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Who's to Blame for Delayed Response to Katrina? (MSM is catching on now)
ABC News ^ | Sept. 6, 2005

Posted on 09/07/2005 5:45:00 PM PDT by Names Ash Housewares

I am stunned! MSM is starting to point in the right direction now.

NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 6, 2005 — In New Orleans, those in peril and those in power have pointed the finger squarely at the federal government for the delayed relief effort.

But experts say when natural disasters strike, it is the primary responsibility of state and local governments — not the federal government — to respond.

New Orleans' own comprehensive emergency plan raises the specter of "having large numbers of people … stranded" and promises "the city … will utilize all available resources to quickly and safely evacuate threatened areas."

"Special arrangements will be made to evacuate persons unable to transport themselves," the plan states.

When Hurricane Katrina hit, however, that plan was not followed completely.

Instead of sending city buses to evacuate those who could not make it out on their own, people in New Orleans were told to go to the Superdome and the Convention Center, where no one provided sufficient sustenance or security.

'Lives Would Have Been Saved'

(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News
KEYWORDS: blamegame; incompetence; katrina; katrinafailures
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1 posted on 09/07/2005 5:45:01 PM PDT by Names Ash Housewares
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To: Names Ash Housewares

Meanwhile the democrats are so busy screaming that Bush kills black people that they won't even notice.


2 posted on 09/07/2005 5:47:37 PM PDT by cripplecreek (If you must obey your party, may your chains rest lightly upon your shoulders.)
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To: cripplecreek

"Meanwhile the democrats are so busy screaming that Bush kills black people that they won't even notice."

When do they not say Bush kills black people? LOL


3 posted on 09/07/2005 5:48:50 PM PDT by Names Ash Housewares
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To: Names Ash Housewares

Closer scrutiny reveals the lies surrounding Katrina evacuation and recovery

http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/0905/0905evac.htm

By Linda Prussen-Razzano
web posted September 5, 2005

Having lived on Long Island for most of my life, I weathered only the most minor effects of hurricanes. Typically, their devastating strength drained along the coastline as they churned northwards. When I was a child, my father comforted me through Hurricane Belle; not by holding me and telling me everything would be alright, but by his activity in securing our house, his purchase of supplies and preparations, and his explanations of hurricanes and their threats.

While the storm whipped overhead, my piqued curiosity prompted me to ask about all different kinds of natural disasters. We passed the time discussing typhoons, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods. I never thought I would use this information, but I did; twice.

At 19, my passenger and I found ourselves caught in the only flash flood in the history of Long Island. What started as a heavy rain became an overwhelming downpour within minutes. Not unlike the City of New Orleans, the patch of road on which I traveled was nestled in a natural funnel. In the space of minutes, we experienced more rain in that small bit of road alongside Eisenhower Park than all of Long Island had received in a year. With traffic surrounding me, I had not choice but to inch forward to the overpass that would take me to higher ground. Just moments before my car cleared the water now pouring in under my doors, the engine stalled, and my Monte Carlo sank back down the embankment, eventually to be completely submerged.

We had to wait until the water rose inside the car and the pressure stabilized before we could get out.

The gas pumps at the corner station began bubbling up, turning the water so black you couldn’t see your hand just two inches under the surface. An elderly man, trapped in his car, didn’t want to leave. Plodding through chest deep water, my passenger and I managed to get his door open and help him slog back to safety.

Everyone caught in that mess experienced a loss, but it is nothing compared to Katrina.

The second time I used my father’s sage advice came when I moved to Texas. In the bottom tip of the tornado belt, I knew what to do when the sky turned an ominous shade of green, the clouds started rotating above my head, and where to seek shelter to maximize my potential for living. It was in those few moments, when the doors and windows rattled and I imagined that my new house would be reduced to kindling around me, that all my priorities changed…forever.

The folks in Louisiana and Mississippi experienced wide scale devastation during Katrina. New Orleans, and other parts of the coast, experienced a second, even more devastating blow from the horrible flooding. One is bad enough, but both? It’s a catastrophe beyond comprehension, and our fellow Americans need our compassion, our generosity, and our understanding as they rebuild their entire lives.

We should be coming together, as we did after other catastrophic events in the last decade, to help and heal.

Sadly, that is not the case.

What I find astonishing is the almost immediate response from Bush Bashers to blame everything that happened, from the actual hurricane itself, to the anarchy that quickly erupted, on the President and his administration. When they do so, they not only distort the truth, they outright lie to the public, and they are doing so daily through any media venue that will give them the opportunity.

Lie #1: President Bush doesn’t care about the people of New Orleans.

This outrageous lie is thoroughly debunked by the fact that it was President Bush who pushed for a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans.(1) Governor Blanco issued only a voluntary evacuation order, but admitted that she received a call from the President on August 27, 2005, urging her to make it a mandatory one. He wanted as many people as possible out of the path of the storm.

