Blageuer links to a CityBusiness article pointing out the differences between LBJ's response to Hurricane Betsy and President Bush's response to Hurricane Katrina. I've touched on this episode before, but this particular account of Johnson's visit to New Orleans adds a new detail I want to emphasize. Here's an extended excerpt, but read the entire article if you have time:

When Johnson landed in New Orleans the evening of Sept. 10 [the day after the Bety hit], he went to Washington High School on St. Claude Avenue where many had sought shelter.

Johnson's White House "Daily Diary" describes the scene.

"It was a mass of human suffering. Calls of 'water, water, water' were resourced over and over again in terribly emotional wails from voices of all ages. The people all about were bedraggled and homeless ... thirsty and hungry. It was a most pitiful sight of human and material destruction."

[LBJ speechwriter Bob] Hardesty remembers Johnson reaching out to the thirsty crowds.

"People were in the shelter and he asked what they needed and they said, 'We need water.' He looked at the officials and said, 'You have a Coca-Cola bottling plant here, don't you?' They said, 'Yeah.' He said, 'You have a 7-Up bottling plant here, don't you?' They said, 'Yeah.' Then he said, 'For God's sake go out there get some soda and bring it back here.'"

Johnson returned to Washington, D.C., that same day and immediately called Robert Phillips, director of the Government Readiness Office of the Office of Emergency Planning, to begin the process of delivering aid and knocking down obstacles.

"We've got to cut out all the red tape," Johnson said. "We've got to work around the clock. We've got to ignore hours. We've got to bear in mind that we exist for only one purpose and that's to the greatest good for the greatest number.

"Bring to these people the kind of assistance they need in this emergency which is worthy of a great government and a great country."

Two days after Hurricane Katrina hit, White House spokesman Scott McClellan held a press briefing. He described how President Bush's Gulf Coast flyover was a "very sobering" experience. Then he discussed the President's views on looting (Sept 1, 12:26pm):

Q: Scott, ... you cited the President's zero tolerance for insurance fraud, looting, price gouging. Does he make any allowance for people who have yet to receive aid who are taking things like water or food or shoes to walk among the debris?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think you heard from the President earlier today about his zero tolerance. We understand the need for food and water and supplies of that nature. That's why we have a massive effort underway to continue getting food and water and ice to those who are in need. There are ways for them to get that help. Looting is not the way for them to do it.

...

Q Looting is a problem.

MR. McCLELLAN: Looting will not be tolerated. The President made that clear that it should be zero tolerance when it comes to looters.

Minutes later, a CNN reporter at the New Orleans Convention Center stated that "thousands of people" were living there in "horrible conditions" with "nowhere to evacuate". The reporter asserted that "People have been sitting there without food and water and waiting... People are eating potato chips to survive and are looting some of the stores nearby for food and drink."

So, President Johnson personally visited New Orleans after a massive hurricane, and ordered that drinks be "looted" from a business in order to help thirsty catastrophe victims. Conversely, President Bush proclaimed he had "zero tolerance" for looters-- even those looking for food and water.

"Zero tolerance on looting"-- what a nice, tough, clear phrase that is! It just rolls off your plump, hydrated tongue, doesn't it? If Bush indeed has "zero tolerance" for looters of food and water, he should inform LA Attorney General Charles Foti so that an investigation may commence.

That's what "zero tolerance" means. It means you're tough. Not like that wimp LBJ. He was "soft" on looting.

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