Fema mart - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

mike059 · 09-29-2005, 10:15 AM

I sent this to the local paper, just a thought

Fema-Mart

It occurs to me that in times of national disaster, the US Government should use every available asset for the distribution of emergency supplies. In that FEMA has repeatedly proven that they cannot get the correct supplies to the correct state, never mind the correct city in a timely manner, maybe they should contract with Wal-Mart to deliver critical supplies to the affected areas. Wal-Mart reputedly has the best distribution system in the world. I am sure that they could manage to send ice; MRE’s and water to the correct place in a timely manner and at a competitive cost. I cannot remember when Wal-Mart was out of anything I needed for more than a few hours. Wal-Marts also seem to be conveniently located to most urban and suburban areas. Their parking lots could also be used for initial staging and distribution areas. I am sure these measures would cost less than the FEMA method of poor communications, haphazard distribution and poorly coordinated delivery. Wal-Mart could use FEMA supplied contractors for supplies and provide cost effective supply and distribution methods to facilitate delivery. I believe that Wal-Mart could accomplish these goals better, faster and cheaper than the US Government or even Halliburton.

florida0214 · 09-29-2005, 10:22 AM

Here you go.... Carnival cruise lines has a contract with the Government for 6 months to provide so manyships for refugees and what not. When it is all said and done it cost an average of $1000 a week. But a seven day cruise from galvaston cost and average of $600. so for a grand a week the government get zero food zero entertainment and basicly a room with a bed but for 600 they could get the whole package and actually take a trip somewhere. how much sense does that make.

stevo · 09-29-2005, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by florida0214

Here you go.... Carnival cruise lines has a contract with the Government for 6 months to provide so manyships for refugees and what not. When it is all said and done it cost an average of $1000 a week. But a seven day cruise from galvaston cost and average of $600. so for a grand a week the government get zero food zero entertainment and basicly a room with a bed but for 600 they could get the whole package and actually take a trip somewhere. how much sense does that make.

This suprises who? Ha Ha thats our gov't. gotta love 'em.

Locobot · 09-29-2005, 01:16 PM

Well it's hardly the first instance of a more-than-friendly relationship between Carnival and the current Republican regime. They've had a long standing relationship of tax breaks in exchange for campaign contributions. And of course when the windfalls come, Republican-friendly businesses are free to gouge away.

samcol · 09-29-2005, 02:06 PM

That's so funny, but the really sad part is that it's true. I personally think FEMA should be completely dismantled. My fear is that FEMA will get more money and power out of this crisis that they were already capable of handling. We have an agency that can commandeer almost anything to get it's job done.

http://prisonplanet.com/Pages/Sept05/060905FEMA.htm

Quote:

Executive Order Number 12148 created the Federal Emergency Management Agency to interface with the Department of Defense for civil defense planning and funding. An "emergency czar" was appointed. FEMA has only spent about 6 percent of its budget on national emergencies. The bulk of their funding has been used for the construction of secret underground facilities to assure continuity of government in case of a major emergency, foreign or domestic.

Executive Order Number 12656 appointed the National Security Council as the principal body that should consider emergency powers. This allows the government to increase domestic intelligence and surveillance of U.S. citizens and would restrict the freedom of movement within the United States and grant the government the right to isolate large groups of civilians. The National Guard could be federalized to seal all borders and take control of U.S. air space and all ports of entry.

Executive Order 10990 allows the government to take over all modes of transportation and control of highways and seaports.

Executive Order 10995 allows Seizure of all communications media in the United States.

Executive Order 10997 allows Seizure of all electric power fuels and minerals, public and private.

Executive Order 10998 allows the government to take over all food resources and farms.

Executive Order 10999 allows Seizure of all means of transportation, including personal cars, trucks or vehicles of any kind and total control of highways, seaports and waterways.

Executive Order 11000 allows Seizure of all American people for work forces under federal supervision including the splitting of families if the government finds it necessary.

Executive Order 11001 allows seizure of all health, education and welfare facilities, public and private.

Executive Order 11002 empowered the postmaster general to register all men, women and children in the U.S.

Executive Order 11003 allows seizure of all airports and aircraft.

Executive Order 11004 allows seizure of all housing and finance authorities to establish Forced Relocation Designated areas to be abandoned as "unsafe."

Executive Order 11005 allows seizure of all railroads, inland waterways and storage facilities, public and private.

Executive Order 11051 specifies the responsibility of the Office of Emergency Planning and gives authorization to put all Executive Orders into effect in times of increased international tensions and economic or financial crisis.

Executive Order 11921 allows the Federal Emergency Preparedness Agency to develop plans to establish control over the mechanisms of production and distribution, of energy sources, wages, salaries, credit and the flow of money in U.S. financial institution in any undefined national emergency. It also provides that when a state of emergency is declared by the President, Congress cannot review the action for six months.

