Congratulations DU - You put the Brown Lying SCOOP together..

[Laura PourMeADrink]

Get the word out. Today Michael Brown lied through his teeth when he told the Katrina hearing that Blanco NEGLECTED to include NOLA and adjacent parishes in the disaster relief request. And then, Rep Stephen Buyer R-IN, repeated it. Boldface Lie ! Here is the proof…..UNCOVERED BY BRILLIANT DU'ers!!! BRAVO....


WHAT BLANCO ASKED FOR: SHE INCLUDED ALL PARISHES
http://gov.louisiana.gov/Disaster%20Relief%20Request.pdf

WHAT BUSH ISSUED…HE LEFT OUT NOLA AND ADJACENTS
Statement on Federal Emergency Assistance for Louisiana


The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts in the parishes located in the path of Hurricane Katrina beginning on August 26, 2005, and continuing.

The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the parishes of Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Claiborne, Catahoula, Concordia, De Soto, East Baton Rouge, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Pointe Coupee, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, St. Helena, St. Landry, Tensas, Union, Vernon, Webster, West Carroll, West Feliciana, and Winn.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.

Representing FEMA, Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security, named William Lokey as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/2005082

[butchcjg]

1. Cool Brownie Tshirt

Buy it here! http://www.cafepress.com/butchcjg/785123

[Sydnie]

4. I never mind a little advertising, but how many threads are

you going to post this one in, with no other comment in the post? I just want to plan my surfing accordingly, ok? :shrug:

Welcome to DU. :hi:

[xultar]

6. Way to be a nice welcoming person in the DU community.

WTF

[Sydnie]

The "official" threads get too long too quickly for a

commercial break. Just wondering if they were going to keep posting this in every thread about "Brownie" posted today.

Starting a thread to show off their work would seem more effective to me.

:wtf: indeed.

[xultar]

14. Welp I like the shirt. Ignore the poster if you don't like the commercial

Why do a call-out? IF no one responds to the posts then the guy will quit posting. But to be so rude to a newbie? Come on give folks a break. Wait a minute. We don't do that here. We cut each other to the bone.

[JuniperLea]

8. Sheesh!

:yoiks:

[xultar]

7. I like the shirt an WELCOME TO DU!

:hi:

Don't let the rudness of others stop you from participating! We aren't all like that.

[mzmolly]

2. Wow, thanks for the recap

:toast:

[Mr_Spock]

3. A Bushie lied. Why I never!

I can't imagine anyone on the right telling a lie!!

'Course I'm not sure I've ever heard them tell the truth either :D

[Sydnie]

5. YOU did it Laura

You got the word out and ecnouraged the rest of us to do the same.

Pat yourself on the back. You earned it.

:hug:

[Laura PourMeADrink]

11. thanks. I was feeling like too much of a pest. but somehow this

seemed really HUGE to me. Isn't lying to congress a crime???

[Spazito]

12. It certainly is under US Code, Title 18

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00001001----000-.html


§ 1001. Statements or entries generally


Release date: 2005-08-03

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully—
(1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact;
(2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or
(3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry;
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a party to a judicial proceeding, or that party’s counsel, for statements, representations, writings or documents submitted by such party or counsel to a judge or magistrate in that proceeding.
(c) With respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the legislative branch, subsection (a) shall apply only to—
(1) administrative matters, including a claim for payment, a matter related to the procurement of property or services, personnel or employment practices, or support services, or a document required by law, rule, or regulation to be submitted to the Congress or any office or officer within the legislative branch; or
(2) any investigation or review, conducted pursuant to the authority of any committee, subcommittee, commission or office of the Congress, consistent with applicable rules of the House or Senate.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

19. was he under oath? does that matter?

[demo dutch]

22. Not anymore!

[Spazito]

26. Yes, he WAS under oath, he was even reminded of that by one

of the congressmen during the hearing. He would have to be under oath for Title 18 sections to apply.

[Lochloosa]

29. Yes, he was under oath....and it should matter

[demo dutch]

21. self delete

[fooj]

76. Perjury.

:spray: Brown fed himself up like a stuffed pig at a luau!

Peace.

