POLITICAL: FEMA boss pulled off Katrina Efforts, and will resign/be fired shortly.

[SirFozzie]

ABC News
FEMA Director to Be Out Soon, Sources Say
Under Scrutiny, Mike Brown to Leave Post

Sep. 9, 2005 - Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown, under criticism due to his management of Hurricane Katrina as well as reported discrepancies on his resume, is expected to be out as head of the agency very soon, informed sources have told ABC News.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is expected to announce that Brown will return to Washington, D.C., and Vice Admiral Thad W. Allen of the Coast Guard will be elevated to take over disaster relief efforts.

Brown was a longtime friend of Joseph Allbaugh, a former Bush campaign manager who directed FEMA from March 2001 to March 2003. Brown was the deputy chief of FEMA in 2001 and moved up when Allbaugh left.

Before becoming part of the agency, Brown was a top official of the Arabian Horse Association. The secretary of that association says it asked him to resign in 2001.

Time magazine reported this week on discrepancies in Brown's background, including his role in emergency service in Oklahoma and his work as a professor at Central State University.

A 2001 press release on the White House Web site says that Brown worked for the city of Edmond, Okla., from 1975 to 1978 "overseeing emergency services divisions." Brown's official biography on the FEMA Web site says that his background in state and local government also includes serving as "an assistant city manager with emergency services oversight" and as a city councilman.

Both Time and The Associated Press were told by city officials that Brown was an assistant to the city manager and not an assistant city manager.

A university official told the magazine that Brown was a student at the University of Central Oklahoma (formerly Central State University) and may have been an adjunct instructor, not a professor.

However, the Bush administration continued to support Brown today as President Bush did on his first visit to the scene of Hurricane Katrina.

"And Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job. The FEMA director's been working 24 hours," Bush said on Sept. 5 as the crowd burst into applause.

[Anthony]

what does that say about Bush that he consistently applauds the shoddy work of people like Michael Brown and Donny Rum? yeesh, at least give no comments, but to actually come out and give a thumbs up to their work?

[Ksyrup]

However, the Bush administration continued to support Brown today as President Bush did on his first visit to the scene of Hurricane Katrina.

"And Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job. The FEMA director's been working 24 hours," Bush said on Sept. 5 as the crowd burst into applause.



This is utterly confusing. Is this a blatant attempt to portray Bush as continuing to support this guy despite his impending ouster, or just some bad editing/writing? Where's the evidence of the Bush Administration's support "today?"

[sachmo71]

we are poor little lambs, who have lost our way...

baa, baa, baa

[st.cronin]

Surely one could see this coming given Scott McLellan's comments earlier this week.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

However, the Bush administration continued to support Brown today as President Bush did on his first visit to the scene of Hurricane Katrina.

"And Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job. The FEMA director's been working 24 hours," Bush said on Sept. 5 as the crowd burst into applause.



This is utterly confusing. Is this a blatant attempt to portray Bush as continuing to support this guy despite his impending ouster, or just some bad editing/writing? Where's the evidence of the Bush Administration's support "today?"

that confused me too.

[CamEdwards]

one down, two to go. although i guess mayor nagin and governor blanco would have to resign.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by CamEdwards

one down, two to go. although i guess mayor nagin and governor blanco would have to resign.

I'll accept any and all criticism of governor Blanco, but I am suprised that Ray Nagin is getting hate. I'm not sure how he is being played in the national press, but from what I have seen, my estimation of him has gone up 1000% since this all began. From the beginning, he seemed like the only local official who understood the scope of the coming problem and tried to get people to move decisively to solve it.

[cartman]

He was called back to Washington, so they could announce his nomination for the Supreme Court.

[JonInMiddleGA]

albion -- just from this corner, Nagin came across to me as increasingly in over his head day by day, ending up looking to me like he couldn't have found his ass with both hands, a bloodhound, a map, & two GPS units.

He ended up being whiny, demonstrating virtually no understanding of how things actually work in the real world, very much out of touch with reality, and quite possibly a subscriber to a the-world-owes-us-something mentality.

All of that, not really meant as random bashing, mostly just posting to give you some idea of why he's getting some flak.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by cartman

He was called back to Washington, so they could announce his nomination for the Supreme Court.

And so he could be awarded with the Medal of Freedom in person...

[jeff061]

Nagin screwed up badly preparing for Katrina. After it hit he seemed to be the only politician doing anything, but he had no clout.

[Flasch186]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

albion -- just from this corner, Nagin came across to me as increasingly in over his head day by day, ending up looking to me like he couldn't have found his ass with both hands, a bloodhound, a map, & two GPS units.

He ended up being whiny , demonstrating virtually no understanding of how things actually work in the real world, very much out of touch with reality, and quite possibly a subscriber to a the-world-owes-us-something mentality.

All of that, not really meant as random bashing, mostly just posting to give you some idea of why he's getting some flak.

whiny - considering that he saw the impending doom that was coming, whiny would be a good thing

demonstrating virtually no understanding of how things work in the real world - Well they obviously didnt work well. Look how that General had to improvise and break protocal to get things done...he gets Kudos and so should Nagin for the same behavior. Nagin's not cow towing to the bereaucracy is a good thing and likely saved lives.

very much out of touch with reality - most people think he was the only one who told it like it was and most of what he said has come true. While not having much authority to get things done on his own he surely spoke with the emotion that I would expect from my mayor under the same circumstances.

Quite possibly (blah blah blah) - While the Black Caucaus shouldnt drop the race card neither should you.



your partisanship resounds beautifully in your cave.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

albion -- just from this corner, Nagin came across to me as increasingly in over his head day by day, ending up looking to me like he couldn't have found his ass with both hands, a bloodhound, a map, & two GPS units.

He ended up being whiny, demonstrating virtually no understanding of how things actually work in the real world, very much out of touch with reality, and quite possibly a subscriber to a the-world-owes-us-something mentality.

All of that, not really meant as random bashing, mostly just posting to give you some idea of why he's getting some flak.

Thanks. Some (a lot) of my impression is colored by my impression of the various politicians involved before the mess. Nagin was the first decent mayor that New Orleans had in over a decade. Compared to the guy he replaced, he was Abe Linclon and Thomas Jefferson rolled into one. Part of me--trying to see through the fog of confusion involving what happened--is probably crediting him with good intentions and actions that he may not actually possess.

Governor Blanco was a piss-poor governor before the crisis. No, that's too harsh. She wasn't really doing anything to hurt or help the state. She was just sort of there being ineffectual and ham-handed. Now, when the state needs someone to step up and provide leadership, I have no faith in her to do it. And she is bearing out my lack of faith.

One person who I think will come out of this smelling like a rose? Senator David Vitter. Young. Charismatic. Very Conservative. And doing all of the right things to position himself now. He has yet, from what I have seen, done anything concrete to help the state, but he has been in front of the cameras talking about how he has been meeting with business leaders and "getting assurances" that they are committed to rebuilding the City. I am sure that he is devistated by what happened, but he has the luxury of not having been directly in charge of anything that went wrong (like the mayor, governor, FEMA, etc.), but close enough to the situation to be a very visible part of the solution. As an added bit of trivia, he went to my high school.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Governor Blanco was a piss-poor governor before the crisis. No, that's too harsh. She wasn't really doing anything to hurt or help the state. She was just sort of there being ineffectual and ham-handed. Now, when the state needs someone to step up and provide leadership, I have no faith in her to do it. And she is bearing out my lack of faith.

Based on the little I know of the state's political landscape, if she wasn't on the take or stealing money from the public, she qualifies as a success story. I mean, the last three insurance commissioners have been indicted, and the current one - who was made acting commissioner when the previous one was indicted - is now in hot water for approving public expenditures for 2 or 3 SUVs he used.

[rexallllsc]

Originally Posted by CamEdwards

one down, two to go. although i guess mayor nagin and governor blanco would have to resign.

No mention of GWB?

