Jun 30, 2008

GOP launches racist attack on Katrina victims

The Livingston County Republican Party is taking up the racists remarks of its hero Rush Limbaugh and launching a thinly-veiled racist attack on the Hurricane Katrina victims with a letter writing campaign.

The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus published a letter to the editor from Howell Republican Tom Worley that basically accused the victims of Hurricane Katrina of being looters, thieves and whiners, as compared to the victims of the current flooding in the Midwest, specifically Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who are non-complaining, salt-of-the-earth people. The not-so-subtle point the Livingston County GOP and Limbaugh are trying to make is people in the Midwest are white and the backbone of America versus the people in New Orleans who are black and criminals. The political debate in Livingston County has taken a decidedly ugly turn since Allan Filip took over as chair of the party almost two years ago, and this is just one more example.

While the floods in the Midwest are devastating and the courage of the people affected is inspiring, the damage pales in comparison to Katrina. Hurricane Katrina was one of the five deadliest hurricanes and the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history, displacing more than half a million people, killing over 1,700, and causing $81.2 billion in direct damage. One magazine even named it one of the top 10 worst natural disasters in U.S. history.

The loss of live can be contributed to both the ferocity of the storm and the short time people had to prepare. The people of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama did not have nearly the amount of time the people of the Midwest had to react to the category 5 hurricane.

When you talk about New Orleans, many did not have the means to evacuate. Many urban dwellers do not own a car because they simply do not need one. It is estimated up to 100,000 New Orleans families did not own a car.

I would imagine it takes at least a few days of rain to raise flood waters like it did in the Midwest. Even Worley said in his letter that, “When this happened in 1993, I had the privilege of visiting the flooded area.” Flooding for those who live in a flood plain is not something new to them. But the biggest difference in the reaction of FEMA.

Their actions in New Orleans served as a perfect example of what not to do in a disaster, and the lessons leaned from their disgraceful performance in New Orleans will help everyone else. Even the official news source from the Republican Party, Fox News agrees.



Anonymous said...

A teacher in Elmira, New York asked her 6th grade class how many of them were Obama fans.

Not really knowing what an Obama fan is, but wanting to be liked by the teacher, all the kids raised their hands except for Little Johnny.

The teacher asked Little Johnny why he has decided to be different...again.

Little Johnny said, 'Because I'm not an Obama fan. '

The teacher asked, 'Why aren't you an Obama fan?'

Johnny said, 'Because I'm a Republican.'

The teacher asked him why he's a Republican.

Little Johnny answered, 'Well, my Mom's a Republican and my Dad's a Republican, so I'm a Republican.'

Annoyed by this answer, the teacher asked, 'If your mom was a moron and your dad was an idiot, what would that make you?'

With a big smile, Little Johnny replied, 'That would make me an Obama fan!!!'

Communications guru said...

Great joke. I see why you post anonymously. One thing is true about your scenario: Like the number of kids who support Obama, so does the rest of the country, and we will have a landslide victory in November. I really could care less why they vote for him, but they will vote for him.

doctorj2u said...

Thank you for posting the link to that letter to the editor. I have signed up to comment. I would like to tell Mr. Wooley what I think. As a conservative Republican I would like to tell him he is not only a racist but a horrid example of how far down the party itself has fallen. They have become closer to the philosophy of the 3rd Reich than anything associated with an American political party. I will be voting for Obama this year. I like him but truthfully I would vote for Satan over any republican. I am a New Orleanian and my mother lives on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I have lost a country along with a political party.

MotherMary said...


Your a conservative republican, yeah right.

I am a liberal and my party has become so much like the socialist and communist they have been bending over for that I am voting for McCain.

He will lead us against the terrorist that would for sure attack us and might even take us over from within

Republican Michigander said...

What the hell is this trash? Kevin, this is the exact same type of crap you wrote back when you worked for the Argus. If you wern't a reporter or ex-reporter, this would be a good case for libel (if you were in any other profession since the NY Times case probably protects you enough in court).

