9.05.2005

Plastic Turkey redux.

In a repeat performance of his 2003 fly-in to Iraq with a theatrical (rather than edible) turkey in hand, Bush has opted for a photo-op instead of real relief for Katrina victims. Sen. Mary Landrieu, speaking of the infamous breached 17th Street levee, said, "Flying over this critical spot again this morning, less than 24 hours later, it became apparent that yesterday we witnessed a hastily prepared stage set for a Presidential photo opportunity; and the desperately needed resources we saw were this morning reduced to a single, lonely piece of equipment. The good and decent people of southeast Louisiana and the Gulf Coast – black and white, rich and poor, young and old – deserve far better from their national government."

It's not the first time the president's personal needs have hindered relief aid: on Saturday, his visit to St. Bernard Parish grounded helicopters loaded with three tons of food; and a Friday photo-op featured several rescue helicopters as a backdrop, prompting some to wonder why they weren't in use.

Perhaps Tonka will create a Bush-themed heavy equipment toy to commemorate the occasion. It'd join the faux-turkey Bush "action" figure:

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