Rancho Bernardo residents began their journey back home with a surprise today.
They were stuck in traffic for two to three hours sitting in their cars at a standstill because of President Bush's visit to their community.
Police and the CHP had blocked off Interstate 15 ramps to West Bernardo Drive, which leads to the recovery center that was opened yesterday. Cars lined up for miles on the freeway.
"I'm glad he's coming but it's unfortunate to keep us all waiting," said Joy Fleming, who lives in North Oaks.
Fed up with waiting, Barbara Gandre said she needed to drive her 87-year-old mother home to pick up medication for her 89-year-old husband.
Her mother just recovered from pneumonia in September and the family did not have masks to wear over their faces. They sat in their car with the windows rolled down because they only had a quarter tank of gas left.
"I cannot run the air conditioning or I'll run out of gas," Gandre said. "I am sick of this," she said.
-- Angela Lau, staff writer
San Diego County Wildfires 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
President's visit snarls traffic for RB returnees
Posted @ 11:22 AM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
79 comments:
Thanks again for all your help, Mr. President! You are truly easing our burdens with your very timely visit! And only stupid liberals would possibly object to you coming!
As previously mentioned in the comments of an earlier post - the Pres has no business here. Get out of the way and let us get back to recovering.
A previous comment mentioned that his presence was "comforting" when visiting Harbison Canyon after the Cedar fire - I don't believe the residents of RB are feeling very "comforted" now.
This is exactly the kind of unwanted interference that other previous posts on Bush's visit were talking about. People dont need this right now. If Bush really wants to help, he needs to cut all the bureaucratic red tape and get the federal help here NOW instead of interfering with local efforts and people who are already on edge, frustrated, tired, and hurting.
I agree. I wanted to see the Prez only to have the opportunity to shake his hand and reject him. We live just off I-15/Pomerado and my wife is convinced we're STILL not allowed back in because of his visit. Go away and ruin some other part of the world. Let us do our thing.
but wait, I thought, I thought he was here helping... all of the right wingers have been saying how happy they are he is here, and that he isn't tying things up at all. Only Muslim Terrorists would object to him coming here. ZOMG you mean people lied to me? I'm so lost and confused, maybe it was that pot farm that burned up... btw did any one else smell that last night? all of El Cajon smelled like pot.
P.S. its not about being conservative, a "stupid liberal" or whatever. Stop the labeling and name calling, its immature, and its divisive in a time when we all need to help each other. Personally, I dont object to him coming, as long as he doesnt interefere with local efforts. Its about real help and real action. People dont need a media circus, traffic jams, and arm waving, they need REAL HELP. If Bush had brought some supplies with him, I might be more inclined to be more welcoming of his visit. I'm sure there was plenty of room on Air Force 1 to bring some supplies, or perhaps he could have escorted additional planes (e.g., military transports) with supplies.
Maybe illegal Muslim immigrants are actually causing the traffic jam to make the President look bad. Ever consider that, you liberal traitors? No, you'd rather just bash a good man when he is trying to save you.
Bush Go HOME.
Do want help, so "DO HELP".
There are a lot family need help, not just from fire, but jobs, and been payed with just. People dont need a media circus, traffic jams, and arm waving, they need REAL HELP.
You all need to understand that politicians are doing wrong things by saying how this can be compared to Katrina!! Are you kidding me?? That was a hurricane and this is a big fire. The low income people (not targeting you all by saying this) live not in the areas burned where-as new orleans was low income. Plus, we are all smarter than the government. I like what Arnold is doing for this. He has been in San Diego this whole time helping people. Bush going to shelters and saying, "Well how are you today". WWWOOOOOWWWW really?? Think before you ask anyone that question. Our city now has to go through a lot to recover and we need to not care about who you are or if you were affected at all but we need to team up and help each other. My friends dad set up all the shelters....don't believe it when u hear that jerry sanders did. Good luck to everyone and I really do pray everyday for the help to come and for this all to be a safe and well put together recovery.
I'm just hoping he brought Brownie with him. Then everything will be alright.
