The Continuing New Orleans Ordeal

President Bush stood there in Jackson Square promising to rebuild New Orleans. Karl Rove was very proud of how he set up that photo opportunity for his boss. It was a dramatic setting. Words were spoken that other presidents would have been proud to speak. And yet... And yet.... Our president, the Commander-in-chief, the leader of the free world, seems to make many promises that he does not keep.

Jeanne of Body and Soul notes a Reuters article that the mayor is seeking foreign aid:

NEW ORLEANS, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Shortcomings in aid from the U.S. government are making New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin look to other nations for help in rebuilding his hurricane-damaged city. Nagin, who has hosted a steady stream of foreign dignitaries since Hurricane Katrina hit in late August, says he may seek international assistance because U.S. aid has not been sufficient to get the city back on its feet.

We can spend over $200 billion giving democracy to Iraq but we can't rebuild an American city on a reasonable time scale? As Jeanne notes: "Okay, this is humiliating." Humiliating or not, something is very wrong in our nation's capital.