Excerpt:
[New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco] let 569 buses that could have carried 33,350 people out of New Orleans–in one trip–get ruined in the floods.
In case you aren’t familiar with how our government is SUPPOSED to work:
The chain of responsiblity for the protection of the citizens in New Orleans is: - The Mayor
- The New Orleans director of Homeland Security (a political appointee of the Governor who reports to the Governor)
- The Governor
- The Head of Homeland Security
- The President
What did each do? - The mayor, with 5 days advance, waited until 2 days before he announced a mandatory evacuation (at the behest of the President). The he failed to provide transportation for those without transport even though he had hundreds of buses at his disposal.
- The New Orleans director of Homeland Security failed to have any plan for a contingency that has been talked about for 50 years. Then he blames the Feds for not doing what he should have done. (So much for political appointees)
- The Governor, despite a declaration of disaster by the President 2 DAYS BEFORE the storm hit, failed to take advantage of the offer of Federal troops and aid. Until 2 DAYS AFTER the storm hit.
- The Director of Homeland Security positioned assets in the area to be ready when the Governor called for them
- The President urged a mandatory evacuation, and even declared a disaster State of Emergency, freeing up millions of dollars of federal assistance, should the Governor decide to use it
(from
dcthornton.com).
2 comments:
As I said over at Gasp, what truly bothers me more than anything else is that Bush failed the leadership test. And because it was failed so badly, people are now trying to do spin control. Instead of listing those who to blame, I would have much more respect if Bush and his people took responsibility... Any responsibility.
The Board of Directors of most corporations would've heavily criticized a leader who has behaved in this manner. Lacking even the aura of leadership is enough to can most CEOs. That's what Bush is missing. He doesn't behave like a true leader. And that's my point.
Now I think I see what you are getting at. And I remain shocked that blame is what is has been about for so many so soon.
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