Please, someone (try to) make me smart here:
I think that the states have to invite federal agencies in to assist, and that Posse Comitatus (SP?) denies use of federal troops to police the civil population.
So when did LA ask for federal help? When did Mississippi and Alabama ask? What took place in LA to allow US military police to enter the city?
And,
Wasn't there an issue early on in which Louisanna does not have a provision for martial law so, in fact, the ground was not clear for at least some time???
It is my understanding that the Natonal Guard is activated by the Governors of the respectative states. I don't think Bush could order NG troops to LA, Miss, or AL until asked to by the Governors of those states. In going back and reading stories from Sunday and Monday's New Orleans and Baton Rough newspapers, I didn't see an evidence that Governor Blanco activated the Guard in her state.