I would love to see one of the presidential candidates except for cliton, come help us and get a head start because this will be worked on for a while.
Labeling such as "liberal traitors" and "illegal muslim immigrants" is sick and has no place here. You are obviously full of anger and a racist individual to make such comment; I'm sure the good Muslims in our community didnt appreciate that comment. Your parents must be real proud of you. Shame on you. I'm sure Bush is trying to help, but he needs to do it in a manner that doesnt impact so many people in the way that it is obviously doing.
i think the genius who claims the traffic snarl is the work of illegal muslim immigrants maybe on to something...
let us know what you find out...
I'm late for work. Bush come put your motorcade on I5 so I have an excuse...
One of the news stations also mentioned that when Bush is in the air (via helicopter for example), no other air traffic is allowed within a certain vicinity, EVEN firefighting equipment.
Dear President Bush:
Go back to Texas/Washington DC. We were doing just fine until you showed up and will continue to do just fine despite your grandstanding.
you know, you are all right, I'm sorry I was just very frustrated because of the other posts and such. Bush is screwing the pooch here though. I'm so happy that Arnold is our governator though, say what you will no one has been able to prove that he has done anything bad since being our governator. This disaster is helping to prove how amazing he is! and I wasn't calling muslims terrorists actually some of my best friends practice the religion of Islam I was really just venting the anger of other people calling liberals terrorists.
He's trying to find some brush to clear...
I think if anybody has to leave this great country of ours it shoud be BUSH.
All those poor people!!! They just want to go home!! Mr. Bush - why don't you and your security get out of your cars and help!!! Get your hands dirty! I would like to see him and his security help some of these families sift through the charred remains of their homes or direct traffic to get these people home!!! If you can't help then just get out of the way.
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has suffered a loss.
I am not pro/anti Bush, but I really don't understand where all this negative feedback about his visit to San Diego is coming from. He is just doing what all the other presidents have done in the wake of a disaster. We are all fraustrated, some more than others.
"say what you will no one has been able to prove that he has done anything bad since being our governator."
I guess taking away the death benifit from police and fire fighters would be a good thing then? Thats what he tried to do.
hey carlos'
maybe because he's not like other presidents.
Just curious.. is it really true that Bush is causing all the traffic? I would think that the abundance of people already on the roads are causing the traffic. Is this just more bad reporting?
"Traffic has come to a halt on the West Bernardo Drive off-ramp from Interstate 15 and for about a half mile along the road as cars head back into Rancho Bernardo with evacuation orders lifted in that community."
Some folks will find anything to complain about - shut up!
Barbara Gandre: 1/4 tank of gas, unless you're in a tank, will easily allow for AC use for multiple hours of sitting in traffic. For god sakes don't be a martyr.
--Senator Barbara Boxer
what good is it going to do for bush to tour RB? Does he not believe that the community has burned to the ground? He can see it from his television.
What's next? Is Ahmadinejad going to want a tour also?
"I'm late for work. Bush come put your motorcade on I5 so I have an excuse..."
Yeah, those burgers aren't going to flip themselves. All we need now is Bill Clinton causing backups at the drive thru.
Most of us are complaining because we don't care to have Bush in our community. He is generally NOT welcome. I'd feel the same way if a convicted pedophile moved in next door. Yeah, it's pretty likely that he won't have any effect on the situation, but his mere presence in objectionable to the point of nausea.
""I'm late for work. Bush come put your motorcade on I5 so I have an excuse..."
Yeah, those burgers aren't going to flip themselves. All we need now is Bill Clinton causing backups at the drive thru."
Actually I remove plant debris. I want to show them illegals that they can't take away good jobs from 'mericans.
banshee:
"As previously mentioned in the comments of an earlier post - the Pres has no business here. Get out of the way and let us get back to recovering."
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait. Did you just agree that the President has NO BUSINESS being here during a National Emergency? It's his job!
Can you imagine the uproar if Bush said "No, I'll pass. San Diego County can handle it themselves. I don't want to bother them."
