George,

There is a bit of bitter irony connected to the tragedy of the bridge collapse in Minneapolis.

It should not escape any American that our "Fearless Leader" showed up in Minneapolis within 72 hours to show is "deep concern" and pledge the full support and dollars of the Federal government to rebuild the bridge, post haste!

The money has been appropriated by an emergency funding bill rushed through Congress, to the tune of 250 million (50 million over the normal limits of this type program).

Oh that our president had shown the same "compassionate conservatism" for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He chose to fly over New Orleans as he was returning from a birthday party for Senator John McCain. As New Orleans was drowning, Herr Bush hammed it up strumming on a guitar with the presidential seal glued to the body of the instrument. Nero and his fiddle, Bush and his guitar!

My brother recently traveled to New Orleans and went to the Ninth Ward. His reaction was a combination of shock and amazement at how little has been done to try to, at least, clear the rubble and devastation two years after the storm.

He said "I couldn't help thinking Hiroshima, US style!"

Though loss of life, no matter the number, is a loss to everyone ("it tolls for thee"), five known dead in Minneapolis versus over a thousand in New Orleans, should be kept in perspective.

I can't help but notice the victims following Katrina were mostly African-American citizens and, as far as I can determine, in Minneapolis, they were all white.

Unfortunately,when Bush gives a bridge away, he gives himself away as well.

Harry Tenney (Electronic mail, August 8, 2007)