OK - I'm fine with that. But there has been a lot of talk about not laying blame on the mayor or governor or the preparation for the disaster or lack of execution of any prepared plans because "this isn't the right time" or some such thing. If that's the case for local officials, it's the case for federal officials. I don't see a need to treat the two differently. I just have a problem with treating anyone as if they are immune from criticism at this point, not that anyone is being criticized.

Is this supposed to be some sort of insult?

Where?

I'd love to cite a link for you, but i haven't one. I've heard things like this said on Hardball (CNN - Chris Matthews), guests on Hannity & Colmes, various leaders.

How 'bout not laying blame on the mayor or the governor because their performance doesn't mean a rat's tail to me when California has a major earthquake. The only common factors for me to be afraid for my life are FEMA, the Department of Fatherland Security, and the federal government.

They are going to get most of my scorn because they come into play when the next emergency hits anywhere in the U.S. Except for the patented Blame Game, the mayor of NO and the Gov of LA are insignificant to the future.

I blame Katrina

So this means you care nothing about the suffering of the people in NOLA, only that you'll be safer should there be some major disaster.

To me that isn't the point at all. I kind of thought the issue was what happened to those people and who might have prevented much of the suffering and death.

No, simply a frustration with the chorus (not from you) of, "Stop laying blame and start helping!"

Well, then, stop being frustrated and DO SOMETHING to help.

Some of us are doing things to help and we are demanding answers. The two aren't mutually exclusive.

I agree with iSm. I can't hold the Mayor accountable. The people of New Orleans need to do that. I can't hold the Governor accountable. The people of Louisiana have to do that. But, I should have a say as far as FEMA is concerning because my tax dollars are paying for it. My President said we are better prepared for an emergency since 9/11 and spent a whole lot of money to make that happen. Three weeks ago, I thought we were a lot better at emergency management than I do now. If an earthquake hits here, can I expect better from FEMA? If another disaster hits another part of the country, will FEMA respond better? This hurricane came with warning. A terrorist attack won't.

FEMA and President Bush are not responsible for this hurricane. They shouldn't take all of the blame for the response either. The Mayor and Governor did a piss poor job as well. And anyone that could leave and didn't, they screwed up too.

Bottom Line: We need to fix all of these problems quickly and efficiently and be better prepared next time. The dialog needs to begin immediately though, before the indifference sets in and we lose interest. We won't do it by waiting until it is "appropriate" to talk about it.