Conservative politicians, pay attention. Since most of us despise pretentious airheads in media as much as we do pretentious airheads in politics, “giving as good as you get” once in a while shows you own a backbone. Whatever their political stripe, voters admire that. You don’t need to be a US Army General to stand up for youself and the truth.
Honore: And Mr. Mayor, let’s go back, because I can see right now, we’re setting this up as he said, he said, we said. All right? We are not going to go, by order of the mayor and the governor, and open the convention center for people to come in. There are buses there. Is that clear to you? Buses parked. There are 4,000 troops there. People come, they get on a bus, they get on a truck, they move on. Is that clear? Is that clear to the public?
Female reporter: Where do they move on…
Honore: That’s not your business.
Male reporter: But General, that didn’t work the first time…
Honore: Wait a minute. It didn’t work the first time. This ain’t the first time. Okay? If…we don’t control Rita, you understand? So there are a lot of pieces of it that’s going to be worked out. You got good public servants working through it. Let’s get a little trust here, because you’re starting to act like this is your problem. You are carrying the message, okay? What we’re going to do is have the buses staged. The initial place is at the convention center. We’re not going to announce other places at this time, until we get a plan set, and we’ll let people know where those locations are, through the government, and through public announcements. Right now, to handle the number of people that want to leave, we’ve got the capacity. You will come to the convention center. There are soldiers there from the 82nd Airborne, and from the Louisiana National Guard. People will be told to get on the bus, and we will take care of them. And where they go will be dependent on the capacity in this state. We’ve got our communications up. And we’ll tell them where to go. And when they get there, they’ll be able to get a chance, an opportunity to get registered, and so they can let their families know where they are. But don’t start panic here. Okay? We’ve got a location. It is in the front of the convention center, and that’s where we will use to migrate people from it, into the system.
Male reporter: General Honore, we were told that Berman Stadium on the west bank would be another staging area…
Honore: Not to my knowledge. Again, the current place, I just told you one time, is the convention center. Once we complete the plan with the mayor, and is approved by the governor, then we’ll start that in the next 12-24 hours. And we understand that there’s a problem in getting communications out. That’s where we need your help. But let’s not confuse the questions with the answers. Buses at the convention center will move our citizens, for whom we have sworn that we will support and defend…and we’ll move them on. Let’s not get stuck on the last storm. You’re asking last storm questions for people who are concerned about the future storm. Don’t get stuck on stupid, reporters. We are moving forward. And don’t confuse the people please. You are part of the public message. So help us get the message straight. And if you don’t understand, maybe you’ll confuse it to the people. That’s why we like follow-up questions. But right now, it’s the convention center, and move on.
Male reporter: General, a little bit more about why that’s happening this time, though, and did not have that last time…
Honore: You are stuck on stupid. I’m not going to answer that question. We are going to deal with Rita. This is public information that people are depending on the government to put out. This is the way we’ve got to do it. So please. I apologize to you, but let’s talk about the future. Rita is happening. And right now, we need to get good, clean information out to the people that they can use. And we can have a conversation on the side about the past, in a couple of months.
I think the definition of “civility” has changed a little bit for the better in recent weeks due to:
-Anderson Cooper ripping Sen. Donothing a new one.
-The surprisingly positive feedback from Mulroney: Uncensored.
-Col. Honore’s comments.
Which is more uncivil? Me calling our “Ethics Commissioner” a dirtbag? Or a dirtbag “Ethics Commissioner” spinning lies that an eight year old child wouldn’t believe, and shaming our nation?
Kate: Here is a video of the good general. I think that phrase will stick.
http://thepoliticalteen.net/2005/09/20/stuckonstupid/
Good catch, Kate. The radio here in the States has been abuzz with “You are stuck on stupid”, but it sounds even better in context.
Stuck on stupid certainly applies to the strange multiple personality creature referenced in the item just below this one.
Would that we had a single Honore in Parliament.
The “Duke” lives again!!! More “barking”. More action. Move it, move it.>>>>
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/US/09/02/honore.profile/
Lt. Gen. Honore a ‘John Wayne dude’
Commander of relief effort in New Orleans takes charge
Saturday, September 3, 2005 Posted: 1120 GMT (1920 HKT)
vert.honore.ap.jpg
Lt. Gen. Russel Honore barks at troops as a convoy arrives Friday in dowtown New Orleans.
>>>
(CNN) — New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin calls Lt. Gen. Russel Honore a “John Wayne dude” who can “get some stuff done.” >>>>
Harper needs to appoint a section leader like General Honore. With the power to FOCUS on PRINCIPLE OBJECTIVE while all others are running in circles.
Visualize: *Our focus here, Mr. Speaker, is to first enact a Powerful and well designed Whistle-Blower Protection Act. Bill – C-11, when properly in place will be the most effective step we can take to safeguard our revenues from wholesale theft and protect employees from losing their jobs when they speak out against crimes that hurt Canadians.
Secondly, Mr. Speaker, we are determined to see that INDIVIDUAL accounting and audit be implemented for each ministry and government depatment, exactly as the Prime Minister had promised during his televised *Please Trust Me* speech in CBC TV.