Executive Order 12919 Signed June 3, 1994, by President Clinton. Encompasses all the above executive orders.

The idea of letting public or private companies and charties handle the brunt of the relief effort is not a bad idea. The generosity of the American people really should be commended. Plus FEMA blocked Wal-Mart from delievering water to the disaster area. Why do we have to pay twice to get the job done right(once to FEMA and again to charities)?

aswo · 09-29-2005, 03:30 PM

Hmm privitization of government relief efforts interesting idea

Quote:

Originally Posted by samcol

That's so funny, but the really sad part is that it's true. I personally think FEMA should be completely dismantled. My fear is that FEMA will get more money and power out of this crisis that they were already capable of handling. We have an agency that can commandeer almost anything to get it's job done.

http://prisonplanet.com/Pages/Sept05/060905FEMA.htm

The idea of letting public or private companies and charties handle the brunt of the relief effort is not a bad idea. The generosity of the American people really should be commended. Plus FEMA blocked Wal-Mart from delievering water to the disaster area. Why do we have to pay twice to get the job done right(once to FEMA and again to charities)?

flstf · 09-29-2005, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by florida0214

Here you go.... Carnival cruise lines has a contract with the Government for 6 months to provide so manyships for refugees and what not. When it is all said and done it cost an average of $1000 a week. But a seven day cruise from galvaston cost and average of $600. so for a grand a week the government get zero food zero entertainment and basicly a room with a bed but for 600 they could get the whole package and actually take a trip somewhere. how much sense does that make.

By the time the local, state and federal polititians get done hiring their relatives, friends and campaign contributors' companies we would probably save money by giving every disaster victim a check for $50,000 or so. Then they could book their own full service accomodations.

Redlemon · 09-30-2005, 07:20 AM

Perhaps you'd be interested in this article: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/print?id=1171087">What Can Wal-Mart Teach FEMA About Disaster Response?</a>

Quote:

Sep. 29, 2005 - In the hours after Hurricane Rita made landfall, one emergency operations center was tracking the damage, power outages, and flooding, while sending truckloads of supplies straight to the Gulf Coast.

But the effort was not organized by any government agency. It was happening at Wal-Mart's company headquarters in the Ozark mountains of Arkansas.

During disasters, Wal-Mart puts its own nationwide response center in motion, with sophisticated communications and a state-of-the-art shipping network.

The system is so efficient that after Hurricane Katrina, Wal-Mart sometimes arrived with much-needed food and supplies before the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA was widely criticized for its slow response to those in need after Katrina hit.

But Wal-Mart's response was faster and, in one case, the company even provided stranded police officers with clothes and ammunition. Now, in areas hit by Rita, Wal-Mart has already shipped donated clothes and supplies. It has even reopened stores in places with no electricity.

"If this place wouldn't be open, we wouldn't have nothing right now," said one resident of Lake Charles, La., where Rita wiped out electricity, phone service and running water."This has been a lifesaving place."

Why Can't Government Match Up?

With Wal-Mart's smooth response to Katrina and Rita, some are beginning to ask why government agencies can't perform as well as a discount retailer.

Companies like Home Depot, Lowe's Home Improvement, and the Waffle House restaurant chain have all been noted for their rapid ability to provide relief in disaster.

Should FEMA operate more like major companies? Analysts say it's not quite that simple.

"FEMA has to prioritize search and rescue, and moving equipment, moving people, moving medical supplies," said Jerry Hauer, a homeland security expert and ABC News consultant. "Wal-Mart just has to deliver supplies."

But there are lessons to be learned. Wal-Mart, for instance, requires its top managers to sit together while coordinating its disaster response.

"It's the person from operations sitting next to the person handling logistics," said Jason Jackson, the retailer's director of business continuity. "So when the first person says, 'I need ten trailers of water,' the next person says, 'I have it available,' and the third person says, 'I can get it there.'"

That heightened level of cooperation is something, many believe, the government might be wise to study.

(I remember an article or news report similar to this a couple of weeks ago, but could only find this recent one.)

stevo · 09-30-2005, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locobot

Well it's hardly the first instance of a more-than-friendly relationship between Carnival and the current Republican regime. They've had a long standing relationship of tax breaks in exchange for campaign contributions. And of course when the windfalls come, Republican-friendly businesses are free to gouge away.

yup. its those evil republicans. so you know, it isn't the current republican regime giving these contracts, its FEMA, that is a federal agency, relatively independent. And those evil republicans from the current regime are actually investigating it.

http://www.local10.com/news/5037401/detail.html

Quote:

MIAMI -- Three cruise ships that were supposed to house hurricane evacuees are costing millions of dollars, though they are sitting half-occupied. Now, politicians are asking hard questions about the hastily made deal.