Incompetence at the highest level led to this contemptuous hire. This went far beyond cronyism and enters into dereliction of duty.

[CamEdwards]

Originally Posted by rexallllsc

No mention of GWB?

Incompetence at the highest level led to this contemptuous hire. This went far beyond cronyism and enters into dereliction of duty.

Nagin's decision to not follow his own city's disaster preparedness plan likely cost lives. And the refusal of Red Cross and Salvation Army help at the Superdome before and after the hurricane hit is enough for his resignation, IMO.

[rexallllsc]

Originally Posted by CamEdwards

Nagin's decision to not follow his own city's disaster preparedness plan likely cost lives. And the refusal of Red Cross and Salvation Army help at the Superdome before and after the hurricane hit is enough for his resignation, IMO.

No one said Nagin is competent. You won't find me supporting him.

Like I said, this goes way beyond cronyism. How much Bush cares about the citizens of this country on the whole is pretty apparent with the hire of Michael Brown.

http://www.thinkprogress.org/katrina-timeline

On the 27th FEMA was given authorization by Bush to handle this. The hurricane hit on the 29th.

More reading on the subject: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...adlines-nation

In June 2004, Local 4060 of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents FEMA workers, wrote to members of Congress to warn about alleged cronyism at the agency. The letter said the practice initially "took place mainly at the senior levels of FEMA, but it has now entered into the mid-level and working-level" of FEMA.

"The ability of FEMA to manage emergencies and disasters is being seriously eroded," the letter said.

[JPhillips]

If we don't hold Bush accountable aren't we perpetuating the "soft bigotry of low expectations"?

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

If we don't hold Bush accountable aren't we perpetuating the "soft bigotry of low expectations"?

LOL! Well played!

[SirFozzie]

Thinking Bush should resign over this is rediculous, and playing politics of one of the worst types. I'm sure that it would have hurt his prospects for re-election (of course he's not eligible, but god, the guy's had some bad things happen in his presidency that he couldn't exactly control)

Even if 80% of the stuff that I read about Brown falsifying his resume is sour grapes, etcetera (for example, he allegedly touted his work with the Arabian Bloodline horse group as having something to do with the USOC/IOC, when there was nothing of the sort).. I think he should be fired.

Hell, at this point, watching the stories come out, I think he should be fired even if every bad word said about his resume isn't true.. he screwed things up. Badly.

Telling everyone "Oh.. you have 48 hours tobe ready to report to go to the hurricane area" probably cost lives.

[MrBigglesworth]

Originally Posted by CamEdwards

Nagin's decision to not follow his own city's disaster preparedness plan likely cost lives. And the refusal of Red Cross and Salvation Army help at the Superdome before and after the hurricane hit is enough for his resignation, IMO.

I had heard that it was FEMA that blocked off the Red Cross and kept people from going into or going out of NOLA. And Nagin never left the city of New Orleans and has in fact been accused in this thread of whining too much about trying to get help into the city. How was it him that blocked it? I may have just missed it, but can you provide a source?

[MrBigglesworth]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Thinking Bush should resign over this is rediculous, and playing politics of one of the worst types.

After all the scare tactics and talk of the last election, do you feel safe with Bush in charge? Him and Cheney (who basically said vote for them or you will die) were literally on vacation until three days after the hurricane. Compare that to the dreaded Clinton, who came home from vacations in the days before relatively minor hurricanes hit.

The only reason that I wouldn't call for impeachment would be that I am scared of who else they are going to put in there.

[ISiddiqui]

I've heard from horse people that the reason Brown was asked to leave by the Arabian Horse Association was because he was coking up his horses!

This kind of guy heads up FEMA?! A guy who drugs up his horses to cheat in the agency that he was President of? Jeez Louise!

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by MrBigglesworth

After all the scare tactics and talk of the last election, do you feel safe with Bush in charge? Him and Cheney (who basically said vote for them or you will die) were literally on vacation until three days after the hurricane. Compare that to the dreaded Clinton, who came home from vacations in the days before relatively minor hurricanes hit.

