Quote Originally Posted by piece-it pete
Boy T, we must enjoy this (arguing, not NO). Maybe we're just gluttons for punishment
LOL, I always keep a roll of gauze just in case you get a good one in.


So local planning and execution is up to the Feds?! When did THAT happen?
When the diaster is too large for local government to handle, FEMA is supposed to be there, ready, and coodinating with the local government. This storm was as large as the state of Louisana itself, and that was a clue right there for FEMA to get prepared in advance.

Agreed it would have been nice to have a competent person in charge of FEMA. It also appears that this caught everyone flat-footed. If this shows anything, it's that the old saying: Familiarity breeds Contempt - is true.
Its unbelieveable that this storm caught anyone flat footed. However I would attribute Mr. Brown lack of experience as a major part of the problem.

Terrorism was at the forefront of everyone's mind.
Yes, while this natural disaster bit them in the a$$


I thought it was the poor and/or minorities as well? Same deal as the buses - many ambulances sitting unused. No matter how you slice it, the local and state gov't failed their people miserably. Mandatory evacuations will be a disaster unto itself - just wait till the National Guard shoots someone.
You can blame the local government for not calling for a mandatory evacuation earlier. However you cannot blame them for the transportation problem. You can call for bus and ambulance drivers, that does not mean they are going to answer. In this case they did not. Even if you had buses, you cannot MAKE folks get on them. I think this should change. I think mandatory evacuations should be strictly enforced, with the arrest of anyone who does not cooperate. The state's actions were a complete failure and the epitome of disorganization. However FEMA's four day delay, and subsequent lack of organization not only contributing to the death's of many, but to the misery of the survivors.



When a tree falls on my house, I'll call them.
Don't hold your breath, I would probably beat them to your house.




Right now, the gov't on top of the other 5 million very important things they have to do is busy trying to figure out the best way to a) finish cleaning out NO, and b) rebuilding it, along with the oil support and the port itself. Not simple, not easy. Anyone who thinks the top echelon of our gov't has free time right now is not understanding what has/is happened/happening. Generals do not fight in the trenches.
If the generals do not fight in the trenches, then they have plenty of time to account for themselves in front of congress. The folks in the trenches can handle the cleanup and rebuild. You are attempting to give the upper echeleon of our government a pass on this because they are republican. If we had a Democratic president in office right now, would you be singing the same tune? For me, its not a political issue, is a accountability issue. Whether the president is a demo, or repub, I would be angry and want to some heads rolling.

Certainly no one really believes the entire system isn't being overhauled as we speak?? Not just a human disaster, it is also a political one, from top to bottom on every level. I'm sure most politicos actually care about the dead, and I'm positive they ALL want to be popular!
Yes I am sure they want to be popular. However, I think they care about the dead as long as it does make them popular.


Heaven forbid it should be tomorrow. Seems like a good time to pray.

Pete
I am with you on this!