Larry Johnson: CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE AND KATRINA?

[understandinglife]

CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE AND KATRINA?

by Larry C. Johnson

September 4, 2005

The provocative title is intentional. Why did the Bush Administration fail to act according to the National Response Plan they created in December of 2004 to deal with an incident like Katrina? What do you do when the words on the paper don't match the action in the field? People are dying today in New Orleans because of the failure to provide immediate aid are dead in part because of the negligence of Michael Chertoff. That is a harsh judgment, but if you will take time to read the National Response Plan that was signed into effect in December of 2004 there is no other reasonable conclusion.

The current effort by the Bush Administration to blame the victims in Louisiana and Mississippi is bad enough, but they are in big trouble once Americans take the time to understand that they the Administration ignored it's own plan for dealing with a threat like Katrina. Why did they fail to implement the plan until it was too late to save lives along the Gulf Coast?

Don't take my word for it, read the plan yourself. You can download it at http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/NRPbaseplan.pdf

The National Response Plan was accepted and implemented by Bush Administration in December 2004. According to the PREFACE, President Bush, "directed the development of a new National Response Plan (NRP) to align Federal coordination structures, capabilities, and resources into a unified, all discipline, and all-hazards approach to domestic incident management. . . .The end result is vastly improved coordination among Federal, State, local, and tribal organizations to help save lives and protect America's communities by increasing the speed, effectiveness, and efficiency of incident management."

Much more at the link:

http://noquarter.typepad.com/my_weblog/2005/09/criminal_neglig.html

Worthy of a complete read.

Peace.

[understandinglife]

1. Larry Johnson: HOTWASH VS. WHITEWASH

KATRINA: HOTWASH VS. WHITEWASH

by Larry C. Johnson

on September 3, 2005

Homeland Security has published a National Response Plan for dealing with disasters like Katrina. Unfortunately, nobody in a position of leadership in the Bush Administration appears to have read or understood this document. When the "hotwash" comes somebody better learn something. We can't afford another disaster like this.

What's a hotwash? After the military conducts a training exercise they carry out a "hotwash". A hotwash is shorthand for an after action evaluation of the exercise. The hotwash is supposed to provide a chance to discuss the problems and shortfalls identified during the exercise. This process is supposed to lead to "lessons learned", which, in a perfect world, means that actual learning takes place and we avoid committing the same errors when the real thing happens.

Having spent the last 11 years desgining and executing counter terrorism exercises for the US military's special operations forces, I have had a front row seat for watching how we are prepared to deal with the entire spectrum of terrorist threats.

Exercises are not just for the military. FEMA and Homeland Security have participated in dozens of exercises. The purpose of a Homeland Security exercise, for example, is to test the decision making and communication procedures that would use in response to say, a category 5 hurricane. The exercise would include making actual contact with the State and local officials threatened by the hurricane. Well, guess what? We are not talking hypothetical, there actually was an exercise in July 2004 that involved Homeland Security and FEMA, which tested the very scenario of a hurricane hitting New Orleans and causing a breach in the levees. It looks like that instead of a 'hotwash" we got a whitewash. Apparently nobody learned anything.

I don't know if the Congress will let the President and the heads of Homeland Security and FEMA off the hook, but the media should not let any Administration official offer the lame excuse that this was unexpected or unprecedented disaster. The Administration's own documents condemn them. Take a look at the Department of Homeland Security's website. There is a National Response Plan that is supposed to be the guide for responding to disasters like Katrina. Why didn't they use it?

Much more at the link:

http://noquarter.typepad.com/my_weblog/2005/09/katrina_hotwash.html

Peace.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

2. July 2004 FEMA and HS New Orleans Levee Exercise. Details would be great.

From the article:

We are not talking hypothetical, there actually was an exercise in July 2004 that involved Homeland Security and FEMA, which tested the very scenario of a hurricane hitting New Orleans and causing a breach in the levees.

Researchers: details on this will be extra evidence to shine even more light on the Bush regime lie "We didn't know it could happen."

[mod mom]

4. We must stay on top of the media to make sure the administration is not

allowed to pursue their lame excuses. The spin has already started to push off blame on the mayor and governor but luckily they appear to be up for the fight.

I for one, am writing to those journalists on CNN who appear to have shrugged off their koolaid intoxication, and urging them to keep the pressure on the * administration.

Thanks, UL and PEACE to you and your family.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. July 2004 FEMA New Orleans exercise Happened

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N02521178.htm

In July 2004, more than 40 federal, state, local and volunteer organizations practiced this very scenario in a five-day simulation code-named "Hurricane Pam", where they had to deal with an imaginary storm that destroyed over half a million buildings in New Orleans and forced the evacuation of a million residents.