[myrna minx]

16. Hear Hear. Good job Laura. n/t

:bounce:

[Spazito]

9. The documents you have put together finally showed up

at the hearing, I believe it was Jefferson who entered them into the record! I have NO doubt they were sent, via e-mail, by some DUers!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

10. WoW - You're Kidding. I just got chills How wonderful !! thanks !

[OneGrassRoot]

13. I got chills, too......... congrats to you Laura!!!! and DUers!!! n/t

[myrna minx]

17. Laura, you got the ball rolling.

On behalf of America, thank you. :hug:

[Digit]

73. Good work! WTG!

Thanks for all of your hard work!
:woohoo:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

15. I was quoting DU when I called my Conman

and made sure the aide had everything down, including urls to documents. Thanks DU! I think I've made my repuke conman a bit nervous--at least his aide was.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

27. Oh my god, I love that "conman". Never heard that before !!!!

[Shredr]

18. The problem, as always, is framing.

It is so brilliant that you found this. There it is, the truth, for everyone to see.

The problem is, who's seeing it?

Brown is on every news website, every channel, derailing the local response to Katrina, blaming them for his mistakes.

And that's what the American people are seeing.

In his amazing book DON'T THINK OF AN ELEPHANT, George Lakoff points out that we (the Left) believe that when faced with the obvious truth, any half-way intelligent American (progressive or conservative) will have to accept it.

However, Bush's entire administration has been built on framing lies so people believe them and dismissing the truth.

If no one hears the truth, and they all only hear a lie that fits within their frame of what they believe to be true, it doesn't matter how far from reality their perception is.

It is amazing that you have caught them in another lie.

Now, how do we get the word out and FRAME this properly?


EDIT: Typo

[Laura PourMeADrink]

23. I am constantly amazed at the brilliant people here at DU. I only

joined in November after the worst day of my life. And I have learned more about government and politics here than in all my years in school and college studying political science. The synergistic force is really unfathomable. The only problem, in my opinion, is a unified, massive, message release. I think the DU Activist Corps helps, but I am not sure how you utilize it to pick activities and topics. I hope one day there will be a progressive cable network.

For me, I have spent most of the day writing letters about this and sending emails. Tomorrow, I will fax to everyone I can.

[Shredr]

34. I agree.

And out communal force is part of what is so threatening to the conservative and why they try so hard to marginalize us.

I am so proud of the work we are doing. Not just the tent-posts, like Cindy Sheehan (although, of course, her too). But also those of us who, like you, take time out of your life to write letters, send faxes and get the word out.

I hope that we can recognize our own force, evolve as a community and really make a change.

Keep up the good work.

PS Love your screen name.

[never cry wolf]

38. How about this for a frame:

"Michael Brown brought up on Perjury Charges for lying under oath to Congress."

I am not sure who can bring the charges, a congresscritter, justice dept. or any citizen, but he could be hip deep in shit.

[ClintonTyree]

59. When he's indicted for perjury it'll get a TON of play..........

the lying liar will be exposed for all to see, along with the rest of the bushies. Lying under oath, it's nothing new for these guys but getting caught is.
Congrats, Laura! You did a GOOD THING here! :toast:

[Shredr]

60. I hope that happens

Like you said, though, lying under oath is nothing new for them...

[Ksec]

64. Framing is right..exactly

These bastards are expert at this technique. Even their media puppets do it well.

[Shredr]

69. So we need to do it better.

And we have the truth on our side.

[truebrit71]

20. I am getting an error message with your second link...

Hmmmmm....????

[Laura PourMeADrink]

25. OMG - They removed it !!!!! Shee-Ite !!!

[truebrit71]

28. I don't suppose anyone captured it some other way...before it was yanked..

....by the lying cowards....??

[Laura PourMeADrink]

36. Weird - this link now works...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050827-1.html


I freaked out for nothing.

[Rockholm]

53. And now the link does NOT work.

[Nothing Without Hope]

82. This link to the Bush response to Blanco's Aug 27 letter works:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050827-1.html

Maybe I'll do a screen shot in case they take it down.

Blanco also wrote a clarifying letter to Bush/DHS on Aug 28 - it goes through all the counties in excruciating detail. Her Aug 27 letter did not omit them either. Indeed, ONLY the Bush response did.