I don't know Tom Worley. I haven't knowingly met him, and did not see him at the Livingston County GOP event. This has nothing to do whatsoever with Allan Filip or the county GOP.

But then again, I wouldn't expect anything else than trash here. The only thing more pathetic than the race card is when white boys like you play it.

Communications guru said...

You are welcome, Doctor J. The Republican Party has certainly lost its way. My father-in-law was a die-hard Republican in this county, but he was not happy with the direction of the party before he passed away.

Communications guru said...

“Mother Mary,” I am assuming you are using sarcasm when you say you are a liberal, because you are obviously not a liberal. The Democrat Party is the party of the middle lass and working people, and the “socialist and communist” stuff is simply not true and never has been.

As for Grampy McSame, you need to remember whose watch 9/11 occurred on, and instead of going after the people responsible for it, McSame’s hero invaded a country that had nothing to do with 9/11 based on trumped up evidence. He created more terrorists that he stopped.

Communications guru said...

The only trash is the letter from your party. When I wrote for the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus for six years, no one found fault with any article I wrote, there were no factual errors and there was no bias. The thing you keep referring to was an opinion piece written seven years ago about the only subject you seem to care about, guns. That piece, like this blog, was my opinion, and like this blog, there was nothing untrue in it to support my opinion. For someone who says they are a lawyer you know nothing about libel. For it to be libelous it has to be at least untrue. This is factual

Let me get this straight: because you claim you don’t know Tom Worley in a county of almost 180,000 people he can’t be involved with the party? I stand by what I wrote.

As for trash, then why is it you can never beat me in a debate or find something untrue? “White Boy.” Are honestly saying that trashy letter your party was responsible for wasn’t racist?

Mother Mary said...

No CG, I have been a life long Democrat and no longer believe the Democrat party is for the middle class. I believe they are only for themselves and the power they can garner.

I also beleive they will let the terrorist kill more of our American citizen, they have proven enough to me that they are more concerned about what others think about us than protecting us.

So I will for the first time in my life vote for a Republican, John McCain.

Communications guru said...

Sorry, I’m not buying that you are a life-long Democrat. No one in his right mind should vote for a Republican after the condition they left this country in after eight years of a Republican in the White House and six years of controlling the Legislature and the Supreme Court.

Have you been paying attention to the illegal invasion of Iraq that has gone on for the past five years? Who did that make safe? Whose watch did 9/11 occurred on? The good news is you are in the minority, and we will have a Democrat in the White House again in January.

mother mary said...

CG my dear

The democrats have run this country for over 2 years now. They run the Congress and Senate.

They have the lowest favorable rating 12% ever since the ratings have started.

Oil was I believe about $40 a barrel when they took control, now it is 140 something.

That is why?

Also let us Democrats be honest with each other. After President Clinton destroyed the morals and ethics in this country, people still voted for other Democrats.

Communications guru said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Communications guru said...

“The Democrats have run this country for over 2 years now? “ How did you reach that conclusion? In the less than two years the Democrats have controlled the House and Senate they are supposed to overcome Bush’s disastrous energy policies? I kind of thought the President ran the country, but if you say that’s not the case then fine. Unfortunately, the Senate does not have a veto proof majority yet. Do you remember when Bush set the energy policy with Darth Vader holding secret meetings, and to this day Bush refuses to even tell us who was at the meetings. Considering the record profits his buddies are making now, we can pretty much guess who was there. You will have to show we a link to the approval rating you quote. I know they are low, but I don’t believe they are that low.

The low approval ratings are because they will not stand up to Bush. I agree with the low approval rating. Your numbers on the price of a barrel of oil are off, but what can we expect from you. It was $64.20 a barrel in 2006, but I’m not sure how you can blame world demand and oil speculation on Democrats, but you don’t needs facts to do that.

“President Clinton destroyed the morals and ethics in this country?” Wrong again. An extra martial sex incident is no where near lying us into a war.

a concerned liberal said...


You are correct about the barrel of oil price, I was wrong.

But still when the Democrats took over oil was $64 a barrel not it is about $145.00, more than double.

