After The Storm with Oprah

After all the news on CNN, and all the articles in The Chronicle, it was great to watch Oprah's show yesterday and today, and see what's really happening in Louisiana and New Orleans. I swear to the heavens, if Oprah ever decided to run for president of this country, she would get voted into office in a heartbeat. And finally, finally, Oprah was the first person on television to suggest we should stop using that word "refugee." Honestly...... the people who lost their homes are Americans. They're not from another country. They're not using the U.S. as a refuge.... this is their home, no matter what state they're from and no matter which state they're going to in order to get their lives back in order.

In my opinion, that's what this country needs... someone "in charge" who isn't a politician, someone who isn't afraid to suggest (or tell) people to do the right thing. Someone who doesn't owe anyone any favors, who stands to gain nothing from publicity photos, who can give direction in a clear-cut, sane way without stumbling over speeches that have been written by someone else. Every time I hear Georgie-boy on television, I could just cringe.

During all of this news coverage of the hurricane, we've seen newscasters as they've either cried or fought back their tears. We've watched as "celebrities" like Oprah, John Travolta, Chris Rock, Lisa Marie Presley (and so, so many others) who have hugged the citizens of the storm-ravaged states--- really hugged them, with their arms firmly around them, and the tears just streaming down their faces.

And then there's Georgie-boy, reading his notes, his brow lined with worry--- not worried about the people who lost their homes and families and friends, but worried because the decisions he makes will affect his political standing.

Give unto us a blessed break, Georgie-boy.