Locals residents are reporting that they have been lined up on the side of the street since last night all along Rancho Bernardo road where Armed men have been guarding the neighborhoods not letting anyone in.
A coworker of mine who lives off Duenda St has been waiting very patiently to get back in yet even now they still won't let him see his house. They say this is all so that government officials who don't live there can take a look first. I find that a bit strange. This is not the time for photos ops and I wish our local government would do something for those in RB who need to get back to their homes.
Can you imagine the uproar if Bush said "No, I'll pass. San Diego County can handle it themselves. I don't want to bother them."
Personally, I form my political opinions based on things people actually do and say, rather than things I imagine people saying.
Anyway, how exactly is Bush's presence helping? What's he doing here that he couldn't do from Washington, besides getting his picture taken next to burnt houses, blocking highway exits and grounding firefighting aircraft?
First: Bush is nowhere hear the worst president. Even in my lifetime youneed toget past Carter, Johnson, Nixon and probably Clinton befor eyou even consider Bush.
Second: Every president is expected to show up atNational disaster sites. Those complaining would be first in line to criticise him as not carig if he didn't come.
The people had been lining up long before the President showed up. The traffic jam isn't Bush's fault any more than the fires are Bush's fault. Of course some of you blame everything on Bush so this is no surprise.
Meanwhile if you don't want to be stuck in traffic go somewhere else! I know people are anxious to get home because my brother lives in that area and wants to go home, but he's smart enough to wait with his family until the rush is over. It may mean a few more hours, it may mean another night but that's what happens when a natural disaster strikes. You get inconvenienced!
Those complaining would be first in line to criticise him as not carig if he didn't come.
So you think it's OK for the President to hamper firefighting and repopulation efforts just to deflect criticism? Isn't that pretty vain of him?
Do not be too hard on the Bush-bashers here. They are in need of emotional release, and venting in a safe place like the U-T's Wildfires 2007 blog is such a venue.
It is important to visualize these souls as having pent-up rage with no other place to release it. I'd rather have them post on this blog than take real action in life. (Luckily, we're talking about people who comment on blogs, so there was really no chance of action in the first place.)
BE KIND TO THE BUSH-BASHERS. THEY DON'T ACTUALLY BITE. AND SOME OF THEM ARE RATHER CUDDLY!
"One of the news stations also mentioned that when Bush is in the air (via helicopter for example), no other air traffic is allowed within a certain vicinity, EVEN firefighting equipment."
This report was quickly reversed. The firefighting planes were not stopped because of the President.
I the farthest thing from a Bush supporter, but even I won't attack a President just for visiting after/during a major disaster. There is no reason not to want him here.
And whoever said he's the reason for certain streets being blocked still - get over it. Same to whoever posted about it being a conspiracy to make Bush look bad. Listen to yourselves, you'll see how crazy both sides can sound!
"Most of us are complaining because we don't care to have Bush in our community. He is generally NOT welcome. I'd feel the same way if a convicted pedophile moved in next door. Yeah, it's pretty likely that he won't have any effect on the situation, but his mere presence in objectionable to the point of nausea."
Dramatic much?
"So you think it's OK for the President to hamper firefighting and repopulation efforts just to deflect criticism? Isn't that pretty vain of him?"
Is that really happening?
Dramatic much?
Not at all. I literally get physically ill thinking of the harm that S.O.B. has done to our country. He has damaged our constitution, bankrupted our country, and started a war without cause. Sounds like the actions of a rapist to me.
Ya know what TemeculaGal, the first amendment still guarantees my right to freedom of speech. If you don't like it YOU move to another country.
Move out of the USA - you don't deserve the freedom that you are taking advantage of.
Only a truly arrogant person would think they have the right to tell someone they don't deserve to live in their own country. America was built and grew strong on the belief that everybody deserves freedom, regardless of nation, color or creed. You should be ashamed of yourself and your anti-American ideals.
It appears that residents living off Duenda Rd are now able to get into neighborhoods that were blocked off earlier.
