Must read! Damning NYT news article re: FEMA puts bush in the crosshairs.

[milkyway]

"Leader of Federal Effort Feels the Heat"
By ERIC LIPTON and SCOTT SHANE

On Thursday night, Michael D. Brown, the federal government's point man for managing the response to Hurricane Katrina, made a remarkable confession on live television.

Speaking of the thousands stranded at the convention center in New Orleans without food or water, Mr. Brown said that his agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, had just learned of their plight.

<snip>
It was with the appointment in 1993 of James Lee Witt, from Arkansas, that the agency began to earn respect.

Mr. Clinton made FEMA a cabinet-level agency.

"Witt shaped it into an organization that was not only to respond to disaster but attempt to mitigate disaster by taking actions before they occurred," said Michael Greenberger, a domestic security expert at the University of Maryland and a former Justice Department official.

<snip>
The approach to disaster management changed with the arrival of President Bush, experts in emergency management say. Mr. Bush appointed Mr. Allbaugh, who was Mr. Bush's chief of staff when he was governor of Texas.

<snip>
His goal, he said, was to "restore the predominant role of state and local response to most disasters."

<more>

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/03/national/nationalspecial/03fema.html

________

This is a news article, not an op-ed column. I don't ever recall seeing a news article in the Times that was so direct, with none of the usual "results have been mixed" kind of writing. It makes clear Clinton and Witt made FEMA great, and bush appointed his Texas cronies to destroy it. I know this isn't news to people here at DU, but to see the Times shed it's bullshit pose of "objectivity" is startling.

[mom cat]

1. Brown sais he (FEMA) did not know about the conditions till Sept 2

That is criminal neglect:
Paula," Mr. Brown replied unequivocally, "the federal government did not even know about the convention center people until today."

[aquart]

3. He honestly thought that excused him.

Hang him.

[PurpleChez]

11. I am generally opposed to summary execution, but

if any of the refugees in LA or MS got a hold of any of the bushco guys and just decided to string 'em up, I'd say MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. This is an entire administration of human filth and they deserve to feel the people's rage.

[mom cat]

32. Put him in the Superdome and make him scrub it down by hand. Bush

and the rest of his ilk should join them.

[electron_blue]

13. I don't understand

Never mind the fact that they all have advisers who should tell them this, aren't they the slightest bit curious? Didn't they watch tv or web sites? Are they seriously trying to say that they are so out of the loop that they did not know what was the #1 story in the MSM for 5 days?

[smoogatz]

24. They don't care.

The only way they could not know what everyone else in the country knew is out of sheer, willful disinterest. They were hoping the whole thing would go away and they could go on fleecing the taxpayers and wrecking the government.

[electron_blue]

27. I can't comprehend of that much disinterest

This is pretty friggin horribly fascinating. I don't care how little you care for the people, it can't help but capture your interest - it's like every blockbuster movie in the last few decades. I believe we're just being plain old bull-s'd.

[Ouabache]

47. Not willful disinterest, willful and criminal neglect and dereliction

IS WHAT IT IS !!

[mom cat]

30. The slogan of the right wing is "We don't care!" That is what they

have been yelling at the Camp Casey group! They do not even get how telling it is.Their lack on not caring id deeply inbred. That is why their behavior seems so bizarre to us. THEY REALLY O NOT CARE> Our job is to get rid of them...not try to educate them...You can't turn a hard core sociopath into a human being. Bush is hard core.

[NYC]

44. That was what Ted Koppel said to Brown on Nightline.

"Don't you watch television?"

[barbtries]

18. That is criminal neglect:

it'a also bullshit. my son works as a journalist in the navy and part of his job includes watching television news for most of the day. i absolutely cannot believe that FEMA does not have PR people doing the same thing around the clock. it's just bullshit. i only wish i was as surprised as i am shocked to learn that the government let these people suffer and die as they took their sweet time figuring out a way to make katrina a feather in bush's cap instead of a black eye.

