The man's a clueless brown nose, in way over his head. "... The memo (to Chertoff) politely ended, "Thank you for your consideration in helping us to meet our responsibilities." after having said, "that among duties of these employees was to "convey a positive image" about the government's response for victims."
What should they do? Show a Unpositive image. Are you always this stupid?
You have no idea about the relationship between those two and the tone of the note. No context.
I have sent and recieived inter office memos that might sound differnetly than intended if read by outsiders without a clue.