Thursday, September 01, 2005
Escape from New Orleans
I'm speechless...
Just got back from lunch with Donkey and some hill types. Everyone here in DC is in shock. Mixed opinions on how the Feds are handling the issue, but from my standpoint it seems like a total failure.
The creation of the Homeland Security Department was supposed to bring together the best and the brightest minds to help plan for a disaster of this scale. They've been running drills and talking for three years now about strategies like prepositioning supplies to aid in relief efforts. We had at least three days notice that Katrina would hit the Gulf Coast, yet the feds did not move supplies into place. We're three days from the end of the storm and people are still stuck on roofs and have no access to food or water. Massive numbers or people will die in coming hours if that situation isn't rectified.
Meanwhile New Orleans is no longer the Big Easy, but rather its looking more and more like a hellish island of crime like "Escape for New York" or "Waterworld".
Events are getting ahead of the decision makers, especially at the federal level. Bush has blocked assistance from Canada, FEMA has commandeered evacuation buses from Hotels (stranding guests), and gas prices are rising by the hour. The only folks who don't seem to have their heads up their @sses are the state officials and the coast guard, both of whom are stretched beyond the breaking point.
An ugly and dangerous week.
Just got back from lunch with Donkey and some hill types. Everyone here in DC is in shock. Mixed opinions on how the Feds are handling the issue, but from my standpoint it seems like a total failure.
The creation of the Homeland Security Department was supposed to bring together the best and the brightest minds to help plan for a disaster of this scale. They've been running drills and talking for three years now about strategies like prepositioning supplies to aid in relief efforts. We had at least three days notice that Katrina would hit the Gulf Coast, yet the feds did not move supplies into place. We're three days from the end of the storm and people are still stuck on roofs and have no access to food or water. Massive numbers or people will die in coming hours if that situation isn't rectified.
Meanwhile New Orleans is no longer the Big Easy, but rather its looking more and more like a hellish island of crime like "Escape for New York" or "Waterworld".
Events are getting ahead of the decision makers, especially at the federal level. Bush has blocked assistance from Canada, FEMA has commandeered evacuation buses from Hotels (stranding guests), and gas prices are rising by the hour. The only folks who don't seem to have their heads up their @sses are the state officials and the coast guard, both of whom are stretched beyond the breaking point.
An ugly and dangerous week.
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The official word is that we didn't need it. The Governor of Louisiana said is was because FEMA operations were in Chaos.
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