through their own bill is a bit more suspect though.
Were you alive in 2000? He said 'uniter not divider' as often as Gore said 'lockbox.' And he pointed to success in Texas as proof he would work with Democrats to create a new era of bipartisanship. Timing: the war was necessary because we have to fight Al Qaeda in a country they're not in. Also, I was just being silly about the tax cuts. The tax cuts are so the president can fix an economy he supposedly has no control over. giddyup: Don't talk about expenses. Money's no object to this administration. They're the biggest spenders in this nation's history, but that's okay apparently as deficits are also now good for the economy. If they can't fit the grid upgrade into the budget, they can always add it after the fact like they do with everything else. Voodoo economics rock.
BJ and RMT, Instead of throwing pointless jabs about my status in 2000 or my moniker, answer the question. What were some of his plans to 'bring people together?'
Didn't you ever hear the "uniter not a divider" rhetoric? He didn't have any real plans, he just ran his mouth like he did. Kind of like he does with most things.
coma, leave out the 'jab' about 2000 and read the rest of my response to you. He didn't have any actual 'plans' to be compassionate either, but he still said he would be. He didn't propose a Dept. of Unity, but he sure as hell promised unity would be a hallmark of his administration. Here's another 'pointless jab,' just cause you don't seem to get the connection: "unifying" = "bringing people together."
First of all, this thread was an attempt to point out how 'hypocritical' Bush and co. is re: the blackouts. He quoted statements from Bush saying how he has always been behind the modernization of electrical and energy infrastructure. I let him know that both were a big part of his campaign in 2000 and 2004. There is/was an actual plan that was put to vote, and more coming to see his promise come to fruition. Then comes this quote from RMT: Originally posted by Rocketman Tex Bush said he was for the 'modernization of electrical and energy infrastructure' in his 2000 campaign. He followed that up with a plan. We'll have tangible evidence on whether not that was a success. You're right, there are no 'plans' to bring people together. There is no Dept of Unity. It's about a general attitude. So how do you judge if it's been successful? For any two sides to work together, it takes both parties. On such a grand scale, do you think you'll see immediate results? What would it have taken for you guys to declare that Bush was true to his word re: 'bringing people together?' Show me the documentation for everytime Bush attempted unification, and when he didn't. You can't. Which gets back to my point, there are no plans, so how do you judge it as not successful? On a side note, I don't know what your deep personal issues are but you guys sure are quick to resort to personal insults.
Batman: "Good thing the tax cuts weren't expensive." and Timing: "And this war with ensuing 5 year occupation." Each on its own merit. Hindsight is a great "invention."
However there were people who had the foresight to say that tax cuts would be costly and weren't a stimulus. And they said that the war was rushed, at best.
Bob: Look out for that dog...you're going to run him over. Jeff: There is no dog. Bob: Yes there is, watch out, you're heading right for him. Jeff: I don't see a dog, and besides, if there is one I'll avoid him. I'm an excellent driver. Bob: Well you'd better get avoiding, cause he's right in fron of us! Jeff: WHat are you going on about!?!? Man, you're a terrible back-seat driver...would you just shut up about this mythical dog already and let me * BUMP*.... Bob: You hit the damned dog! Why the hell didin't you swerve like I said? Jeff: Hindsight is 20-20.
Grey Davis is facing a recall because of his "mismanagement" of energy and economic problems. A third of the country blacks out after Bush voted against plans to modernize the power grid. The federal government is mired in a record-shattering budget deficit three years after enjoying a record-shattering surplus. But Bush won't be recalled in mid-term -- he has an R- in front of his name.
