Barbara Bush: Hurricane victims better off, were "underpriviledged anyway"

by professor 73 Replies latest social current

• 

  SixofNine

  And if you want to send me a nasty PM, do so! I would love to repost your words for all to see.

  I'll deal with you right here, li'l bit. But please, cut the hystrionics.

  Here is the entire quote in context:

  Teresa Heinz Kerry, encouraging volunteers as they busily packed supplies Wednesday for hurricane relief efforts in the Caribbean, said she was concerned the effort was too focused on sending clothes instead of essentials like water and electric generators.
  "Clothing is wonderful, but let them go naked for a while, at least the kids," said Heinz Kerry, the wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. "Water is necessary, and then generators, and then food, and then clothes."

  Which doesn't jive at all with your editorial here:

  Let them go naked? This was Teresa Heinz Kerry's advice at a hurricane relief center for the Caribbean. I suppose someone like the ketchup prima-dona assumes kids in the Caribbean run around naked anyway. Savages! Do shoes fall into the realm of clothing in her world? While I'm no expert, being shoe-less amidst hurricane debris doesn't seem safe. The thought of a future first lady, who could double as an activities director at a children's nudist camp makes me shudder.

  lols "Savages!" Gotta admit, that was cute.
• 

  Billygoat

  :how CAN we expect her to "get it"?

  By using the intellectual tool of "empathy", just like all of us have to in order to understand situations we can't personally "feel" or live.

  Eeeks. Are we talking about empathy again? I agree with you Six, but some people, just don't have that capability. We can get angry all we want over it, but it doesn't reduce the fact that some are just too far removed from a situation to even have the basic empathy skills. I'm not saying that's Mrs. Bush's issue, but a possibility. Flower, I agree with you to a certain extent. Ultimately we ALL have to take responsibility for our actions...intentionally harmful or not. How many times have ALL of us done or said something that later we deeply regret? How many times have you said something and then later it hits you and you think, "What the h*** was I thinking?" All I was saying is I don't think her hoof in mouth disease makes her a bad person. If it does, then we're ALL screwed. Perhaps it makes Mrs. Bush ignorant and uncouth? Maybe. Or brusque and insensitive? Maybe. I don't think it makes her a villain. This past week, in the midst of all going on down here, I am just been made very aware of giving grace. What I mean by that is, focusing on what's basic and important and doing what I can to serve someone that needs to be served. Sure, be angry about insensitive comments. Sure, let's discuss who's fault it is that this whole mess happened. But NOT if it gets in the way of something constructive and positive happening to those that need help in the immediate. Do those issues need to be addressed? Of course. They are valid questions and opinions that need to be aired and heard. I don't want to minimize that for anyone. I just think a lot of people waste time and energy focusing on JUST the negative, when there are so many other needs that need to be fulfilled and the aren't because people are too busy arguing. That's all. I'm not pointing a finger at you personally...but everyone in the midst of tragedy and chaos could use a little grace. I know I need it. I covet it. I'll ask for it if the situation arises. Perhaps even in this thread? I give it wherever I possibly can. Love, Andi
• 

  flower

  Andi..Point taken. It is hard not to get too angry and negative sometimes. But for every person who focuses on the negative a little too much there are a dozen people who have their heads up their asses and act like everything is hunky dorey. For every one person who speaks out and insists on change there are a dozen who treat that person as though they are 'complainers' or 'troublemakers'. Thus the condition the country and world are in today. :(
• 

  Axelspeed

  I agree that her statements lacked empathy, but from what I hear she is a nice person.
  Check the following link for another unbelievably insensitive statement at about the 1:40 mark. Morgue town braces for wave of coffins
  Sorry I cant get the link to work, but it's on the cnn.com main page under relief and rescue.
• 

  Eyebrow2

  I don't think she means "so what, they are poor anyway"

  I think what she means is that in the long run they may be better off not being where they wer pre flood...after they get over the homeless of being in a shelter.

  It was poorly worded, but I see it as a woman that is trying to see the good that might come of this. And you know what? I bet for some of these poor people, they may actually have a better life post flood than pre flood. After they are able to leave the shelters and re-establish thier lives.

  I don't think she is doing a Marie Antonnette spin on things...she is just trying to be optimistic.Her son is an ass, no questions there, but I do have enough respect for his mother and father.

  (and no, I am not a republican, nor have I ever played on on tv)
• 

  sonnyboy

  What do you expect? The bitch is like 1000 years old.

  You can't take anything she says at face value.
• 

  hillbilly

  Let's all be crystal clear on something shall we? The Superdome was a damn good place to ride out a storm, and it's elevation also makes it a safe place in the event of a levee break.

  Yep it is...and that same minority city government did NOT make enough food, water and security available for those sent to those venues to ride out the storm....

  We do realise that now..since NO had overloaded every metro area willing to help, with the un-employable welfare folks they have "evacuated" things are about to change in New Orleans?

  All those slums will be torn down...and the landlord's insurance companies will sell blocks or lots to casinos and hotel companies for dimes on the dollar... the Rich Shall be Richer.

  Those folks wont come back... if you think a week in the water was a screwing wait to you see the epilouge to this story.

  ~Hill
• 

  stillconcerned

  I just think a lot of people waste time and energy focusing on JUST the negative, when there are so many other needs that need to be fulfilled and the aren't because people are too busy arguing. That's all. I'm not pointing a finger at you personally...but everyone in the midst of tragedy and chaos could use a little grace. I know I need it. I covet it. I'll ask for it if the situation arises. Perhaps even in this thread? I give it wherever I possibly can. EXACTLY... Rather than dissecting the inartful statements of a former first lady (who had no personal responsibility for either the disaster itself or response thereto), why not work to meet the needs of those who were harmed? In my experience, MANY talk, few act.
• 

  stillconcerned

  One question.. If one of those people who have always been underprivileged and were born into a poor ghetto life and know no other way but violence and crime commits an act of violence, is that behavior excused or do they still have to answer for it just like anyone else? Its not their fault after all.

  Uhhh.. no. Because speech is still free in America, while an act of violence is prosecuted as a crime.
• 

  Billygoat

  Andi..Point taken. It is hard not to get too angry and negative sometimes. But for every person who focuses on the negative a little too much there are a dozen people who have their heads up their asses and act like everything is hunky dorey. For every one person who speaks out and insists on change there are a dozen who treat that person as though they are 'complainers' or 'troublemakers'. Thus the condition the country and world are in today. :(

  Flower, I completely understand it being hard about not getting angry. I find myself there everyday since the levee broke. Maybe I'm too much of an idealist, but it's VERY frustrating for me to see SO many people just go on with their lives as if nothing happened. I understand the world shouldn't stop for everyone, but there are so many here that need immediate needs fulfilled. And I see people left and right doing nothing. Absolutely nothing. How can they do that? It's heartbreaking really. So please know that I understand where you're coming from...I've been one of those people who've spoken out and people look at me like I'm some kind of freak because I'm frustrated when I can't round up enough people to help the evacuees. It's just dawned on me (albeit slowly) that I can't make people care. I wish I could. The world would be a better place. ((((hugs)))) Andi