I work very closely with FEMA in my job. It is the responsibility of state EMA's to come up with contingency plans for potential disasters. FEMA, which is a federal agency, offers advice and planing expertise, but ultimately, it id the job of LOCAL government to plan for and stockpile supplies for potential manmade or natural disasters. The governor of Louisiana had been told for some time that the plans and supplies that her state's EMA had come up with and stockplied were insufficient for a major disaster. She elected to do nothing about the issues that FEMA had brought up to her. Now, her constituents are reaping the consequences of her inactions. Combine that with her inability to cope when her constituents need it most, and you have the person with whom the majority of the blame should be placed.
NO's mayor's fingerpointing at everyone but himself is no better. He had ample opportunity to call upon the resources of the State of Louisiana, and the federal government, and he failed to do so until the last minute. Now he is blaming everyone but himself.
FEMA, does have stockpiles of essential supplies prepositioned around the country. These supplies are being moved into NO. However, given the conditions in and around NO, distribution is going to be the difficut part. It always is in a situation like this.
The National Guard is also being mobilized. However, what most of you fail to realize is that mobilization of the National Guard is at the disretion of the governor of each state. It is not a federal function unless it is a nationwide disaster. LA's governor is a sobbing ball of uselessness, who waited until the last minute to make the decision to mobilize them.
So, tell me, who does the blame lay with. Bush, or the elected officials of LA and NO? I'll give you a hint. It's not Bush.
Zig
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