I am watching the NBC News coverage of a live event in Alabama featuring the President at a U.S. Coast Guard command center. He is being briefed by various Coast Guard commanders about what is being done in New Orleans for the survivors of the hurricane. As I watch, I couldn't help getting the impression that this is a very tasteless public relations stunt.
Think about this, the President receives tons of briefings everyday on topics ranging from the threat matrix update to the price of grain in Siberia. What is it that's so special about this particular briefing that it has to take place in front of a live TV camera? As he's standing there in the hanger with the Governor of Alabama, you can see in the background a group of Coast Guard personnel standing at attention. Behind them is a bright red shiny Coast Guard helicopter.
I certainly didn't get the impression from the briefing that the Coast Guard is doing what needs to be done. Rather, they're busy making it look like they are doing something. There is a certainly a big difference between the two.
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