Did someone say Mardi Gras?...

[junglegeorge12]

Chris C- fema is responsible for emergency disaster relief, not the whole federal governmentBush made it very clear to the fema director that he had anything he asked for, problem is Bush relied on him and he is an IDIOT!!! He did not ask for buses to get folks out until Wed nite-

he had water and food he made no effort to distribute, even to outlying areas due to his fears, he was watching the police he hoped would protect his workers walk off the job in droves
ships from Va and the national gaurd always take time to deploy, and there was no way to know in advance the levies would break and this would be any worse than the multiple hurricanes in Fl.--

as for the 'resources are in Iraq' bunk- Bush and congress made it clear FEMA had whatever they asked for--- problem is, the fema guy did not ask because he did not want anything ---why?? he was scared his workers would get hurt by the looters with weapons firing at folks and rescuers--he backed off when it got nasty, and it escalated because he backed off----truth is, the fema leadership failed us all---bush's big mistake was relying on him....

the other thing that wilted fema's willy was the fact that gas lines were broken and popping off explosions all over unpredictably, and the power lines still live laying in roads and water everywhere---very dangerous but still no excuse, if he cannot handle tough jobs then he cannot direct disaster relief efforts well................

if my house and job were gone and I had kids to feed, no vehicle, and no place to go, I would look for a vehicle and load it with every valuable item I could to take care of my family, kids have to eat no matter what and that is priority number one----if the aid had been there then folks would probably have relied on that rather than what they could gather with their hands, we can't really expect them to just sit and wait to die can we?

But then when it passes from survival to taking a gun and using in a way that hinders rescues of dying people, that is intolerable and has to be stopped so rescues can go forward---

I think one of the things that happened too was the disaster was so bad the fema director just kind of gave up on the people and figured the only way they were going to make it was on their own anyway, 24 hours without water in 97 degree heat and you die anyway, so once 24 hours was gone it was over for most folks stranded on roofs and in attics sadly, unless they were somehow able to wrangle some water out of their house---

as well the people were told and continue to be told to get out and many are not obeying, that is making the whole effort alot harder for everyone and they are drinking water and using resources others need more desperately

[MikeM]

Last October's disaster in Niigata was not too dissimilar. The reaction of the people was quite different.

BTW, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is Michael Brown. Mr. Brown's life-long career has been lobbying and political fundraising. Prior to joining FEMA in 2001, Mr. Brown was most noted for his work on behalf of the International Arabian Horse Association, where he diligently and successfully defended the interests of Arabian horse breeders in the Congress. FEMA is now part of the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Brown reported directly to the head of the Department, Michael Chertoff, a former federal prosecutor. In sum, the gentlemen placed in charge "don't know nothin' 'bout no disasters".

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeM Last October's disaster in Niigata was not too dissimilar. The reaction of the people was quite different. BTW, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is Michael Brown. Mr. Brown's life-long career has been lobbying and political fundraising. Prior to joining FEMA in 2001, Mr. Brown was most noted for his work on behalf of the International Arabian Horse Association, where he diligently and successfully defended the interests of Arabian horse breeders in the Congress. FEMA is now part of the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Brown reported directly to the head of the Department, Michael Chertoff, a former federal prosecutor. In sum, the gentlemen placed in charge "don't know nothin' 'bout no disasters".

They sure is hell know about Horses and the best interest of themselves!!! Whatever...

[ChrisC]

Quote: Originally Posted by junglegeorge12 Chris C- fema is responsible for emergency disaster relief, not the whole federal governmentBush made it very clear to the fema director that he had anything he asked for, problem is Bush relied on him and he is an IDIOT!!!

The FEMA guy might well be an idiot, or self-serving, or whatever, but the buck stops with the CEO. After all, these people are his staff. Believe me, Bush would have taken credit for all of this if it had gone smoothly.

It was a congressional decision to not fund the levy improvement project year after year (for the last 3 in a row), even though this very scenario was predicted over and over again. Without the ensuing floods, this hurricane would have been a terrible, destructive storm and not the total nightmare it has become.

For years, planners have known that a segment of the population could not leave. It wasn't that they just chose to stay, although I am sure there are cases of that too. No effort was made to evacuate the people who wanted to leave, but were too poor to do so.

Now, we face not only the horrendous human cost of these miscalculations, but the economic costs as well. A huge amount of commerce flows through what is now a devastated area.

In the end, some low level lacky will get the axe over this, and life will continue on as before for those truly responsible.

[kingkong]

480 evacuees are in Tuscaloosa, Alabama staying at student rec buildings and other areas. The word is they are overwhelmed and frazzled but trying to adjust to new environment. With constant student participation in supplies they are extremely appreciative for all the help offered. If you got some space www.hurricanehousing.org