September 4, 2005

• We Interrupt this Program…

  
  

  I have pulled down today’s update (which will reappear another day), to address something more serious.

  
  

  I don’t habitually get involved in the political commentary arena, but this morning, I found myself ready to blow a fuse. In fact, several fuses were blown, at this household.

  
  

  Needless to say, the topic was Hurricane Katrina, and the way the relief efforts have been (mis)handled. I am sure I am not the only person out there who’s dumbfounded by the seemingly casual ineptitude of the Federal Government that’s been unfolding before our eyes.

  
  

  This morning, Tim Russert interviwed Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff And others)  on “Meet The Press.” I am posting a link to the transcript of the program below.

  
  

  I ask you to please go read it. The interview with Chertoff starts immediately below the discussion of Judge Rehnquist’s death. Keep in mind, as you read, that Russert is a staunch Republican conservative– and he tends to “defend his own.” But not here.

  
  

  It is becoming blatantly clear that the Government and FEMA are trying to pass off blame to local and state authorities, and holding themselves “not accountable.”

  
  

  White House shifts Blame for Katrina Response

  
  

  “Not accountable,” for cutting Federal funding for levee maintenance. “Not accountable” for ignoring the recommendations of experts, including the findings of the Dutch– possibly the world’s foremost experts on what it means to live below sea level. “Not accountable,” for turning away trucks with water arriving on MONDAY. “Not accountable,” for shutting off fuel supplies to local relief vehicles, almost IMMEDIATELY ready to enter New Orleans to evacuate and restore order. “Not accountable,” for ot foreseeing that the levees could break, in spite of having been told on multiple occasions.

  
  

  Most poignant is perhaps this comment, from Russert to Chertoff (emphasis added): “…Those who got out were people with SUVs and automobiles and air fares who could get out.  Those who could not get out were the poor who rely on public buses to get out.  Your Web site says that your department assumes primary responsibility for a national disaster.  If you knew a hurricane 3 storm was coming, why weren’t buses, trains, planes, cruise ships, trucks provided on Friday, Saturday, Sunday to evacuate people before the storm?”

  
  

  The interview with Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard (following in the next segment) is both heartbreaking, and speaks to the depths of the mismanagement of this whole disaster.

  
  

  When asked by Russert if city and state officials should be held responsible, here’s an excerpt of his response:

  
  

  “….Sir, they were told like me, every single day, “The cavalry’s coming,” on a federal level, “The cavalry’s coming, the cavalry’s coming, the cavalry’s coming.”  I have just begun to hear the hoofs of the cavalry.  The cavalry’s still not here yet, but I’ve begun to hear the hoofs, and we’re almost a week out.

  
  

  Let me give you just three quick examples.  We had Wal-Mart deliver three trucks of water, trailer trucks of water.  FEMA turned them back.  They said we didn’t need them.  This was a week ago.  FEMA–we had 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel on a Coast Guard vessel docked in my parish.  The Coast Guard said, “Come get the fuel right away.”  When we got there with our trucks, they got a word.  “FEMA says don’t give you the fuel.”  Yesterday–yesterday–FEMA comes in and cuts all of our emergency communication lines.  They cut them without notice.  Our sheriff, Harry Lee, goes back in, he reconnects the line. He posts armed guards on our line and says, “No one is getting near these lines.”  Sheriff Harry Lee said that if America–American government would have responded like Wal-Mart has responded, we wouldn’t be in this crisis.

  
  

  But I want to thank Governor Blanco for all she’s done and all her leadership. She sent in the National Guard.  I just repaired a breach on my side of the 17th Street canal that the secretary didn’t foresee, a 300-foot breach.  I just completed it yesterday with convoys of National Guard and local parish workers and levee board people.  It took us two and a half days working 24/7. I just closed it.”

  
  

  Please read the complete transcripts. Then make a difference– please tell as many people as you know to “make noise” and tell as many people as THEY know. Don’t allow those who are federally legislated to be in charge of such a disaster to get off with a “it wasn’t OUR responsibility.” The only way this will not “get buried,” is if people are SHOWN that “the emperor isn’t wearing any clothes.” Accountability. Where it belongs. Now.

  
  

  Transcript of “Meet the Press” for September 4th, 2005

  
  

  or

  
  

  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9179790

  
  

   

  • 1:18 pm
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