Of course the congress runs the country not the President, you did not know that CG!

The Congress has all the votes not the President, the President has the bully pulput but no votes.

CG if you are going to blog about politics you should how the government is run, but what can I expect from you.

The Democrats I am afraid to say are killing our country and our soldiers by not being behind them and in fact wanting us to lose the war and more of our soldiers killed because they would win more seats that way

Communications guru said...

Not only is your name disingenuous, so is your point. The president has more than a “bully pulpit.” He runs the country. The president executes the laws and sets policy. Congress may have “all the votes,” but the president has the biggest vote, the veto. If you are going to blog about politics you should know how the government is run, but what can I expect from you?

The country has lost its way under a Republican president. The Republicans have never been behind the troops, other than to send them into an unnecessary war without the proper equipment and forget about them when they come home. Why were Bush and Grampy McSame against the GI Bill introduced by Sen. Jim Webb? As for winning more seats, it was Bush who used scare tactics to win the presidency.

a concerned liberal said...

You are so wrong on so many points I can not even start to point it out.

The Congress runs the country, show me one good source that says differently.

Also show me one veto that Bush signed that ruined the country. Admit it the Democrats are ruining the country.

The people with the votes and the purse strings (congress) run the country, not the President. Yes the President does set policy but Congress must vote on it.

Man, I am surprised at the lack of your knowledge of government or you do know, but again as your blog points out many half truths and lies.

Keep saying on this site that the President has all power over the country and let people know how much you either do not know or lie and cover to advance the liberal talking points and agenda.

Oh by the price of oil in January 2007 was 46.54 see www.ioga.com/special/crude oil_Hist.htm

So the Democrats have screwed us!

Also by the way the DEMOCRAT Congress approval rating now has sunk to single digits.

What do you have to say about that.

You wrote "Not only is your name disingenuous" ARE YOU KIDDING ME" The flaming socialist liberal whose site is named the "The Conservative Media" is saying my name is disingenuous. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Good one

By the way I am a liberal who is tried of being lied to by my Party.

Communications guru said...

Are you serious? What source says the president runs the country? How about the U.S. Constitution. Within the executive branch itself, the president has broad powers to manage national affairs and the workings of the federal government. The president can issue rules, regulations and instructions called executive orders, which have the binding force of law upon federal agencies but do not require congressional approval.

You cannot “even start to point out” where I am wrong because you can’t find any. I don’t think I said the country was “ruined.” Perhaps I mistakenly said so, but the country is considerably worse off than it was eight years ago. Here are a few Bush vetoes that hurt the country. Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, US Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability and the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (SCHIP). But again, it has been his polices that have hurt this country, most notably the unnecessary war he conned us into, his actions in fighting it and the secret energy policy that benefited him, Cheney and his big oil colleagues.

The price of a barrel of oil was $58.30 in 2006 http://www.inflationdata.com/inflation/Inflation_Rate/Historical_Oil_Prices_Table.asp
But how are Democrats responsible for the price of gas? By the way, the link you provided does not work. Can you also show me a link to the approval ratings you claim?

Yes, your name is disingenuous, and in fact you are lying. You are not a liberal or a Democrat. My blog is named properly. The media is conservative. The majority of media outlets are held by a few large corporations

a concerned liberal said...

So only the President runs the country and the Congress does nothing?

Your a smart one

The Stem Cell Research veto did not hurt the country. Private companies can do all the research they want.

US Troop Readiness, all the Democrats due is hurt our soldiers, hold up funding and put their pork projects that have nothing to do with the war in to buy their vote. If you truly were in the service you should be upset about that

Veterans Care, what did Bill Clinton do about this, you think all of a sudden things like this happen, What have the Democrats you were and are heading up the oversight committees do about this.

Katrina, give me a break. There has been soo much money poured into that hole it is unbelievable. By the way it was a Democrat Govenor, Mayor and just about any other position in that state were all held by Dem's. Oh I forgot you think only the President runs the country and the states.

Chip program, soo much money is in those programs the states are spending it on adults.

Stop with the Democrat party talking points and think and research for yourself.