At the end of the exercise Ron Castleman, regional director for the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared: "We made great progress this week in our preparedness efforts.

"Disaster response teams developed action plans in critical areas such as search and rescue, medical care, sheltering, temporary housing, school restoration and debris management. These plans are essential for quick response to a hurricane but will also help in other emergencies," he said.

In light of that, said disaster expert Bill Waugh of Georgia State University, "It's inexplicable how unprepared for the flooding they were." He said a slow decline over several years in funding for emergency management was partly to blame.

In comments on Thursday, President George W. Bush said, "I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees."

[bleever]

8. Hurricane Pam! Say it loud.

Bastards.

[understandinglife]

12. ThinkProgress: “Hurricane Pam” Reveals Administration’s Incompetence

And, say it clear, and say it over and over and over again ....

http://thinkprogress.org/2005/09/02/hurricane-pam/

Peace.

[understandinglife]

16. And, here's the media release from the FEMA site

Hurricane Pam Exercise Concludes

Release Date: July 23, 2004
Release Number: R6-04-093

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Hurricane Pam brought sustained winds of 120 mph, up to 20 inches of rain in parts of southeast Louisiana and storm surge that topped levees in the New Orleans area. More than one million residents evacuated and Hurricane Pam destroyed 500,000-600,000 buildings. Emergency officials from 50 parish, state, federal and volunteer organizations faced this scenario during a five-day exercise held this week at the State Emergency Operations Center in Baton Rouge.

The exercise used realistic weather and damage information developed by the National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the LSU Hurricane Center and other state and federal agencies to help officials develop joint response plans for a catastrophic hurricane in Louisiana.

"We made great progress this week in our preparedness efforts," said Ron Castleman, FEMA Regional Director. "Disaster response teams developed action plans in critical areas such as search and rescue, medical care, sheltering, temporary housing, school restoration and debris management. These plans are essential for quick response to a hurricane but will also help in other emergencies."

"Hurricane planning in Louisiana will continue," said Colonel Michael L. Brown, Deputy Director for Emergency Preparedness, Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. "Over the next 60 days, we will polish the action plans developed during the Hurricane Pam exercise. We have also determined where to focus our efforts in the future."

A partial summary of action plans follows:

Debris

The debris team estimates that a storm like Hurricane Pam would result in 30 million cubic yards of debris and 237,000 cubic yards of household hazardous waste
The team identified existing landfills that have available storage space and locations of hazardous waste disposal sites. The debris plan also outlines priorities for debris removal.
Sheltering

The interagency shelter group identified the need for about 1,000 shelters for a catastrophic disaster. The shelter team identified 784 shelters and has developed plans for locating the remaining shelters.

In a storm like Hurricane Pam, shelters will likely remain open for 100 days. The group identified the resources necessary to support 1000 shelters for 100 days. They planned for staff augmentation and how to include shelterees in shelter management.

State resources are adequate to operate shelters for the first 3-5 days. The group planned how federal and other resources will replenish supplies at shelters.

Search and Rescue

The search and rescue group developed a transportation plan for getting stranded residents out of harm's way.
Planners identified lead and support agencies for search and rescue and established a command structure that will include four areas with up to 800 searchers.
Medical

The medical care group reviewed and enhanced existing plans. The group determined how to implement existing immunization plans rapidly for tetanus, influenza and other diseases likely to be present after a major hurricane.

The group determined how to re-supply hospitals around the state that would face heavy patient loads.

The medical action plan includes patient movement details and identifies probable locations, such as state university campuses, where individuals would receive care and then be transported to hospitals, special needs shelters or regular shelters as necessary.
Schools

The school group determined that 13,000-15,000 teachers and administrators would be needed to support affected schools. The group acknowledged the role of local school boards and developed strategies for use by local school officials.

Staffing strategies include the use of displaced teachers, retired teachers, emergency certified teachers and others eligible for emergency certification. Displaced paraprofessionals would also be recruited to fill essential school positions.

The group discussed facility options for increasing student population at undamaged schools and prioritizing repairs to buildings with less damage to assist in normalizing operations
The school plan also calls for placement or development of temporary schools near temporary housing communities built for hurricane victims.

The Hurricane Pam scenario focused on 13 parishes in southeast Louisiana-Ascension, Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Tammany Tangipahoa, Terrebonne. Representatives from outside the primary parishes participated since hurricane evacuation and sheltering involve communities throughout the state and into Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Updated: Friday, 23-Jul-2004 15:05:38

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=13051

I've archived it already in case they start scrubbing ....