The only reason that I wouldn't call for impeachment would be that I am scared of who else they are going to put in there.

IMPEACHMENT?

I'm sorry, doing a photo op with a guitar 2 days after Katrina doesn't fall under "High Crimes and Misdemeanors", it's just... not the best judgement.

Stop casting everything as for/against the president and maybe we can get something done other then wasting our energies and time on partisan struggles.

[MrBigglesworth]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

IMPEACHMENT?

I'm sorry, doing a photo op with a guitar 2 days after Katrina doesn't fall under "High Crimes and Misdemeanors", it's just... not the best judgement.

Stop casting everything as for/against the president and maybe we can get something done other then wasting our energies and time on partisan struggles.

That's like me accusing you of wanting to get Osama because he jaywalked: yeah that may have been dumb, but it's nothing compared to his real crimes.
The incompetance of his handling of FEMA pre-Katrina and his handling of the crisis as it was unfolding was criminal, with potentially worse repercussions than his lying in regards to the Iraq war. I know that pales in comparison to getting a blow job, but I still think it's a big deal. If Bush were a Japanese CEO, he would have fallen on his sword by now. He is making our country an embaressment and a dangerous place to live.

[kruseman]

I'm a lurker, but I gotta say something:

So leaving all of those busses in NO for the hurricane instead of helping evacuate the poor people when you have 2 days notice is perfectly fine with you?

Then there is those stubborn people that won't leave, or who try to bring guns into the superdome - they have to be helping the volunteers/national guard

I don't exactly think the national feds are doing a good job on it, but I do think they have a tough job on their hands, mainly because of the locals(whether that be the government or the citizens).

BTW - here is a link to a picture of all the busses that the mayor left there - could have evactuated about 20,000 people out of the city if they only took one trip each:
http://billhobbs.com/hobbsonline/007188.html

[SackAttack]

Am I just totally losing it, or did the mayor of New Orleans threaten to punch out anybody - including President Bush - who criticized state/local officials for their handling of the aftermath?

(NOTE: It's entirely possible that it was another person at that level and I'm simply mistakenly attributing their comment to the mayor - not unreasonable given the mayor's complete and total meltdown the other day, but my apologies if I'm confusing the two.)

I'm of the mind that there's plenty of blame to go around but, um, the last time I checked, threatening the POTUS is still a felony. I suspect they'll let it slide, but still. If you crave a simple life, there's a few things you don't do. You don't spit into the wind, you don't yell "Fire!" in a movie theater, and you don't even joke about assaulting the President.

[rexallllsc]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

IMPEACHMENT?

I'm sorry, doing a photo op with a guitar 2 days after Katrina doesn't fall under "High Crimes and Misdemeanors", it's just... not the best judgement.

What about derelection of duty re: the FEMA hires? Surely you're not defending such utter incompetence on the part of Bush in regard to them.

The absolute disregard for American citizens that was shown with those hires is nothing short of depressing.

[Flasch186]

there is no way that Bush deserves to be impoeached for this. Just a verbal spanking will do and according to the polls (which FN disregards) he has already gotten the message. The Governor deserves to be recalled and so does the mayor although I feel sorry for him.

[Tekneek]

It is a good thing when cronyism comes back and bites somebody in the ass. Hopefully the appropriate lessons are learned.

[Flasch186]

looks like Halliburton and another Bush related group are snagging some of the first contracts for the rebuild. All the while there is still 422million in unsettled billings to our gov't for Iraq. hmmmmm, the argument that theyre the only ones who can handle it due to their sheer size is legitimate to a point but the oversight is sorely lacking and allows them to run roughshod on their accounting.

[kcchief19]

Not to try and interrrupt and get back to the original topic of the discussion, but here's an interesting article about an e-mail Brown sent to his friends and family:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/katrina_b...kxBHNlYwN0bQ--

Brown Sent Candid E-Mail to Family

Sat Sep 10, 2:34 PM ET

DENVER -
Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown sent a candid e-mail to family and friends this week as he was becoming the center of criticism of the handling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

"I don't mind the negative press (well, actually, I do, but I try to ignore it) but it is really wearing out the family," Brown wrote. "No wonder people don't go into public service. This country is devouring itself, the 24-hour news cycle is numbing our ability to think for ourselves," the Rocky Mountain News reported Saturday.

