Katrina Response Mismanagement

[wendybeth]

How about the chick from Washington, Name?

Great post, and I agree. This would probably have happened no matter what- they've been warning about the potential for dister for decades, not just the past five years. Having corrupt local politicos and Levee officials didn't help. However, certain things were in place that hindered FEMA's ability to preform as they might have, and there is no getting around the fact that the politicians have some responsibility. Merging FEMA with HS and then underfunding it because of lack of funds due to the war effort is one example. Utilising the National Guard to such a degree in said war effort is another- the director of the Guard has been warning for some time now that should a homeland crisis arise, they were a "nearly broken" entity and would not be able to perform as they were intended. Dems and Repubs are both responsible, and the only real blame I would lay at Bush's feet is his slow response and that he is their leader -the buck stops at his desk. I would say the same for any other president, really.

[Name]

^^^ better?

[SacTown Chronic]

So where's the rollback of welfare for wealthy people, er, I mean Bush tax cuts, to pay for the huge no-bid gifts to Halliburton and friends, er, I mean giant reconstruction effort?


Fvcking crooks and liars, man. Crooks and liars.

[scaeagles]

RE: Halliburton. This is often a rallying cry for those that oppose Bush and the administration. I have two honest issues about that - I'm really not trying to be a smarta$$ (at least not this time) -

Was it OK for Clinton to give a no-bid contract to Halliburton? If so, why?

How many companies are capable fo doing what Halliburton does? Does it make sense to take the time to put this particular job - if someone else is capable of doing it - out to the process of a government bid? Do you know how long that takes? If it were put out to bid, it would take months, so absolutely nothing relating to what Halliburton does would be getting worked on.

[SacTown Chronic]

Did Clinton start a war and then give no-bid contracts for rebuilding the conquered country to his Veep's company?

Did Clinton demote a whistleblower who spoke out against the improper awarding of no-bid contracts to the Veep's company?

Did Clinton suspend the prevailing wage law right before giving no-bid reconstruction contracts to his Veep's company?

Did Clinton's head of FEMA resign his post and start a company that provides business opportunities in Iraq?

Clinton...Clinton...Clinton. I need a BJ.

[Name]

And since Haliburton does just about everything within their umbrella of sub-companies, well, who needs to ask for bids for any project, just give Halliburton the no-bid contract.

[scaeagles]

Sac - chill out. I'm not picking on Clinton. I only ask because it isn't only the Bush administration that has awarded no bid contracts to Halliburton. I had no problem with it then, and I have no problem with it now, particularly under these circumstances. Government bids take too long in certain circumstances. I know - I've bid on government contracts before and it is a long, arduous process.

[SacTown Chronic]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I'm not picking on Clinton.

I love it when you pick on Clinton. But when you defend Bush by using Clinton...eh, not so much.


(But I loved it when you defended Dubya by bashing Bush 41 and FEMA)

I need a BJ.

Oops, wrong thread. Crystal doesn't read many political threads.


Maybe I should try flowers?

[wendybeth]

Well, the FEMA mismanagement continues, and hits close to home:Help turned away

[PanTheMan]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

Well, the FEMA mismanagement continues, and hits close to home:Help turned away

Well i agree it will take a bit of time to iron out the kinks, however i feel the guy they have now will get the job done. I have great faith that the Coast Guard has the best of experience working in these situations.