My thoughts are with those going back to RB - many homes were lost. God Bless you all as you rebuild.
Seriously - we get that you are a Bush hater. But enough already! Newsflash: Sitting around bashing him and his presidency and bitching about how awful he is ISN'T HELPING ANYONE. I'm positive he has helped raise the moral of all the firefighters and many of the people who have lost their homes. What have you done today? He is doing what he is expected to do as the president of the United States. Sure there is going to be some political red tape involved, and maybe even a little extra traffic (heaven forbid!)- but the real point of his visit is to show that the nation cares about the people involved in this disaster. If you really object to America making a show of compassion, then turn off the news and move abroad.
The above comment was directed at the person who recently posted this:
Anonymous said...
Dramatic much?
Not at all. I literally get physically ill thinking of the harm that S.O.B. has done to our country. He has damaged our constitution, bankrupted our country, and started a war without cause. Sounds like the actions of a rapist to me.
October 25, 2007 12:45 PM
>>Maybe illegal Muslim immigrants are actually causing the traffic jam to make the President look bad. Ever consider that, you liberal traitors? No, you'd rather just bash a good man when he is trying to save you.>>
If this was satire, brilliant! I needed the laugh.
(if you were serious, seek help now)
Any politician should just stay out of the way until everyone gets back to their property, whether there is a house there or not.
Unless you are helping NOW.
I like Arnold in the press conferences. Thank You everybody, here's the people who know everything and will tell you.
temecula Gal: i have several books that tell you about what some of your basic rights are while living in this country (not the one bush just recently changed); i'm as sure of that, as im sure you are clueless, uneducated, and a prime example of why this country is in a pretty deep hole (please tell me how you're not what i accused you off, i really care to know, really i do!). as i'm sure you hate, anyone is entitled to call the president a "rapist" or anything for that matter, as im sure that banshee and rb citizen are entitled to express their disgust for this poor excuse of a president. it's funny how the basic liberties in this country protect against facist nuts like you. you should really read up on how every citizen in this country is protected against everything you think is "great" ( that is of course, before bush changed that too).
sorry for all the trouble
What's up with the local government's use of the word "repopulate" in every press release? What happened to the simple "you can go home now" phrase?
If this was satire, brilliant! I needed the laugh.
Thank you, I was afraid nobody had gotten the joke. Too subtle, apparently.
The problem isn't that Bush visited. It's that he's such a paranoid wuss that he needs a massive security bubble around him. He needs to stop trying to have a 15 mile radius bubble of paranoia around him. If he can't deal with having people within miles of him and has to snarl traffic to travel, he should stay home and hide under his bed wetting him pants like he wanted to do on 9/11.
What I’m hearing which is sort of
scary is they all want to stay in the big stadium. Everyone is
so overwhelmed by the hospitality.
And so many of the people in the stadium were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them.
-- Barbara Bush
"Seriously - we get that you are a Bush hater. But enough already! Newsflash: Sitting around bashing him and his presidency and bitching about how awful he is ISN'T HELPING ANYONE. I'm positive he has helped raise the moral of all the firefighters and many of the people who have lost their homes. What have you done today? He is doing what he is expected to do as the president of the United States. Sure there is going to be some political red tape involved, and maybe even a little extra traffic (heaven forbid!)- but the real point of his visit is to show that the nation cares about the people involved in this disaster. If you really object to America making a show of compassion, then turn off the news and move abroad."
Seriously, if you don't like what I have to say, "FUCK YOU"!
1. Bush is not America.
2. I don't object to bush trying to help.
I object to Bush.
I will exercise my right to free speech whether it offends you or not. If you don't like the concept, move to a country that better fits your ideal. I value our constitution and our freedoms and will fight for them. This president, his administration and his supporters have done much to undermine constitutionally protected freedoms, and I will (at a minimum) raise my voice in protest in his presence. That is just what I, along with many other posters are doing.
Namaste Asshat.
He feels your pain!
Photo Caption:
In the rubble of Rancho Bernardo, a Shrub pokes through.
