September 2005

Had to Wait for State Requests

ArchPundit September 6, 2005 6 Comments

Perhaps the biggest pile of bullshit coming out of FEMA is that they had to defer to local officials. They don’t–and the National Response Plan points that out, but that isn’t even the worst of it. If they had simply not acted that would be bad.

If FEMA had only done exactly what the State of Louisiana had asked, that’s a bit bizarre and strange, but at least fits some sort of bureaucratic model of how things might work.

But FEMA did get involved when the State didn’t want FEMA to act

Far from deferring to state or local officials, FEMA asserted its authority and made things worse, Mr. Broussard complained on “Meet the Press.”

When Wal-Mart sent three trailer trucks loaded with water, FEMA officials turned them away, he said. Agency workers prevented the Coast Guard from delivering 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel, and on Saturday they cut the parish’s emergency communications line, leading the sheriff to restore it and post armed guards to protect it from FEMA, Mr. Broussard said.

It appears that the State and Feds were fighting over basic issues and both bear a lot of blame over that, but to try and claim that they didn’t have authority when they were actively blocking particular efforts is just stunning.

There’s a lot of blame to go around–Nagin dilly dallying about ordering a mandatory evacuation because of legal technicalities regarding whether he could allow some exceptions (people who had cancelled flights, etc–even with that there was the highest percent ever evacuated and the first ever mandatory evac), Blanco and the late push for National Guard in the City, but FEMA keeps making absurd claims about what it knew and what it could do that are so demonstratively false that one wonders not why such liars are allowed to continue in employment, but how did such bad liars ever seem credible to anyone?

Editorial: Not Acceptable

ArchPundit September 5, 2005 0 Comment

While it might be the last thing on their minds right now, it’ll be a tragedy if the Time-Picayune doesn’t get at least a couple of Pulitzers for it’s work on this tragedy.

Today’s editorial

A day after a normally easy-going Mayor Ray Nagin blasted federal officials’ seeming indifference to the plight of New Orleanians who are stranded and dying, President Bush stood on the lawn of the White House and conceded the point: The federal government did not move quickly enough or forcefully enough to help those people hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina. “The results are not acceptable,” the president said before boarding a helicopter to go survey the storm’s damage.

It’s good to hear the president admit his administration’s shortcomings, and it’s even better to hear his promise to help all of us who are in need. But the sad truth remains that the federal government’s slow start has already proved fatal to some of the most vulnerable people in the New Orleans area. Water has killed hundreds, if not thousands, of people. A lack of water to drink is exacting its toll on others.

“I don’t want to see anybody do anymore goddamn press conferences,” the mayor said during a WWL radio interview Thursday. “Put a moratorium on press conferences. Don’t do another press conference until the resources are in this city.”

The mayor had obviously become fed up with federal bureaucrats’ use of future tense verbs. “Don’t tell me 40,000 people are coming here,” he said. “They’re not here. It’s too doggone late. Now get off your asses and do something, and let’s fix the biggest goddamn crisis in the history of this country.”

We applaud the mayor for giving voice to an entire city’s frustration. How could the most powerful and technologically advanced nation in the history of the world have responded so feebly to this crisis?

The president’s admission of his administration’s mistakes will mean nothing unless the promised help is deployed immediately. Each life is precious, and there isn’t a second chance to save a single one of them. No more talk of what’s going to happen. We only want to hear what is being done. The lives of our people depend on it.

Rising Together

ArchPundit September 5, 2005 0 Comment

Someone said it all already

The true test of the American ideal is whether we?re able to recognize our failings and then rise together to meet the challenges of our time. Whether we allow ourselves to be shaped by events and history, or whether we act to shape them. Whether chance of birth or circumstance decides life?s big winners and losers, or whether we build a community where, at the very least, everyone has a chance to work hard, get ahead, and reach their dreams.

… You need to take up the challenges that we face as a nation and make them your own. Not because you have a debt to those who helped you get here, although you do have that debt. Not because you have an obligation to those who are less fortunate than you, although I do think you do have that obligation. It?s primarily because you have an obligation to yourself. Because individual salvation has always depended on collective salvation. Because it?s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential.? — Senator Barack Obama, Knox College Commencement 2005

Amen. and thanks for the reminder out there.

Stepping Up to the Plate

ArchPundit September 5, 2005 0 Comment

Blagojevich’s Message Regarding Katrina–Please follow his advice. He’s done a great job in reaching out on this.

