Posted on 09/04/2005 11:39:17 PM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Really, I thought he was at the Super Dome and not at the convention center. When did he move over to the convention center and why didn't we see any pictures from there?
I think the Secretary has more important things to do than watch cnn or the other misleading media outlets.
Now, perhaps his subordinates should have had someone monitoring the media and reporting to him.
My thoughts exactly.
That's one weak senatorial committee.
There is a real liklihood they were not watching TV. In fact I don't see how the FEMA people would have had the time to do so & others watching in Washington would have likely and reasonably assumed the state people were keeping the Feds abreast of the where the problem sites where.
The Homeland Security Committe has MORONS like Chafee..Collins...Levin...Akaka...and the Laut?!?!
G_D HELP US ALL! Now it's NOT a joke...but tragically funny nevertheless...
"We're Doomed!"
I don't want federal officials watching tv during a crisis such as this. I want them getting accurate info from on the scene sources such as the mayor of NO and governor of LA and other official channels. Perhaps in hindsight it would have been better to tune in to Fox, or maybe even CNN, but is that how government is supposed to run?
If terrorists blew the levees, then it would be an attack on the US and the federal government could respond immediately. For natural disasters, both the federal and state constitutions require the governor and local authorities to request that help (probably in writing). They did not.
Would you prefer our federal government just toss aside the restrictions of the US Constitution? Should we eliminate that little phrase in the swearing in ceremony about "Protect and defend the constitution" and replace it with "unless it's inconvenient"?
"Stephens said he called for additional help and people responded, including Dr. Fred Cerise from the Department of Health in Baton Rouge.
"He came in and stayed with us, and slept with us," Stephens said. "I didn't expect that."
Fred Cerise is a good leader. When his subordinates couldn't get things stableized in a crisis.....he got in there, rolled up his sleves and helped them.
Yeah. And didn't you know "New Orleans dodged a bullet"? according to the MSM.
As will the head of FEMA. He will be gone shortly. Totally clueless and tone deaf.
"When I watch President Bush be so gracious to those who despise him,my heart weeps for him."
He's always been that way....remember how nice he was to Jimmy Carter & the peace prize....just days after Carter slimed him? Funny, when these nitwits meet him & apologize claiming nothing personal about their lies and slander....he just says "you and me, we're OK".
I think he sees them for exactly what they are!
When you dont have FEMA employees in the city reporting back to their leaders, it would seem prudent to use the MSM reports as your eyes and ears on what is occuring where. Even if you dont agree with their interpretation, you at least can see what is happening and then make decisions based on a semblence of facts rather than just assuming everything is okay.
You said: 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.
***
Well said. This President doesn't live for the praise and adulation he might receive from one side, and he doesn't act to avoid the insults and criticism he receives from the other side. He doesn't react to polls. He does what he thinks is right, sleeps well at night, and rises to do his best again the next day. I believe history will judge him well.... and it should.
If that is your idea of hygiene, then pray we never have to be foreced into close quarters. Shep looked pretty ratty to me by the end of the week.
Undoubtedly it will be just as honest as the 9/11 Commission...not very.
It's possible they didn't evacuate because they were afraid of the ramifications if the evacuation turned out to be unecessary. They took a gamble and lost. They knew that most of the people they had to provide transportation and shelter for were poor and needy and it made for a very daunting task. I am not saying they were heartless but just that they looked at their options and gambled. When the hurricane seemed to bypass them they thought the gamble paid off. When all hell broke lose they were reduced to getting the people to somewhere quick. They surely didn't follow the plan as outlined by their own emergency evaction plans of the state which clearly list all of the SCHOOLS the people were suppose to be taken to. I don't believe the dome was even listed.
The Fed gov't at some time determined it would be responsible for State emergencies...As a result, FEMA was created...
The FEMA leader was hand picked by George Bush...The FEMA guru picks his reps in each region...
Since it's reasonable to assume the FEMA group knew about the hurricane and probably heard about the massive flooding, one would assume the regional Fema guy would immediately get boots on the ground to asses the situation...Unless ofcourse, he just sits on a golf cart waiting for someone to call him if he's needed...
It's not George's fault but the fingers rightfully point at him...He is the head dog...The mayor and the governor failed miserably but hey, under the current system they're just lower and middle management...
George should go down the FEMA list and start axing people...Course this wouldn't be a good political move, somewhat like admitting guilt...
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