AS THE EXTENT of Hurricane Katrina's devastation became clearer on Tuesday — millions without power, tens of thousands homeless, a death toll unknowable because rescue crews can't reach some regions — President Bush carried on with his plans to speak in San Diego, as if nothing important had happened the day before.

Katrina already is measured as one of the worst storms in American history. And yet, President Bush decided that his plans to commemorate the 60th anniversary of VJ Day with a speech were more pressing than responding to the carnage.

A better leader would have flown straight to the disaster zone and announced the immediate mobilization of every available resource to rescue the stranded, find and bury the dead, and keep the survivors fed, clothed, sheltered and free of disease.

The cool, confident, intuitive leadership Bush exhibited in his first term, particularly in the months immediately following Sept. 11, 2001, has vanished. In its place is a diffident detachment unsuitable for the leader of a nation facing war, natural disaster and economic uncertainty.

Wherever the old George W. Bush went, we sure wish we had him back.

Commentary:
When conservatives start bashing Bush you know it's got to be bad. It's probably a good time to compare Bush's actions after 911 with his actions after Katrina.

After 911, the entire government was mobilized. After Katrina, Bush, Cheney and Rice stayed on vacation for days. 911 involved the deaths of very wealthy and mostly white people (wealth being the most important). Katrina killed mostly poor and black people (poor being the most important).

After 911, the media praised Bush's ineptness and called him a great leader. After Katrina, the media attacked him for staying on vacation.

The failures of 911, Katrina and 911 all happened under Bush's watch.

After 911 Bush said "no one connected the dots" (the 911 commission said "the system was blinking red").

After the WMD debacle, Bush blamed the CIA (even though he cherry picked intelligence that conformed to his preconceived notions of Iraq.

After the failure to set up a fast rescue response to Katrina Bush is still looking for someone to blame. (Note to Bush: The buck stops on YOUR desk. Try being the president just once.)

Conclusion: if your rich and white Bush is your president. If you're not rich and white, he doesn't give a hoot.