This post has links to all three communications, the two from Blanco to Bush/DHS on Aug 27 and Aug 28 and the WH press release about Bush's response on Aug 27:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2064469&mesg_id=2067532

Don't miss the Aug 28 Blanco document. Here it is in pdf:
http://www.gratisnet.com/KatrinaHelp.pdf

Since Chertoff and Bush did NOTHING, not even declare the Katrina disaster a "national incident" so aid could get underway, for days after that (and I have links for THAT, too), Brown very clearly lied.

[Spazito]

31. It's still there, use this link

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050827-1.html

[truebrit71]

35. Got it!!

Thanks!

[Fridays Child]

70. Just in case, here's a screen grab...

[KBlagburn]

32. Ditto

cant find the emergency declaration anywhere on the white house site

[Laura PourMeADrink]

37. here it is.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050827-1.html

[longship]

24. Drownie Brownie's toast.... Again.

nt

[truebrit71]

30. He's gonna get screwed twice....

..by the same guys!!!


:rofl:

If Brownie thinks Lt AWOL won't throw him under the bus twice in two weeks he is out of his horse-breeding mind.....

[SoCalDem]

97. So he "fudged" his answers?? Not surprising for a Fudge Brownie

without nuts :)

[McCamy Taylor]

33. Wow, someone at the WH reads DU. Imagine that.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

39. A quick comparison of the Governor's letter of request

and President Junior's declaration seems to show that he authorized FEMA assistance only for the parishes that Gov Blanco said would be affected by the "evacuation of persons from the southeastern parishes of the state as we implement the Louisiana Shelter Operation Plan" (paragraph 4). Those are parishes that the evacuees would be going TO

He totally omitted the New Orleans parishes that were supposed to suffer "significant damage" - the parishes where the evacuees would be coming FROM.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

41. thanks - this post needed that. I wish I could find the original

threads about this subject. I think it was last weekend? I know it started with an NPR interview. But I searched here and couldn't find it.

I am listening to the hearing again, waiting so I can get the exact verbiage.

[Sydnie]

47. Here is NPR interview info

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=22805&mesg_id=23192

[Laura PourMeADrink]

42. Wow - I see now how it happened. They (B** people) only read

one paragraph of her letter. She separated parishes by those who were in the track and those who would also get damage. So, there was probably nothing sinister in this omission. (Curses) They were just careless in reading her request....

[McCamy Taylor]

44. I-N-C-O-M-P-E-T-E-N-C-E

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

46. Right -- she asked for different types of assistance for

different areas of the state. According to the statement on the WH website, President Junior only authorized FEMA to provide the assistance requested in one paragraph of her letter.

Is the statement on the WH website the official declaration ? Are there other legal documents that authorized FEMA to act ? If so, what is on the website could just be a sloppy summary

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

51. Designated Counties for Louisiana Hurricane Katrina

It looks like the parishes that were hit by Katrina did get authorized for assistance


http://www.fema.gov/news/eventcounties.fema?id=4808

What is on the WH website is a sloppy press release I think

[TankLV]

86. Careless KILLS PEOPLE!

I don't care WHY they left it out - the fact is THEY LEFT IT OUT!

JUST LIKE ALL THEIR OTHER CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT ACTS AND ACTS OF OMISSIONS!

[cantstandbush]

40. Okay, so how is the media going to spin this information?

Does the Congressional Committee even have this information?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

43. The committee (mostly repugs) have the docs. We think it

was because of DU emailing them ! But, we need to still try harder to get the press and dems and senators to know about it. Especially this group that is trying to get an independent commission..

[npincus]

45. keep kicked

[bunny planet]

48. Randi Rhodes is screaming it from the rooftops right now.

She's saying Drownie committed perjury today under oath.

[Nothing Without Hope]

49. This has been discussed for WEEKS - they really are desperate, to use

such utterly transparent, easily rebutted lies. The documents are out there for everyone to see.

I am sickened that the Dems did not rebut this lie. They have been generally very badly prepared for the GOP lies about Katrina response, and that has cost us all. There is no excuse for it.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

56. you are absolutely right. I think every congressperson should

read DU every day.

[Nothing Without Hope]

63. I've been thinking we need to put together a HANDBOOK for them:

"Current popular GOP lies vs the Truth"

We can all think of a list of items to be found on that list, but apparently the Dems in Congress are absolutely clueless. It's disastrous, playing to ROvian spin. I'm wondering if they would even bother to read such a handbook, which would probably be less than 5 pages long.

