Posted on 09/06/2005 9:30:10 PM PDT by churchillbuff
Sen. Trent Lott berated both the Federal Emergency Management Agency and his own state's emergency management, MEMA, for being mired in red tape at a time of urgent need given the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina.
Lott said he has been trying to get FEMA to send 20,000 trailers "sitting in Atlanta" to the Mississippi coast, and he urged President Bush during a meeting Monday to intervene. He said FEMA has refused to ship the trailers until contracts are secured.
"FEMA and MEMA need to be saying, 'Yes' to Mississippi's needs, not, 'No.," the former majority leader said in a written statement.
"Mississippians are homeless, hungry and hurting."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Lets Roll, it seems that we really need the right person in charge of things to get them done. I suspect FEMA and Dept Homeland Security need leaders and leadership training. I was so happy to see Ridge move on, it looks like the new guy did not understand the job either.
Bookmark
Contracts for what?
I note he's complaining about the state MEMA too.
They should have had the paperwork done and ready to go before Katrina hit. Then it would have been easier.
But for congresspeople to criticize the amount of red tape it takes to get our government-local, state and federal, to act is the pinnacle of hypocrisy.
Lott is just living proof that 'once an a-hole, always an a-hole'.
I'd like to see an arial photo of those '20,000' trailers in Atlanta.
"Excuse me Senator, but those trailers are inhabited..."
Annoying "country club" republican.
We were barely treading water with his (non-)leadership.
And Trent is still trying to make up for comments he made at a birthday party.
He said FEMA has refused to ship the trailers until contracts are secured."
I think these kind of contracts should have been secured beforehand. Like several months ago. FEMA has contracts with many companies to do certain tasks in the event of an emergency or disaster. ( Halliburton is one of them doing work right now, who`s contract was settled in July , if I recall right).
Now FEMA has to negotiate a contract with a company in a time of crisis. Obviously the company knows this and is playing hardball to extract as much money as possible. Just a hunch.
Funny the article doesn`t address this possibilty. Oooops, its CNN.......
This tread was going this morning.
Lott has learned from mcCain.
We must develop, as a nation, a technology that enables us to tele-transport thousands and thousands of vehicles, supplies, and people instantly to any location. Nobody will be happy until we achieve instant gratification for everyone.
You don't do anything without a contract and have the manufacturer all of a sudden double the price. You have to have it in writing. What part of that does Lott not understand. Taxpayers demand no less.
Once again a Senator opening his mouth -- how did MS spend their money they received after 9-11 to upgrade their emergency management? From what I have heard, the emergency teams in MS didn't even have the basics to communicate but yet every state received money to prepare for a disaster/emergency. Where did the money go?
Reminds me of New Orleans. Some cop, who I think was actually trying to do his job since he was still on the job when he was quoted said, "Where's the government"? Some freeper said "I hate to tell you pal, but you are the government".
How many deals does Lott do without a contract?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.