Posted on 09/15/2005 10:26:20 AM PDT by kddid
Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco's abrupt decision Wednesday night to take responsibility for her state's inadequate response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster followed an inadvertent confession that was caught on camera where Blanco admitted she blew it.
"I really should have called for the military," Blanco said, while chatting with her press secretary in between TV interviews. "I really should have started that in the first call."
Unbeknownst to Blanco, her bombshell acknowledgment was recorded on a network satellite feed, and by Tuesday the clip was getting wide exposure in Louisiana news broadcasts.
In the early days of the Katrina crisis, disaster management experts repeatedly blamed the failure to send in the National Guard for the city's descent into chaos.
Most observers blamed the White House for the blunder - a misconception that was thoroughly dispelled by the governor's inadvertent confession. Some say Blanco's blooper was responsible for the abrupt change of tone in her speech Wednesday night to the Louisiana legislature.
Where earlier she and her aides had openly blamed the Bush administration for bungling Katrina rescue efforts, Blanco announced: "The buck stops here, and as your governor, I take full responsibility."
Just as surprising were Blanco's words of praise for the White House: "I want the people of Louisiana to know that we have a friend and a partner in President George W. Bush. I thank you, Mr. President."
POTUS took resopnsible for FEDERAL shortcomings, not state and/or city .. but try telling THAT to the MSM.
To discuss this topic they had on a conservative talk-show host "crushed"(smaller)in between two liberals(carvelle being one)on a three-way shot.
CNN, better than a finger in the throat when you have to throw up
WOW! What a stunning admission!
BOOKMARKED :)
The facts might also indict the DNC, and she's going to take a fall to protect them. I still believe that her actions (and inactions) were controlled by the DNC in an effort to trap and/or smear Bush.
Bush will stay out of the fray. But Mike Brown is a free man, not subject to the political ramifications of telling the truth. He has plenty to say, and probably has documentation to back it up.
Watch, Bush is going to be VERY gracious to here from here on out, and he will take the high road. Freepers will gag and puke, but Bush will come out well. I think Blanco can see whats going to come out in the future, so its time for her to make nice and ride on his coat tails a bit.
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"I really should have called for the military," Blanco said, while chatting with her press secretary in between TV interviews. "I really should have started that in the first call."
Was FEMA Director Michael Brown a fall guy?=================================
The federal official with the power to mobilize a massive federal response to Hurricane Katrina was Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, not the former FEMA chief who was relieved of his duties and resigned earlier this week, federal documents reviewed by Knight Ridder show.Even before the storm struck the Gulf Coast, Chertoff could have ordered federal agencies into action without any request from state or local officials.
Federal Emergency Management Agency chief Michael Brown had only limited authority to do so until about 36 hours after the storm hit, when Chertoff designated him as the "principal federal official" in charge of the storm.
Has Howard Dean seen this?
Landrieu said that, not Blanco.
All the MSM wanted was a short sound-bite where GW takes responsibility, nothing more. It's a done deal -- the fix is in.
"Blanco's words come back to haunt her .."
As well they should...
I don't think she's told ALL the truth yet. Didn't President Bush call and ask her and Mayor Nagin to order a mandatory evacuation, and they didn't do it? I believe he called and asked her to allow the military to take over, and she wouldn't allow it. She hasn't, to my knowledge, admitted this yet. I think she and the mayor are still in denial about their tremendous blunders, and would love to shift as much blame to the President and Mike Brown as they can.
I don't know if anyone else had received this - - but this was sent to me and is very "telling" as to the NO "way of life":
Subject: Fw: Eyewitness regarding the demise of New Orleans
Gray Eagles Web Site Digest Number 1083
Received this from a former police officer from the Gulf Coast, who was sent this by a colleague. I do not want to believe but with all that is going on most of it makes since. How sad.
Letter from a Sheriff's Deputy Name understandably not included for fear of his job and life. Date: Tue, 06 Sep 2005 15:34:17 -0400.
I am a Sheriff's Deputy who is part of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in the New Orleans MSA. Mayor Nagin has been speaking furiously about the lack of everything from the State and Federal Government.
