So Gov Blanco had time for Oprah but not Maxine Waters?

I would think getting help from the Black Caucus would have made some sense during the Katrina aftermath. The BC is about the only group in Congress that's had any balls the last 5 years.


Until I hear why they were dismissed like that while Oprah was accomodated so eagerly.. I'm gonna be very pissed at Gov. Blanco and her people, and not quite so eager to defend her - Democrat or not.

Am I missing something here??????

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051204/ap_on_re_us/katrina_blanco_correspondence_glancehttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051204/ap_on_re_us/katrina_blanco_correspondence_glancehttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051204/ap_on_re_us/katrina_blanco_correspondence_glancehttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051204/ap_on_re_us/katrina_blanco_correspondence_glancehttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051204/ap_on_re_us/katrina_blanco_correspondence_glance

I was so frustrated... they haven't held back on any issue. I wish all of congress remembered why they were there like they do!

I don't follow BC activities closely so I don't know how much success they've had.

Can you name a single issue on which they've been successful?

..for what is right in this country the last few years? That have not sold out their souls for what is right?


So, if you want to measure success in this republican controlled congress by the number of bills passed - then we will never agree on anything.. I don't know the answer to the question of how many bills they've had passed and will not take the time since in my opinion has no merit with what I am saying.

the Black Caucus would have surely done a better job at exposing the truth early on - they aren't afraid to be heard. It's a shame Blanco didn't call them in to help put the pressure on the Feds more.

Linkie no workie.

I gather that Blanco went on Oprah. GOOD. Not that I watch Oprah, but a lot of GOP housewives do. Bush is trying to slander that woman, so she needs to REACH AN AUDIENCE and MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND what happened to her state, and her jewel city.

She can meet with the BC anytime, and talking to them is like preaching to the choir with the pews stuffed with satisfied converts. The interests of the BC are the interests of the majority of the citizens of NOLA. Convergence in terms of opinion ALREADY exists.

She needs to get her side of the HELP ME FEMA story out there. They are trying to paint Blanco as a loony tune, a lousy leader who failed to request help (not true) and she needs to hit back, HARD, using every media outlet that she can.

And what better platform than OPRAH?

that's not what I'm saying. She should have taken advantage of any help from a vocal part of the federal government though.

I don't remember if Oprah had Blanco on or not. Oprah did her Oprah thing in N.O. though. Oprah showed the same stuff guys like Anderson Cooper were showing on her special. The disgusting conditions etc..

attacks, NOW, HARD, and without letting up, she will allow the White House/FEMA lies about her to solidify in the American consciousness. Right now she needs to slap the crap out of them in every way she can, on every venue where they will show her face, and not let those bums frame the debate. You give them half an opportunity, and they will loose the attack dogs. She needs to let them know she has fangs too, and national TV--Oprah, especially-- is a great way to do it.

The BC can wait to hear from her, they really can. They agree with her already, and they don't get the TV time and audience share that Oprah does.

Ya gotta reach those who either do not know, or do not agree, and change their hearts.

And I certainly don't want to add to her bashing. But, I still think the Black Caucus deserved more respect than that. Being they were the ones standing up against the stolen election in 2000 when every one else hid, They were the ones working with Conyers on the Downing St. memo issue.

They fight hard for what matters and IMHO deserved a bit more respect than that. But even so I'm sure they are standing behind Blanco more than the others in Congress in exposing the BS over FEMA etc....

It's diet tips today, Blanco tomorrow, and winter fashions the next day--no switching!!! I'll bet the BC understood her reasoning...if they had a shot to reach that audience, they'd be crazy not to grab it when it came available.

there was concern about security- probably unnecessary as it turned out, but at the time little was really known for certain.

I think Oprah had an interview with the mayor a week or more after the crisis. Was there something else, that occured sooner?

I got it by doing a search for Governor blanco and Maxine waters.

I can get to it but not find one that will link directly.

Anderson Cooper talked about this tonight in part of his show. I'll keep trying to find one that will work here.

on Scarboro's show. Now it wasn't Joe, they were statements by Doug Brinkley. I don't know anything about Doug, but I know I listened to hin during the first days after Katrina, and he sure was no Pub supporter then!

Anyway, tonight, he said he read many of the papers released by Blanco in the last day or so, and it looks like the big problem in NO was a hatered she has for Shrub. Also that it was obvious that she was in way over her head.

I didn't see the papers, and I only turnerd Scarboro on because I just wasn't willing to watch that awful story Anderson was going to have on. I don't know what's true and what's not, but Doug also mentioned that Blanco wouldn't let Maxiene Waters into the State, but said OK to others.

Somebody who knows more about this mess than I will have to fill me in.

But I really don't understand not having Waters come in to help.


I admit Maxine Waters is one of my heroes and I am biased, but she really could have done more good than get in the way. I'm with you.. I need more info, but I'm disappointed to hear all this. :(

Associated Press

December 05, 2005

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Dan Rather and Oprah Winfrey wanted interviews. An outspoken congresswoman wanted a security escort in the flooded city. Cuba's dictator offered medical help; Venezuela's president wanted to chat with the governor.


http://www.dailycollegian.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/12/05/43939d9120d16

Yes, she is outspoken which is exactly why she should have been talked to. This woman doesn't take any crap off the repukes.

As far a security.... I'm sure everyone who went down there had some kind of security arranged.. betcha Oprah did.