Peace.

[understandinglife]

18. Reuters -- "Experts: New Orleans disaster was predicted"

Experts: New Orleans disaster was predicted

Published: September 2, 2005, 12:50 PM PDT
By Reuters

Virtually everything that has happened in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina struck was predicted by experts and in computer models, so emergency management specialists wonder why authorities were so unprepared.

"The scenario of a major hurricane hitting New Orleans was well anticipated, predicted and drilled around," said Clare Rubin, an emergency management consultant who also teaches at the Institute for Crisis, Disaster and Risk Management at George Washington University.

More at the link:

http://news.com.com/Experts+New+Orleans+disaster+was+predicted/2100-1008_3-5846233.html

Peace.

[understandinglife]

23. "Example: Hypothetical Hurricane Pam" -- This is an animation ...

.... of the model. It takes time to load but is quite interesting (especially to someone who does quantitative modeling and simulations of complex systems):

http://www.nd.edu/~adcirc/pam.htm


Peace.

[understandinglife]

71. Sept 5 2005 - Larry Johnson - BUSH vs. BLANCO: BUSH DROPPED THE BALL

BUSH vs. BLANCO: BUSH DROPPED THE BALL

by Larry C. Johnson

Don't let Bush off the hook. The White House effort to blame the Governor of Louisiana ignores some critical facts:

The Governor of Louisiana declared a State of Emergency on 26 August 2005, which is a pre-requisite for invoking the Stafford Act:

Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco today issued Proclamation No. 48 KBB 2005, declaring a state of emergency for the state Louisiana as Hurricane Katrina poses an imminent threat, carrying severe storms, high winds, and torrential rain that may cause flooding and damage to private property and public facilities, and threaten the safety and security of the citizens of the state of Louisiana The state of emergency extends from Friday, August 26, 2005, through Sunday, September 25, 2005, unless terminated sooner.

The Governor, per the National Response Plan, followed this request with a letter on Saturday, 27 August 2005, invoking the Stafford Act. Note this letter inludes specific requests for aid:

More at the link:

http://noquarter.typepad.com/my_weblog/2005/09/by_larry_c_john.html

Folk are focusing; Bush and his neoconster gang will NOT escape being brought to justice.


Peace.

[understandinglife]

78. Larry Johnson: INTRO TO THE NATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN (NRP)

INTRO TO THE NATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN

by Larry C. Johnson

September 6, 2005

As noted in an earlier post, the National Response Plan, for whatever reason, was not implemented in a timely, effective manner. As a result people have died who should have survived. Please pay close attention to the fact that every single major Department of the Federal Government is a signatory to this document. The fundamnetal point of this document is that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)is essentially the supported commander for any terrorist or natural disaster incident. To be the supported commander means all other Departments are required to give DHS the resources, cooperation, and support consistent with their own capabilities. Please keep this in mind as you listen to the Bush Administration try to blame State officials for dropping the ball.

The National Response Plan (NRP) is an all-discipline, all-hazards plan that establishes a single, comprehensive framework for the management of domestic incidents. It provides the structure and mechanisms for the coordination of Federal support to State, local, and tribal incident managers and for exercising direct Federal authorities and responsibilities.

The NRP assists in the important homeland security mission of preventing terrorist attacks within the United States; reducing the vulnerability to all natural and manmade hazards; and minimizing the damage and assisting in the recovery from any type of incident that occurs.

By signing this letter of agreement, Federal departments and agencies and other organizations commit to:

<clip>

Much more at the link including the names of every Bush administration executive who signed the NRP:

http://noquarter.typepad.com/my_weblog/2005/09/intro_to_the_na.html

Bush and Cheney must resign. That is the only way to begin to rebuild not just New Orleans but our Republic.


Peace.

[bleever]

3. Holy cow, they had the plans in their own desks! They'd written it,

and they 100% blew it.

Criminal negligence.

[bonito]

6. Can't hide the facts.

[Karenina]

7. For YEARS...

:kick:

[understandinglife]

9. Yep. And, this goes straight to the heart of the matter of what ..

... must be spread so that not one single citizen can escape the reality of what our collective negligence in holding Scalia and SCOTUS accountable in Dec 2000 has cost us; what not holding Bush and the entire administration accountable regarding their incompetence in 9/11, their WMD lies, their total disregard for international law, including the Geneva conventions, have cost us.

And, now we have a situation where we do not need to await a leaked 'Downing Street' document; or a two year, after the fact analysis of the vote count in Florida or Ohio; or a Sibel Edmonds to be able to tell us all she knows; ...., we've got NO all on record and we've got all the relevant documents in full view.

