Katrina Lessons not Learned Still

The American Thinker ^ | September 8, 2005 | Joseph C. Myers

[Barbarian6]

But we are a federal republic, so the President and national agencies work to support state and local officials—not to usurp them or "take over." We expect our local and state governments to govern and manage their polities, their policies and programs; to plan and prepare for crises and to continue governing...

Consequently Presidential declarations of emergency provide legal authority for the national government to spend money and release national resources, such as the armed forces, and provide “all necessary support” to support, rather than to supplant, state and local civil authorities. It’s the state and local government that bear the burden of requesting support, and of identifying requirements, and they are expected to provide direction for response in coordination and with the help of national agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The FEMA mission is to coordinate relief efforts of the federal government with state and local officials. It is not a “first responder” organization, but supports first responders, rescue and recovery with the assistance of DoD resources.

[week 71]

It is as clear as day to me. Those who believe the Federal Government should take care of people from the cradle to the grave are blaming Bush's response. Those who champion individual, local and state rights are blaming the individuals, the local and the state Governments. Its just that simple.

[MNJohnnie]

It’s the state and local government that bear the burden of requesting support, and of identifying requirements, and they are expected to provide direction for response

State and Local....provide direction. You now know more then about 99.9% of the World's "Professional Journalists" do on this story.

[MNJohnnie]

It’s the state and local government that bear the burden of requesting support, and of identifying requirements, and they are expected to provide direction for response

State and Local....provide direction. You now know more then about 99.9% of the World's "Professional Journalists" do on this story.

[DallasMike]

Fellow Freepers:

At the suggestion of writer Michelle Malkin last Friday, I have cobbled together a blogsite called Texas Clearinghouse for Katrina Aid to serve as a clearinghouse for refugee efforts in Texas.

Texas is getting more refugees than any other state -- that's fine, we'll take them all -- but we need help providing them with food, clothing, medicine, and shelter. We need help taking care of their pets, too.

If you are a refugee, you can information that will help you find relief. If you want to donate or volunteer, you can find someone who needs you. Believe me, there are a lot of organizations who need your help.

Right now the site mostly covers Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas but I'm adding more every night. My wife was down at Reunion Arena in Dallas Tuesday handing out care packages and spiritually ministering to the refugees as a representative of her employer. She says that the situation is tragic and that there's a lot of work to be done. There are so many children who don't know where their parents are or even if their parents are still alive.

There are a lot of churches and other organizations in Texas that need help in dealing with the problem and I would appreciate it if you would get the word out.

Many thanks,

Michael McCullough

Stingray blogsite