[Emit]

21. You wouldn't know that by reading their website

Check this out:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4601737&mesg_id=4602234
Here's a Reader's Digest version:

includes these (some text at link):
Emergency Aid Authorized For Hurricane Katrina Emergency Response In Louisiana
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18447
Release Date: August 27, 2005


Homeland Security Prepping For Dangerous Hurricane Katrina
Residents in path of storm "Must take action now"
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18461
Release Date: August 28, 2005


First Responders Urged Not To Respond To Hurricane Impact Areas Unless Dispatched By State, Local Authorities
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18470
Release Date: August 29, 2005


Assistance Continues To Areas Impacted By Hurricane Katrina
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18471
Release Date: August 29, 2005


Cash Sought To Help Hurricane Victims, Volunteers Should Not Self-Dispatch
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18473
Release Date: August 29, 2005


President Declares Major Disaster For Louisiana
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18478
Release Date: August 29, 2005


Evacuees Cautioned Not To Re-Enter Damage Areas Prematurely
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18488
Release Date: August 30, 2005


http://www.fema.gov/news/newsarchive.fema?year=2005&month=8
Nevada Disaster Medical Assistance Team Deployed To Gulf States For Hurricane Katrina, Aug 30
Texas Disaster Medical Assistance Team Deployed To Gulf States For Hurricane Katrina, Aug 30
Arkansas Disaster Medical Assistance Team Deployed To Gulf States For Hurricane Katrina, Aug 30
Oklahoma Disaster Medical Assistance Team Deployed To Gulf States For Hurricane Katrina, Aug 30
New Mexico Disaster Medical Assistance Team Deployed To Gulf States For Hurricane Katrina, Aug 30
North Carolina Disaster Medical Assistance Team Deployed To Gulf States For Hurricane Katrina, Aug 30
Washington Disaster Medical Assistance Team Deployed To Gulf States For Hurricane Katrina, Aug 30
Massachusetts Disaster Medical Assistance Team Deployed To Gulf States For Hurricane Katrina, Aug 30

Life Safety Tops FEMA Priorities, Supplies Pour In
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18497
Release Date: August 31, 2005



IN OTHER WORDS, ACCORDING TO FEMA, THEY"VE HAD IT UNDER CONTROL SINCE BEFORE KATRINA HIT AND ALL THE CHAOS WE ARE WITNESSING WITH OUR VERY OWN EYES IS A FIGMENT OF OUR IMAGINATION!

[mom cat]

28. Please post this in it's own thread. It is critical.... AND save them so

they do not vanish.

[Emit]

31. It's there in the first link...

But threads are moving so fast, I think it's fallen down a few pages.


Here it is again:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4602266&mesg_id=4602266

This FEMA website is like that Orwellian quote:

" Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past. "

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

29. Um.. What does 'FEMA' stand for again? Thought so.

[kanrok]

46. I've read FEMA stands for:

Federal Experts My Ass.

[Bluebear]

41. Plus as Bush said "No one could have predicted this disaster"

[Spazito]

2. Excellent article! It points out clearly how bush has decimated

and defanged FEMA to become a place used to put people who are owed favours.

[Deep N RedLand]

4. "An oversized entitlement program."

Once again that one statement reveals the NeoCon mission to destroy the world by gutting government.

So unlike the conservative elite who truly earned everything they have in life :sarcasm: , by helping those starving people trapped in N.O. it would be considered "entitlement". :sarcasm:

Micheal Brown...It's not what you know, but who you blow.

In frickin incredible!

[iamjoy]

5. Didn't Know?

Doesn't he watch or listen to the news?

Hell, he's the FEMA Director, doesn't he ask for field reports?

Every few hours I hear/read something more outrageous coming out of NOLA.

Didn't know? We should have a "smilie" of pants on fire.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. The difference is that Clinton actually felt a responsibility to govern...

while these people, aided by the press, have made "policy wonk" an epithet. Also, Clinton, I believe, actually cares whether people get help if they need it, and whether they live or die.

[MadeinOhio]

7. WOW. The Bush admin forced the local and state governments...........

To remain responsible for natural disasters?!?!??

No wonder a racist was put in charge of FEMA!!!! Its all up to the locals according to these idiots! :mad:

[tjdee]

8. In fact no. The Homeland Security site says this:

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."

[johnaries]

12. "Educating America's families on how best to prepare their

homes...". Does Duck Tape and plastic sheeting keep out flood waters? :shrug:

[stevietheman]

22. March 1st of what year? n/t

n/t

[tjdee]

51. This year, I believe. Nt

[speedoo]

23. Grounds for impeachment right there.

FEMA has utterly failed accomplish any part of that objective. As a result, thousands have lost their lives and many more will die in the coming months as well.

If the Democrats do not go hard after the Coward as soon as the immediate crises ends, my brain will explode.