So much for the President not caring.

Despite the fact that New Orlean’s own Emergency Response Guidelines call for a mandatory evacuation of the City if a strike by a Category 3 Hurricane is projected, with 72 hours advance notice to all residents, Mayor Nagin didn’t order a mandatory evaluation until Sunday. Further, he only did so after Max Maxfield, the National Hurricane Director, called Nagin at his home to plead that he empty the City. (2)

Why did Nagin wait so long? He was worried about the legalities. If people want to affix blame, perhaps they can look at lawyers.

How ironic, that The Drudge Report (3) and Free Republic (4) have pictures of dozens of New Orleans’ submerged and now useless school buses, buses that could have been used to transport residents out of the City prior to the storm, bring in supplies after the storm, and help evacuees escape the flooding. Meanwhile, Governor Blanco issued a request to the State of Louisiana to provide her with buses from local school districts.

According to a Washington Post report on Sunday, September 4, “Shortly before midnight Friday, the Bush administration sent her a proposed legal memorandum asking her to request a federal takeover of the evacuation of New Orleans, a source within the state's emergency operations center said Saturday.”

Bush’s offer to have the federal government aid in the evacuation was rejected. (5)

Lie #2: The Bush Administration was slow in coordinating help.

Mike Brown, Under Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security for Emergency Response and Preparedness, received the order from President Bush on August 27, two full days before the storm hit the region, to prepare for Katrina disaster relief. (6) The President also declared the entire region under a State of Emergency, so that FEMA could coordinate efforts at the request of the Governors. (7) Under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, the Federal Government and FEMA are not allowed to interfere with local operations unless they are authorized by state and local leaders.

Blanco did not authorize this until September 1, 2005.

Further, according to an Association Press report on August 30, “The federal government began rushing baby formula, communications equipment, generators, water and ice into hard-hit areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, along with doctors, nurses and first-aid supplies. The U.S. Defense Department sent experts to help with search-and-rescue operations.” (8) FEMA was there and helping, in the capacity that was allowed by local officials, but could not swing into full gear until after Blanco gave them permission.

Lie #3: The Bush Administration did nothing to control the anarchy.

The local and state governments have control over law enforcement activities in their state, and such activities could only be coordinated through the federal government with their permission. It was not until terrible reports of rapes and violence, videos of looting, and reports of shoots being fired at rescue workers did Governor Blanco relinquish any claim of control on an out-of-control city.

An August 31, 2005 Fox News Report reveals, “The looting prompted authorities to send more than 70 additional officers and an armed personnel carrier into the city. One police officer was shot in the head by a looter but was expected to recover, authorities said. Blanco said she will ask President Bush for military troops to help keep looting under control.” (9) Almost immediately thereafter, FEMA, the military, and the Bush Administration began to restore order.

Further, on September 2, 2005, the Bush administration “sought unified control over all local police and state National Guard units reporting to the governor. Louisiana officials rejected the request after talks throughout the night, concerned that such a move would be comparable to a federal declaration of martial law.” (10)

Lie #4: The Bush Administration did nothing to prevent the flooding.

Predictions of wide spread devastation have been known since Hurricane Camille in 1969. Despite these, it was local officials who reportedly appropriated funds designated for levee improvements towards such necessary purchases as a casino, hotel, and other projects.

Amazing, isn’t it?

From the carnage inside the Superdome, to the massacre of the truth on television, this is a sad time for all of America.

Just don’t forget who helped all this to happen….because despite what the media wants you to believe, it wasn’t President Bush.

Linda Prussen-Razzano is frequent contributor to Enter Stage Right and a number of other online magazines.

Footnotes:

1. Associated Press, “Mandatory Evacuation Ordered for New Orleans,” August 28, 2005, 10:48 a.m. CT.

2. Knight Ridder Newspapers, “National Hurricane Director had to call Nagin at home Saturday night to plead: "Get people out..." by Marc Caputo, David Ovalle, and Erika Bolstad, August 28, 2005

3. www.drudgereport.com

4. www.freerepublic.com

5. Washington Post, “Many Evacuated, but Thousands Still Waiting, White House Shifts Blame to State and Local Officials,” Manuel Roig-Franzia and Spencer Hsu, Washington Post Staff Writers, Sunday, September 4, 2005; Page A01

6. FEMA Press Release, “Emergency Aid Authorized For Katrina Emergency Response In LA” August 27, 2005

7. Associated Press, “Bush Declares Emergency in Louisiana,” August 27, 2005

8. Associated Press, “Federal Government sent emergency supplies to Louisiana as early as Tuesday,” August 30, 2005

9. Fox News.com, “It’s Not Safe In New Orleans,” August 31, 2005

10. Washington Post, Ibid


4 posted on 09/07/2005 5:48:54 PM PDT by conservativecorner
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To: Names Ash Housewares
Let's correct this one statement:

But experts say when natural disasters strike, it is the primary responsibility of state and local governments — not the federal government — to respond- unless it's a Republican in the White House

5 posted on 09/07/2005 5:49:13 PM PDT by Mark (Proven scientific experiment: The NY Times flushes easily down the standard toilet.)
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To: Names Ash Housewares

They really think they're on to something this time and won't accept their failure very well. It should get very interesting.


