James Devaney searches through the debris of his daughter Becky Coleman's home in Lawrence County, Ala., Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008. She was killed along with her son and husband (AP Photo/The Decatur Daily, Gary Cosby Jr.)
by Mark Silva and updated
With word that more than 50 people have fallen victim to tornadoes which blasted several southern states while much of the nation was watching a powerful presidential campaign play out, President Bush pledged swift help today for the tornado-stricken.
The president, who has grown acutely attentive to tornadoes and bridge collapses since the controversy over Hurricane Katrina, said he had telephoned the governors of five states this morning. The president plans to fly to Tennessee on Friday.
Bush acknowledged the catastrophe at the start of a swearing-in ceremoney for Ed Schafer of North Dakota, the new secretary of agriculture, at the Agriculture Department.
"This is a bad storm that affected a lot of people in a variety of states,'' Bush said. "Our administration is reaching out to state officials. I just called the governors of the affected states.
"I wanted them to know that this government will help them; but more importantly, I wanted them to be able to tell the people in their states that the American people hold them up and -- hold those who suffer up in prayer,'' the president said. "Loss of life, a lot of loss of property -- prayers can help and so can the government.
"And so today before we begin this important ceremony, I do want the people in those states to know the American people are standing with them.''
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Comments
Thanks for the prayers....They meant so much to the Katrina victims. These storms are headed here tonight so I thought I might ask how much those prayers are worth nowadays.
Posted by: bill r. | February 6, 2008 1:40 PM
"NOAA SPEAKS TO HSPO"
CAN WE REACT, CAN WE TELL THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE STORMS THAT ARE COMING ON SUPER TUESDAY. SHOULD WE CALL OUT THE GUARD.
WHO SAID "TENNESSEE STATE GUARD?"
WHO SAID "ALABAMA STATE GUARD?"
THOSE ARE POOR PEOPLE AND THEY ARE NOW BETTER OFF THAN THEY WERE.
NOAA NOW THE HSPO AND THE HSPO IS NOW ATTEMPTING TO CONSOLIDATE THE NOAA SO THE NOAA DOESN'T LET YOU KNOW WHEN THE NEXT DISASTER IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
LOOK UP NOAA, THEY KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, AND WHERE. IT WAS THEIR JOB TO PREDICT AND INFORM (FEMA) BEFORE AND AFTER TO BE READY TO HELP
INSTEAD OF HAVING "PROPHET GEORGE" COME TO THE ROSE GARDEN AND SAY, GIVE ME IMMUNITY AND I WILL GIVE YOU INFORMATION.
ALSO WATERBORDING IS TORTURE, BUT SO IS MY ADMINISTRATION. YA'LL TRIPPIN I'M BIG POPPY AND I CONTROL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED.
IMMUNITY OR MORE HSPO INTERVENTION IN EXPERTS THAT SAVE LIVES.
Posted by: Roger Morris | February 6, 2008 1:54 PM
You're doin' a heckuva job, W!
Posted by: John E | February 6, 2008 2:07 PM
well swift action by bush, for once
my condolences to the families affected by this storm.
Posted by: mike | February 6, 2008 2:56 PM
Just when things seem the darkest, Honest George to the rescue. Why do I not feel excited about the Government's help?
Posted by: andy42302 | February 6, 2008 3:21 PM
Hey, lets all run on 2/05! Killer Terrorist Tornadoes!
Posted by: TheLeninSisters | February 6, 2008 7:12 PM
More nonsense from the Loons on the Left. Frankly, though, I'm surprised none of the Loons haven't blamed the tornadoes on Bush yet. But give it time.
Posted by: John D | February 6, 2008 10:00 PM
More nonsense from the Loons on the Left. Frankly, though, I'm surprised none of the Loons haven't blamed the tornadoes on Bush yet. But give it time.
Posted by: John D | February 6, 2008 10:00 PM
Now that you mention it, if W has such a tight relationship with God (who told him to get Saddam), he certainly should have been able to prevent this. His relationship with God should include the ability to save God's chosen people -- Americans -- not just the ability to kill the towel heads.
Or maybe this talking to God stuff was just delusional on Dear Leader's part?
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2008 11:27 AM
"More nonsense from the Loons on the Left. Frankly, though, I'm surprised none of the Loons haven't blamed the tornadoes on Bush yet. But give it time.
Posted by: John D | February 6, 2008 10:00 PM"
And if your proposal to use propane as a coolant would have killed even more people!
Posted by: TheReamer | February 7, 2008 11:33 AM
The Tennessee State Guard was there the next morning (Wed) and was ordered to leave on Friday.
FEMA finally showed up Sunday after all of the work was done.
Posted by: David Smith | February 12, 2008 12:21 AM