President Bush met this morning with members of the Red Cross at its headquarters in Washington, D.C.  Coincidentally, news cameras were there.  Bush gave an "impromptu" speech.  In three minutes, Bush mentioned the words "Red Cross" no less than thirty times, and referred to its volunteers repeatedly as an "Army of compassion."  He then asked Americans to pony up "hard cash donations to the Red Cross" if they want to help out in the hurricane relief effort.

Aside from him confusing the Salvation Army with the Red Cross, Bush tipped his hand on how he will deflect criticism and deny any accountability for the government's pathetic and criminally negligent response to Hurricane Katrina.  His not so hidden message?  Don't blame the government; it's not the government's job to help people in need and provide emergency relief.  That's a job for the Red Cross.