> > It doesn't get any clearer than this folks. The first
> > responders in action:
> >
> http://>
> news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/050901/480/flpc21109012015
>
> >
>
> Nice attempt at obfuscation, Mr. Rove. The fact is that the
> flood came in Monday night before anyone could react to the
> storm that had left only hours earlier. You can't bus people
> out when the bus drivers are themselves fighting for their
> lives and their families lives.
>
> To make the extrapolation that somehow Mayor Nagin was at
> fault because his buses were innundated as he did nothing is
> akin to my extrapolation that just because you CAN post
> doesn't mean you SHOULD post.
>
> Try again...
>
Actually. . .both Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco are both at fault along with FEMA:
1. Both knew on August 24th that an apparent Category 5 hurricane would strike the Gulf coast, with New Orleans being particulary vulnerable. That is five days of lead time. . .plenty of time to get the wheels of government grinding,
2. The Mayor could have stockpiled bottled water, food and supplies like disposable diapers at the Superdome and the Convention Center if they were to be temporary evacuation centers. Neither location had stockpiles of supplies,
3. They Mayor could have begun evacuation before August 29th using mass transit facilities of the city, school busses and even coaches,
4. The Governor could have called out the National Guard on August 24th tyo begin having a 'boots on the ground' presence in New Orleans and the other affected parishes. Instead, she waited until the levees breached to make a move,
5. The Governor could have instructed the National Guard to construct tent cities near their bases north of New Orleans and the affected parishes so evacuees would be re-located to somewhere within the state. Instead, no tent cities were set up and to date none have been established,
6. The Mayor could have asked for and the Governor could have sent satellite phones, radio equipment and other communications gear to New Orleans and the affected parishes so communications could remain intact after the standard systems went down,
7. FEMA could have coordinated delivery of supplies to New Orleans and the affected parishes instead of turning back supplies being sent there,
8. FEMA could have acquired federal assets including generators, food, water, disposable diapers and other items and had them delivered to coordinated evacuation centers. While I am a northerner, even I understand that a city in a bowl faces unique challenges and risks from a category 5 hurricane. If I, a simple country radio announcer, understand that. . .it is not unreasonable to expect Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff. . .FEMA Director Brown. . .Governor Blanco. . .and Mayor Nagin to understand that and to act in a pro-active manner.
Meanwhile, you folks have endured incredible hardship and suffering when it could have been eased with a little foresight. You have endured the unspeakable and in these dire circumstances, you have done it with a fair amount of grace.
Please know that a lot of us up north have spent time on our knees for you and consider it an honor to contribute to the organizations working to bring relief to you, our fellow Americans.