You are right I was wrong about the 12% unfavorable rating, it is now 9% from the Rasumseem poll.

If you believe that the media is conservative then you are off of your meds. I have seen it proven to you on this blog that liberals run it and you just say "NO THEY DON'T".

So you say you work and I assume you work for a corporation which means you work for conservatives.
Because all corporations are conservative according to you. Absolutely no liberals own corporations. You are so dumb it is not even funny anymore.

What about George Soros, Ted Turner stupid.

Communications guru said...

When did I ever say Congress did nothing? Never, that’s when. Yes, stem cell research did hurt the country. Private companies did not put a man on the moon or come up with vaccinations that put to rest numerous deadly diseases. Or rather private companies with government grants did.

How do the Democrats hurt the troops? It was Democrats that are trying to bring back the GI Bill and are trying to adequately fund the VA. Bush sent troops to war without proper equipment, and the troops of families had to spend their own money to send their loved ones the proper body armor.

I “truly” was in the service, and I served under five commanders-in-chief, and Clinton was the best.

As for Katrina, only the federal government can respond to a disaster of that magnitude. The minor storms that occurred in Mid-Michigan last week led to some counties being declared federal disaster areas. I don’t consider New Orleans and the Gulf Coast a hole. Are you honestly telling me FEMA responded properly? Then you are the only one. I guess you think Brownie did a hecka of a job. No, Bush isn’t responsible for anything, and the buck not only doesn’t stop at his desk, it doesn’t come anywhere near it, according to you.

Where did you get the SCHIP talking point?

I didn’t know the approval rating was so low, but a lot of Democrats are not happy with Congress for not holding the Bush crime family accountable for the war crimes they committed, for not impeaching chimp and Darth and for folding on the recent FISA bill.

The media is conservative, and they are owned by a few mega corporations. Corporations are usually not very liberal. It has been “proven to me the media is liberal?” I don’t think so because it’s simply not true.

I don’t word for any corporation. I work for the Michigan Senate. When I was a reporter, all but the weekly newspaper I worked at for my first job was owned by a corporation. In fact, at one of the newspapers I worked at the editor ran for the state House as a Republican. I never said all corporation are liberal, but corporations run by liberals are far and few between. Ted Turner and George Soros are the exception. By the way, what corporations they own, other than a small restaurant chain?

a concerned liberal said...

First of all tell me how a President/Commander in Chief affects the front line soldier and how was Bill Clinton the best?

This is why I do not believe you were in teh service. It is widely known that the Clinton Administration distain for people in the military.

It is widely known that his admin would barly speak to military people in the White house.

You were never in the service.

I should have known you suck off the teat of the government for a job.

Says it all.

Communications guru said...

I wasn’t a “front line soldier,” I was a front line sailor. Who cares if you don’t believe I was in the service, that’s what I have come to expect from the rightwing troops haters, and from some anonymous scum bag like you. The Clinton alleged “distain” for the military is just one more untrue smear from the likes of you, and the “his administration would barly (sic) speak to military people in the White (H)ouse” is just one more made up rightwing lie.

I would tell you why it was better to be in the military during the Clinton years, But since you called me a liar you can go fuck yourself, loser.

The only thing I get from the government for not working is the monthly retainer check I receive , but I earned that by spending 20 years in the Navy.

ryan said...

It seems that Republicans turn to attacks when backed into a corner with no way out. Such petty arguments and filth.

I was unaware of the Worley letter, mainly because we don't subscribe to the Press and Argus (trash news) anymore, but I was wondering what Worley would have been saying if he had been a victim. Seems like a little little man behind a keyboard who takes a lot for granted.

I tell you portions of the Repub party are scary ignorant and just plan hateful, but you know, at the end of the day they can fall asleep knowing they attend church on Sundays and that God will forgive their sins anyway.

Seems like a good safety feature now, but he isn't stupid.

And also, props to the paper, I'm really saying this, props to them for publishing that wickedly shrewd comment from Worley, making it known what's really going on in the Christian heads of the Livingston County GOP.