The French repulsed wave after wave of frontal attacks at Dien Bien Phu. The 1968 Tet offensive against the U.S. was a military disaster that effectively destroyed the Viet Cong. But Giap persisted and prevailed.

We owe them better communications systems so that when they are called upon to assist in the next disaster, they have the tools necessary,

To argue against the global economy is like stating opposition to the weather - it continues whether you like it or not.

What brings in the active-duty military is the fact that the disaster has overcome the state response, when the state is getting overwhelmed,

Civic participation over a lifetime, working in neighborhoods and communities and service of all kinds - military and civilian, full-time and part-time, national and international - will strengthen America's civic purpose.

The president has such mastery of all of the tools of disaster relief. It's a military effort, Congress appropriates whatever you want, he controls the executive branch, and this is something where Bush can just go ahead and do his thing and all the Democrats can do is sigh.