Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

Charlatan · 09-07-2005, 12:17 PM

I think there is plenty of blame to go around from the top (Bush) on down to FEMA, to the Govenor, the Mayor and many individuals on the ground.

Regardless of what Bush was supposed to do he failed with regards to the PR on this. He should have dropped everything and rushed back to DC to "coordinate" efforts. This was a national disaster and he should have at least appeared to be on the ball. His handlers failed him and for a leader who has shown an uncanny ability to control his image in the media, this is BIG.

FEMA appeared to operate like a chicken with its head cut off. Despite declarations of Distaster Areas from both Federal and State levels the help didn't seem to flow fast enough. It seems it was tied up in paperwork and mismanagement. Seems to me that if you are going to have an agency of this nature it should be able to get shit done when it matters most. It did work in the past so I can only assume (at this point) that when something works you shouldn't fix it... Homeland Security has some 'splaining to do. As does Bush for appointing the yahoo in charge of FEMA, this seems like one postion that should have an expert rather than a crony or someone who gives good campaign finance.

The Govenor and the Mayor... they both seem to be trying hard but it just isn't enough. I get the feeling that they are a lot like the people on the ground who just never thought it could get this bad. In the end... they really should have been more prepared and made more effort on getting people out of harms way. Martial Law should have been declared immediately after the storm had passed and National Guards should have been preped and on standby days BEFORE the storm. You can always send them home if they aren't needed.

The people who stayed behind. I don't blame them, like some do for staying. I do blame those who would loot and shoot at rescue efforts. Unlike other areas, where communities banded together, certain elements of New Orleans behaved like they were in a Living Dead film.

I am glad to hear that Bush has called for an inquest into what happened. At least he seems to be back on track -- looking like he's doing something.

In the end, regardless of who is to blame the storm was a disaster, the organization of the rescue and post-storm support was a tragedy.

09-07-2005, 12:17 PM	#64 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	I think there is plenty of blame to go around from the top (Bush) on down to FEMA, to the Govenor, the Mayor and many individuals on the ground. Regardless of what Bush was supposed to do he failed with regards to the PR on this. He should have dropped everything and rushed back to DC to "coordinate" efforts. This was a national disaster and he should have at least appeared to be on the ball. His handlers failed him and for a leader who has shown an uncanny ability to control his image in the media, this is BIG. FEMA appeared to operate like a chicken with its head cut off. Despite declarations of Distaster Areas from both Federal and State levels the help didn't seem to flow fast enough. It seems it was tied up in paperwork and mismanagement. Seems to me that if you are going to have an agency of this nature it should be able to get shit done when it matters most. It did work in the past so I can only assume (at this point) that when something works you shouldn't fix it... Homeland Security has some 'splaining to do. As does Bush for appointing the yahoo in charge of FEMA, this seems like one postion that should have an expert rather than a crony or someone who gives good campaign finance. The Govenor and the Mayor... they both seem to be trying hard but it just isn't enough. I get the feeling that they are a lot like the people on the ground who just never thought it could get this bad. In the end... they really should have been more prepared and made more effort on getting people out of harms way. Martial Law should have been declared immediately after the storm had passed and National Guards should have been preped and on standby days BEFORE the storm. You can always send them home if they aren't needed. The people who stayed behind. I don't blame them, like some do for staying. I do blame those who would loot and shoot at rescue efforts. Unlike other areas, where communities banded together, certain elements of New Orleans behaved like they were in a Living Dead film. I am glad to hear that Bush has called for an inquest into what happened. At least he seems to be back on track -- looking like he's doing something. In the end, regardless of who is to blame the storm was a disaster, the organization of the rescue and post-storm support was a tragedy. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke