Top federal officials left out of loop (Well wha-da-ya know)

The Washington Times ^ | 09-05-05 | Audrey Hudson

[smoothsailing]

State and local officials did not inform top federal officials early on of the deaths and lack of food among hurricane victims in the Superdome or convention center, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said yesterday.

Mr. Chertoff said neither he nor Federal Emergency Management Agency chief Michael Brown was told of the deteriorating situation in New Orleans until Thursday night.

[OldFriend]

I have been watching TV and on FR from the days before the storm.

There was no information about the Convention Center until days after the storm.

All focus was on the Superdome.

I did see the communication before the storm that people who were unable to evacuate should go to the Superdome and bring changes of clothing, food and water for themselves to last several days.

There was NO mention of the Convention Center at that time or in the immediate aftermath of the storm.

[OldFriend]

The storm hit on Monday. The flooding began on Tuesday.

Assessment on Wednesday and relief began on Thursday.

You have a problem with that?

Don't create your own timeline.

[smoothsailing]

When I watch President Bush be so gracious to those who despise him,my heart weeps for him.

I know he's just a man like me,but I just wish he'd tear them all a new one.

Then I realize,he really isn't just a man like me.He's a better man.May God help him,and the rest of us too.

[LucyJo]

You are right. If there is one thing I've learned from watching television news coverage it is that MSM are firm believers in perception being reality. And, how likely is it that enough time could be spent watching television by the people in question to have given them all of the accurate information needed to make good decisions?

[uncitizen]

Yes, President Bush is such a good man. And I believe he will come out of this stronger than ever. I have faith in God and Karl Rove.

[marajade]

The real problem is red tape either at where the local level ends and the federal level begins.

[Jay Howard Smith]

And another....!

[OldFriend]

Unless Blank-O asked for help in WRITING, there was no way the Feds could come into her state and take over.

Despite slick willie ignoring the Posse Comitatus Act at WACO, this President was not going to break the law.

[twoid]

I think if any mistakes were made by FEMA and the rest of the federal government, it was the assumption that the local and state governments were working in the best interests of their citizens during the emergency situation.

First responders expect Federal help after three days. All levels of government failed here. I watched two towers fall outside of my window and thought that the Feds would be able to respond quickly to a disaster, because they did then. Our tax dollars pay for this stuff, right?

Why do we have the DHS if they can not rescue people? What is the point of FEMA? If terrorists blew the levees, what would the mayor do?

Nagin and Blanco need to hang for incompetence, but we've been paying tribute and what have we gained?

Is anyone here confident in a competent response to a terrorist attack on a major city? Al Qaeda doesn't give a three day warning.

[LucyJo]

AMEN

[CharlotteVRWC]

"Doesn't DHS or FEMA have access to CNN or Fox?"

yea,,,that's what I say. It was obvious on Tuesday that things were going downhill..

[smoothsailing]

Ha! Karl Rove gonna fix it,now don't ya know! Now ain't that cute.

[uncitizen]

Well i don't know if it's "cute" or not. But the facts are on Bush's side. And as political advisor, it would be Roves job to get the facts together so that they can be presented to the American people. What's the problem with that?

[LucyJo]

Maybe this is providence providing us the opportunity to make corrections and improvements in order to prepare for worse disasters.

Curt Weldon and the Able Danger folks are fighting the same people to in order to make improvements in our security regarding terrorist attacks. We must learn from our mistakes whether the danger is from nature or man. The politics of it may be our greatest hindrance.

[smoothsailing]

For all the slings and arrows that come his way, President Bush never seems to be affected.

I've got my gripes with him,but wobbly is not one of them.

[smoothsailing]

Nothing wrong with that,if you think Karl Rove and God belong in the same sentence.

That's what I meant by cute.Faith doesn't work that way for me.

I misunderstood your point,of course Karl will do his best for the president.

[uncitizen]

Putting Karl Rove and God in the same sentence doesn't mean they are equal. Come on. You're looking for a fight where there need not be one.

[smoothsailing]

You're right.I'm just on edge about all this crap that gets thrown at good folks.

I didn't even realize I was taking it out on you.I apologize.

FRegards...

[uncitizen]

It's OK. I understand.

FRegards to you too.

[kenth]

"Then I realize,he really isn't just a man like me.He's a better man.May God help him,and the rest of us too."

That's just what I was thinking too. I'm afraid I couldn't keep quiet in the face of such criticism. I don't always agree with everything the man does, but there's no mistaking that once he sets his mind on something, he gets the job done.