>>> " . . . the evidence strongly suggest that there was some fundamental disconnect between first responsders at the local and state level, and the fed." <<<
Of course there was. In fact, there appears to be some sort of turf war between the real incompetent in the matter (Gov Blanco) and the feds.
>>>"I think it is precisely FEMA's job to identify those disconnects and fix them before the fact, not after. <<<
Now I understand. One of the job requirements for FEMA is, "Must be clairvoyant", and Bush ignored it.
>>"I don't believe Brown was aware enough, quick enough, paranoid enough, and prescient enough to do the job"<<
I agree he does not appear to be paranoid. Level-headed is a more appropriate description.
>>"This can only come with trial by fire, by experience, in which I believe Brown was clearly deficient."<<
So is everyone else on this planet. Brown's "weak" experience includes management of the Western wildfires of 2004, two minor hurricanes (Frances and Jeanne which hit the Fort Pierce area), and two major hurricanes (Ivan which hit Pensacola, and Charley which hit Punta Gorda). No offense, but that appears to be a hell of a lot of experience in disaster relief.
>> "If we're lucky, using him as the proverbial sacrificial lamb can contain the political damage. If not, it will just go on and on to be used by the anti-Americans amongst us for futurre electoral gains." <<
Are you pushing for an interview with the MSM? I can hear it now...
"At this time we welcome a member of Free Republic who believes that Brown should be fired from his position at FEMA". You could become the next Hagel.
Oh come on...this isn't sandlot baseball...this is the big leagues. Anyone who's been in the political game for awhile knew (or should have known) the incompetence and or corruption of local governments right up to the state level in Louisiana. They should have acted upon that information before, as opposed to after, the fact. I am not blaming President Bush as many have, other than to say that he has to bear some responsibility since Mike Brown was his appointee and this is an inevitable consequence of unenlightened cronyisim.
Ah, another member of the "shoot the messenger bearing bad tidings" school of thought...or perhaps an administration spin doctor would fit the bill. In either event, attacking me does not address the problem at hand.
Our president has been getting a lot of bad advice lately IMHO (and in Mike Savage's also) which deeply disturbs me. From his mishandling of the Cindy Sheehan situation, to his paralysis on the illegal immigrant issue, to his appointment of less than stellar cronies (Mike Brown), I think he's in the process of being set up and I don't like it, nor should you.