The deal was made between the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Carnival Cruise Lines.

In a statement on its Web site, Carnival Cruise Lines said that the company "chartered three of its cruise ships (the Ecstasy, Sensation and Holiday) to the Military Sealift Command on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for six months as part of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts."

The deal promises Carnival $192 million for the use of the ships through February. It also agrees to reimburse Carnival $44 million for fuel and other costs.

Politicians in both parties are criticizing the cost of the deal and the haste with which it was drawn up. Even though the ships have capacity for more than 7,000, they are now anchored in the Mississippi River and Mobile Bay with half that number on board.

Even at capacity, the amount being paid for each evacuee is more than twice as much per week as the cost of a regular cruise would be. One senator calculated that even if the ships were filled to capacity with 7,116 evacuees, the price per person would be $1,275 a week for six months. A seven-day Caribbean cruise out of Galveston, Texas costs $599 per person.

Republican Representative Marilyn Musgrave from Colorado said she plans to order a congressional investigation into the deal. Democratic U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman from California is requesting a copy of Carnival's contract and documentation supporting its cost from Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

According to Carnival cruises, about 100,000 passengers had their vacations canceled in order to accommodate the government's agreement.

florida0214 · 09-30-2005, 09:01 AM

Why does america insist on catergorizing all republicans into one boat. Do you realize that republicans say the same things about democrats and both of them can make legitimate claims of horrible administrations. It is not 100% the republicans who are creating this America. it is a cooperation between the two. Corruption is inevitable whether or not the country is run by democrats or republicans. If its not cruise lines or Oil then its cuban cigars and interns. Come on people. i doubt there is a single president or administration who did everything right all of the time and made everybody happy. It will never happen, But oh Well all we can do is vote. Its bad enough these people we elect make more than most all of us make and for what? They get more money for voting one way or the other and they get a ton of perks. Blame the politician not the party. Not every republican agrees with something simply because another republican came up with the idea or plan. Its about time this country pulled its head out of its ass and saw daylight. It has to start at the bottom of the barrel and folks that is us.

09-29-2005, 10:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
mike059 Tilted Location: Pensacola, Florida	Fema mart I sent this to the local paper, just a thought Fema-Mart It occurs to me that in times of national disaster, the US Government should use every available asset for the distribution of emergency supplies. In that FEMA has repeatedly proven that they cannot get the correct supplies to the correct state, never mind the correct city in a timely manner, maybe they should contract with Wal-Mart to deliver critical supplies to the affected areas. Wal-Mart reputedly has the best distribution system in the world. I am sure that they could manage to send ice; MRE’s and water to the correct place in a timely manner and at a competitive cost. I cannot remember when Wal-Mart was out of anything I needed for more than a few hours. Wal-Marts also seem to be conveniently located to most urban and suburban areas. Their parking lots could also be used for initial staging and distribution areas. I am sure these measures would cost less than the FEMA method of poor communications, haphazard distribution and poorly coordinated delivery. Wal-Mart could use FEMA supplied contractors for supplies and provide cost effective supply and distribution methods to facilitate delivery. I believe that Wal-Mart could accomplish these goals better, faster and cheaper than the US Government or even Halliburton.

09-29-2005, 10:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
florida0214 Crazy Location: South Florida	Here you go.... Carnival cruise lines has a contract with the Government for 6 months to provide so manyships for refugees and what not. When it is all said and done it cost an average of $1000 a week. But a seven day cruise from galvaston cost and average of $600. so for a grand a week the government get zero food zero entertainment and basicly a room with a bed but for 600 they could get the whole package and actually take a trip somewhere. how much sense does that make.

09-29-2005, 01:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
Locobot is awesome!	Well it's hardly the first instance of a more-than-friendly relationship between Carnival and the current Republican regime. They've had a long standing relationship of tax breaks in exchange for campaign contributions. And of course when the windfalls come, Republican-friendly businesses are free to gouge away.

09-30-2005, 09:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
florida0214 Crazy Location: South Florida	Why does america insist on catergorizing all republicans into one boat. Do you realize that republicans say the same things about democrats and both of them can make legitimate claims of horrible administrations. It is not 100% the republicans who are creating this America. it is a cooperation between the two. Corruption is inevitable whether or not the country is run by democrats or republicans. If its not cruise lines or Oil then its cuban cigars and interns. Come on people. i doubt there is a single president or administration who did everything right all of the time and made everybody happy. It will never happen, But oh Well all we can do is vote. Its bad enough these people we elect make more than most all of us make and for what? They get more money for voting one way or the other and they get a ton of perks. Blame the politician not the party. Not every republican agrees with something simply because another republican came up with the idea or plan. Its about time this country pulled its head out of its ass and saw daylight. It has to start at the bottom of the barrel and folks that is us.