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To: JaneAustin
So the reason Chertoff should be fired is what? (other than we need to blame someone)

I was responding to cahome's observation (post # 6) that he could not find any media report about the Chaos at the convention until September 1.

I didn't say he should be fired, but he should have been aware of the situation at the Convention Center before appearing on NPR. When the lessons learned review takes place, it will become obvious that communications and coordination were a major problem. The fact that the MSM were reporting on what was happening there on Aug 31 should have piqued the interest and attention of Homeland Security and FEMA.

99 posted on 09/07/2005 9:29:49 AM PDT by kabar
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To: kabar
Thanks for your response. It is obvious that there was a communications breakdown. But I still fail to see why something being mentioned on Joe Scarborough is something that should have "piqued the interest and attention" of the Sec of DHS (something mentioned almost in passing if you read the entire transcript of the show). What else was suppose to be done. DHS and FEMA had no police authority.The bus evacuation had already began, and that is what lead to the rapid increase in the number of people at the Convention Center. Not trying to be argumentative, just really trying to understand.
Thursday At around 10 a.m., the anger among many of those cooped up in the Superdome -- many of whom had been there since Sunday -- had hit the boiling point. Driven outside by the unspeakable stench, chaos and general misery inside, a sea of refugees filled up the wide apron between the Dome and the New Orleans Centre, through which they would have to pass to get to buses waiting to take them to Houston.
[snip] A few blocks closer to the Mississippi River, hordes of other refugees hoofed it to the convention center, hoping to catch a ride on buses staging there. Others tried to thumb rides, and others were breaking into cars, some of them in downtown parking garages, hoping to steal one. The feeling of anarchy was unmistakable as the desperation mounted. Some police acknowledged that the situation had gotten out of hand. One law enforcement officer who was bringing a canister of ammo said: "The problem is, they let those thugs get the best of them. Everyone says they want law and order, but they don't want no one's head getting cracked."
Times-Picayune
102 posted on 09/07/2005 10:10:26 AM PDT by Freedom is eternally right
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