These two measures, Mr. Speaker, will work to guarantee that Canadian Government will function more effectively and efficiently for the benefit of all Canadains, no matter what party may be in office.
It is our solemn duty to see that these acts are properly passed in the house, today, tomorrow, and until that is done on behalf of all Canadians.
Thank you Mr. Speaker. [ Loud thumping of desks, stomping of feet and heavy applause] 73 TG
(CNN) — New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin calls Lt. Gen. Russel Honore a “John Wayne dude” who can “get some stuff done.”
Whereas the Mayor is more of a boar-teats kind of dude who isn’t too adept at getting anything done. I hope his comment was meant in a complimentary way. You never can tell sometimes. (see also: “Cowboy”)
Would that we had a single Honore in Parliament.
We don’t exactly have a ton of them in Congress (Trafficant, D-OH, used to be good for a “I can’t believe he really came out and said it” moment. Sadly he was thrown in the clink.)
I wonder if GEN Honore would even consider running.
A suggestion: Just load them on busses with what they can carry, and then just drive around? Every place you stop, someone will feed you. Every time you use the crapper, someone else will clean it. Everytime you toss something on the ground, someone else will pick it up.
(sounds like a vacation to me.)
Well, Traficant did commit a crime, but he was entertaining, at least. Maybe when he gets out, he can run again and be the Marion Berry (former mayor of DC- Dem as req. by DC law) of his district.
And you’re right, Congress isn’t exactly stacked with men like Honores either.
Tony,
Harper has a talent like General Honore, his name is Monte Solberg, Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat. If Monte unleashed his wit on the press like he does on his blog it would go a long way.
I loved that interview when I first saw it, and I’m glad someone had a clip – that’s a KEEPER! All the reporters are scared of him now. Too funny.
speaking of stupid, between 500 & 760 million is missing in the ether…FEMA says they sent it, Louisiana/Blanco says they didn’t get it. Hmmm
Ok everybody! Rita’s coming and we all need to be prepared! For the lefties, I recommend that you prepare by writing anti-Bush rhetoric BEFORE the storm hits. This will help ensure maximum effectiveness in our goals of… uh?
Well, I would bet Texans are glad they voted Republican, Right about… NOW!
“BUSH SENDS HURRICANE RITA TO FINISH OFF THOSE PESKY POOR BLACK FOLKS”
Well, that is probably what CNN is going to scroll across your TV screen (CTV too).
Live from the bull’s eye of Rita, yours truly is here on high ground watching how responsible authority handles a crisis. Voluntary evacuation of Galveston and the barrier islands was called yesterday and today it was manditory. Last helo shot of the streets of Galveston showed only emergency vehicles around. Roads in and out of Houston are pretty full but only a bit more than a long weekend. Some lineups at gas stations that still have gas and not much water/bread or batteries on store shelves right now but people were stocking up since last weekend or before. All the tv and radio are keeping everyone informed and giving out numbers for those in the Houston area that cannot evacuate themselves. Basically, it is for those in flood plains or mobile homes.
Time will tell if everything will go as planned but the amount of preparedness is impressive considering that Rita is still two days away.
For a Canuck, this should be interesting…
Although here in Texas we are grateful to have people in charge who actually FOLLOW disaster plans, we’re still a little miffed — clearly Karl Rove’s Secret Racist Hurricane Machine is on the blink. We’re crossing our fingers they get the silly thing fixed before Friday…
The exchange is excellent, but remember two things: First, Honore was concerned with getting accurate information to the population, nothing else; and second, Honore apologized immediately to the civilian reporter.
Apologies from three stars are few and far between. This was quick and sincere.
The important thing was staying focused on getting accurate information to the public. That was Honore’s mission.
Mission accomplished!
“Well, Traficant did commit a crime, but he was entertaining, at least. Maybe when he gets out, he can run again and be the Marion Berry (former mayor of DC- Dem as req. by DC law) of his district.”
Ohio lost a Congressional seat in the last census. Take a guess at whose district the state legislature decided to carve up into FOUR pieces among other incumbents.
People, Honore is a Cajun. See, Canada could have had these people, but the Brits haaad to kick them out. (Yes, I know some of them returned.) And, I believe Canada still has this kind of potential – if she’ll kick off the traces of Trudeaupia.
Jenny, you’re so right! And half my mother’s family is in Houston, my parents and friends are in Dallas! I’m writing an indignant letter to “Turd Blossom” as we speak!!!
from the Texan bride in Edmonton, who’s been explaining to her Scottish/British Columbian husband how a “hurricane” is not the same thing as a “tornado”, so they don’t actually hit Edmonton
P.S. Monte Solberg is a genius. Why don’t you Canadian conservatives make him your leader? I’d do it on the strength of his recent blog post on “liberal theft” alone. Nothing against Stephen Harper though, I don’t want to pile on.
Qwerty, we must be on similar wavelengths. Just happened to be on Monte’s Site a couple of times and an Email with his *people* today.
How do you do it? EsP? 73s TG
“Don’t get stuck on stupid”
Sept. 22 – I heard Lt. Gen. Honore’s (aka Ragin Cajun) now famous response last night on Fox just before I left for work. My first thought was of the jealousy that must be emanating from political officials everywhere (and…
Speak truth to power! And speak stuck to stupid!