Submitted Without Comment
Actual Blackberry messages to senior FEMA officials from subordinates in New Orleans:
"...the situation is past critical... hotels are kicking people out, thousands gathering in the streets with no food or water... estimates are many will die within hours."
On hearing from Michael Brown's press secretary that he needs to be given time for dinner, since restaurants are crowded in Baton Rouge:
"OH MY GOD!!!!! Just tell her that I just ate an MRE and [went to the bathroom] in the hallway of the Superdome along with 30,000 other close friends, so I understand her concern about busy restaurants."
It is tempting to lump Michael Chertoff in with Brown, but it would be a mistake, in my opinion. Chertoff is real - he was one of Giuliani's guys when they went after the NY mob in the 80s. He is generally regarded as a competent person. So what does he have to say about Brown's testimony?
"I'm not going to judge others," Chertoff said. "I did not have a problem dealing with state and local officials."
posted by Anonymous at 9:05 PM
1 Comments:
I disagree about Chertoff - Brown's personal incompetence would not have seriously affected a well-organized, well-planned department, which ultimately was Chertoff's responsibility; as the instrument of Bush policy, he oversaw the politicization, defunding, and demoralization of FEMA, which had been an effective department under Clinton.
It is because Chertoff is not an incompetent that his failure is total.
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