That picture is the definition of stupidity and ineptitude. I guess the mayor was waiting for "permission" to use them. My guess is that the mayor was waiting for the Federal government to say they'd foot the bill of an evacuation - but that's just my guess. Maybe she feared she would lose her salary if she spent too much taking care of her constituents. Obviously we havent' yet found the point where she's willing to say "Forget what it costs me, I have to take care of this," Wonder if she's equipped with that little thingy?
(The governor is a she; the mayor is a he. They're both passing the buck.) ;)
I've thought this all along.
Both Nagin and Blanco have that look of the people who are always waiting for someone else to pick up the check, don't they?