6 posted on 09/07/2005 5:51:32 PM PDT by cripplecreek (If you must obey your party, may your chains rest lightly upon your shoulders.)
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To: cripplecreek

Is this the second article in two days by ABC? Hmmm....


7 posted on 09/07/2005 5:52:45 PM PDT by Howlin (Have you check in on this thread: FYI: Hurricane Katrina Freeper SIGN IN Thread)
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To: Names Ash Housewares

Hey, did someone call Kanye West yet and read this to him??
susie


8 posted on 09/07/2005 5:53:30 PM PDT by brytlea (All you need as ID to vote in FL is your Costco card...)
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To: Names Ash Housewares
... experts say when natural disasters strike, it is the primary responsibility of state and local governments — not the federal government — to respond.

Of course the initial responsibility rests with state and local governemnt in the time of natural disasters. After a week of trashing PresBush and federal govt, the MSM is FINALLY getting around to reporting the TRUTH. Free Republic was pointing this out early on. The majority of responsibility and pro-active decisions before and after Katrina lies with LA Gov Blanco and NO Mayor Nagin.

9 posted on 09/07/2005 5:54:13 PM PDT by Reagan Man (Secure the borders;punish employers who hire illegals;halt all welfare handouts to illegals.)
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To: Names Ash Housewares

Do you notice the SURPRISE in the tone here?
"Oh...what do you know? The Local and state governments are the first to respond?"
This just shows that (1) too many in the media are either lazy or uneducated. They should know basic civics (2) they open their mouths to speak and accuse before they know the facts!


10 posted on 09/07/2005 5:55:21 PM PDT by t2buckeye
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To: Names Ash Housewares
When do they not say Bush kills black people?

When they say he kills lesbians.

11 posted on 09/07/2005 5:55:49 PM PDT by Izzy Dunne (Hello, I'm a TAGLINE virus. Please help me spread by copying me into YOUR tag line.)
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To: Names Ash Housewares
This might get pulled, but at least it's the truth:


12 posted on 09/07/2005 5:57:40 PM PDT by xcamel (Deep Red, stuck in a "bleu" state.)
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To: Reagan Man
It is conclusive that local and state government should have done something (see below):


13 posted on 09/07/2005 5:57:56 PM PDT by BushCountry (They say the world has become too complex for simple answers. They are wrong.)
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To: Howlin
Is this the second article in two days by ABC? Hmmm....

There was a noticeable lack of finger-pointing in ANY direction on ABC News tonight. Very interesting....

14 posted on 09/07/2005 5:58:40 PM PDT by Leroy S. Mort
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To: Names Ash Housewares

Retired Lt Col Bill Cowan reported on O'Reilly's show that the National Guard is under a state imposed gag order not to discuss the timeline as to when they were called in. The fix is in the works.


15 posted on 09/07/2005 6:02:30 PM PDT by kempster
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To: Names Ash Housewares

But experts say when natural disasters strike, it is the primary responsibility of state and local governments — not the federal government — to respond.



LOL. The DUmmies are going to be all upset, again. They had declared that FEMA was the first responder. Just makes the head spin!!!


16 posted on 09/07/2005 6:04:26 PM PDT by crazyhorse691 ( Heaven on Earth is where the nearest Starbucks is 60 miles away.)
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To: Leroy S. Mort

I noticed the very same thing. Switched over to Bob Schiefer who kept right on hammering the same old talking points. Its Bush's fault, Federal Delay, Fema did not..etc etc. Blah, Blah, Blah...


17 posted on 09/07/2005 6:05:10 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission
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To: Mark

Who will "feel your pain," but leave you hanging high and wet.


18 posted on 09/07/2005 6:10:09 PM PDT by gpapa (Boost FR Traffic! Make FR your home page!)
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To: Names Ash Housewares

I have worked as a consultant for some government environmental agencies at different levels and can tell you that more than few times these plans are written for show only. EPA, OSHA, FEMA want a plan on the books so one is put together. No one expects them to ever be implemented and most know if they were they would probably not work. As harsh as it may sound in their private moments the powers to be in NO and LA probably expected many more to die in NO if it took a direct hit from a Cat 4/5.


19 posted on 09/07/2005 6:10:37 PM PDT by redangus
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To: Names Ash Housewares

Meanwhile, Nagin says evacuate or physically remove the remaining inhabitants and Blanco says uh uh! The battle continues and Blanco will never learn!


20 posted on 09/07/2005 6:11:26 PM PDT by Road Warrior ‘04 (Kill 'em til they're dead! Then, kill 'em again!)
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