Monday, September 05, 2005
Monday Morning Quarter Backing
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
A week out now from Katrina landfall and after a wobbly start, things are starting to gel on the evacuation/relief efforts. How are our leaders doing in their response to the needs of the folks on the ground...Here's my thoughts.
The Coast Guard: A++ Even before the feds stepped in the Coast Guard was on the scene picking people from roofs. Without a plan, they jumped into action and did their best. These guys are the hidden heroes of Katrina..
President Bush: B-/C+ It took him three days to decide to ditch his vacation, missing an opportunity to comfort the nation. Visited the area soon after, but his photo ops with freshly scrubbed white folk stood in stark contrast to the many, mostly minority folks, stranded at the SuperDome and Convention Center. Acknowledged short comings in federal response and simultaneously had to handle Rehnquist's death. Getting his legs and showing his strengths, if a bit late.
Majority Leader Frist: A- Bill First gets the vote done and then jets off to work as a doctor for the sick and injured. Finds his voice and wins over even long time critics like elephant. Good Job!.
Speaker of the House Hastert: F Funny how he could fly back to DC to vote on the Terry Shciavo bill, but decided to stay in Illinois for the House vote on Katrina relief so he could auction off his antique car and attend a political fundraiser. Top that off with some poorly timed comments about not rebuilding and you get the trifecta. Denny Boy, you really let us down.
Kathleen Blanco & Haley Barbour: B Doing their best with what they had, both Barbour and Blanco were there in the absence of the feds. Standing a the local Guiliani's in the absence of federal leadership. Despite reports, they declared states of emergency early on, and worked to try to keep things in line before it all fell apart.
Mayor Nagin: C- Prior to the Strom the Mayor told the residents of the city that this would be a killer and to get out. Many heeded the call, but those without resources were either trapped in their homes, or at the hellish SuperDome while city buses sat idle. But can you force people out when they don't want to go?
Michael Certoff, HSD Director: F The man in charge of the federal super agency charged with responding to a disaster of this scope is still in denial about the federal shortcomings. He's repeated said that there was no plan for such a disaster, when time and time again facts indicate that there was. Even a week out he's trying to shift the blame to the locals. We've spent nearly $400 billion to create and fund the Homeland Security Department to plan for events of this scale and the results are beyond disappointing.
Michael Brown, FEMA: F- Mr. Brown gets the award for outstanding audacity in the face of reality. Confronted with pictures of folks dying at the convention center, Brown claimed to have just learned of the 10,000 or so souls that days after their plight had been reported. Disaster unforeseeable claim abounds, blames the locals. Had no experience in disaster relief prior to his FEMA appointment. Biggest claim to fame is being fired from his last job. Even the state of New Orleans has gone around this guy by hiring his predecessor. If anyone should be fired, it's Brown.
The Media: B+ When they find themselves trapped in the same conditions as the victims they are covering, the media suddenly find the courage to question authorities. Paul Zhan's take down of Brown, Anderson Cooper's jabs at Landreiu were all important moments in journalism. A far cry from the usual reading from one side or the others talking points.
A week out now from Katrina landfall and after a wobbly start, things are starting to gel on the evacuation/relief efforts. How are our leaders doing in their response to the needs of the folks on the ground...Here's my thoughts.
The Coast Guard: A++ Even before the feds stepped in the Coast Guard was on the scene picking people from roofs. Without a plan, they jumped into action and did their best. These guys are the hidden heroes of Katrina..
President Bush: B-/C+ It took him three days to decide to ditch his vacation, missing an opportunity to comfort the nation. Visited the area soon after, but his photo ops with freshly scrubbed white folk stood in stark contrast to the many, mostly minority folks, stranded at the SuperDome and Convention Center. Acknowledged short comings in federal response and simultaneously had to handle Rehnquist's death. Getting his legs and showing his strengths, if a bit late.
Majority Leader Frist: A- Bill First gets the vote done and then jets off to work as a doctor for the sick and injured. Finds his voice and wins over even long time critics like elephant. Good Job!.
Speaker of the House Hastert: F Funny how he could fly back to DC to vote on the Terry Shciavo bill, but decided to stay in Illinois for the House vote on Katrina relief so he could auction off his antique car and attend a political fundraiser. Top that off with some poorly timed comments about not rebuilding and you get the trifecta. Denny Boy, you really let us down.