'We The People .... Have No Clothes' -- truly and totally if we allow them to get away with their coordinated indifference to the deaths of currently countless fellow citizens and the destruction of an entire American city.

Several have noted -- 'well, if they want to run America like a company, OK, then for starters all us shareholders need to have a meeting in the next few days and decide how many of the folk that work for us and whom we pay are going to be fired.'

The essence of that is very much at the core of the "owner's manual" ;) I'm writing!! Working on it every spare moment .... and the few posts I'm doing at DU actually contain stuff I'm using as examples in the book.


Peace.

[glitch]

14. Excellent - can't wait for the book.

"And, this goes straight to the heart of the matter of what must be spread so that not one single citizen can escape the reality of what our collective negligence in holding Scalia and SCOTUS accountable in Dec 2000 has cost us; what not holding Bush and the entire administration accountable regarding their incompetence in 9/11, their WMD lies, their total disregard for international law, including the Geneva conventions, have cost us."

Straight to the heart.

[chicagiana]

63. I can't wait for the movie ...

I hope Michael Moore halts production on "Sicko" to do "The Battle of New Orleans" and have it out before the 2006 election. The 2006 election MUST be about impeaching the president. All the Pukes are now funded by the GOP and are nothing more than rubber stamps to this murdering asshole Bush!!!!

THE 2006 ELECTION MUST BE A "RECALL BY IMPEACHMENT" CAMPAIGN AGAINST BUSH!!!! Every Democratic challenger must FORCE the election to be about the impeachment of GW Bush. Force the voters to CHOOSE!!!!

[SammyWinstonJack]

13. Who knew?

:shrug: LIARS!

[Gary173]

10. Take a walk on the darkside

Maybe they learned HOW to breach the levies

[1democracy]

15. I agree with criminal negligence

for all of them, or not being a lawyer, murder with each one of them prosecuted.

[chicagiana]

64. 4-5 pounds of C-4

All it would take is a couple teams from Blackwater to put down a few pounds of C-4. Once you blow the top, the hydraulics will pull the rest of the thing down.

[walldude]

11. Posted this already.. about 5 threads down

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4633994

[bleever]

20. I saw it, and it made me want a place to gather all the threads so

I started the Hurrican Pam thread for people to put these things together, if interested:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4634176

[DoYouEverWonder]

17. Damn, I posted a thread about the National Response Plan this AM

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4623551

Feels good to be on the right track.

Here's a direct link to these documents on the Homeland Security Site:

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0566.xml


Here's some info from their fact sheet

# The Plan ensures the seamless integration of the federal government when an incident exceeds local or state capabilities.

# Timely Federal Response to Catastrophic Incidents

# The Plan identifies catastrophic incidents as high-impact,
low-probability incidents, including natural disasters and terrorist attacks that result in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the population, infrastructure, environment, economy, national morale, and/or government functions.

# The Plan provides the means to swiftly deliver federal support in response to catastrophic incidents.

[understandinglife]

19. Excellent! And, thank you for cross-linking here. I am assembling ...

... stuff and sending the URLs to a variety of media and Congressional offices. The more substance we provide them, the better.

They have no way of escaping this one because we do not have to wait for whistleblowers or leaks of classified info -- we've got'um out in the clear and all we need to do is keep the lasers focused.

And, then no one will have an excuse. We are either the Constitutional Republic - "America", or not. We'll all know real soon what we decide to be.


Peace.

[DoYouEverWonder]

24. Unfortunately

I'm still waiting for the 2nd plane to hit, if you get my drift.

Peace be with you too.

PBWY
DYEW

[understandinglife]

25. I know what you mean ... and I'm wondering if the reason we have not ...

... seen Cheney, hardly at all, is because the 'second plane' is what he and the neoconsters are preparing to do to Iran. Moving two battalions of the 82nd to Iraq for the purported intent of guarding prisoners just does not compute (for me).

These guys need to be haulted and the shareholders of America must do it or "America" truly is dead.


Peace.

[troubleinwinter]

21. Kick this. Bookmark it. Nominate it. Kick it again. Email it.

[RBHam]

22. YES! Going after Chertof, larry King's "friend"...

Through Chertof, you'll find Cheney and the Joint Chiefs...

Is there an honest military man left? General Honore proved to be a blustering stooge - ready to bend over backwards to please his boss Rummy.

Treason should carry a severe punishment.

