Katrina Response Mismanagement

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

Why single me out?

Because you brought the wrong toy?

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Because you brought the wrong toy?

heehee, or the wrong batteries?

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Gn2Dlnd

So, after a half hour, you edited your post to include a blind link to an editorial piece that is nothing but blame-laying? Can I now assume that you didn't even read the first paragraph of the post that you were responding to?

I suggest you go ahead and start that "Who's to Blame?" thread.

Why? We already have it here!

[Gn2Dlnd]

Do you mean, how do I know who read the links? I don't. I know that one person posted that they hadn't, I would assume that person is representative. I know that one person told me on the phone they hadn't. Again, I assume that one person is representative of more.
Or do you mean, what right do I have to judge them? I don't. I like both of these people very much, no judgment. I merely stated that I was disappointed. Re-reading my post, it appears that I connected two thoughts, my desire to make sure everyone I like to talk to had access to information, and my dismay with people who only use as much information as they need to make their point.

Let me re-work my original post:

I'm disappointed that people feel that there's too much to read. I, personally, dislike hearing opinions from people who haven't bothered to educate themselves.

I'm disappointed that some people feel there's too much to read. My goal was to provide as much information as possible, so the discourse could be as educated as possible.


You may still dislike what I'm saying, but I clearly wrote a badly composed paragraph the first time around.

Now back to business:

ATLANTA - Not long after some 1,000 firefighters sat down for eight hours of training, the whispering began: "What are we doing here?"
As New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin pleaded on national television for firefighters - his own are exhausted after working around the clock for a week - a battalion of highly trained men and women sat idle Sunday in a muggy Sheraton Hotel conference room in Atlanta.
Many of the firefighters, assembled from Utah and throughout the United States by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, thought they were going to be deployed as emergency workers.
Instead, they have learned they are going to be community-relations officers for FEMA, shuffled throughout the Gulf Coast region to disseminate fliers and a phone number: 1-800-621-FEMA.

http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3004197

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Gn2Dlnd

Let me re-work my original post:

I'm disappointed that some people feel there's too much to read. My goal was to provide as much information as possible, so the discourse could be as educated as possible.

You may still dislike what I'm saying, but I clearly wrote a badly composed paragraph the first time around.]

Okay, I did not see this before I posted my response above. But I am leaving it there anyways as I am happy with what I wrote.

[scaeagles]

OK - I see your point. I'm not sure, though, why pointing out the lies or excuses or lack of qualification is any different than pointing out a lack of preparedness. It would seem that that could wait until after all the important things you listed as well.

I will say, that during the first three days of the operation, it was very important to point out all of those things you mentioned to....encourage improvement. I think, though, that since that general was put in charge, things have been going much, much better, if not close to as well as could be expected. Mistakes? Sure. The plane that went to the wrong place? Indicative of the problems, certainly. It is a massive operation at present and there will be logistical problems and errors in any such large scale project. I think that the initial overall ineptitude has passed.

Progress is being made very rapidly. Instead of 80% of the city under water, aren't they down to about 45% now? The huge break in the levee has been fixed. The superdome debacle was remedied rather quickly when the general took charge. The lawlessness is coming under control.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I will say, that during the first three days of the operation, it was very important to point out all of those things you mentioned to....encourage improvement. I think, though, that since that general was put in charge, things have been going much, much better, if not close to as well as could be expected. Mistakes? Sure. The plane that went to the wrong place? Indicative of the problems, certainly. It is a massive operation at present and there will be logistical problems and errors in any such large scale project. I think that the initial overall ineptitude has passed.

Some of us can walk and chew gum at the same time. Yes, things are going better now, and people who are in a position to help need to continue to do what they can. But just because there's a job to do now and it's being done right doesn't mean I'm going to ignore the fact that severe errors cost many many many people their lives. And not in an effort to place blame or get people fired (though that may be the result), but to make sure it doesn't freaking happen again.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Some of us can walk and chew gum at the same time. Yes, things are going better now, and people who are in a position to help need to continue to do what they can. But just because there's a job to do now and it's being done right doesn't mean I'm going to ignore the fact that severe errors cost many many many people their lives. And not in an effort to place blame or get people fired (though that may be the result), but to make sure it doesn't freaking happen again.

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.

[Scrooge McSam]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

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.

Where?

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Some of us can walk and chew gum at the same time.

Is this supposed to be some sort of insult?