I'm not kidding about this - I think we should produce this handbook for our clueless, deer-in-the-headlight Dems so they don't strengthen the GOP's hand by folding to every lie.

[Emit]

77. I think THAT is a really good idea

Seriously, having worked for a state agency that is funded by federal money, I realize, even in the small role I played at the time, that bureaucracy abounds.

Today, watching those hearings, I imagined that these representatives, Dems and Repugs alike, probably are pulled in so many directions that they do not have time to remain on top of some of this stuff.

John Conyers, amongst a few others, seems to be doing his homework. He probably also has some pretty good aides, or is managing them effectively. Rightly so, too, he may have been helped to become more aware by DUers' work on the election fraud issues, with so many DUers sending him letters and emails and all. He really does seem to be one of the only ones in Congress right now who blogs about some of the same issues I see discussed here on DU and some other progressive boards.

Maybe it's time we do this with other Dems, especially since no one else seems to be helping them out. Is there one particular group that puts out 'Dem Talking Point Memos' like the 'Repug Talking Point Memos' that has that echo effect that we are always hear?

How would one create a Handbook like you suggested and ensure that it is well received and taken seriously, do you suppose?

[Nothing Without Hope]

78. I've been thinking about this all day. Some of our DUers have contacts

inside the offices of some of the Dem leaders. If they could get the handbook started there, then it would be easier to get it spread. Basically, the bona fides of the source of the Handbook would have to be impeccable. Of course, the Handbook would also be emailed to them, so they could simply click on the links that document the facts being lied about.

I can think of a number of pretty standardized lies tht keep coming up, and we could arrange a DU thread to collect others. I already have a lot of links relating to some of them, and others would have info on those I don't have it on.

This can be done, and I think it SHOULD be done: "Handbook of Current GOP Lies." It would have to be updated as needed, like a newsletter.

A site that does this is Editor and Publisher. They keep up with a lot of lies, but not the way this would. This would be more like a list of current GOP buzzphrases and the documented truth all in a portable, easily accessible format. Perhaps they could put it on their Blackberries? (I don't have one so don't know if this would work.)

[Emit]

81. I know a relative of a Leg. Aide

to Harry Reid. Unfortunately, this person was never very receptive to talk with me about the election fraud issues, so this might not be a good contact. But, I have often thought about asking what it would take to get info thru to Reid. I know what I would be doing if I had a sibling who was an aide to Harry Reid!!

[bunny planet]

50. Just sent this to Olbermann.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

57. read posts 54 and 55. If what 54 is saying is true than to me it is

still a lie by Brown, but not an omission by Shit Head

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

52. Rep. Jefferson spoke of Blanco's requests and also placed the documents

into the record.

[truthout]

54. Well hate to break it to you folks.. BUT...

It seems that someone didn't match up the dates between the Louisiana Gov declaration and the White house news release. The White house news release is on August 27, 2005. The Governor of Louisiana was August 28, 2005, the day after.

The August 27th news release was to announce that funding for evacuation/sheltering effort was on it's way in a day before the request came officially from Gov. Blanco. The list in the 27th news release matches exactly the second paragraph of the second page in the Louisiana 28th release.

The day after the letter from Gov. Blanco there was a new list of Parishes listed in a new news release from the White House. This list includes all parishes listed by Gov. Blanco.

>> http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050829-2.html

All of the requested areas were added and then some. Seems to me that FEMA was already doing prep in advance of Katrina before the Louisiana Gov even sent a request. Brown followed the correct sequence and requests from the state of Louisiana.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

55. It doesn't matter. So the WH was not trying to mysterously remove

those parishes. What matters is that SHE NEVER omitted them. And what Brown said today was that she did. That is the lie! Forget the WH news releases - Do you know of any document that showed Blanco omitting the parishes?

[rateyes]

62. Letter to President Bush dated August 27--about declaration

made August 26...here's the first few paragraphs...followed by the link to the whole letter...

BATON ROUGE—Today Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco forwarded a letter to President Bush requesting that he declare an emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina. The full text of the letter follows:

August 27, 2005


The President
The White House
Washington, D. C.