[bpilgrim]

26. so it's not just 'all in our heads', eh?

thanks for this post :toast:

peace

[Barack_America]

27. I actually disagree completely...

I've been reading through the NRP, FEMA Strategic Plans, etc. all weekend long and the wording is so vague that it doesn't freaking say anything.

DHS definitely sees its role as terrorism. If you go to their site you are directed to FEMA if you're interested in anything related to natural disasters.

Here's how FEMA sees their role (from the FEMA strategic plan 03-08)
http://www.fema.gov/doc/library/text_reader_fema_strat_plan_fy03-08.doc

"Public perceptions of disaster-related performance may not always coincide with FEMA’s roles. Specifically, FEMA is not a first-responder, nor are disaster programs intended to cover all losses that may be associated with an event."

If you read closely, any time FEMA talks about life-saving measures, the action is always prefaced with "help", "assist" and "encourage" local and state government responses.

As far as I can tell, FEMA sees itself as an agency of very little action, other than writing checks to cover damages after the disaster is over.

This is a very different vision than the FEMA Clinton was trying to build.
http://www.fema.gov/nwz97/splan.pdf

[bpilgrim]

30. so you think it wasn't the Feds responsibility to help in a disaster?

who's responsibility is it then if not FEMA or DHS :shrug:

peace

[Barack_America]

43. Ok, you are missing my point completely...**IMPORTANT**

Of COURSE I think that is the government's responsibility. Why do you think I have spent my entire weekend reading this crap?

What I am saying is that the National Response Plan isn't really a PLAN at all. It is a lot of flowery language that has neither details nor substance. It is something that was clearly written by an agency that had not done it's homework and had no concrete plans.

Look closely for the "assist", "encourage" prefixes that are not followed by a description of what the agency will actually be doing. For example, what does it mean to say that the DHS will "assist in the recovery from terrorist attacks, natural disasters"?? Does this mean that they will be in the trenches trying to evacuate people or does it mean that they'll contract Halliburton after the fact to clean up the mess?? It can mean either one. Apparently NO and LA thought that it meant the former whereas FEMA thinks they can get away with that latter. That very well may have explained the delay. Blanco thought she was calling the calvary, but what she was getting was little more than a contractor.

I have been reading the response plans for other countries as well. Japan's, for example, includes an enormous amount of detail including who contacts who and exactly what everybody's jobs are. Our NRP has none of that and it's a huge problem.

[stepnw1f]

31. Colonial Neo-Con Crap

Stop making up excuses. Swallow that pride and admit Bush's version of FEMA created a bigger mess by witholding aid from victims. There is no excuse.

[bpilgrim]

32. Scope and Applicability

The NRP covers the full range of complex and
constantly changing requirements in anticipation of
or in response to threats or acts of terrorism, major
disasters, and other emergencies. The NRP also
provides the basis to initiate long-term community
recovery and mitigation activities.

...


Department of Homeland Security

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 established DHS to
prevent terrorist attacks within the United States;
reduce the vulnerability of the United States to
terrorism, natural disasters, and other emergencies; and
minimize the damage and assist in the recovery from
terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other
emergencies. The act also designates DHS as “a focal
point regarding natural and manmade crises and
emergency planning.”

...

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act, 93 Pub. L. No. 288, 88 Stat. 143
(1974) (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-
5206, and scattered sections of 12 U.S.C., 16 U.S.C.,
20 U.S.C., 26 U.S.C., 38 U.S.C. (2002)), establishes the
programs and processes for the Federal Government
to provide disaster and emergency assistance to States,
local governments, tribal nations, individuals, and
qualified private nonprofit organizations. The
provisions of the Stafford Act cover all hazards
including natural disasters and terrorist events.
Relevant provisions of the Stafford Act include a
process for Governors to request Federal disaster and
emergency assistance from the President. The
President may declare a major disaster or emergency:

- If an event is beyond the combined response
capabilities of the State and affected local
governments;

here is the request for emergency help...

more...
http://news.globalfreepress.com/katrina/Disaster_Relief_Request/

peace


a couple clips from the doc

peace

[understandinglife]

34. Thank you. Was going to post similar info. Many of us have saved ..

.... that letter, by the way.

Let's hope those who need to either read more or improve their reading comprehension skills do so, quickly.


Peace.

[bpilgrim]

35. web page (html) of NRP

http://news.globalfreepress.com/katrina/NRP
(uploading the complete version now)

psst... pass the word ;->

peace

[understandinglife]

36. Will do and Thank YOU!

Peace.

[bpilgrim]

37. thank GORE he 'INVENTED' the INTERNETs ;-)

:hi:

peace

[DoYouEverWonder]

47. It sure makes it lot hard for them to bs us

when we have such easy access to some much evidence.

