Novak: First, get rid of the lawyers (What Repubs are saying FEMA)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/novak/cst-edt-novak08.html

<snip>

When Republican House members participated in a telephone conference call Sept. 1, the air was blue with complaints about the handling of Katrina. There was much hand-wringing about Republican prospects in the 2006 elections. Politics aside, however, the GOP lawmakers were unhappy with their administration's performance.

Rep. Mark Foley of West Palm Beach, Fla., not known as a shouter, was especially critical. Contrary to claims that FEMA's Brown was doing just fine until Katrina struck, Foley has been at odds with Brown over the government's handling of hurricanes that have hit his Florida district. Foley has stories of Brown's denial of reality and FEMA's inherent bureaucratic sluggishness.

Criticism of FEMA was even voiced at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, of all places. While all other Cabinet members were silent, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson blew the whistle. He said HUD's readiness to send emergency housing to New Orleans was thwarted by FEMA's red tape.

Rep. Christopher Shays of Connecticut is more liberal than nearly all his fellow Republicans, but he has tried to be a Bush loyalist. He is a member of the Homeland Security Committee and chairs the national security subcommittee of the Government Reform Committee. Consequently, it is noteworthy when he accuses the administration of ''a real sense of arrogance. Loyalty and never admitting a mistake matters more than the truth. It has a Nixon feel to me.''

The Democrats on the ground, Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, have done little to commend themselves. But that does not excuse the federal performance, in the candid opinion of many Republicans. To start with, these Republicans talk about taking FEMA back from the Homeland Security Department. They agree that heads must roll, certainly Brown's and possibly Chertoff's. Above all, these Republican politicians say, let's get the lawyers out of disaster relief.

[Liberty Belle]

1. Kick! Urge Foley & the others to impeach Bush.

It's not enough to get rid a couple of cronies at FEMA, when the fish stinks from the head down.

[Erika]

2. Bush appoints lawyers to head up disasters

How roaringly funny after he made fun of Kerry/Roberts for being lawyers. Not.

[RamboLiberal]

3. I think you meant Kerry/Edwards?

Hey it's late ;) Edwards could run circles around Chertoff or especially Brown.

Funny tonight we find out that Brown went to a third-rate law school.