Pres. Bush to ask Congress for an additional $50B for relief effort

Pres. Bush will be asking Congress for an additional $50B dollars for the relief effort in the Gulf Coast. Senate Minority Leader Harry Ried (D-NV) says it could cost federal government up to $150B.

Senate announces confirmation hearing to start on Monday

The Senate Judiciary Committee has announced that it will begin hearings for the nomination of John Roberts to be the next Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court on Monday.

Lawyers and lawmakers pay respect to the late Chief Justice

Pentagon: Iraq war did not hinder response to relief effort

The Pentagon defended the National Guard stating that the war in Iraq did not hinder the response of the National Guard. The federal government has an agreement with the governors that they will have no less than 50% of their National Guard in case of emergency or disaster. Many states have mobilized some of their National Guard units to assist the Gulf Coast states.

Pres. Bush to send VP Cheney to Gulf Coast to reduce red tape

Responding to concerns that the federal governments red tape is hindering the relief effort. The president announced that he is sending Vice-President Cheney to the Gulf Region on Thursday to clear the bureauocratic red tape so that there can be a speedy recovery.

Justice O'Connor to stay on court until another Associate Justice is confirmed

Congresss to investigate FEMA's response to disaster

Plenty of blame to go around; focus should be on rescue and recovery

There has been sharp criticism of the president and FEMA and their failure to quickly respond to the disaster. Frnankly government failed at all levels federal, state and local. The Mayor of New Orleans and the Governor of Louisiana should have been better prepared for a scenario like this because they are much closer to the situation. They should have planned for contingencies that they didnt and should have asked for assistance quicker. The federal government should have acted quicker since a federal state of emergency for all three effected states was declared prior to Katrina making landfall. Im not sure if I buy the argument that this was a race/class issue at this point which has been talked about in the media. There was an evacuation order by the mayor prior to the hurricane and the mayor should have made buses available to bus those who did not have resources to leave the city on their own. There are people who still refuse to leave the city. I also want to address the issue of federal funding. Some have accused the current administration for not providing funding for the levee system. Just because you ask for funding never guarantees you get it. Many agencies always ask for money. Money was also requested for the levee in past administrations and was not fullfilled.

The focus should be on the rescue and recovery and there are people who still need our help. There will be plenty of time later to debate the issue that have been brought about by this situation.

The part that all of us need to be concerned about is the federal governments ability to gather information and then act on it with regards to terrorism. If there was a multi-city attack with possibly a biological or chemical weapon that could kill hundreds of thousands of people the federal government should have an appropriate plan in place coordinated with state and local officials.

New Orleans levee is repaired; MS sees power crews

After the flooding of the bowl of New Orleans the Army Corpse of Engineers has fixed the levee and water now flows out of the city. Also power crews are in Mississippi to start restoring power.

New Orleans Mayor authorizes military to forcibly remove residents from city

After being under a mandatory evacuation order remained for quite some time the Mayor of New Orleans has authorized the military to forcibly evacuate residents who have not left the city. The city does not have vital services available and does not want to put rescue crews at risk.

Duluth school district bans cellphone use for students

In an attempt to get things under control, the Duluth school district has decided to ban cellphone use during school hours. School officials said that the phones were becoming too disruptive in the classroom. Students must turn off phones and must be out of sight.

Roberts confirmation delayed a few days

The Senate has delayed the confirmation of John Roberts as Pres. Bush nominates him for the post of Chief Justice. The late Chief Justice William Rehnquist's funeral will be Wednesday. Pres. Bush would like Roberts confirmed by Oct. 3rd when the courts new term begins. This opens the vacancy again for Justice O'Connor.

NWA to sue AMFA

Northwest Airlines filed a lawsuit in court today alleging the mechanics violated state law when they tried to block buses for the replacement mechanics from getting to the airport from their hotel.

