I'm still working my way through your fantastic opening and timeline. What a lot of work! Thank you.
I did not know this:
Gov. Blanco requests that President Bush declare a major disaster for the State of Louisiana as required by the Stafford Act. SPECIFICALLY MISSING FROM THIS REQUEST ARE THE FOLLOWING PARISHES: JEFFERSON, PLAQUEMINES, ST. BERNARD, AND ORLEANS. This means the Federal Government, BY LAW, is specifically PROHIBITED from providing aid to the areas most likely to be struck by KATRINA!
[COMPLETE TEXT--PUBLIC DOMAIN DOCUMENT]
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, today announced that Federal resources are being allocated to support emergency protective response efforts response efforts in the parishes located in the path of Hurricane Katrina.
Brown said President Bush authorized the aid under an emergency disaster declaration issued following a review of FEMA's analysis of the state's request for federal assistance. FEMA will mobilize equipment and resources necessary to protect public health and safety by assisting law enforcement with evacuations, establishing shelters, supporting emergency medical needs, meeting immediate lifesaving and life-sustaining human needs and protecting property, in addition to other emergency protective measures.
The parishes of Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Claiborne, Catahoula, Concordia, De Soto, East Baton Rouge, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Pointe Coupee, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, St. Helena, St. Landry, Tensas, Union, Vernon, Webster, West Carroll, West Feliciana, and Winn were designated eligible for assistance. In addition, federal funds will be available for public safety debris removal and emergency protective measures at 75 percent of approved costs.
Brown named William Lokey of FEMA to coordinate the federal relief effort. FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
[END TEXT]
Now, some dates.
This was posted on FEMA's website on or before August 31--the last "update" to this is on the 31st at 17:37:22.
NOW, PAY ATTENTION!! THIS TIMELINE IS VERY IMPORTANT!!AND I JUST PIECED THIS TOGETHER--IT'S NOT IN THE OPENING RANT!!
[Note, I cited a disconnect in the opening rant that the Governor's letter of the 27th is not on the State of Louisiana's website anymore, but there is one dated August 28.]
THE DATE OF THE FEMA PRESS RELEASE IS AUGUST 27, 2005
THE LETTER ON THE LOUSIANA WEBSITE IS DATED AUGUST 28, 2005
THE STAFFORD ACT RESTRICTS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM DECLARING A DISASTER EXCEPT IN THOSE PLACES REQUESTED BY A STATE. THOSE LOCATIONS ARE MENTIONED IN THE DISPATCH BY FEMA.
THE STATE OF LOUISIANA HAD TO HAVE SENT SOMETHING TO THE FEMA ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 27 TO GET THAT DECLARATION--INDEED A TRANSMISSION IS IMPLIED IN THE TEXT OF PARAGRAPH 2
THE AUGUST 28, 2005, LETTER FROM THE STATE OF LOUISIANA MENTIONS ORLEANS, ST. BERNARD, PLAQUEMINES, AND JEFFERSON PARISHES.
THE AUGUST 28, 2005, LETTER IS ISSUED AFTER FEMA ISSUES A DISASTER DECLARATION EXCLUDING THOSE FOUR PARISHES.
[Draw your own conclusions...]