Keep up the great work saving this stuff on your site.

:hi:

[dbeach]

28. "Halliburton hired for storm cleanup "

Halliburton hired for storm cleanup
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
create the problem
offer the solution
complicate the problem
profit from each step

REPEAT!!

www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssis...ss/3335685
"Halliburton hired for storm cleanup
The Navy has hired Houston-based Halliburton Co. to restore electric power, repair roofs and remove debris at three naval facilities in Mississippi damaged by Hurricane Katrina
Halliburton subsidiary KBR will also perform damage assessments at other naval installations in New Orleans as soon as it is safe to do so.

KBR was assigned the work under a "construction capabilities" contract awarded in 2004 after a competitive bidding process. The company is not involved in the Army Corps of Engineers' effort to repair New Orleans' levees."

Why is mickey big bro chertoff talking about atomic weapons?
candi rice talked it up about shroom clouds and then Iraq illegal invasion.

Funny how there is alwqays a big event when bush jr is on the hot seat..


Fitzie gots lots of indictmnets coming to the highest echelons of govt.

Haig to the Hague..

[understandinglife]

33. Many times these past days I've thought about the "Plame Grand Jury" ...

... and Cooper's description of his experience in front of them ....

Reckoning time coming real soon ...


Peace.

[dbeach]

29. Madsen Report

http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/
"September 4, 2005 -- WMR contacted by spokesperson for James Lee Witt. Yesterday, WMR reported that according to a June 3, 2004 press release from Innovative Emergency Management (IEM), Inc. it received a FEMA contract to develop a "Catastrophic Hurricane Disaster Plan for New Orleans & Southeast Louisiana." The IEM press release stated that among its team partners was James Lee Witt Associates. Witt was FEMA director under President Clinton and he restored that agency's disaster recovery effectiveness after President George H. W. Bush's ineffective response to Hurricane Andrew in 1992. According to Witt's spokesperson, James Lee Witt Associates continues to be fraudulently listed on IEM's web site as a team partner for the over $500,000 FEMA contract work.The IEM press release that contains the erroneous information has been disappearing and reappearing, another sign of something suspicious with the contractor.

IEM, which is an 8-A minority-owned firm, apparently used Witt's name as a "buy in" ploy to lock in the FEMA contract. What is fishier is that the IEM press release was reportedly sent out before the FEMA contract was actually awarded. After IEM began the work on the FEMA contract, it never once used Witt's company and did not pay it one cent. Informed sources claim that IEM, owned by a big donor to the GOP, is notorious for not completing work after contracts are awarded. The Catastrophic Hurricane Disaster Plan for New Orleans and Southeast Louisiana was no exception. Mr. Witt is now acting as a pro bono disaster recovery adviser for Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco. Witt's spokesperson was frank is stating, "you don't really think the Bush administration would have given a contract to someone who worked for Bill Clinton?" That is very true. The issue with the incomplete FEMA hurricane preparedness plan is in IEM's and its actual partners' court. James Lee Witt, likely America's most effective FEMA Director, had nothing to do with the IEM work and he now needs all the support the nation and state of Louisiana can muster as he prepares to confront America's worst natural disaster in its history.

John Kerry speaking of the Republicans in 2004: "These guys are the most crooked, you know, lying group of people I’ve ever seen.""


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[bribri16]

38. Can't downloand the full Plan. Is the link not working? n/t

[understandinglife]

39. This link works for me:

http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/NRPbaseplan.pdf

If you can't download it, send me your email in a PM and I'll be happy to email it to you as an attachment.


Peace.

[bpilgrim]

40. here is an HTML version ----------- -------------- ------- > LINK

http://news.globalfreepress.com/katrina/NRP/#LinkTarget_15993
(very large page, be patient)

peace

[understandinglife]

41. Thank you, again, for doing this bpilgrim! And, I sent Larry Johnson ...

... an email with the URL to this thread and the message that many are paying attention to his continued service to the Republic and thanked him for all of us.



Peace.

[understandinglife]

57. Larry Johnson responded to my email and thanked us for spreading ...

.... the word.

Thanks to all of you whom are adding so many details to this thread -- makes it easy to send just one URL to all those folks who need to focus on the reality that Bush and his neoconster gang LET IT HAPPEN.


Peace.

[understandinglife]

42. Krugman: Killed by Contempt

September 5, 2005

Killed By Contempt

By PAUL KRUGMAN

Each day since Katrina brings more evidence of the lethal ineptitude of federal officials. I'm not letting state and local officials off the hook, but federal officials had access to resources that could have made all the difference, but were never mobilized.

