Katrina Response Mismanagement

[scaeagles]

The mismanagement goes to the governor and mayor as well.

The governor should have declared martial law. Period. She didn't have the guts to do so.

The mayor didn't even follow the NOLA evacuation plan -

Louisiana disaster plan, pg 13, para 5 , dated 01/00

'The primary means of hurricane evacuation will be personal vehicles. School and municipal buses, government-owned vehicles and vehicles provided by volunteer agencies may be used to provide transportation for individuals who lack transportation and require assistance in evacuating'...

He was also extremely chummy with Bush after they met and talked. I wonder what happened to cause the turn around.

The victims and those looking in from the outside have every right to be critical. One politician pointing fingers at another is nothing but political CYA, as I can't think of anyone who did anything well, from local to state to federal government.

I think that rapper - Kanye whatever - serves no good purpose. Racial rhetoric at this time is disgusting.

[Scrooge McSam]

Ah, another chance to tangle with Leo. You just know how that makes my little heart go pitter patter.

*Scrooge reaches for his pressure medication*

Originally Posted by scaeagles

The mismanagement goes to the governor and mayor as well.

The governor should have declared martial law. Period. She didn't have the guts to do so.

Pish! Once a disaster is declared, FEMA is in command.

U S Department of Homeland Security

And I quote...

In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency, the Department of Homeland Security will assume primary responsibility on March 1st for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared for any situation. This will entail providing a coordinated, comprehensive federal response to any large-scale crisis and mounting a swift and effective recovery effort.

Originally Posted by scaeagles

The mayor didn't even follow the NOLA evacuation plan -

Louisiana disaster plan, pg 13, para 5 , dated 01/00

'The primary means of hurricane evacuation will be personal vehicles. School and municipal buses, government-owned vehicles and vehicles provided by volunteer agencies may be used to provide transportation for individuals who lack transportation and require assistance in evacuating'...

Make your case. I see no problem here.

Originally Posted by scaeagles

He was also extremely chummy with Bush after they met and talked. I wonder what happened to cause the turn around.

I don't know. Some empty promise? I imagine just about anything sounds good after 4 days of hunger, thirst, death, fear and stink. I bet he's changed his attitude again after Bush left and Nagin found out all that equipment he saw on the levee was just there for Bush's photo op.

Originally Posted by scaeagles

The victims and those looking in from the outside have every right to be critical. One politician pointing fingers at another is nothing but political CYA, as I can't think of anyone who did anything well, from local to state to federal government.

Considering your relative position to the situation, I can see how you'd believe that.

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I think that rapper - Kanye whatever - serves no good purpose. Racial rhetoric at this time is disgusting.

Racial strife exists. When it erupts in people's faces, they talk about it. The people in New Orleans SAW Tulane hospital being evacuated by coptors under armed guard while Charity hospital couldn't get an aluminum boat.

[Gn2Dlnd]

What a winner we have in this guy. Can't wait for him to resign from his current job. Probably right after he receives his Medal of Honor.

http://www.ahwmagazine.com/11ahw00/d...hat_world.html

I resent the characterization that the Executive Committee forced Mike Brown out, when in fact, the catalyst that led to his resignation was a very embarrassing situation caused by Mike Brown himself that came to light at the Board Meeting. He then stated to everyone in attendance, which was the full Board, that he wanted to resign, that he was tired, that he didn’t like the effect on his family that this was having, and he felt that it was time to go. He repeated those statements to the Executive Committee on two other days. A week later he repeated it to me, and at that time said that his attorney was contacting the IAHA attorney to work out the terms. The fact that he brought in his attorney at that early stage surprised us.

[Gn2Dlnd]

GW's declaration was actually in response to a request by the governor.
http://gov.louisiana.gov/Disaster%20...%20Request.pdf

[Gn2Dlnd]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050903/...national_guard

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson offered Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco help from his state's National Guard last Sunday, the day before Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana. Blanco accepted, but paperwork needed to get the troops en route didn't come from Washington (my bold) until late Thursday.

also of interest:

n addition to Guard help, the federal government could have activated, but did not, a major air support plan under a pre-existing contract with airlines. The program, called Civilian Reserve Air Fleet, lets the government quickly put private cargo and passenger planes into service.

