Play the Blame Game for hurricane relief

Finally, it is time to play The Blame Game.

Brownie played it yesterday, pointing fingers at everyone except himself and FEMA.

Now it's our turn, with a new board game based on Katrina and all proceeds to benefit victims of the hurricane.

I was in Texas visiting friends two weeks ago when the Republican "This is not the time for the blame game" talking points were issued, and everyone from the President to the precinct committeeman said it over and over.

So my artist buddy and I, both yellow-dog Democrats, decided maybe it was time. This is the result:

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"Those who complain about the blame game?
They're usually to blame." – Jon Stewart.

“Bush says he doesn’t want to play the ‘Blame Game.’
Makes sense. Never heard of a chicken who wanted
to play the ‘Extra Crispy’ game”. --Will Durst

It is called “The Blame Game,” and the object is to get out of New Orleans – but there is no way out on the board, as players encounter the same problems the city’s residents did before, during, and after the hurricane.

When players reach the Gretna bridge, where sheriff’s deputies turned back evacuees, they are told to “Give up your food and water and go back to the start.”

Landing on some squares calls for drawing a blame card, which announces a new development and tells who to blame. (Hint: W "wins" this part.)

Sample card:“Stay on your roof and lose a turn. The helicopters have been diverted for a photo op with the President. Blame Bush.”

Or: "Wait in line three hours to get help from FEMA. When you get to the front, they give you a piece of paper that says to come back in three days. Lose 2 turns. Blame Bush."

Games are $10 plus shipping and handling from Zzzingers.com with all proceeds going to help Katrina victims.

Here's a free peek at the game board and blame cards.

There is no marketing budget for this product, so your e-mail and word of mouth are important. If you like it, please spread the word.

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Here's a later post with an Austin American-Statesman column about the game.