Brown was relieved of his command of the onsite relief efforts Friday amid increasing criticism over the sluggishness of the agency's response and questions over his background.

"It's horrible," said Mary Ann Karns, an Oklahoma lawyer who once worked with Brown in the Edmond, Okla., city government and got the e-mail addressed. "He does not deserve this as a human being."

I don't disagree much about his assessment of why people go into public service knowing they criticism they open themselves up to. It's always been that way, but obviously it's more omnipresent today than in the past.

But whatever ground of sympathy I could offer him for having the misfortune of being placed into a situation over his head was erased with the next line -- the blame the media card.

I get so sick of hearing anyone in politics blame the media for their problems or the problems of the country. The media is a mere reflection society. I've said it before I'll say it again -- the media gives us exactly what we ask for. It's a marketplace of ideas, and the ideas that are most successful are ideas that we already share. I don't believe the media shapes our ideas; I believe the media reinforces the ideas we already hold. The only thing the media can do is provide us with information that allows us to develop ideas on topics we haven't yet discovered on our own.

What annoys me the most about politicians, Hollywood types, athletes and anyone else in the public eye is that almost every single one of them basks in the media when it favors them and does everything they can to manipulate the media on their behalf, then cries like a baby when media coverage is critical. They all want it both ways.

On an individual level, I do feel sorry for Brown. It's not completely his fault he was placed into a position he couldn't handle.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

I've heard from horse people that the reason Brown was asked to leave by the Arabian Horse Association was because he was coking up his horses!

This kind of guy heads up FEMA?! A guy who drugs up his horses to cheat in the agency that he was President of? Jeez Louise!

From Horse people? As in centaurs? (or a renfest facsimile?)



SI

[Tekneek]

I don't feel bad for the guy at all. The position was a bit more important and carried a bit more responsibility with it than just any random job. If he could not handle it, he had an obligation to refuse it. It's not like other jobs where the burden sits entirely with the person who put him in the office. Being in over your head with FEMA could get somebody hurt and/or totally waste a lot of taxpayer funds. Being an asshole who accepts a political favor appointment does not absolve you of responsibility for what you do once you're there.

If the email had talked about how he knew he was in over his head, had tried to resign, and was begging for help, then I might feel bad for him. Blaming other people for problems that neither he or his bosses were willing to properly address is bullshit.

[Comey]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

And so he could be awarded with the Medal of Freedom in person...

Is it pink and in slip form?

[Easy Mac]

Originally Posted by kruseman

I'm a lurker, but I gotta say something:

So leaving all of those busses in NO for the hurricane instead of helping evacuate the poor people when you have 2 days notice is perfectly fine with you?

Then there is those stubborn people that won't leave, or who try to bring guns into the superdome - they have to be helping the volunteers/national guard

I don't exactly think the national feds are doing a good job on it, but I do think they have a tough job on their hands, mainly because of the locals(whether that be the government or the citizens).

BTW - here is a link to a picture of all the busses that the mayor left there - could have evactuated about 20,000 people out of the city if they only took one trip each:
http://billhobbs.com/hobbsonline/007188.html

Seriously, the idea that 20.000 poor could have been evacuated is laughable. Two days before the storm they still weren't sure if it was going East or West of New Orleans, so going to Baton Rouge with those buses would have been useless. Not to mention that trying to evacuate that many people on buses would be impossible. A - most of those people wouldn't have left. Look at all the people who haven't left now despite having no food or water... you really think they would have left before the storm? B - Look at all the shit that went down with everyone trying to get out after the storm, the raping, stealing and murdering. Now imagine all those people trying to get out before the storm, knowing there was the impending doom. It would have been a madhouse trying to get those people out of there, especially if the Federal government wasn't going to have troops to help.

