Red tape keeping much of military on sidelines-Chain of command

[uppityperson]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002468593_katmilitary03.html

A bit of an explanation of wtf it has taken so long, what the fricking stupid chain of command is, where it is breaking down.

A tiny fraction of the active-duty U.S. military is engaged in rescue and relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a situation that frustrated senior military officers are attributing in part to complex relationships with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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A request from FEMA — say, water delivered for 1,000 people a day, or a dozen emergency generators and fuel at the New Orleans airport — must come through a defense coordinating officer in Baton Rouge, La., or Jackson, Miss.

It then is forwarded to the operations center at Camp Shelby, which ensures the military can meet it.

Next, it is forwarded to Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., where officials of Northern Command — which oversees all active-duty military operations in the United States — match it with specific units.

The package finally goes to the Pentagon to await the signature of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Only then can the unit be deployed, whether it's a squadron of helicopters or a dozen dump trucks.

More@ link.

[mattclearing]

1. Yeah, right.

Utter crap. Even the September 11th response was faster than this.

[uppityperson]

2. Yup.

The reason they responded so slowly is because they were prepared for a terrorist attack. argh argh argh argh argh argh argh argh argh

[mattclearing]

6. I don't even believe that.

They responded so slowly because they honestly don't believe the federal government should exist to help people.

They put a totally unqualified jerk-off in charge of FEMA, displaying for all just how seriously they took the post and the agency.

Clearly Bush just doesn't give a shit.

[uppityperson]

14. I'm in total agreement. Excuses for not giving a shit.

[biscotti]

3. B S

How fast was Jebbie's state given help?

[valerief]

7. How fast can you blink?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

15. The depression was just starting to form off the west coast of Africa.

That fast.

[Emit]

4. Saw a guy on tv today in Baton Rouge helpiing out at Sal. Army

Said that Salvation Army can not give clothing to any one and/or feminine hygiene products to the women because of the rules and regs. Was pleading for someone to cut through the red tape. Something is woefully wrong about all of this, IMO.

[valerief]

5. Two words: Caine Mutiny

Aren't you a Bogart fan?

These military leaders who follow the command of a buffoon ARE guilty. Not as guilty as our ABSENT CONGRESS, but guilty nonetheless.

[bpilgrim]

8. it took them a week to respond - that sure must be some massive red-tape

i think we are being fed the cover story now.

what red tape authorized the blocking of aid that was ready to go from private orgs and citizens :shrug:

peace

[DoYouEverWonder]

9. Isn't this why BushCo set up the Dept of Homeland Security

So that there wouldn't be any more RED TAPE. So that all the different dept could be better coordinated to respond to an emergency?

This is utter bs.

[Spazito]

10. Here is a thread that shows that Northern Command was

ready and waiting but still had not received the orders by August 31st. Your post makes it clear that RUMSFELD is a major part of this FUBAR as well.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4610010#4610064

[uppityperson]

12. That is my reading of it also.

Of course, it is possible that it was tied up further down the line. And pink pigs flew out of my...

[jimshoes]

11. I knew Dr Death would be

at the end of this shit stain. Good job Don!

[RagAss]

13. Red tape my Ass.....