Where's George?

Wouldn't you think that the Leader of the Free World could take some time out from clearing brush on his holiday vacation to show his face to the world and say something out of his own mouth about the biggest natural disaster of our lifetime?



Apparently not. I guess George is just too important a man for such trivialities.



I am a proud American who is disgusted and ashamed to have this man be the face my country presents to the world.



From yesterday's White House Press Gaggle:

I think the State Department has briefed recently about some of the efforts underway. I'll quickly summarize them. There has been an initial commitment of $15 million to support the relief efforts. USAID has just recently added $20 million to that, for the earthquake relief. Included in that is $2 million for Sri Lanka, $1 million for Indonesia, $100,000 each for India, the Maldives and Thailand; as well, an additional $4 million has been sent to the International Red Cross to support their efforts.



The United States military is also playing a role. The Thailand government has offered the United States a base to use as a regional support center in the recovery effort, and we welcome that. There are a dozen C-130s from the Pacific Command that are hauling in relief supplies as we speak, including food, water, blankets, emergency shelter -- you name it, it's on its way and those relief supplies will continue to flow.

Translation: We haven't a fucking clue what else we're going to do. Meanwhile, $100,000 each for India, the Maldives and Thailand? Is he fucking kidding?

Q Trent, we've heard your statements about -- for two or three days about the President's sentiments, but we haven't actually seen him, and, more importantly, the people in Sri Lanka or Indonesia or the other locations have not seen him step out, as he did so often after, say, September 11 and some other tragedies. Can you tell us why?



MR. DUFFY: The President has already sent letters of condolences to the leaders in the seven countries. He has directed the United States to play a leading role in the recovery effort and we will continue to do that. The President is doing what is needed most, which is to authorize the U.S. government to play a leading role in the relief and recovery effort. And so he has extended his condolences -- I have, on his behalf -- and he continues to express his condolences.



Q Trent, I'm not questioning his -- the actual question is whether the people of Asia and those who are suffering from all of this, whether there would be any benefit from seeing and hearing from him directly.



MR. DUFFY: I think the people of the region and around the world know that the President of the United States is saddened and has extended his condolences for this terrible tragedy.

I hate to tell Mr. Duffy, but 11, not 7 countries were affected. So who are the ones who didn't get the President's e-mail?



As far as people of the region knowing that the President of the United States is saddened, I think they know no such thing. All they know is that he loves to kill a lot of brown-skinned people (Iraq) or ignore them (Darfur). As for "knowing" anything, I think they're thinking more about how they're going to get drinking water.

Q As the relief efforts recedes, will the President be making any requests of Congress to free up more funds for this?



MR. DUFFY: I have nothing to announce at this time. Obviously, as we just try to grasp what the scope of this tragedy and the response effort that's needed, we'll continue to assess the needs going forward. So I don't have anything to announce at this point, but should there be a need for additional resources I have every expectation that the President would seek those.

Translation: The $35 million is it. We know Americans have short memories, and there will be no outcry for more help, so we're not going to bother. After all, we have a war in Iraq to spend $177 million a day on, and a $40 million party to throw on January 20.

Q A follow up on David's question. Does the President not see any utility as to him taking a personal or a very public leadership role at a time like this worldwide?



MR. DUFFY: The President is taking a personal, public leadership role in this. He is -- as I said, he's been involved and he's authorized the U.S. government to play a leading role in the relief and recovery efforts, and that's what's needed most, is to speed the relief and the recovery, the manpower, the materiel, the supplies to the region and to help with the recovery effort. And that's what's most important right now.

And I am Marie of Rumania.



Meanwhile, if you want to know what C-Plus Caligula is doing that's so pressing that he can't sober himself up long enough to get in front of a microphone and actually play a leadership role in the world, here ya go:

Q Besides getting his morning briefing, what else is the President doing?



MR. DUFFY: The President is continuing to think about the Inauguration and the State of the Union speech; he's clearing some brush this morning; I think he has some friends coming in either today or tomorrow that he enjoys hosting; he's doing some biking and exercising as he normally does, taking walks with the First Lady; and thinking about what he wants to accomplish in the second term.

63,000 people dead, and this nimrod is clearing brush (how much fucking brush IS there on that God-forsaken piece of Texas land?), working out, entertaining friends, and trying to cram for his second term.



Swell. Just swell.