Silver Linings?

Despite the fact that passage of the awful horrible spineless capitulation on Iraq withdrawal bill exposes Congressional Democrats as the useless nincompoops they are and cedes political momentum back to the White House, the bill does include some useful provisions.

The bill contains $1.3 billion in new spending for New Orleans-area levees -- which the president proposed fixing with existing money -- $320 million to forgive disaster loans to Gulf Coast communities, $50 million to fight crime, $30 million to attract educators, $30 million for hurricane-damaged universities, $110 million to assist the Gulf fishing industry and $25 million for Southeast Louisiana drainage projects.

It also extends tax credits set to expire next year that were designed to attract businesses to the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast and the construction of affordable housing at a time when rents are at historic highs.

Even so.. this news comes on the same day that Donald Powell (aided by David Vitter) launches into a fresh round of disingenuous "blame Louisiana first" at the Road Home hearings.

Edit: One more thought. I can understand Powell's actions in his capacity as White House flunkie but Vitter is a Louisiana Senator. Just whose side does he imagine he is on?

Additional edit: Adrastos has some similar thoughts