Chertoff blames FEMA and not the locals

[TOVisitor]

Now I am sure this will come as a disappointment to some, but Michael Chertoff, HEAD OF DHS, blames FEMA for the poor Katrina response.

But what the hell, all of the big boys here -- Vietor, papa, OTB, lange, trunc, K Douglas -- who were all over the locals as to blame, are SO much more clued in to what really happened than was the Head of Homeland Security.

I mean, the way you guys were talking, it's like you had God's 1-800 number and he told you to say that the locals were unresponsive.

Asshats.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationw...729.story?coll=la-story-footer&track=morenews

Chertoff Says FEMA's Lack of Planning to Blame
By Mary Curtius, Times Staff Writer

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency's lack of planning, not the failures of state and local officials, was to blame for much of what went wrong with the government's response to Hurricane Katrina, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told member of Congress today.

The assessment by the most senior administration official to answer legislators' questions since the hurricane struck in late August contrasted sharply with testimony offered earlier by former FEMA Director Michael Brown. Brown had blamed the "dysfunction" of Louisiana state and local officials for the problems that hobbled the relief effort.

"From my own experience, I don't endorse those views," Chertoff said.

He told lawmakers that he found the governors and mayors of the region to be responsive as the crisis unfolded.

Of course, none of us expect to see ANY statements like, "Gee. I guess that I might have been wrong, because after all, the Head of DHS might know a little bit more than li' ole me about what really went down."

Admit a mistake? Admit to shooting from the hip with absolutely no knowledge -- except what the RNC and Rush told you was happening?

Naw. It's just more IOKIYAR.

Absolutely pathetic.

 

[papasmerf]

The mayor of New Orlean is a moron, I suspect he might be of the same genetic ilk at the author of this thread. No question in my mind that red tape and poorly qualified governmet employees from all levels made this more difficult then needed.

Just one question how much more fraud would happend if there were not checks in place?

 

[TOVisitor]

No question in my mind that red tape and poorly qualified governmet employees from all levels made this more difficult then needed.

Maybe you should contact your representatives in Congress so that you can also testify about what you know to be true.

Just curious, papa ... do you ever question whether the rest of the world might not be dancing to the tune that plays in your head?

 

[TOVisitor]

If this wasn't so sad, it would be hilarious.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051020/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/katrina_fema

FEMA Official Says Boss Ignored Warnings
By HOPE YEN, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 45 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - In the midst of the chaos that followed Hurricane Katrina, a
Federal Emergency Management Agency official in New Orleans sent a dire e-mail to Director Michael Brown saying victims had no food and were dying. No response came from Brown.

Instead, less than three hours later, an aide to Brown sent an e-mail saying her boss wanted to go on a television program that night — after needing at least an hour to eat dinner at a Baton Rouge, La., restaurant.

<snip>

On Aug. 31, Bahamonde e-mailed Brown to tell him that thousands of evacuees were gathering in the streets with no food or water and that "estimates are many will die within hours."

"Sir, I know that you know the situation is past critical," Bahamonde wrote. "The sooner we can get the medical patients out, the sooner we can get them out."

A short time later, Brown's press secretary, Sharon Worthy, wrote colleagues to complain that the FEMA director needed more time to eat dinner at a Baton Rouge restaurant that evening. "He needs much more that (sic) 20 or 30 minutes," Worthy wrote.

"Restaurants are getting busy," she said. "We now have traffic to encounter to go to and from a location of his choise (sic), followed by wait service from the restaurant staff, eating, etc. Thank you."

 

[papasmerf]

Maybe you should contact your representatives in Congress so that you can also testify about what you know to be true.

Just curious, papa ... do you ever question whether the rest of the world might not be dancing to the tune that plays in your head?

The ability have have differing opinions is one thing that makes society work. It is turly sad to imangine a society based upon your utopia.

 

[TOVisitor]

The ability have have differing opinions is one thing that makes society work.

I would rather say that differing opinions is what makes life interesting. But holding opinions based on a misreading of facts is foolhardy.

I still think that Michael Chertoff's opinion on who is responsible for the Katrina screw-ups holds a bit more weight in any court of opinion than does yours. I don't think you need me to elucidate any further on why.

But you can go on holding your opinion. Go right ahead. You can say the moon is made of green cheese too. You can have that opinion as well.

 

[papasmerf]

I would rather say that differing opinions is what makes life interesting. But holding opinions based on a misreading of facts is foolhardy.

I still think that Michael Chertoff's opinion on who is responsible for the Katrina screw-ups holds a bit more weight in any court of opinion than does yours. I don't think you need me to elucidate any further on why.

But you can go on holding your opinion. Go right ahead. You can say the moon is made of green cheese too. You can have that opinion as well.

What happened to your blamimg Brown? I never said FEMA, State or local officials were off the hook. I have said that were evacuations handled better prior to Katrina, few people would have been affected. I have also suggested that is state and local officials would have listened to Army Corps and mare changes to the levee system. Used the federals funds received for how many years? To do the work they were given for.

 

[papasmerf]

a society based on your spelling would be even worse!!!!

LOL.