Here's one of many examples: The Chicago Tribune reports that the U.S.S. Bataan, equipped with six operating rooms, hundreds of hospital beds and the ability to produce 100,000 gallons of fresh water a day, has been sitting off the Gulf Coast since last Monday - without patients.

Experts say that the first 72 hours after a natural disaster are the crucial window during which prompt action can save many lives. Yet action after Katrina was anything but prompt. Newsweek reports that a "strange paralysis" set in among Bush administration officials, who debated lines of authority while thousands died.

What caused that paralysis? President Bush certainly failed his test. After 9/11, all the country really needed from him was a speech. This time it needed action - and he didn't deliver. But the federal government's lethal ineptitude wasn't just a consequence of Mr. Bush's personal inadequacy; it was a consequence of ideological hostility to the very idea of using government to serve the public good.

More at the link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/05/opinion/05krugman.html?pagewanted=print

OK. Now it is being stated as clearly as it needs to be.


Peace.

[understandinglife]

46. Herbert: "Bush to New Orleans -- Drop Dead"

September 5, 2005

A Failure of Leadership
By BOB HERBERT

"Bush to New Orleans:

Drop Dead"

Neither the death of the chief justice nor the frantic efforts of panicked White House political advisers can conceal the magnitude of the president's failure of leadership last week. The catastrophe in New Orleans billowed up like the howling winds of hell and was carried live and in color on television screens across the U.S. and around the world.

The Big Easy had turned into the Big Hurt, and the colossal failure of George W. Bush to intervene powerfully and immediately to rescue tens of thousands of American citizens who were suffering horribly and dying in agony was there for all the world to see.

<clip>

Like a boy being prepped for a second crack at a failed exam, Mr. Bush has been meeting with his handlers to see what steps can be taken to minimize the political fallout from this latest demonstration of his ineptitude. But this is not about politics. It's about competence. And when the president is so obviously clueless about matters so obviously important, it means that the rest of us, like the people left stranded in New Orleans, are in deep, deep trouble.

More at the link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/05/opinion/05herbert.html?pagewanted=print

And, I request that my OP entitled "Bush. Wants. Them. To. Die" be restored since Mr Herbert and I seem to share a similar view to the situation, and because several DUers responded with comments that I want to memorialize in the book I am writing.


Peace.

[faithnotgreed]

73. ul - do you remember the pol (i think rw) who said he always

reads paul krugman because of his intelligence etc

am going to read the link now
thanks

[Barack_America]

44. Please read my post above marked **IMPORTANT**

I don't want it to get lost up there, thanks.

[Independent_Liberal]

45. Kick and thanks for posting this UL!

[Barack_America]

48. kick...important info about sham agencies DHS and FEMA

This is going to be the story of the day kids...

[MellowOne]

49. Amazing

When do we get to impeach **?

[Barack_America]

50. kicking again because FEMA really sucks...

[bleever]

51. Kick. So much yet to be added to this thread.

[KamaAina]

52. Hmmm, wasn't somebody on DU saying "criminal negligence" all week?

as soon as he found out the Corps of Engineers funds for levee and floodwall maintenance had bben diverted to Iraq?

Who was that? Some guy from N.O. who's in Hawai'i or somplace now... :-)

[Patsy Stone]

53. Krugman wrote this on 9/2: A Can't-Do Government

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/02/opinion/02krugman.html?n=Top%2fOpinion%2fEditorials%20and%20Op%2dEd%2fOp%2dEd%2fColumnists%2fPaul%20Krugman

<snip>

"Before 9/11 the Federal Emergency Management Agency listed the three most likely catastrophic disasters facing America: a terrorist attack on New York, a major earthquake in San Francisco and a hurricane strike on New Orleans. "The New Orleans hurricane scenario," The Houston Chronicle wrote in December 2001, "may be the deadliest of all." It described a potential catastrophe very much like the one now happening.

<snip>

So... Way before 2004 there were scenarios. If they chose to ignore a memo entitled, "Bin Laden Determined to Strike Within the US" how could they be expected to comprehend something abstract?

I demand that heads roll!

Sorry if this link was already posted, I've been out of town.

[Patsy Stone]

55. Chicago Tribune: 9/3/05

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0509030220sep03,1,5525666.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

Here's an article on how FEMA has been weakened after 9/11.

<snip>

When FEMA became part of the Homeland Security Department, it was stripped of some functions, such as some of its ability to make preparedness grants to states, former officials said. Those functions were placed elsewhere in the larger agency.

