It never fails. Republicans say "this is no time to play the blame game"

out of one side of their mouths, then blame the nearest available Democrat out of the other. Incredible.

Poor, Poor, Bo Poor ---- the Blame Game.

an investigation to get to the bottom of what went wrong.

I somehow think that the answer will be found using "intelligent design" instead of the "scientific method".

Actually, it's a brilliant idea. Let Republicans do this study. Rove is really earning his money these days.

it's a republican meme.

What's needed is responsibility - and if it can be shown that the people and plans responsible for this inadequate and belated response didn't deliver, then we can start talking blame. Right now it's looking an awful lot like the agency RESPONSIBLE for making sure that natural and manmade disasters have adequate planning and resources to mitigate was out to lunch in this administration.

I'd go one step further and use another favorite republican phrase: it gives aid and comfort to "the enemy" to know that the department of homeland security has made FEMA a janitor closet desk job for an inexperienced cronie rather than the significant and powerful agency it should be.

advocating unity with the Right and branding any raised voices of outrage as "chronic malcontents" seeking to "destroy Democracy and advocate socialism".

Seems some Dems still prefer to triangulate than stand for anything. What can you expect, they both draw their funding from the same reeking trough.

they think I oughta say. I don't work for them (in fact, THEY work for ME = and EVERYBODY ELSE HERE, TOO).

I've won arguments with screwball bush-bots in the last few days by leaving them with this one (because it always seems to close the discussion - have yet to hear a comeback to it): "Look, if YOU performed this poorly on YOUR job, would YOU still be working?"

Also:
Tim Russert actually ask this of chertoff, on camera - isn't it true that the Department of Homeland Security's own website says it has the primary responsibility in times of national disasters?

ALSO:
If they start yammering about how - "well Clinton was in office for EIGHT years and he didn't do anything, either. This has been going on for 20 years. They all knew. And none of 'em did anything. It's not just bush." - remind them that Clinton left FEMA in excellent shape, well-organized, well-run, well-funded. That's the condition FEMA was in when georgie-poo got it. And georgie-poo cut FEMA back (BEFORE 9/11), and downgraded it from where it had been (near-Cabinet-level status) so its chief didn't have any authority. Clinton's FEMA chief, the experienced and VERY credible James Lee Witt, was highly-regarded and widely-respected by both parties. Can that be said of bush's "brownie"? (EEuuwww... the mental picture that conjured up... ). AND, Clinton didn't send one out of every three National Guardsmen to Iraq, along with just as large a ratio of critical and much-needed equipment - like high-water trucks, on a war based on lies, either.

There's more, but others here know far more than I on some issues. But there's OOOODLES of material to poke holes in what any of these apologists or excuse-makers are trying to sell.

Especially if they're the ones to blame!

Now bring Clinton into the picture somehow, and suddenly the blame game is right back on again.

what went wrong NOW, so that we don't risk additional lives!

These guys are so slick, but they couldn't argue with that, could they?

Example: So, Mr. Chertoff, you are saying that it is not wise, given our CONTINUING risk of further hurricanes, that we do not analyze what went wrong RIGHT NOW??? You are advising that we put it off???? Is that what you're saying, Mr. Chertoff????

There's something really wrong with these people!

Is the conclusion to your title.

and they inundated the house, would you zip your lip and wait for them to finish before you said a word?

Or would you FIRE THEIR INCOMPETENT ASSES and hire somebody who knew what they were doing?