Through:
Regional Director
FEMA Region VI
800 North Loop 288
Denton, Texas 76209

Dear Mr. President:

Under the provisions of Section 501 (a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5206 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR § 206.35, I request that you declare an emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina for the time period beginning August 26, 2005, and continuing. The affected areas are all the southeastern parishes including the New Orleans Metropolitan area and the mid state Interstate I-49 corridor and northern parishes along the I-20 corridor that are accepting the thousands of citizens evacuating from the areas expecting to be flooded as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

In response to the situation I have taken appropriate action under State law and directed the execution of the State Emergency Plan on August 26, 2005 in accordance with Section 501 (a) of the Stafford Act. A State of Emergency has been issued for the State in order to support the evacuations of the coastal areas in accordance with our State Evacuation Plan and the remainder of the state to support the State Special Needs and Sheltering Plan.

http://www.gov.state.la.us/Press_Release_detail.asp?id=976

And, then here is the link to the declaration made on the 26th. Sorry, but your dates don't match.

http://www.gov.state.la.us/Press_Release_detail.asp?id=973

On edit: The link to the press release you give is dated August 29, after the hurricane made landfall.

On second edit: Your post simply points out that President Bush or whoever was responsible for the first declaration didn't comprehend the full text of the letter. The first paragraph states that New Orleans and the southeastern parishes were included...

Seems to me, in a situation like that, one needs someone with comprehension skills.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

65. What a minute. My issue is with Brown saying that Blanco

never included NOLA et al in her request for assistance. Not really what Bush did with it.

Do you have info that Blanco EXCLUDED Nola? And why is this letter different that the one I post in the original?

[rateyes]

68. No, I don't have any documents that Blanco excluded

NOLA in any request. Quite the contrary. What is happening here though is the full time-line of declarations, requests, and responses. Your post confused me, too, when I clicked on your link because it was different from what I had read at the LA government press release site.

Timeline. August 26: Blanco declares state of emergency including
all parishes.
August 27: Blanco requests Bush do the same.
August 27: Bush follows suit, but EXCLUDES NOLA, and
all coastal areas. (Therefore Brownie lied
when he said Blanco excluded them--Bush did.)
August 28: Blanco requests Bush declare DISASTER
for all parishes(documented by your link)
not "state of emergency."
August 29: Katrina hits: Bush declares disaster for all
parishes.

I refer you to the following post I made after sorting this out after reading your post. I am with you. Brownie lied, and we can prove it. But, we are mixing the "disaster" declaration and the "state of emergency" declarations. This post has all the links showing the above timeline.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2118943&mesg_id=2118943

[Laura PourMeADrink]

72. Excellent Synopsis Rateyes! You rock ! Bottom line - Brown Lied....

[truthout]

80. Yes your comprehention skills need improving

OK there is a timeline and some clarification that needs to be done.

First declaration by Gov. Blanco Dated 8/26/05
Is a local declaration for the state of Louisiana.
http://www.gov.state.la.us/Press_Release_detail.asp?id=973

Second notice on 8/27/05 is to President Bush asking him to declare a Federal state of emergency in Louisiana as well to qualify for federal funding and emergency response. No Parishes are actually listed, just an overall state of emergency.
http://www.gov.state.la.us/Press_Release_detail.asp?id=976

Third is President Bush declaring an emergency exists in the State of Louisiana on 8/27/05.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050827-1.html
This is where the confusion is. At this time there was communication between Gov. Blanco and FEMA director Brown. The list of parishes this is included in this 8-27 declaration is the list from Gov. Blanco that is published in her 8-28 updated declaration of emergency in the second paragraph of page 2.
http://gov.louisiana.gov/Disaster%20Relief%20Request.pdf

The list is for funds needed to help in the evacuation/shelter effort that was going on before landfall of Katrina. The list is where people where evacuating TO and would be affected by such a large number of people. Funds for evacuation obviously are released before Katrina hits. This is what the 8-27 Bush press release points out.

