Former Louisiana Senator Shoulders Katrina Blame

KNBC4 ^ | 9/10/05 | ibs

[BurbankKarl]

UPDATED: 1:11 pm PDT September 10, 2005

NEW ORLEANS -- Although he said it's not time to point fingers, former Louisiana Sen. John Breaux said he deserves some criticism for the problems in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Breaux, a Democrat, said he and other current and former members of Louisiana's congressional delegation failed to get more money for evacuation efforts and the strengthening of levees.

But for now, he said, attention should be focused on relief efforts.

"Blaming each other does not save a life, does not feed a single family," Breaux said.

Meanwhile, a current Louisiana senator who's been critical of the federal response said the administration only fixed half the problem when it replaced Federal Emergency Management Agency chief Michael Brown as the head of the on-site federal effort.

Mary Landrieu said there wasn't only a lack of leadership, there was also a lack of resources.

[SunnyD1182]

I was about to say "HOLY CRAP, A DEMOCRAT ACCEPTED SOME RESPONSIBILITY?!?!"

....but then I read on, where Breaux actually tries to say he failed in getting funding. He and his people got PLENTY of funding, but they mismanaged it and put it into other less important projects. So says the New York Times and the Washington Post, even.

[badpacifist]

Breaux, a Democrat, said he and other current and former members of Louisiana's congressional delegation failed to get more money for evacuation efforts and the strengthening of levees.

I now officially apologize to everyone. A democrat is admitting guilt and Hell did not freeze over. I was wrong ...so sorry.

[zzen01]

Sen. John Breaux is a good guy(for a Democrap).

[mtbopfuyn]

Instead of asking for more money, how about using the billions they were given to actually shore up the levees rather than lining their pockets.

The lack of resources started with no provisions in the dome and not using the buses. In other words, local and state did NOT follow the plan.

[Hank Rearden]

All this 'Rat is saying is "I didn't steal enough money for MY state, and I don't care to know who stole the money I did manage to steal first."

Screw Big Stupid Government - all of it.

[Tax-chick]

Yes, a very interesting way to "accept responsibility."

[DHerion]

If a barge slammed into the levee and busted it open additional funding would not have mattered.

[DHerion]

If a barge slammed into the levee and busted it open additional funding would not have mattered.

[cripplecreek]

I was always under the impression that he wasn't a partisan bootlicker. Unfortunately partisan bootlickers are the only acceptable politicians for either party.

[Paleo Conservative]

Didn't the levee board spend millions on a casino and private jet?

[ekwd]

He was my candidate for the Jamie Gorelick slot on the Katrina Commission. Maybe not.

[Hamiltonian]

Breaux, a Democrat, said he and other current and former members of Louisiana's congressional delegation failed to get more money for evacuation efforts and the strengthening of levees.

But they did manage to squeeze $2 billion out of the Federal Government to build a canal that noone uses, and name it after the other Louisiana Senator.

[shield]

Mismanaged it? Pocketed it...

[Soul Seeker]

I was prepared to give him a LITTLE leeway, since he's the frist politicain (rep or Dem) to accept any blame in LA, even though more money wasn't the problem. Certainly Vitter and Jindal can't be bothered to do anything but say local/state was wonderful, FEMA gets an "F".

Then he says this...

"Blaming each other does not save a life, does not feed a single family," Breaux said.

Tell me he didn't plagarize Clinton? LOL

[Let's Roll]

He is - always liked the guy.

Hope this is not just to be put in charge of doling out the funds.

Sorry to even think that but the dims have just been so beyond the pale the last few years - so evil, that I put nothing past them.

[Echo Talon]

They are getting scared when this commission starts looking into the corruption.

[Polybius]

Breaux, a Democrat, said he and other current and former members of Louisiana's congressional delegation failed to get more money for evacuation efforts ..........

What does more $$$$ have to do with the fact that the Mayor of New Orleans and the Governor of Louisiana totally ignored their own evacuation plan and abandoned their low-income population in a Storm Surge zone?

As it was, millions of dollars worth of buses were left unused in City of New Orleans parking lots.

Tens of millions of additional dollars can't replace common sense.

[Saltmeat]

cripplecreek, you wrote,"I was always under the impression that he wasn't a partisan bootlicker.' May I remind you that Senator John Breaux voted not guilty with the other Democrats during the impeachment of Bill Clinton when they all knew that he was guilty of every charge. Breaux was as partisan as any of them. His only claim to fame was as a peacemaker, but it was done only to enhance his stature in the U. S. Senate. He did little to help Louisiana solve the serious problems that existed when he was in office and still exist today, namely poverty, lack of infrastructure, low performing education system, and others.

[rerat0120]

I was wondering if the Congressional Representatives that cover New Orleans, should still keep their jobs. Since the bulk of New Orleans' population is now located in the State of Texas. And it seems that it will remain there for a while. Shouldn't Texas picked up an additional House seat, before the 2010 Census.

I think that is why Blanco & Nagin are still trying to keep people within the borders of the City. So Federal funding such as Housing and Education, still gets funnel through their sticky fingers.

It is sad that this tradgedy, may finally bring a better life for the "FORMER" residents of New Orleans. And future generations, that would have been stuck in that Cesspool of the South.