Enron. Iraq. Katrina. Your presence is really reassuring, Bush.
give the president a break the comments you are putting on here are mean and the ony reason they are blocking the roads and protecting him so much is because if something happened to him what would we do really i would do the same thing to prtect myself from you idots. take a chil pill and if you don't have something nice to say don't say it!
The president doesn't deserve a break. He's already taken more vacation time than any president in history.
In response to:
Seriously, if you don't like what I have to say, "FUCK YOU"!
WHOA there turbo... No need to get in such a big huff. I have no objections to your free speech. I just don't see how criticizing the president for trying to make people feel a little better does any good. I don't think it's relevant to the topic at hand for you to bring up all of your objections with the Bush administration, and even him personally. I don't believe that what he is doing right now calls for much criticism. I do take offense to you twisting my words a bit though - I never said Bush was America, though he does represent this country. And maybe it's just me here - but it sure sounded like you objected to his trying to help. Object to Bush all you want - but why object to the office he holds and the duties any president would perform in a similar situation?
Erik said...
Photo Caption:
In the rubble of Rancho Bernardo, a Shrub pokes through.
Dude, you owe me a keyboard and monitor.
LOL
You say,
"Seriously - we get that you are a Bush hater."
then you say,
"If you really object to America making a show of compassion, then turn off the news and move abroad."
Hey chief, sounds to me like you're equating Bush's with actions with those of America by way of my dislike for him. The big "FUCK YOU" is for the very idea that I should move out of the country I love because of my feelings to the little man who holds a big office.
As to what I've done, well I am housing a good number of evacuees on my property. Providing them with food, water, media and whatever else I can. I have also given an open invitation to a many.
How 'bout you?
Good job on your compassion. I think that's great - I am also housing some evacuees and have donated supplies. I still just don't really get what the criticism is all about for Bush visiting. Any other president would do the same thing - and I think they should. But you have the right to complain as much as you want, I just don't think it really helps to bring anyone up. Feel free to voice your opinions though - that is the beauty of this country. I happen to respect the president - but that's just me. Signing off now.
Oh, and I apologize for inferring that if you dislike the president you should leave the country. That is not what I intended, though realize it came out that way.
Apology accepted. I apologies in kind for my reaction. It seems it was based on a misunderstanding.
Well, I didn't vote for either Bush or Schwarzenneger, but I'm much more impressed with Schwarzenneger this week. I think Bush's timing could have been a little better.
"give the president a break the comments you are putting on here are mean "
Curious George needs a dose of reality. Mayby if someone was mean to him back in 2003 we would be done with Al Queda and not stuck in Vietraq.
hmmm... Blackwater wants to build it's own Camp Pendleton in Potrero but the peaceful residents of the area have said no thru protesting.
Suddenly, we have a massive fire that starts in Potrero and the media begins reporting that arson is suspected and that whoever did it knew exactly what they were doing.
Now Bush shows up after the fact to fly over the area and assess the usefulness, I mean damage done to the area.
Draw your own conclusions...
If Bush didn't show up, there would probably be a lot more BushBashing. As far as holding up traffic, that is standard protocol for any president. The Secret Service is responsible for protecting them against idiots. As far as running out of gas, are there no gas stations between the shelter and the line of traffic. Knowing that evacuees were returning to homes, you might expect traffic jams. Don' blame it on the president.
God Bless all of you who have lost your homes!
As far as running out of gas, are there no gas stations between the shelter and the line of traffic. Knowing that evacuees were returning to homes, you might expect traffic jams.
Hey, Dana Perino, keep blaming the victims. That seems to work well for Republicans.
Sorry-nothing to do with being Republican or Democrat-Just planning ahead and preparing for long lines of traffic or that possible accident.
A respectful American
Just what we need - another unnecessary disruption in an area trying desperately to get back to normal.
Find another location for your photo-ops, Mr. Bush. You're just adding to the problems here.
Just go away.
A national disaster visits the scene of a regional disaster.
How weird is that?
Have a take and don't suck!
Post a Comment