In the Democratic Party's weekly radio address, the ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, said the United States was unprepared for either tragedy.
Thompson's talk comes one day before the fourth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington, and two weeks after Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast.
He said that now, like after Sept. 11, "we once again find ourselves asking, 'How could this have happened?'
"The answer is painful, but it must be acknowledged: we simply were unprepared."
Thompson said this year Republicans cut funding for first responders, and that the United States needs "a real citizen preparedness plan." He said the U.S. infrastructure -- including electrical grids, water supplies and dams -- must be adequately protected.
"If we are not prepared, we cannot respond properly," he said. "Sept. 11 showed us the need to prepare for terrorist attacks. Hurricane Katrina showed us that, whether natural or manmade, a disaster is a disaster. And just as important as prevention is in saving lives, so too is our response when tragedy strikes."
The Democrats don't hesitate to exploit others' pain. They feed off of it.
I question Thompson's judgment in invoking the nearly 3000 deaths of the 9/11 attacks to criticize Republicans for the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
His crass use of the fourth anniversary of 9/11 is distasteful to say the least.
Shouldn't the victims and heroes of 9/11 be remembered with love and honor this weekend rather than used as political props?
Yes.
President Bush's weekly address, on the other hand, acknowledges with appropriate dignity the lives that were shattered by the 9/11 terrorist attacks and those torn apart by Hurricane Katrina.
The contrast between the President's tone and Thompson's attitude is striking.
Transcript
(Excerpts)
On Sunday, our nation will observe the fourth anniversary of the September the 11th terrorist attacks. Every American has memories of that day that will never leave them. We remember the images of fire and terror at the Pentagon, in Pennsylvania, and in the heart of New York City.
We remember the ruthlessness of those who murdered the innocent and took joy in their suffering. We remember the courage of the police and firefighters and rescue personnel who rushed into burning buildings to save lives, knowing they might never emerge. And we remember the victims -- moms and dads, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives -- and the loved ones they left behind.
Four years later, Americans remember the fears and uncertainty and confusion of that terrible morning. But above all, we remember the resolve of our nation to defend our freedom, rebuild a wounded city, and care for our neighbors in need.
Today, America is confronting another disaster that has caused destruction and loss of life. This time the devastation resulted not from the malice of evil men, but from the fury of water and wind.
Hurricane Katrina flattened entire towns along our Gulf Coast, and left one of America's most storied cities under water. Tens of thousands have lost homes and loved ones and all their earthly possessions. The storm took countless lives and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee from their communities with no assurance of returning soon.
Once more our hearts ache for our fellow citizens, and many are left with questions about the future. Yet we are again being reminded that adversity brings out the best in the American spirit. In this time of great suffering, we have seen the courage and determination of rescue personnel who willingly risk their lives to save the lives of others. We have seen the spirit of America's armies of compassion who have rallied in response to this tragedy. Faith-based organizations and community groups and individual citizens across the country are caring for those affected by the storm, and comforting those whose loved ones are lost or missing. Across our country, Americans are generously opening their homes and hearts to their brothers and sisters in need.
...Our greatest resource in such times is the compassionate character of the American people, because even the most destructive storm cannot weaken the heart and soul of our nation. America will overcome this ordeal, and we will be stronger for it.
Even in the deepest darkness, we can see the light of hope, and the light shows us the way forward. We will honor the memory of those we have lost; we will comfort the victims of Katrina; and we will make the Gulf Coast more vibrant than ever.
In all that lies before us, may God watch over the United States of America.
Thompson's address reveals something about the Democrats that has become disturbingly obvious in the past two weeks.
In a time of crisis, the Dems play politics. They play for power.
Do they offer constructive, specific ideas to manage problems? No.
(I do not count their calls to fire Michael Brown and their demands for resignations at FEMA as "ideas.")
Their ideas are really not ideas at all.
The Dems bluster about Bush and Republican failings without offering any significant, specific alternatives. Their rhetoric is very vague, short on substance. They're quick to blame but slow to provide solutions. Can you hear John Kerry's voice echoing, "I have a plan"?
Creepy.
The hollowness of the Democrat response is why they are out of power. Moreover, the nation has witnessed the tragic results that years of Democrat corruption in Louisiana have created.
The incompetence shown by Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin and their inability to carry out emergency procedures effectively highlight the need for strong leadership at all levels of government.
Simply put, the exploitation of the victims of Hurricane Katrina by the power starved Dems continues to disgrace their party. When all is said and done, there is sure to be a backlash.
Political sniping by the Dems, which they started BEFORE the levees in New Orleans broke, added to the painfulness of the tragedy.
While Americans all over the country were responding with a remarkable degree of compassion, the Dem leadership was focusing on political strategy and engaged in a blame game.
As of September 9, Americans "contributed at least $670-million to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"The pace of giving is unprecedented in American history. In the 10 days after the 2001 terrorist attacks, Americans donated $239-million to charitable causes, and in the nine days after the tsunamis hit, major American relief groups raised $163-million."
Thankfully, the American people understood what needed to be done and they acted to help their fellow citizens.
That's a beautiful reflection of our national spirit and the concern we have for each other.
It can be said that the Democrats did accomplish one thing over the last two weeks. They wrote the primer on how NOT to lead in a crisis.
Rudy Giuliani's book, Leadership, should be required reading for all Dem elected officials.
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