Here we are with example #2 of just how challenged our Prez is with the fundalmental basics of truth.
We all remember vividly the horror of 9/11, and how we were subjected to various emotions while trying to reconcile what had happened. Correctly, we honored not only those who perished, but the Police and Fire Department heroes who first responded to the attack, some of which ended the day as victims of the insanity themselves. Bush himself heralded these true American heroes, and on March 27, 2002, while speaking to the good people of Georgia, he put his money where his mouth is...sorta.
Promising 3.5 billion dollars to the effort, Bush said, "We're dealing with first-time responders to make sure they've got what's needed to be able to respond".
Makes you feel better already, knowing that the issues of the day, and critically needed funding for our first responders to terrorists, is a high priority......cough, cough. Okay, here's the deal. Not only did he NOT put forth the promised funding, his budget cut the existing program by 1 billion dollars! Even more laughable is that just 5 months after the quote above, he rejected a 150 million dollar emergency influx to the program to keep some life in it.
Not suprisingly, this has been met with disbelief by the Firefighters Union, who Bush kissed up to during his visit to ground zero. This prompted the Union President to say, “President Bush, don't lionize our fallen brothers in one breath, and then stab us in the back by eliminating funding for our members to fight terrorism and stay safe.”
The President of Firefighters Association in Virginia said it best, “The president has merely been using firefighters and their families for one big photo opportunity.”
Makes me want to sabbatical at a dude ranch in Texas. Giddyup!
Till next time, take care and God bless,
Matthew
