US House Republicans push ahead with Katrina (whitewash) probe

[UpInArms]

http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2005-09-21T170134Z_01_N21296148_RTRIDST_0_KATRINA-CONGRESS.XML

WASHINGTON, Sept 21 (Reuters) - U.S. House Republicans are pushing ahead with an investigation into the botched response to Hurricane Katrina despite objections from Democrats who want an independent probe, a key lawmaker said on Wednesday.

Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia, who will head the Republican-led investigation in the House of Representatives, said former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Michael Brown will testify before the special panel on Tuesday. Brown resigned under fire after being relieved of duties in the Katrina disaster area.

"We have to move ahead," Davis told reporters. "There is evidence that dries up after a while."

Democrats want an independent commission to examine the slow government response to Katrina, which devastated the Gulf Coast and flooded New Orleans. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi argues that a Republican-led probe would not be free of politics investigating a Republican administration.

<snip>

"It's not some partisan cover-up," Davis said.

...more...

Denying the cover-up before they do just that :eyes:

[Mari333]

1. They dont even try to hide their coverups anymore

drunk with power.

[Cassandra]

2. Of course they'll find the answer...

it's all the fault of the Clenis!
You know they're working overtime to get to that conclusion.

[Initech]

3. It's all Clinton's fault!!!

There! I just saved the government tons of hours and money!

Sheesh, why are the Republicans leading this probe? Shouldnt the Dems be leading this probe instead?

[wanpete]

4. what a tragic comedy...the rethugs investigating themselves

nagin and blanco will get a real butt-kickin out of this report. don't expect much else.

[electropop]

5. They'll ignore the pre-Katrina screwups too.

(1) New Orleans is situated in a very bad place for a city.

(2) It is economically and culturally important.

(3) Poor planning on the part of 19th-century French settlers and their successors is no excuse for punishing the current populace.

(4) The various projects done to the Delta in the past 2 centuries have on the whole probably been planned with little or no scientific awareness of the big picture consequences.

(5) Given the state of the area ca. 2001, the most realistic and quick means of bringing some modicum of homeland security to New Orleans would have been to strengthen and improve what's there.

(6) Now that NO has essentially been razed in preparation for the construction of the fabulous new "Halliburton's Gumboland Casino And Jazz Resort," we may as well look at the big picture and try to use modern scientific knowledge of hydrology, ecology, etc.