FEMA capability 'marginalized'

"After Sept. 11 they got so focused on terrorism they effectively marginalized the capability of FEMA," said George Haddow, a former FEMA official during the Clinton administration. "It's no surprise that they're not capable of managing the federal government's response to this kind of disaster."

<snip>

<snip>

And there isn't an experienced disaster-response expert at the top of the agency as there was when James Lee Witt ran it during the 1990s. Before Michael Brown, the current head, joined the agency as its legal counsel, he was with the International Arabian Horse Association.

<snip>

[Patsy Stone]

56. Knight Ridder Washington Bureau 8/31/05

http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/12528233.htm

<snip>

Federal flood control spending for southeastern Louisiana has been chopped from $69 million in 2001 to $36.5 million in 2005, according to budget documents. Federal hurricane protection for the Lake Pontchartrain vicinity in the Army Corps of Engineers' budget dropped from $14.25 million in 2002 to $5.7 million this year. Louisiana Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu requested $27 million this year.

<snip>

[MadeinOhio]

58. He could have cut funding anywhere. Even from the national guard in MT!

Why the hell did he choose to gut all the funding for Louisiana's Gulf Coast? :crazy:

It was obviously expected.

[Patsy Stone]

61. They had to build that bridge to nowhere in Alaska.

There were so many pet projects to pass that there wasn't enough for a wacky theory that a city below sea level could flood.

Everyone knew the levees were made to withstand up to a Cat 3, but it just didn't seem like a good idea to enforce and enhance the system.

[MadeinOhio]

62. It was "their" wacky theory that it would flood. See the disconnect?

:grr:

[understandinglife]

65. And, now, even more of Bush's agenda is exposed ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4642563


Peace.

[understandinglife]

66. Adm Keating sorta sticks it to Bush .... re: NG

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4643342

"I believe".... we are going to see Bush and his neoconster gang be deposed and brought to justice because too many of us are committed to making it happen.


Peace.

[Patsy Stone]

68. I believe you are correct.

NGU! :hi:

[Patsy Stone]

67. Clinton on W.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4642544

From CNN this morning. Poppy's first, then Bill.

[MadeinOhio]

54. Larry, Bush and friends WANTED it to happen. They sat by and let it happen

They not only knew it would happen, but were extatic that it would happen to New Orleans and wipe out all the dirty blacks and as many poor people as possible.
:grr: :grr: :grr:

They did everything that could be done to stand out of the way and let this disaster destroy them all. They are GENOCIDAL MANIACS, plain and simple, like the 100,000 they killed in Iraq.

If it was up to them, they would have let 3 million BLACKS DIE in the whole event and then declare martial law all over the coastline. So as to not let anymore minorities in ever again.

But then their political image would be permanently gone, they HATE to lose that image no matter what. They are sick bastards, and they know the Hague is waiting for them.

This was a LIHOP once again, so they could drill all the wetlands for Oil. They didn't EXPECT it would take out almost all their oil rigs though and that pissed Bush Enterprises off!

:grr:

[natrat]

59. please tell me murder charges

if it's true about fema cutting the phone lines

60. larry johnson

He was the big person defending Valerie Plame too. I just wish he would take off his sun-glasses.

[Patsy Stone]

69. Link to Katrina Timeline in progress.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4644330

[bleever]

70. Pile it on!

:hi:

[Patsy Stone]

75. My pleasure...

:hi:

[understandinglife]

72. "Patsy Stone," thank you very much for all you have contributed ...

... to this thread and to keeping us informed of other relevant threads at DU! With the search function compromised by the heavy use it is very important we have multiple links to key threads as to make it more likely that the details can be spread to others by sending one or two URLs.

:hi: my friend


Peace.

[Patsy Stone]

76. Thank you, UL

You are providing lots of inspiration with your dedication.

:hi:

[bleever]

74. More additions, from other threads at DU:

Slidell mayor says FEMA confiscating rescue equipment:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4648465

The greatest govt. taking of property in history?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4647980

Feds invested in violence and looting so they can assert control?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2064994

Rawstory reporting the Feds want to hide casualty count:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2064994

Thread compiling incidents of FEMA delaying and interfering with rescue work:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4639005


Most of us have seen all of these, but as UL said, with the search function out of commission, there's value in consolidating when we send links to people outside the DU-niverse.


Peace.

[understandinglife]

77. And, here is a call to action and yet another statement from Larry Johnson

... to back it up (in the comments):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4650516

Not in a week, not in a month - tomorrow.

We The People must rise and accept our responsibility for our government and begin making changes.


Peace.