"The competence of local and state governments"...

[JHB]

I'm prompted by another idiot calling Springer on AA:

Every complaint that tries to shift the blame to the local and state authorities has to be called for what it is: Monday morning quarterbacking. Were some mistakes made? No doubt, but they did pretty damn good with what they had. Why the hell does their response have to have been textbook-perfect before we're allowed cast aspersions upon His Chimperial Majesty?

If the Feds have been slow by 12 hours, maybe even 24 we could quibble about "Monday morning quarterbacking" about the Federal response. But four days? When that's the case you don't have to wait until Monday to say that the quarterback ain't even fit for the PeeWee league.

[chicagiana]

1. State and local governments ...

The state and local governments were up to their armpits in trying to maintain order while evacuating people. If state and local officials are incapable of handling major disaster BY DEFINITION!!!!

Thats what we have FEMA for!!!!