Special Message from the Governor

To the people of Illinois:

If there is ever a time for us to unite as a nation and help our fellow Americans, that time is now. Hurricane Katrina has devastated the lives of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. I want to let you know about the steps Illinois has taken in the relief effort, and also let you know how you can help too.

As of today, I have authorized approximately 800 Illinois Guard Members and more than 40 vehicles from the 3637th Maintenance Company to Louisiana to help with the recovery and cleanup operations. I have also ordered the deployment of 50 medical response team members from the Illinois Emergency Response Team to set up field hospitals in Louisiana and Mississippi. In addition, we have provided supplies ranging from blankets and cots to 256,000 half pints of water, as well as experts who will help process claims ranging from unemployment benefits to food stamps. We have also opened all Illinois public schools to any child displaced by Hurricane Katrina. College students from Illinois who attend school in the Gulf Coast can now continue their studies at any of the state?s community colleges and many of our four-year universities.

Yesterday, I sent an email to all state employees urging them to contribute to a collective fund that will be given directly to the American Red Cross. I am now encouraging you to get involved. To donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, please call 800-HELP-NOW, or visit their secure Internet site at www.redcross.org.

If you have any friends or relatives from the hurricane-stricken areas that are arriving in Illinois, you can direct them to the Hurricane Katrina Victim Assistance Hotline at 800-843-6154. This is a hotline for one-stop shopping of State services, including: health care, crisis counseling, temporary housing and food and clothing allotments. It will be operational between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm.

You can also donate items such as new or laundered clothing, towels and bedding (all items must be packaged), as well as non-perishable food items and school supplies by dropping them off at any of the Illinois Department of Human Services offices across the state. For further information, please visit www.illinois.gov/dropoff.cfm or call our hotline at 800-843-6154.

If we all work together, I know we can make a real difference in helping the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama recover from this tragedy. Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,

Rod R. Blagojevich
Governor

There is a petition for the Governor to donate a portion of his campaign fund to the Hurricane victims, while I’m uncomfortable with the tone, I expect there will be a significant contribution. Of all of my criticisms of the Governor, I think he’s a human being and trust him in a case like this.

Satisfied in Mississippi?

ArchPundit September 5, 2005 1 Comment

That would be no

Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree is angry, upset and scared.

“I started trying to get federal help in here on Monday and six days after this town has struggled to get enough water and ice for its people, we finally hear from the feds,” DuPree said Saturday.

Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Mississippi Gulf Coast on Monday and slashed its way through Hattiesburg and the Pine Belt.

Two representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency arrived in Hattiesburg Saturday.

“I didn’t have an airplane or a telephone or a radio that worked,” DuPree said. “Finally I just sat in my car and yelled. No one heard that either.”

Schakowsky Responds

ArchPundit September 5, 2005 0 Comment

At the Huffington Post

Nagin–60 Minutes Interview

ArchPundit September 5, 2005 0 Comment

Here

There Are Heroes

ArchPundit September 5, 2005 1 Comment

I’m pretty angry right now, but I did want to mention one group that hasn’t received the praise they deserve–the United States Coast Guard was first in and continues to run an amazing and astounding rescue operation. Dangling out of helicopters isn’t my idea of a fun profession, but I’m damn glad those heroes do.

And let me add the State of Texas. Even if they overpromised too many beds, that’s erring on the side of trying to do too much and Governor Goodhair has been done an incredible job trying to demonstrate an amazing level of hospitality and compassion.

It Just Doesn’t Stop

ArchPundit September 5, 2005 0 Comment

Slidell Mayor threatens FEMA

3:32 P.M. Ben Morris, Slidell mayor: We are still hampered by some of the most stupid, idiotic regulations by FEMA. They have turned away generators, we’ve heard that they’ve gone around seizing equipment from our contractors. If they do so, they’d better be armed because I’ll be damned if I’m going to let them deprive our citizens. I’m pissed off, and tired of this horse$#@@.”

The President must act to change FEMA leadership now, there is simply no way that the loss of continuity could be worse than what is happening now.

I think Kathleen Blanco made some terrible mistakes in the beginning, but with these assclowns running the show I wouldn’t have turned over operational control either.

Race and Class

ArchPundit September 4, 2005 11 Comments

Given the disastrous response in Jefferson, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines I’m having a hard time believing that it was the race of the people who delayed the federal response. It appears it was a staggering level of incompetence. That said, there is such a strong relationship between race and class, the impact of poverty and one’s ability to be safe are critical issues to address.

I don’t believe those responding at any level are racist, though some are pretty fricken incompetent.