Mandatory evacuation order still in effect in New Orleans

The Mayor has told the citizens of New Orleans that they must leave the city because no vital services are available and won't be for quite sometime. Some citizens have not left yet because they have no means to leave.

Pres. Bush declares several more states surrounding Gulf Region States of Emergency

President Bush issued more declarations of state of emergency for several neighboring states around the Gulf Coast. This authorizes the federal government to reimburse states for housing survivors for the costs that they will incur.

Secretary of State Rice visits home state of Alabama

Secretary of State Rice visited her home state of Alabama as part of an effort to assess damage and determine how the State Department will distribute the foreign aid pledged by nations around the world for the United States. More than 60 nations have pledged to assist in the disaster by a variety of means such as money, specialized expertise, etc.

Early estimates put death toll at 5-10,000 in New Orleans

Jefferson Parish residents allowed to briefly inspect homes

Authorities allowed residents of Jefferson Parish, LA, to briefly inspect their homes and retrieve some belongs. Residents will not be allowed to stay since the area has not been adequately evaluated for safety concerns.

Bush to nominate Roberts for Chief Justice

Trial for Deer Hunting Shooting set to begin in WI this week

Jury selection is scheduled to start this week in Madison, Wisconsin. Chai Vang is charged with the murder of several deer hunters in Hayward. Jurors will be bused from Madison to the northwoods 300 miles away. Cultural differences have emerged as Hayward is in the northwestern part of Wisconsin which is a primarily rural and the accused is Hmong. Vang accused the hunters of racism. The hunters say they were just defending their land. The trial is expected to last two weeks.

Contractors fired upon by a group of gunmen in New Orleans

A group of contractors making their way to make repairs on a levee when while on a bridge were fired upon by armed gunmen. Fortunately they were being escorted by police and officers fired back killing a few of them. I dont remember a time in recent memory where rescue workers had to have police protection to do their work.

Corporate America contributes to relief effort

Corporations across the United States are pledging millions of dollars to the relief effort. In some case they are donating their services like commercial airlines, cellular phone carriers and companies that make bottled water.

One estimate puts cost of Katrina at $100 Billion

Congress passed a 10.5 billion dollar aid package for the Gulf Coast region. FEMA is spending an estimated 1/2billion dollars per day. The recovery is expected to take weeks at a minimum and more likely several months. Rescue efforts are still underway nearly a week after the storm. Insurance companies expect to take quite a hit from this storm. Katrina will have an effect on the economy as New Orleans is a major shipping hub for the United States. Costs are expected to go up for many items we buy at the store since a vast majority requires shipping. The only part of New Orleans that was spared from major damage was the French Quarter. Compounding the disaster is that the local units of government are not taking in tax revenue because businesses are not open and won't be for quite some time until vital resources such as electricity, water and sewer services are restored.

Saddam trial set for Oct. 19th

The trial of Saddam Hussein is scheduled to begin on Oct. 19th. This comes on the heals of the vote to ratify the Iraqi constitution on Oct. 15th.

Bush has rare opportunity to appoint a new Chief Justice

With the passing of Chief Justice Rehnquist, Pres. Bush has an opportunity that few presidents get. To appoint a new Chief Justice to the United States Supreme Court. As a second term president he will be free to choose the person he wants to fill that position without undue political pressure that a first term president would have to contend with. This will be one of the presidents most important decisons because it will be a legacy long after he leaves office.

Governor Pawlenty says MN will take in 5,000 survivors at the request of FEMA

Governor Pawlenty issued an executive order allowing the state to take in 5,000 survivors of the hurricane. They will be flown to the Twin Cities and bused to Camp Ripley. Pawlenty said that people will have 45 days where they will be provided food and shelter. He also asked the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul to take in the survivors after that time period. He also said that he hopes the federal government will reimburse the state for the incurred costs.

Texas Governor Perry asks other states to take in survivors

Texas Governor Perry says that while he is willing to help the survivors of the hurricane that he is asking other states for help. He said that his state just simply does not have the room or resources to house and feed all the survivors who will need assistance.

