The Mayor of NO suggested that the WH didn't want to give him authority.

[screembloodymurder]

Has this tragedy been caused because Republicans did not want to give Democrats authority? Are we watching a breakdown of our communication systems or a refusal to cooperate across party lines?

[HereSince1628]

1. Authority to do what? Sorry, but I missed this story.

[bklyncowgirl]

2. Apparently they aren't giving it to that general Nagin mentioned either

This is an operation conducted by political appointees--the sort of people who gave us the occupation of Iraq.

[jody]

3. Authority to do what? Mayors have authority and so do governors

under their respective state constitutions.

The Governor of Louisiana has the following authority:

QUOTE
(J) Commander-in-Chief. The governor shall be commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the state, except when they are called into service of the federal government. He may call out these forces to preserve law and order, to suppress insurrection, to repel invasion, or in other times of emergency.
UNQUOTE

[screembloodymurder]

4. Authority to command the rescue operation, authority to deploy the troops.

Control the operation.

[jody]

6. The governor has complete authority over all LA assets including the

"unorganized militia" which includes all persons between 17 and 45 with some exceptions. See TITLE 10 > Subtitle A > PART I > CHAPTER 13 > § 311 Militia: composition and classes

Of course the "unorganized militia" has been neglected by Congress which is obligated "To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia".

Congress is derelict because it has not done its job under our Constitution.

[Skarbrowe]

5. What if the president is over-riding this to keep troops available for

something else they MIGHT think could happen. Until I can get more information, I am not going to blame any state official. Something is really wrong here, because I KNOW Gov's have control over their own National Guard. I don't think for a second that Blanco would not send in troops just because she didn't want to. I hope I'm not wrong.

[jody]

7. What authority does a President have over state assets including

that portion of the Guard that has not been activated?

[screembloodymurder]

8. The lack of communication between the Feds and the LA seems

to be a huge problem. Is it incompetence or a matter of political control.

[madrchsod]

9. the governor has complete control over the

federal troops . rummy has to sign over the federal troops to the governor and federal troops cannot carry fire arms unless authorized by the governor.

[jody]

10. Interesting! Do you mean federal like other state Guard units or do you

mean regular Army, etc.?