Disgraceful
At TalkingPoints Memo, Josh relays a report that firefighters chomping at the bit to go save people battling for their lives had a different first mission: to save a singular bonehead fighting for his political life:

As specific orders began arriving to the firefighters in Atlanta, a team of 50 Monday morning quickly was ushered onto a flight headed for Louisiana. The crew's first assignment: to stand beside President Bush as he tours devastated areas.

Billmon has the picture and offers the most beautiful reaction, as usual.

I guess this is what Bush was talking about yesterday when he called himself a "problem solver."

I don't mind some leadership through symbolism, like maybe ending the vacation and going to work as soon as there's a crisis. But, symbols that keep 50 firefighters away from the rescue efforts when people are starving and stranded? Still, it doesn't seem to matter to the American people. As Billmon also points out, as much sense as it makes to fire the failures in charge, people really aren't interested in holding anyone accountable.