Stealing from the Poor to Feed the Rich

As New Orleans is reopened to its population, residents trickle back into the city. Mayor Nagin invited New Orleans back into the city and

(Drafted and unfinished in 2005, posted on 1/31/08)

Kanye West Speaks Out Against the Treatment of Black People

I hate the way they portray us in the media. You see a black family, it says, "They're looting." You see a white family, it says, "They're looking for food." And, you know, it's been five days [waiting for federal help] because most of the people are black. And even for me to complain about it, I would be a hypocrite because I've tried to turn away from the TV because it's too hard to watch. I've even been shopping before even giving a donation, so now I'm calling my business manager right now to see what is the biggest amount I can give, and just to imagine if I was down there, and those are my people down there. So anybody out there that wants to do anything that we can help -- with the way America is set up to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off, as slow as possible. I mean, the Red Cross is doing everything they can. We already realize a lot of people that could help are at war right now, fighting another way -- and they've given them permission to go down and shoot us!

NBC has quickly distanced itself from West, while some American commentators attacked his comments.

So Kanye West says the President is slow to help, the war in Iraq is taking resources that could be used in New Orleans and permission has been given to shoot black people in New Orleans.

New Orleans Injustice

George has ordered the ground forces in New Orleans to draw no distinction between looting food and water and nonessential items...

Bush drew no line between those looting stores for survival supplies like food and water and those stealing television sets that are of no use with electricity out in New Orleans. "I think there ought to be zero tolerance of people breaking the law during an emergency such as this, whether it be looting, or price-gouging at the gasoline pump or taking advantage of charitable giving, or insurance fraud," Bush said in an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America." Looting has run rampant in New Orleans as stranded victims of Hurricane Katrina await emergency assistance. "If people need water and food, we're going to do everything we can to get them water and food. But it's very important for the citizens in all affected areas to take personal responsibility and assume kind of a civic sense of responsibility so the situation doesn't get out of hand, so people don't exploit the vulnerable," Bush said.

No one seems to realize that President

(drafted, unfinished, in 2005 and posted in 1/31/08)