[Scrooge McSam]

More grist for the mill.

Defending the U.S. government's response to Hurricane Katrina, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff argued Saturday that government planners did not predict such a disaster ever could occur.

How many years of practice does it take for one to lie so callously to millions of people?

Last week, Michael Brown, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, told CNN his agency had recently planned for a Category 5 hurricane hitting New Orleans.

Speaking to "Larry King Live" on August 31, in the wake of Katrina, Brown said, "That Category 4 hurricane caused the same kind of damage that we anticipated. So we planned for it two years ago. Last year, we exercised it. And unfortunately this year, we're implementing it."

Implementing? That's what we're calling it? Strangling and blockading are the words I would have chosen.

[scaeagles]

I concur that Chertoff is a complete idiot and a liar to make such a statement. I have read reports of talk of exactly this disaster going back 50 years.

Both Chertoff and Brown should resign.

Scrooge, it is my understanding that yes, FEMA takes over with the declaration to manage aide - which hasn't been done even adequately. However, I thought only the governor could impose martial law on a local basis. As it is a suspension of civil rights, I didn't think FEMA could make that call.

As far as my criticism of the NOLA mayor, I saw pics of a couple hundred school busses sitting under water. I would have fiugured with the mandatory evacuation they would/should have been used to evacuate people.

The mayor and governor should have been responsible to enforce/assist in the mandatory evacuaiton however possible.

The way I see it, the local and state governments have done a horrid job pre-disaster. No planning, or as least no execution of the plan. The federal government has done a horrid job post disaster in assisting/executing rescue efforts.

I take no pride in how the republican admisistration has handled this. However, I think they are not the only ones who are worthy of criticism. That is my only point.

[Scrooge McSam]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

As far as my criticism of the NOLA mayor, I saw pics of a couple hundred school busses sitting under water. I would have fiugured with the mandatory evacuation they would/should have been used to evacuate people.

The mayor and governor should have been responsible to enforce/assist in the mandatory evacuaiton however possible.

Good point. I was not aware of this footage. I just got cable back a couple of hours ago. If all available resources to evacuate weren't utilized that needs to be brought into the light.

Mr. Nagin will have things to answer for, I'm sure.

[Gemini Cricket]

I don't know if this is the right thread to post this, my apologies to Commodore Swank if it's not:

Barbara Bush: Things Working Out 'Very Well' for Poor Evacuees from New Orleans

By E&P Staff

Published: September 05, 2005 7:25 PM ET updated 8:00 PM

NEW YORK Accompanying her husband, former President George
H.W.Bush, on a tour of hurricane relief centers in
Houston, Barbara Bush said today, referring to the
poor who had lost everything back home and evacuated,
"This is working very well for them."

The former First Lady's remarks were aired this
evening on National Public Radio's "Marketplace"
program.

She was part of a group in Houston today at the
Astrodome that included her husband and former
President Bill Clinton, who were chosen by her son,
the current president, to head fundraising efforts for
the recovery. Sen. Hilary Clinton and Sen. Barack
Obama were also present.

In a segment at the top of the show on the surge of
evacuees to the Texas city, Barbara Bush said: "Almost
everyone I’ve talked to says we're going to move to
Houston."

Then she added: "What I’m hearing which is sort of
scary is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is
so overwhelmed by the hospitality.

"And so many of the people in the arena here, you
know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this (she
chuckles slightly) is working very well for them."

http://movies.crooksandliars.com/bb.mp3

--------------

Hmmm, she could have worded that differently. She sounds like she's pretty far out there in regards to what is really happening. Between this quote and Bush Sr. on Larry King defending Jr. against the media that is picking on his son, I just want to barf.

[Betty]

This is working very well for them??? OMFG! What dream world is she living in? Is she really *that* out of touch to believe that?