To the people who think that busing people out would have worked or been feasible, please enter the real world. It wouldn't have worked, and was just a plan that had no basis in a logical reality.

[Tekneek]

Easy Mac, by the tone of your statements, you must think nearly 100% of the people that were in New Orleans when Katrina hit wanted to be there. That is ignorant.

[BucDawg40]

Originally Posted by Tekneek

Hopefully the appropriate lessons are learned.

Absolutely zero chance in Hell of this happening, IMO.

[Easy Mac]

Originally Posted by Tekneek

Easy Mac, by the tone of your statements, you must think nearly 100% of the people that were in New Orleans when Katrina hit wanted to be there. That is ignorant.

Obviously

But thats ok, trying to argue the merits of someone's point is a lot harder than making a blanket idiotic statement.

Where did I say that everyone wanted to stay? I think its obvious there was a certain subset that wouldn't have left at any point, and its also obvious there was a certain subset that would have done anything to leave. It was nearly impossible trying to get the people into the Superdome, it took the entire 2 days. Now imagine trying to get all those people on buses. It wouldn't have worked.

[Tekneek]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

Obviously

But thats ok, trying to argue the merits of someone's point is a lot harder than making a blanket idiotic statement.

Where did I say that everyone wanted to stay? I think its obvious there was a certain subset that wouldn't have left at any point, and its also obvious there was a certain subset that would have done anything to leave. It was nearly impossible trying to get the people into the Superdome, it took the entire 2 days. Now imagine trying to get all those people on buses. It wouldn't have worked.

Who is making blanket idiotic statements? I just stated what I thought the tone of your message was. If that's a "blanket idiotic statement" to you, then fine. Whatever. It doesn't really matter to me.

If there is one thing the government should be good at, it should be getting its citizens (who volunteer) out of harm's way quickly and efficiently. Instead of spending every last penny on all kinds of random nonsense and fancy new buildings, they should at least make sure they have disaster preparedness covered. I don't think this problem is so impossible to solve if they have the will to do it. You just shrug your shoulders as if nothing could ever have been done.

If getting out of the way of a hurricane is a 'survival of the fittest' idea, then let's abolish the government. We can have an open market and fend for yourself attitude about life without paying taxes for the privledge. If they are going to be collecting taxes, they better damn at least protect people's lives and property.

[Glengoyne]

Originally Posted by Tekneek

...

If there is one thing the government should be good at, it should be getting its citizens (who volunteer) out of harm's way quickly and efficiently. Instead of spending every last penny on all kinds of random nonsense and fancy new buildings, they should at least make sure they have disaster preparedness covered. I don't think this problem is so impossible to solve if they have the will to do it. You just shrug your shoulders as if nothing could ever have been done.
....

I believe the Local government should have those disaster preparedness plans in place, not the federal government. There are lots of local governments, each having one disaster plan to plan. The federal government can't have a plan ready for each locale. The federal government should have plans to assemble and deploy a response for any disaster. I think they should also have assets placed in the field days ahead of a disaster to advise local authorities who lack the experience dealing with these types of events.
To me much more frightening than a political appointment being made to someone in over their head(as if this were the first time that happened), is the fact that it was apparently so debilitating to the entire organization. I would expect FEMA to operate effectively with Mike Brown or whoever is in charge on Vacation during Hurricane season. The organization has been around quite a while, and I would think there are seasoned management folks within the organization. That is the thing I'm interested in knowing, why did having a less than competant FEMA head result in these problems? Did the nepotism spread beyond the most senior positions, as some have said? Are there more fundamental problems that have crept into FEMA?

