[hlmencken3]

This letter is a request for monetary aid. What was the original (maybe altered by now) is at

http://gov.louisiana.gov/Disaster%20Relief%20Request.pdf

No help was requested for evacuation. Not even money was requested for 'distribution of emergency supplies'.

This is a smoking gun, not a defense!

[rit]

I took a look at the 8/28/05 letter you linked to. I note that the 8/27/05 letter has a section:

I request Direct Federal assistance for work and services to save lives and protect property.
(a) List any reasons State and local government cannot perform or contract for performance, (if applicable).
(b) Specify the type of assistance requested.

That was not filled out, nor does it appear in the 8/28/05 at all. This would indicate to me that she believed on 8/28/05 that there was no need for Direct Federal assistance for work and services to save lives and protect property.