Breaking News: Chief Justice Rehnquist Dead

Rehnquist died after battling with thyroid cancer. He had been in and out of the hospital for quite some time.

Louisiana Governor hires former FEMA Director James Lee Witt to direct recovery effort

Bush to visit MS and LA on Monday to assess progress

Senior White House officials confirm the president will be making a trip back to the Gulf Coast as criticism mounted to the slowness of the federal response. The president is determined to get control of the situation and make sure that the assistance that is needed is provided.

US Labor Dept. offers assistance to those left unemployed by areas declared a major federal disaster area

For those economically displaced by a region declared a federal disaster area, assistance is available from the US Dept. of Labor. The area must be declared by the Pres. of the United States. This applies to those whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major federal disaster area. Here is the following link www.workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/disaster.asp Phone number 1-877-US-2JOBS

The Labor Dept. will also be offering temporary jobs in the clean up effort to provide paychecks to those displaced by disaster area. Contact the Dept. of Labor for further details.

Bush sends additional active-duty troops to disaster area

Responding to criticism that the federal government was too slow to respond Bush has ordered additonal troops to be sent to assist in the disaster area. Experts believe that rescue and security should have both been a priority in a disaster of this magnitude. The US military has come into assist with Navy ships and helicopters and troops to assist FEMA as well assist state and local officials. A debate will start as how to make sure the lines of communications are not compromised. One of the national implications from Katrina is whether the government has a program in place so that agencies that respond to emergencies can communicate with one another in effected areas.

BRAC Commission keeps Duluth's 148th Fighter Wing

Base closing commission decided to recommend keeping Duluth's 148th Fighter Wing open. This will keep many high paying jobs in the Duluth area. Governor Pawlenty and the Minnesota congressional delegation have been lobbying the commission to keep it open.

The final recommendations of the BRAC commission must still be approved by the president and the congress. The commission is expected to submit its report to the president early next week where he will either accept, reject or revise the report. Then it will be submitted to Congress for an up or down vote.

MN Governor Tim Pawlenty eases restrictions on transport of gasoline

Governor Tim Pawlenty eased restrictions on hours that gasoline can be transported in order to prevent a shortage of gasoline. This will allow the transport of gasoline at times when they are normally prohibited.

Lack of information and direction leads to frustration and anger in New Orleans

I have to say that I empathize with the people of New Orleans who are frustrated with public officials who are unable to give them basic information and direction. Those people have lost everything and now its a race against time to get food and water and in some cases urgently needed medical attention. Some have already died waiting. Not only that now there are people armed with weapons shooting at innocent people, carjackings and firing at people who are trying to rescue people. Someone in a leadership position must take charge of the situation.

Congressional Black Caucus say federal aid slow because victims are poor

The Congressional Black Caucus today held a press conference expressing their outrage over the slow response by the federal government to the Gulf Coast. They charged that the reason why the response was so slow was that it was for the poor people. They stated that upper and middle income people were able to leave if they choose to do so ahead of the storm. The poor people did not have transportation, money for a hotel or family or friends else where to go to. They fell short of saying that it was because of race.

Louisiana and Mississippi have some of the poorest people in the country. They also have a history of corruption.

GA Governor issues executive order temporarily suspending gas tax

The Governor of Georgia has issued an executive order temporarily suspending the gas tax for that state to ease the pain at the pump as they get the pipeline that services the east coast back to full capacity. Prices were as high as $6/gallon in some areas.

States Attorney's Generals across the United States have warned gas station and oil companies not to engage in price gouging or they will be prosecuted.

Oil producing countries offer oil from their oil reserve

Countries that produce oil have offered to relieve the supply pressure to the United States by releasing oil from their oil reserves. This could ease the ever skyrocketing gas prices some what.

The president has authorized temporary waivers so that gasoline can be delivered in greater amounts by suspending EPA rules regarding pollution. Other waivers have been granted so that companies can more effectively deliver gas to market.