Kathleen Blanco & Haley Barbour: B Doing their best with what they had, both Barbour and Blanco were there in the absence of the feds. Standing a the local Guiliani's in the absence of federal leadership. Despite reports, they declared states of emergency early on, and worked to try to keep things in line before it all fell apart.
Mayor Nagin: C- Prior to the Strom the Mayor told the residents of the city that this would be a killer and to get out. Many heeded the call, but those without resources were either trapped in their homes, or at the hellish SuperDome while city buses sat idle. But can you force people out when they don't want to go?
Michael Certoff, HSD Director: F The man in charge of the federal super agency charged with responding to a disaster of this scope is still in denial about the federal shortcomings. He's repeated said that there was no plan for such a disaster, when time and time again facts indicate that there was. Even a week out he's trying to shift the blame to the locals. We've spent nearly $400 billion to create and fund the Homeland Security Department to plan for events of this scale and the results are beyond disappointing.
Michael Brown, FEMA: F- Mr. Brown gets the award for outstanding audacity in the face of reality. Confronted with pictures of folks dying at the convention center, Brown claimed to have just learned of the 10,000 or so souls that days after their plight had been reported. Disaster unforeseeable claim abounds, blames the locals. Had no experience in disaster relief prior to his FEMA appointment. Biggest claim to fame is being fired from his last job. Even the state of New Orleans has gone around this guy by hiring his predecessor. If anyone should be fired, it's Brown.
The Media: B+ When they find themselves trapped in the same conditions as the victims they are covering, the media suddenly find the courage to question authorities. Paul Zhan's take down of Brown, Anderson Cooper's jabs at Landreiu were all important moments in journalism. A far cry from the usual reading from one side or the others talking points.
Comments:
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If you think Nagin deserves anything better than a failing grade - then you did not hear his TV interviews the day before the storm. I would also give the local media a 'D' or an 'F' too for allowing him to lie to the public as he minimized the dangers of the hurricane - and they never challeneged his lies.
Look at my post late Sunday night.
www.lacowboy.blogspot
Look at my post late Sunday night.
www.lacowboy.blogspot
Perhaps you should consider the fact that the Administration also transferred funds meant to upgrate those levees to operations in Iraq - that should bring down the President's grade a bit in addition to his flying over New Orleans on his way back from Crawford to DC, but he didn't stop at that point. Nope - he waited a till things really started looking bad. Also, I disagree with your take on Governor Blanco - the WaPo reported Sunday on her resisting allowing DHS/FEMA to take on a more of a leadership role. Many people don't seem to realize that, unless the states request otherwise, the state is in charge of response. She resisted federal overtures repeatedly and profoundly failed her constituents as a result. Nagin clearly fails for not helping to get the working poor and disabled out of town.
I think the Monday Morning Quarter Backing might actually have to become October Month Quarter Backing. We won't really have a clear picture of what happened till then.
I think the Monday Morning Quarter Backing might actually have to become October Month Quarter Backing. We won't really have a clear picture of what happened till then.
Brady,
I saw Nagin before the storm when he called on the citizens of New Orleans to flee or head to the Superdome. He seemed to emphasize at the time that people needed to help each other out as the city couldn't get to everyone. I think, because he was one of the few voices prior to the storm to call it a killer, that perhaps there was a halo effect in my grade. Many questions at all levels of goverment here. Thanks for deeming my little blog worthy of comment.
I saw Nagin before the storm when he called on the citizens of New Orleans to flee or head to the Superdome. He seemed to emphasize at the time that people needed to help each other out as the city couldn't get to everyone. I think, because he was one of the few voices prior to the storm to call it a killer, that perhaps there was a halo effect in my grade. Many questions at all levels of goverment here. Thanks for deeming my little blog worthy of comment.
Wiskeypants (Kick @ss name by the way)
Blanco's star does seem to be fading. But the way FEMA Director Brown is handling things, I don't think I blame her for not allowing FEMA control over the state's operations. This does, and I bet you a $1, open the door for federal folks to scapegoat her. We shall see.
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Blanco's star does seem to be fading. But the way FEMA Director Brown is handling things, I don't think I blame her for not allowing FEMA control over the state's operations. This does, and I bet you a $1, open the door for federal folks to scapegoat her. We shall see.
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