The first list on page 2 is a request for funds that will be needed after the storm passes through. Funds will be made available after the storm goes through and a "Preliminary Damage Assessment" is completed (last paragraph page 1)

The last press release by Bush on 8-29 includes all parishes listed by Gov Blanco in her 8-28 list and many more. This is a declaration of a major disaster in the state of Louisiana. The rest of the federal funds and resources are then released for use by Gov Blanco and other gov officials.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050829-2.html

Blanco said that she ordered the evacuation of New Orleans on Saturday, Aug. 27, not the 28th, as Brown said. >> Actually Brown said that New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin did not order a manditory evacuation until Aug. 29th, which is true> http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=3775049&nav=EyAzdqAx

Blanco also said she included three parishes — Orleans, Jefferson and Plaquemines — in her Aug. 28 disaster declaration for 14 parishes. Brown said she had not included those. >> Brown was actually asked about evacuation planning and funding and Brown replied that Orleans parish was not included in the evacuation funding list, which is true. The Orleans parish was listed in a list for disaster, not evacuation.

So Gov Blanco misquoted Brown twice, as well as Brown's testimony to congress was correct.

[Spazito]

83. With respect to your contention that Blanco did not specify parishes

in her Aug. 27th request, I disagree. She stated the following in her letter:

"The affected areas are all the southeastern parishes including the New Orleans Metropolitan area and the mid state Interstate I-49 corridor and northern parishes along the I-20 corridor that are accepting the thousands of citizens evacuating from the areas expecting to be flooded as a result of Hurricane Katrina."

This paragraph states the affected areas in the path of the hurricane as being 'all the southeastern parishes including the New Orleans Metropolitan area' as well as those areas that would be affected by those evacuating with this part, 'the mid state Interstate I-49 corridor and northern parishes along the I-wo corridor that are accepting the thousand of citizens evacuating from the areas expecting to be flooded'.

It reads to me that she included both aspects, the areas that would be hit by the hurricane and those areas that would be inundated by evacuees fleeing from the areas that were in the hurricane's path.

As to the specifics listed in the Governor's letter, those are simply the specifics demanded by form to be filled out in order for the request to be officially complete. One needs to read the National Response Plan to see how bureaucratocracy, form completion, etc, became Homeland Security's and, by extension, FEMA's priority.

Brown and the bush administration are splitting hairs that, in reality, do NOT exist in order to try and protect their asses.

[truthout]

84. who's splitting hairs?

The paragraph you quote is just notifying the president of the areas projected to be affected by Katrina. It does not give a list of parishes. The official list comes later as FEMA does not "guess" which parishes are to be named. That is the responsibility of Gov. Blanco. She does so in her 8-28 memo documenting which parishes needed which kind of federal assistance.

Did you not notice that the list on the 8-28 memo (second page second paragraph) is the same list as posted in the 8-27 press release from the WH? (It's because FEMA got a preliminary list while in communication during this period)

Re-read what the differences are again and see that the Federal Gov has a sequence in doing things.

[rateyes]

90. You are ASSUMING "facts not in evidence."

(It's because FEMA got a preliminary list while in communication during this period)

How do you know that? A link with documentation would be nice.

Brown did not assert that.

Bottom line: People were trapped in NOLA for DAYS without food and water---it was being broadcast all over the news--the media GOT IN THERE, which means FOOD AND WATER could have gotten in there as well. And, don't tell me about "looters" making it too dangerous---the MEDIA was in there FILMING. Bush had to be given a CD with news broadcasts, well into the disaster to make him understand.

There is blame to go all around here, and Brown should have accepted his part of it---he didn't--instead he chose to lie about Blanco omitting parishes that she did not omit....unless of course you can produce a verified document showing otherwise.

[Spazito]

91. There was no need for Blanco to list the parishes by name in her

letter of the 27th, she did list AREAS which are made up of the parishes later listed specifically by her on the 28th. Again, I will post the paragraph that specifies the AREAS she specified in her letter requesting the President to declare a state of emergency:

"I request that you declare an emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina for the time period beginning August 26, 2005, and continuing. The affected areas are all the southeastern parishes including the New Orleans Metropolitan area and the mid state Interstate I-49 corridor and northern parishes along the I-20 corridor that are accepting the thousands of citizens evacuating from the areas expecting to be flooded as a result of Hurricane Katrina."

How much clear could she be? If FEMA and the WH couldn't figure out the areas she was referring to then it is their competence that in question, not the Governor's.

"ALL the southeastern parishes including New Orleans Metropolitan area" is very clear.

[rateyes]

89. You ALMOST got it right....

The second request from Blanco, as stated in the first paragraph of the letter shows that it was not an "updated declaration of emergency," (your words) but that beyond a "state of emergency," she wanted the president to declare all the parishes listed as a "major disaster" area (her words, from your link).