Strike shutsdown Boeing

Machinists for Boeing voted to reject an offer and voted to strike. This will force Boeing to stop building commerical jets and some components. Strike could effect other companies that provide parts to Boeing. Business for Boeing had increased in recent months. Company officials say a strike would be devastating. Union officials say the contract offer was insulting for the many years of service.

National Guard roll in to New Orleans to restore law and order

Convoys of National Guard begin rolling into the city to restore law and order. Officers have their weapons at the ready for any potential disturbances and to protect citizens trying to evacuate the city.

Nationwide effort underway to assist hurricane victims

Everyone from businesses to non-profits and individual attempting to provide assistance in their local communities to the effected region. Please check with your local communites if you want to assist in this effort. There are numerous organizations that would be glad to take your donation.

Senate passes aid relief package; House of Representatives expected to follow

The Senate passed a $10.5B dollar aid package Thursday to help victims of Katrina. This will help continue funding for FEMA. The House of Representatives is scheduled to be in session at 1ET today and pass the bill for the president to sign.

Pres. Bush to visit Gulf Coast to speed up recovery effort

Pres. Bush will be making a trip to the Gulf Coast to survey the damage and to meet with local officials to see how the federal government can help them. He has been concerned that 1) there is still an inability to communicate between officials 2) that victims are not being informed of where to go to get help 3)law and order remains an issue several days after the disaster. He hopes his presence will help speed up the process of getting much needed assistance and medical attention to those who need it.

Police escorts required in some cases as part of rescue effort

While most victims have been cooperative, some rescue teams have required police protection as they try to help victims in terms of rescue and doctors trying to help victims that need medical attention. The Mayor of New Orleans has security detail as they desperately attempt to get the city under control. Gangs have been the primary culprit of the crimes being committed. Law and order should be restored soon as the National Guard comes in to assist in this effort.

CA State Senate approves gay marriage bill

The California State Senate is the first legislative body in the nation to approve a bill recognizing same-sex marriage. The bill is expected to move on to the State Assembly where they narrowly defeated the bill last time.

Foreign nations come to aid of the United States

In a rare turn of circumstance the United States is on the receiving end of aid. The State Department has received offers of assistance from more than two dozen nations. The national effort to assist the Gulf Coast has become a global one. Now the challenge will be to effectively use the resources that will be allocated for this disaster.

Congress Announces Special Session

The Speakers Office has announced that Congress will reconvene for a special session either Thursday evening or Friday to make a coordinated response at the federal level to assist the victims of Katrina in the Gulf Coast. Congress was scheduled to reconvene on Tues. Sept. 6th.
Congress is likely to pass a $10 Billion dollar aid package to continue funding FEMA, the federal agency in charge of bringing assistance during major disasters.

Pentagon, Justice Dept., and DHS to assist New Orleans Police

The Governor of Louisiana requested and the federal government have been asked to support law enforcement as the city attempts to re-establish law and order. The federal government will be in a support role and the local law enforcement will be the lead law enforcement agency. The National Guard plans to have an additional 40,000 troops to assist local law enforcement. Marshall Law has NOT been declared.

US Ambassador ruffles feathers as he proposes reform for UN

US Ambassador John Bolton ruffled feathers as expected as he proposed changes to UN. Bolton's changes reflect Bush administration policy goals for UN. While some were critical of the changes other countries such as Russia and China had proposed changes as well just weeks before the World Summit scheduled in mid-September. The State Department defended Bolton saying that whenever you have multilateral negotiations there are bound to be differences that need to worked out.

Pres. Bush to tour Gulf Coast Friday

Evacuation of Superdome halted after chopper fired upon

The military said it was halting operations of the evacuation when one of their choppers were fired at while attempting a rescue. It is believe that military is sending in additional military police to crack down on the gangs that have infiltrated the more populous elements of the city.