[jfalchion]

37. The Road to Impeachment

When will the Cong Black Caucus call for an investigation of the indifference and incompetence of the racist plutocrats in the WH? They are guilty of criminally negligent homocide on a mass scale.

[itzamirakul]

48. Why would the Cong. Black Caucus call for any investigation? So they can

be listened to semi-politely, dissed, insulted and even not supported by the white members of their own party, thereby being publicly humiliated?

(you offered me the opportunity to be sarcastic. thanx.)

[girl gone mad]

9. Wow.

So Bush was giving more money to FEMA, but the money was being spent much less effectively.

People should be very angry about this. Bush is completely unqualified for the job, like we've been saying all along.

[ailsagirl]

14. What is it going to TAKE to get people to wake up???

How serious does the transgression have to be before we can
impeach them all and throw them in prison where they belong?

How BADLY do they have to screw up before we say, "OK-- THAT'S
IT!!!"

:shrug:

[TankLV]

26. But we are told even TODAY by some disgusting DU'rs to not criticize -

and that this is "not the time" to criticizze!

This is EXACTLY the time to criticize - because the fault lies strictly at the foot of bushco! and nobody else - no matter how hard they try.

[bostonbabs]

35. agreed...keep the pressure on and let these poor people know

that there are people that care. I am so angry!

[ailsagirl]

50. Me too, bostonbabs... this is an outrage

BTW, Welcome to DU (not a happy time but welcome)
:)

[LeftyElvis]

10. There should be an investigation after this and I hope

that the glaring inadequacy of bush's neglect here is the fact that the National Guard is fighting the WMD bogus war in Iraq.

[ima_sinnic]

15. ohhh, that will just be part of it

--I know deep in my bones there are going to be Congressional hearings into every aspect of this. there are going to be outrageous revelations.

[Radio_Lady]

34. Is it true that none other than Bill Frist has called for hearings?

I've been taking care of grandchildren today and playing with Legos and can't be on this site or I will be in tears....

[Imagevision]

16. Bush will call for his OWN investigation headed by ROVE!!

http://downingstreetmemo.com/

[bostonbabs]

36. Don't forget he tried

to put Kissenger on 9/11 and Kerick on Homeland Secutity!!

[qanda]

17. That is very interesting

[babylonsister]

19. And Nixon resigned due to Watergate? I think the blivet

should be taking notes; this is a lot worse!

[kanrok]

20. Keeeerisssst....HOW THE FUCK DID I KNOW BEFORE FEMA???

What a total crock of putrid horseshit. I am really going to throw up. INCOMPETENT ASSHOLES!!!!!!

[ClintonTyree]

39. Well, everyone was on vacation.........

the blivet was at a birthday party, strumming his guitar, the sec-state was in NYC shopping for shoes and seeing a comedy, Rummy was jerking off to torture photos from Abu Ghraib and Cheney??? Does ANYONE know where the hell Cheney is? :wtf:

When these assholes go on vacation, they go ON VACATION! Who the hell is running the damned country while these assholes are off in their respective circle jerks?

Jesus H. Christ this pisses me off to the utmost degree. :mad:

[trof]

25. um...dog ate my homework.

alarm clock didn't go off
didn't get the memo
I didn't think I had to know that
my grandmother died, have to go to the funeral
it wasn't me
he did it
hello? hello? sorry, I can't hear you

ad nauseum, ad infinitum

[SoCalDemocrat]

33. ARTICLE PULLED! Post a cache

The article has been pulled. Please copy/paste a full cache until the Times restores it.

[CantGetFooledAgain]

40. WTF!!?? Article pulled?

Does this happen routinely? Or was it something about this PARTICULAR article?

[craigolemiss]

42. No, I just got it, its there

[NYC]

45. The article is back now.

[ClintonTyree]

38. In essence, they "drowned it in the bathtub"........

just like they want to do with the rest of government. Any American that votes for a single Republican after this fiasco should be shot. I sincerely hope this wakes Americans up from their terra' induced comas.
The government exists to serve the people, not themselves.
These festering puss-warts in the bush administration have divided the government up and sold it to the highest bidders, pocketing a tidy profit themselves in doing so. They must be removed from office now, we can't wait 3+ years. They'll have sold everything out from underneath us by then. Incompetent fools! :grr:

AMERICA, WAKE THE HELL UP! :banghead:

[demo dutch]

43. Incredible the media/American public knew, and Nagin mentioned it in his

interview with WWLTV on Tuesday night!!!

[POLEIS]

49. Kicked! n/t