Calif. Gov. Scorns Bush Response to Levees

[Dinner]

After two years of heavy rainy season the state's levee systems are badly in need of repair. Last month a series of levee breaks flooded parts of the state and now the state government is scrabbling to repair them as yet more storms barrel down on the area. The state's Republican governor asked President Bush for help strengthing the state's levee systems but Bush basically had Arnold walk away empty handed.

Calif. Gov. Scorns Bush Response to Levees

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Criticizes Bush Administration's Response to Calif. Levees

LOS ANGELES Apr 23, 2006 (AP)— Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sharply criticized the Bush administration Saturday for refusing to declare a pre-emptive federal disaster for California's fragile levees.

President Bush offered California some aid Friday, issuing a rare directive letting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers help with badly needed levee repairs.

"I think the response that the federal government has given us is unacceptable," Schwarzenegger said. "We need the federal government to come in and help us so we can build the levees as quickly as possible."

The state would begin strengthening the levees in June regardless of federal help, he said.

"We're not going to wait for their response," Schwarzenegger said. "We have seen what happens in New Orleans when people waited for the federal government. Their response was terrible there and we don't want to be a victim of that."

The pointed remarks came a day after the governor met briefly with Bush in San Jose, when Schwarzenegger repeated previous requests for the disaster declaration.

Bush's chief environmental adviser, James Connaughton, said Friday the kind of declaration Schwarzenegger sought required that a disaster had already occurred.

Pre-emptive disaster declarations are only issued when a catastrophe was imminent, he said.

Bush's directive allows the Corps of Engineers to accept $23 million in California money for repairs on 29 critically weak levees. Connaughton said more money is likely to flow to California in the future, contingent on congressional action.

The only help we've gotten is that Bush has agreed that we can hire the Army Corp of Engineers to help do some emergency repairs to the levee system. We've had several engineering experts agree that the earthen levees are badly eroded and need immediate care or else they're likely to break in the next big storm yet Bush doesn't care. Why do we even bother sending tax money to the Federal government? We send way more then we ever get back from those do nothings.

[chequita guevara]

I read that Sacramento is likely to be the next NOLA. It is also under sea level, and its levees are much smaller and weaker. Though they don't have to worry about storm-surge, they do have to worry about their own stupidity. Because of Prop-13, the only way Cali muni's can get more taxes is to grow, and Sacramento is seriously looking at putting 130,000 units on a river delta.

[Dinner]

Sacramento is slightly above sea level but it's built in the middle of a major flood plain where two large rivers come together. In the 19th century they had to raise the whole city one story because it flooded out so often; you can still see parts of the "underground" that is the old 1st story of the 19th century buildings which are now underground. Even after raising the city they had to build a levee system to keep it from flooding and given the two straight years of heavy rains and even heavier snow pack in the mountains the levees are in poor shape.

[Patroklos]

Yeah, because the Army Corps of engineers with their billions of dollars and thousands of highly qualified engineers authorized to help by a rare presidential authorization is nothing. Interesting that to you free manpower, expertise, and equipment means…

Nothing.

You do realize what Cali asked for right? A state of emergency when there is NO natural calamity on the horizon. While I am sure you clued into the obvious marketing value of Katrina just like Cali did, New Orleans had levy problems and so do we ITS THS SAME THING!!! WRAITH OF GOD APROACHETH!!!, there is nothing wrong with this substantial help, which is proportional to its needs.

Note Cali is only throwing 23 million in itself, which to them is like their pocket lint or maybe grundle sweat.

[Dinner]

Che, the cities can increase the tax rate but Prop 13 froze the valuation of the property to the amount at the time of purchase instead of the actual market value. That means that a current $2 million house in San Francisco which was bought in 1978 still only pays the taxes on the $60k it cost in 1978 instead of the $2 million it's real value is. The local officials can still change the tax rate but they must assume the property is only worth $60k and not $2 million.

[Patroklos]

In the 19th century they had to raise the whole city one story

Nonsense, New Orleans decided you only need three feet.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Patroklos
Yeah, because the Army Corps of engineers with their billions of dollars and thousands of highly qualified engineers authorized to help by a rare presidential authorization is nothing. Interesting that to you free manpower, expertise, and equipment means…

Nothing.

You do realize what Cali asked for right? A state of emergency when there is NO natural calamity on the horizon. While I am sure you clued into the obvious marketing value of Katrina just like Cali did, New Orleans had levy problems and so do we ITS THS SAME THING!!! WRAITH OF GOD APROACHETH!!!, there is nothing wrong with this substantial help, which is proportional to its needs.

Note Cali is only throwing 23 million in itself, which to them is like their pocket lint or maybe grundle sweat.

IT's funny to hear a supporter of a preemptive war, "OMG! WE MUST GET THE TERRORISTS BEFORE THEY GET US", complaining when we try to get levees repaired before they break.

We already have engineers and construction crews. The state is swimming in them so what we need is help paying for the repairs before they break. This isn't rocket science.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Patroklos


Nonsense, New Orleans decided you only need three feet.

I'm talking about what was historically done in Sacramento instead of what politicians in New Orleans would like to do or not do in their city.

[Patroklos]

Connaughton said more money is likely to flow to California in the future, contingent on congressional action.

"Bush" is not the federal government; why not wait until all is told before forecasting the apocalypse.

[Patroklos]

I'm talking about what was historically done in Sacramento instead of what politicians in New Orleans would like to do or not do in their city.

Sarcasm.

I think we should also grant 200 billion to Charleston SC for earthquake preparidness. Sure they haven't had a serious on in hundreds of years, but they are vulnerable at about the same level Cali is to catastrophic floods.

[Dinner]

You read the part about how just last month a series of levees gave way and there has been major flooding right? Did you also miss the part where a series of civili engineers have examined the state's levee system and came to the same conclusion that they're on the virge of failure. One good push and they're finished? The idea is to repair them now before the next rainy season starts in Oct-Nov.

[Patroklos]

The state would begin strengthening the levees in June regardless of federal help, he said.

Major flooding events eh? Sounds like Cali is on it

nice avatar btw.

You read the part about how just last month a series of levees gave way and there has been major flooding right?

I didn't because it is mentioned nowhere in the OP.

[Dinner]

There was already flooding this year but the rainy season is now over. The idea is that you rebuild the levees during the dry season so they're ready for the next rainy season. The governor is seeking help now because we only have about 6 months before the next rainy season and it takes the Feds forever to do anything. Thus we're starting early.

Thanks about the avatar. I thought the smoking and the Ethiopian flag went well together.

[Lawrence of Arabia]

the federal government has been sucking california dry forever because it is a net contributor to the federal government and then they dont wanna give anything back. succession is the only answer.

[Dr Strangelove]

Sacramento doesn't need to bother with levees. SoCal will suck up all their water anytime they're asked to. All they have to do is water their lawns.