Just heard on FOX that Blanco refused to allow supplies to be brought to the stadium, "Because they wanted all those people to leave, and they didn't want to create a magnet to bring others there, by bringing in food and water!""
http://www.redcross.org/faq/0,1096,0_682_4524,00.html
From the Red Cross website (link above):
Hurricane Katrina: Why is the Red Cross not in New Orleans?
Acess to New Orleans is controlled by the National Guard and local authorities and while we are in constant contact with them, we simply cannot enter New Orleans against their orders.
The state Homeland Security Department had requested--and continues to request--that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans following the hurricane. Our presence would keep people from evacuating and encourage others to come into the city.
Imagine the long wait just to get inside the Superdome! Be careful what you wish for!
Sign me up in the criminal negligence side of things.
The state agencies follow federal procedures, thats the whole point of homeland security - coordination. Top down organization.
"NIMS establishes standardized incident management processes, protocols, and procedures that all responders -- Federal, state, tribal, and local -- will use to coordinate and conduct response actions."
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?theme=51&content=3423
Thanks for the ping.