New Orleans mayor deals with a natural disaster and some criticism

[sabra]

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/nation/12555348.htm

New Orleans mayor deals with a natural disaster and some criticism

NEW ORLEANS - Mayor Ray Nagin was swept into office three years ago as a political outsider, a business executive who was going to save the city from corruption and modernize its baroque government.

...

On Thursday, three days after Hurricane Katrina's landfall, Nagin had been pushed far enough, and he went on the radio and told the federal government to "get off your asses and let's do something, and let's fix the biggest goddamn crisis in the history of this country."

...

Amid the sternest test of leadership imaginable, Nagin faces heavy criticism for failing to evacuate the poorest New Orleans residents swiftly. Supporters are sticking with him, however, saying he's doing the best he can in an impossible situation.

...

Critics say Nagin has made some serious missteps. Concerned about the legal ramifications of ordering people to leave their homes without enough adequate shelters, Nagin didn't issue a mandatory evacuation until Sunday morning, less than 24 hours before the storm hit, meaning that up to 100,000 people were stranded.

[Larkspur]

1. But Homeland Security's web site says that they, not the NO mayor, are the

primary responsibility for emergency response...

Preparing America
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/theme_home2.jsp

In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency, the Department of Homeland Security will assume primary responsibility on March 1st for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared for any situation. This will entail providing a coordinated, comprehensive federal response to any large-scale crisis and mounting a swift and effective recovery effort. The new Department will also prioritize the important issue of citizen preparedness. Educating America's families on how best to prepare their homes for a disaster and tips for citizens on how to respond in a crisis will be given special attention at DHS.

[Miss Chybil]

2. One little mayor against the full force of the federal government...

After witnessing this guy in action, I don't think he has a thing to worry about. He did the best he could with the tools he was given to work with, which were... NOTHING!

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[chalky]

4. Post #1 might bear some scrutiny, too.

And the Feds trump the State in this.

[EFerrari]

5. Notice none of these so called "critics" are on the record?

This is a hit piece.