[Flasch186]

Originally Posted by Glengoyne

I believe the Local government should have those disaster preparedness plans in place, not the federal government. There are lots of local governments, each having one disaster plan to plan. The federal government can't have a plan ready for each locale. The federal government should have plans to assemble and deploy a response for any disaster. I think they should also have assets placed in the field days ahead of a disaster to advise local authorities who lack the experience dealing with these types of events.
To me much more frightening than a political appointment being made to someone in over their head(as if this were the first time that happened), is the fact that it was apparently so debilitating to the entire organization. I would expect FEMA to operate effectively with Mike Brown or whoever is in charge on Vacation during Hurricane season. The organization has been around quite a while, and I would think there are seasoned management folks within the organization. That is the thing I'm interested in knowing, why did having a less than competant FEMA head result in these problems? Did the nepotism spread beyond the most senior positions, as some have said? Are there more fundamental problems that have crept into FEMA?

what about in the case of a city or municipality that is so poor that it cannot put together a substantial evacuation plan and that which goes with a disaster? I understand that that may not be the case here but I want to know what you do in that case....then the fed. steps in?

[Masked]

Since some people don't have their facts straights - the day before the storm hit, public buses picked up people at 12 locations throughout the city and transported them to Superdome.

[Glengoyne]

Originally Posted by Masked

Since some people don't have their facts straights - the day before the storm hit, public buses picked up people at 12 locations throughout the city and transported them to Superdome.

Yes authorities arranged local transportation to a shelter they failed to adequately stock or staff.

[Tekneek]

Originally Posted by Glengoyne

I believe the Local government should have those disaster preparedness plans in place, not the federal government. There are lots of local governments, each having one disaster plan to plan. The federal government can't have a plan ready for each locale. The federal government should have plans to assemble and deploy a response for any disaster. I think they should also have assets placed in the field days ahead of a disaster to advise local authorities who lack the experience dealing with these types of events.

By all means it should start at a local level, but be in concert with a national disaster preparation. The national level should know the local plans and have that information available. But if the federal government doesn't want to be involved, that is fine with me. Disband FEMA, slash the funding from the budget (not find new ways to spend that money), and repeal any related laws from the US code.

Why do local authorities have less experience than federal authorities? Is it because the federal agencies have bigger budgets and hire the experienced people? Shouldn't the experienced people already be in the areas where hurricanes are known to travel about? When is the last time DC was hit by a hurricane?

Again, I doubt all of this would be too much of an issue if communities and local governments actually made it a priority. It is one of the most important things they ever need to do and it is probably way down on their list of priorities because it isn't fancy or helping them ride the gravy train of public office.

My problem is a government that seems interested in doing everything but protecting its people. If it does nothing else right, ensuring our lives and our property are protected should be the one thing they take care of.

[Buccaneer]

I think people are still missing the point. FEMA will be good at doing certain things but not in all things relating to a disaster (natural or man-made). The "cavalry" that was urgently needed in days following could not and should not come from FEMA but the state's NG and an order from DoD for other state's NG units as well as other military units. They are the only ones prepared to bring in supplies and maintain order in a hostile and inclement situation. FEMA is a political entity so let them coordinate shelters, insurance claims and other federal assistance.

I still argue to not give back more power to FEMA but look to mobilizing relief and security forces better.

[Tekneek]

Originally Posted by Masked

Since some people don't have their facts straights - the day before the storm hit, public buses picked up people at 12 locations throughout the city and transported them to Superdome.

Wow. Where were they when the Superdome had to be evacuated? Where were they when people were drowning in nursing homes?

[Glengoyne]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

what about in the case of a city or municipality that is so poor that it cannot put together a substantial evacuation plan and that which goes with a disaster? I understand that that may not be the case here but I want to know what you do in that case....then the fed. steps in?

Cities, Townships, Counties, etc really aren't all that poor. Developing a plan to accomodate your citizens isn't all that expensive. You have staff on the payroll with disaster preparedness in their job description. FEMA provides training, I'm not sure if it is free, but the resources are there. I'm just saying that local governments should be responsible for this type of planning. If they can't, then they need to go to the County, State, and then Federal Governments for assistance. Part of FEMAs mandate is to assist local governments in developing disaster planning when that help is requested(and I'd guess that it is almost universally requested).

[Tekneek]

I would say that if a city government cannot handle this fundamental task, they should dissolve themselves and see if the county can take over it. What is the point of collecting taxes from people if you can't deliver on your most fundamental obligation to them?