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Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Federal Emergency Management

Soon after Katrina hit and all the problems that followed I began to worry about the way "things would be handled".
Within my poor deluded mind hide a lot of paranoia and conspiracy theories.
Up front with any kind of mass confusion there are those that see an opportunity.
Those folks that lack any moral compass or sense of guilt. Those that might look to profit from the losses of others.
Sometimes corporations and developers move in and buy up property for the next big ocean front condo project, casino or amusement park.
When the Government, any Government starts to hand out jobs and money I become a little paranoid. My state of mind is to some degree a product of my environment and possibly the actions of the present administration. IE..Haliburton/KBR..
Any truth to the rumors of no bid contracts ?
What will happen to the displaced people ?
Can or will they eventually return ?

Who's idea is it repay churches for offering shelter ?
Using taxpayer money to repay a church is against the rules !
Isn't that what churches are for ? Faith, Hope & Charity ?


Who will keep a check on unnecessary and overpriced purchases of goods and services ?
IE..$236m to Carnival Cruise Lines for ships that are sitting half-full.

Who will monitor payments and contracts for the rebuild ?
Reported Homeland Security will carefully watch and attempt to cut thru any red tape without breaking any laws.
Historically Homeland Security doesn't share my priorities. IE..Post 9/11 rather than securing our ports and borders they busted Tommy Chong for selling bongs on the internet.

The cliche is that you can't let the fox guard the henhouse..
That would kinda be like letting Bush investigate his own people for a piss poor 1st response to Katrina..Ooops, oh yeah my mistake..
Homeland Security..Are we safer ? Doesn't feel like it..
FEMA=Federal Emergency Management ? No, it doesn't look like it..

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

BushCo Flooded with Criticism

In the wake of the hurricane disaster Katrina there is a lot of finger pointing and blame to go around.
Since 9/11 do you feel safer ?
Has this administration made advancements in policy and procedure ?
It appears BushCo continues to disappoint. Again they stumble and fall.

Director of the National Hurricane Center Max Mayfield was worried enough over the projected path and increasing strength of the storm to contact the governors of Louisiana and Mississippi along with the mayor of New Orleans on Saturday night.
Still concerned that he had to do all that he could and warn the powers that be; he called George on Sunday at his ranch in Crawford.
These warnings 24 - 48 hours before could have helped with evacuation and the assembly of the professionals needed for the impending disaster. If the warning had been heeded and disaster management put into action.
There have been many studies and warnings over the years with regard to the 100 year old levee system. Too many cutbacks and not enough funding left New Orleans existing on borrowed time.
"I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees."
--President Bush (9/1/05)

Katrina hits on Monday 8/29/05 7am..
Levees break and flood New Orleans..
George cuts his vacation short and flys over the disaster area on Wednesday..

A lot of people and the media have been irate about the response time from FEMA.
Too many bad reports and headlines will follow..

8/27/05.. FEDERAL EMERGENCY DECLARED, DHS AND FEMA GIVEN FULL AUTHORITY TO RESPOND TO KATRINA: “Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify,mobilizee, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.”

8/29/05..7 AM- KATRINA MAKES LANDFALL..
11:30AM-— MICHAEL BROWN FINALLY REQUESTS THAT DHS DISPATCH 1,000 EMPLOYEES TO REGION, GIVES THEM TWO DAYS TO ARRIVE..

8/30/05.. MASS LOOTING REPORTED, SECURITY SHORTAGE CITED..
BUSH RETURNS TO CRAWFORD FOR FINAL NIGHT OF VACATION..

8/31/05..TENS OF THOUSANDS TRAPPED IN SUPERDOME; CONDITIONS DETERIORATE..
PRESIDENT BUSH FINALLY ORGANIZES TASK FORCE TO COORDINATE FEDERAL RESPONSE..
80,000 BELIEVED STRANDED IN NEW ORLEANS..
9PM -— FEMA DIRECTOR BROWN CLAIMS SURPRISE OVER SIZE OF STORM:"“I must say, this storm is much much bigger than anyone expected."

9/01/05..STILL NO COMMAND AND CONTROL ESTABLISHED: Terry Ebbert, New Orleans Homeland Security Director: "“This is a national emergency. This is a national disgrace. FEMA has been here three days, yet there is no command and control. We can send massive amounts of aid to tsunami victims, but we can'’t bail out the city of New Orleans."”
2PM-— MICHAEL BROWN CLAIMS NOT TO HAVE HEARD OF REPORTS OF VIOLENCE..

09/02/05..9:35AM -— BUSH PRAISES MICHAEL BROWN: "“Brownie, you'’re doing a heck of a job."”

No George, you are doing "a heck of a job" ! NOT !

"We've got to solve problems. We're problem solvers." Bush told reporters..

Some of the storm related problems stem from action by our Government..
IE..budget cuts w/Army Corp. of Engineers..
budget cuts and the reorganization of FEMA..
most of the National Guard is in Iraq (FOR THE WRONG REASONS)
and then the way you embrace and manage environmental issues; like the wetlands or global warming..
"Problem Solvers" ???
Appointing Michael Brown as FEMA Director was a HUGE problem.
But then the reelection of a deluded pinhead and his cronies was the real problem.

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