Brown was asked by a Republican congressman why the President's declaration of a "state of emergency" did not include "Orleans, Jefferson, or St. Bernard Parishes." Brown answered him by saying that Blanco did not include those Parishes in her request. THAT WAS LIE NUMBER ONE. In her first request she designated the areas that would be affected by writing the following:

"I request that you declare an emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina for the time period beginning August 26, 2005, and continuing. The affected areas are all the southeastern parishes including the New Orleans Metropolitan area and the mid state Interstate I-49 corridor and northern parishes along the I-20 corridor that are accepting the thousands of citizens evacuating from the areas expecting to be flooded as a result of Hurricane Katrina."

He then was asked by that same Republican "were you shocked when you saw that Blanco's request did not include those parishes." He answered, "Yes, I was shocked, but we decided that we were going to help them all anyway." THAT WAS LIE NUMBER TWO. How can one be "shocked" that something was omitted, when it fact, it had not been omitted.

There was more than one questioner about these documents. Perhaps we are thinking of two different questioners.

The fact is 1. Blanco declared a STATE OF EMERGENCY, in all the parishes in question, and more. 2. Blanco requested Bush do the same on the federal level. 3. Bush declared a STATE OF EMERGENCY listing parishes that seem to come out of thin air (if one goes to a map of Louisiana that shows the parishes, one is amazed to find that the listed parishes in Bush's declaration are ALL North of a horizontal line drawn from about Baton Rouge to the Texas state line and NONE below that line). 4. Blanco then requested that Bush declare a MAJOR DISASTER (not state of emergency) in the parishes, including the ones in question. 5. Bush complied.

Therefore, your contention that Brown told the truth before Congress simply is not the case. It seems to me the confusion is in the words, STATE OF EMERGENCY, and MAJOR DISASTER. The point being that Brown was trying to shift blame from the administration to Blanco for not including the parishes in question. She did her part as far as the paperwork was concerned, and did it well. It was Brown and the administration that screwed up the declarations.

On edit: There's nothing wrong with my comprehension (not comprehenTION) skills.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

93. Excellent !! n/t

[chat_noir]

58. for posterity

[truthout]

61. Does anyone have a link to Brown's testimony?

I can't find any complete documented testimony of Brown in front of the committee. There are all sorts of other quotes that are in news reports but none that have him saying Gov Blanco did not include NOLA in her declaration.

Thanks,

[Laura PourMeADrink]

66. Haven't seen it yet. I was waiting to see the c-span rerun so I

could get his exact quote but they cut away from the rerun

[Jane Austin]

67. Are there disruptors in this thread?

Posts seem to be all over the place.

Very hard to follow.

Or is that the idea?

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

74. Suggestion for new word...

...Brownie:

Definition:

Desperate attempt to deflect attention away from one's own
culpability through reckless and unfounded blame shifting.

Example:

Rather than accept responsibility for what he'd done the
witness proceeded to brownie his way through the entire
inquisition.

Also Brownied and Brownies for past and verb tenses.

[TankLV]

87. Yes - especially ones claiming some sort of "truth".

With 8 posts, joined on 30 August.

[arikara]

71. Brownie didn't lie

He misspoke. There's a hugh difference.

:sarcasm:

...spelling is deliberate...

[Laura PourMeADrink]

75. C-SPAN has the link to the Brown testimony. He LIED

http://www.c-span.org/

very strange !!!

Click on Recent Programs/ Fmr FEM Director Michael Brown

The pertinent part can be found starting at 2:00 with Buyer - R-IN

[Nothing Without Hope]

79. *** Blanco ALSO sent clarifying letter to Bush/DHS on Aug 28 ***

Here's a post with links to the two Blanco letters as well as the Bush response on Aug 27.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2064469&mesg_id=2067532

Of the three communications, only the Bush one omits those southern LA counties, a glaring error which was discussed weeks ago here at DU and elsewhere on the internet. Don't miss the August 28 Blanco letter either - she spells it out in excruciating detail. You can see it as a pdf:
http://www.gratisnet.com/KatrinaHelp.pdf

We really need to write a HANDBOOK OF CURRENT GOP LIES for the perusal of our hapless, clueless Dem "representatives." (Of course, I am NOT speaking of the few who are actively pursuing the truth, like Rep. Conyers.) Don't they have anyone on their staffs reading emails or checking the main blogs? They have damaged the cause of truth and justice so many times by not promptly rebutting one of the GOP lies/spin jobs du jour.

