bb,

When the POTUS shows up at a disaster sight, it absolutely is a PR stunt.
There is nothing a president can do by visiting the disaster that can not be
done by using the specialists and reviewing the reports from area.

The PR stunt is done to show the public that the government is concerned and
is working to help solve the problem. If you read this NG in the past week,
you can see how desperately those who are critical of the current
administration, wanted Bush to make the obligatory "tour of the disaster
area".

I am glad Sean Penn volunteered to help, but he would have saved a few more
lives if the boat was reserved for the refugees or people who can help with
the rescue effort.


"bb" wrote in message
...
On 7 Sep 2005 08:00:36 -0700, wrote:

"Wow, people suffering, i bet I can get publicity from this",
otherwise, why the personal photographer?

Was that Sean's personal photographer, or one of the usual
photographers who's always tailing any celebrity? Didn't Bush have
photographers all over him? Was that a publicity stunt?

Wouldnt it have made more sense for him to pay someone who actually
knows Search and Rescue to work?

Do you know that he hasn't? There are people who will respond to
folks like Sean who wouldn't cooperate with the authorities. Here's a
good article about a guy who's been able to help people who wouldn't
otherwise accept assistance, it's a good read:

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/07/Wo...in_a_sil.shtml

This guy also had a photographer follow him around and I don't think
he's doing it for any personal gain.

But, he wouldnt have gotten the
publicuty then, so it looks like a publicity stunt at the expense of
other peoples suffering.

No matter what Sean, or Oprah, or anyone else in the same league do,
it get's lots of attention. That shouldn't preclude them from helping
if that's what they want to do, and have the ability to do.

Give the guy a break, he's trying to help.

bb