Here is some info:
1. There are two States here. Louisiana and the City of New Orleans/Orleans Parish. Always has been and always will be. When a State Law passes, Law Makers ALWAYS write whether Orleans Parish will allow the Law or not.
2. When the MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) meets for Disaster Planning and Equipment Purchases (6 times a year for the last 15 years), we all agree how we will spend the Federal Money as a team since we are in this together. Orleans DEMANDS they will choose how they will spend their portion.
3. During Communication Infrastructure Planning we ALL N.O. MSA) purchased Satellite Phones. We all pay several hundred dollars a month as a "Just In Case Measure". Orleans said their Infrastructure was TOP NOTCH and the money would be better spent on Ford F-150 Pickup Trucks. I dunno what they bought, but it wasn't SAT phones.
4. The looting, rape (newly wedded European woman who was raped and beaten as well as MANY others), etc. That is life in New Orleans. Why people find New Orleans a romantic, cherishable place is beyond 90% of all Louisianans. It is hot, it stinks, none of us even go into New Orleans without a sidearm and we prefer to leave our women at home. Rapes, thefts, and murder in New Orleans are as common as a high speed pursuit in California.
5. When we enter New Orleans to issue an arrest warrant, the SCAT (Street Crime Arrest Team) is ALWAYS present. Me and/or other officers have been part of 18 arrests in New Orleans and been shot at 17 times. 11 of those were with AK-47's and 3 of those 11 had two 40-round clips taped together.
6. Even before Mayor Nagin took office the Feds and State were never allowed to do anything to improve New Orleans. New Orleans ALWAYS wanted the cash to do their own improvements, their way.
7. There was no way in hell the State was gonna make a move until New Orleans asked for help. There was no way in hell the Feds were gonna make a move until the Governor asked for help. That is Law.
8. The people looting and shooting have it better than ever. Those areas are known for people living in crappy homes without electricity. Now they have some flood water in their home. They stole guns, ammo and food. They have never had it so good and don't want to leave.
9. The people whining the loudest about racism are the same people who always whined about racism.
10. Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard declared martial law Monday Night. Mayor Ray Naggin didn't want to alienate any refugees and allowed all this to happen.
We sent officers in to help. As a report of an officer being shot and supplies and boat stolen we BEGGED Mayor Nagin to pass Martial Law. NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After 2 days, Our department left New Orleans to die, then Mayor Nagin decided to declare Martial Law.
In our own Parish, we have arrested several refugees. We have recovered stolen Corvettes, Escalade's, Mercedes Benz, BMW's, etc. A young black female ran over one of our officers. She was driving a Nissan with a VIN from an Oldsmobile 88 and a plate from Alabama registered to a Ford Van.
An elderly white man died because our hospital was unable to fill his Oxygen Bottle. Refugees have stolen an EMS Generator at the Mobile Command Center.
Refugees have stolen an Entergy Truck trying to restore power.
Most Parishes are out of gas at all stations and most of us cannot drive to work. All gas stations have a 15-20 minute wait for gas. Some stations are selling only 2 gallons per customer. One station raised prices to $5.64 a gallon. The owner refused to lower prices, we promptly hooked him in the cuffs and dumped him in jail.
There is tons more. Mayor Nagin had years and so did his predecessors to prepare, but they refused and they refused everyone else's help. Now he is bitching because no one is coming and everything is falling apart.
The media is asking why was the State and Feds not prepared, New Orleans NEVER allowed us to hold drills. All other Parishes and Baton Rouge have drills just for this.
The media is asking why no help is coming for the dead. They are dead, we are only worried about the living. We are tying the dead to a tree or pushing them aside in an attempt to save the living. I say, if you want out, we'll get you out. You wanna stay, then stay.
I think we should let New Orleans die and REBUILD the National Infrastructure somewhere other than a damn Bowl.
This is a great assessment and testament to the President's character. He is truly more concerned about getting it right and getting it done than whatever negative image the MSM will portray him in their slimecasts. A far cry from our former "fearless leader" who would not put on a pair of socks without a poll from Dick Morris.
I only hope that the history books and historians (I have no faith right now) will get it right and show our President's great leadership and courage.
Kathleen - shoulda - coulda - woulda - Blanco
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