I'm bookmarking to read more carefully.
I would think there is room for improvement, and lessons to be learned, about the response from all levels of government. And the truly frightening fact is that humans are largely powerless in the immediate face of a natural disaster like this. Certainly I can't imagine, and don't ever want to experience, the force of the wind, rain and water of such a storm. Many of the people who rode it out may indeed be "shell-shocked" on top of everything else.
But it does seem to me that the state and local leaders really failed and fell apart here, and that the MSM predictably jumped at the chance to spin it as a "Bush failed" story.
First, we have to save and help the people down there. then figure out what went wrong and fix it. There will be plenty of time to fix blame later.
Find the facts and let the chips fall where they may. No one should be afraid of the truth.
We should watch out for the possibility of the media trying to "bury" this story if it does not turn out as they have already written it.
the problem with that statement is that any commission is formed to HIDE the truth. Like the two most important commissions formed over the last few decades was the Warren commission and the 911 commission, both riddled with untruths and back patting. It's given out to the American people as findings and clarification, when in fact it just confirms what most feel. Having chips fall where they may is all well and good as long as ALL the chips are on the table. Connecting "dots" is easier when the dots remain to be connected. As we're learning now, not all dots are clearly visible, especially if your a democrat. (Berger,Corelick etc)
Doogle
I'm afraid the need to blame Bush led to more deaths already. All the energy that has gone into blaming Bush for everything from the hurricane to the failed levee could have been used to save lives. Everyone was so busy pointing fingers, that no one stood up to take action (Gov and Mayor). Seriously, you run for office on the Gulf Coast (or any coast), you can expect that a hurricane will eventually make it your way. You run for mayor or gov in California, you can expect a wildfire, mudslide or earthquake will make it your way. Oklahoma, tornados. And so on and so on. Post 9/11 who knows where and when some form of disaster will hit your neighborhood!
That's why cities have practice runs for disaster..or at least should.