I'm not kidding about that "Handbook of Current GOP Lies," by the way.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

88. NWH - Thanks for putting this together ! I am very confused about

where this lie is coming from. Because it is appears so blatantly false - and makes me suspicious. I listened to the portion of the hearing at 2:00 on my c-span clip. It was Buyer who initiated the point. HE said that he was shocked to hear that Blanco left out NOLA et al. Then almost prodded Brown to agree, and he did -- that he was shocked too, but 'covered' for her. I have to listen again to see if the subject was brought up prior to Buyer, but Buyer provided no proof or did he mention any specific documentation.

This morning, Rep Henry Bonilla - R-TX, was on C-SPAN, I sent in an email question about this subject and asked him what documentation he say to substantiate this claim. They did not select my question, but a caller asked "I was appalled that Government Blanco omitted NOLA, et al from the PRELANDFALL DISASTER DECLARATION
Well, Bonilla TOTALLY evaded it and answered instead about the state and local responsibility for evacuation.

Do you know what the PRE-LANDFALL DISASTER DECLARATION is ?

[Nothing Without Hope]

95. *** TIMELINE: Katrina made landfall on Sept 29-BOTH of Blanco's letters***

and BOTH of these letters mentioned those southern parishes. But they are probably talking about the Sept 27 Blanco letter - and the available copy of this shows those parishes included. It was Bush's response that left them out, unless what he actually received from Blanco on the 27th is different from what was put on line immediately by Blanco and we never saw it - something for which no evidence has yet been put forward. But even in that case, they are evading mentioning the fact that the Sunday, Aug 28 Blanco letter - available online in pdf - DOES mention all those counties. That was STILL before landfall.

And remember, Chertoff, who had the authority as DHS head to declare the area a "national incident" and unleash FEMA - DID NOT DO SO FOR DAYS.

Here's part of the timeline from Wikipedia, which I urge everyone to study if they are confused. The original has links to the documents involved. Parts in italics are MY ADDITIONS. ]NOTE THAT THE WIKIPEDIA TIMELINE DOES NOT INCLUDE THE AUG 28 BLANCO LETTER TO BUSH/DHS, WHICH IS A SEPARATE DOCUMENT FROM THE AUG 27 ONE.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Hurricane_Katrina
(snip)

Friday, August 26

Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco declares a state of emergency for the state of Louisiana. <1> This declaration included activation of the state of Louisiana's emergency response and recovery program under the command of the director of the state office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to supply emergency support services.
Following the declaration of a state of emergency, Federal troops are deployed to Louisiana to co-ordinate planning of operations with FEMA.<2>, <3>

11 pm EDT (1500 UTC) - The National Hurricane Center forecasts Katrina will strike the town of Buras, east of New Orleans. The prediction was off by 18 miles, which is considered within an acceptable range of accuracy. <4>

Saturday, August 27

5 am EDT (0900 UTC) - Hurricane Katrina reaches Category 3 intensity.

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin calls for a voluntary evacuation of the city. The emergency plans rely on citizens to bring their own 3-day supply of food and water to the Superdome and Convention Center. <5>. <6>

Governor Blanco requests that President Bush declare a major disaster for the State of Louisiana in a letter through FEMA Region VI Director Gary Jones <7>. In the 4-page letter, Blanco makes specific requests under the Stafford Act for aid (housing, counseling, unemployment, and Small business funding) as well as requesting "direct Federal assistance for work and services to save lives and protect property" (by removing debris) and agrees to reduced liability. Blanco does not request federal troops to be deployed in the state until August 31; the consitution of the united States does not allow the deployment of federal troops to a state without the specific request of the governor.Although they are currently looking into changing that requirement. <8> Note, Blanco's letter was published on 27 August 2005 on her web site and Lexis Nexis but was dated 28 August 2005. President Bush received the letter on Saturday and responded on that same day. <9> <10>

In response to Governor Blanco's request, President Bush declares a Federal state of emergency in Louisiana under the authority of the Stafford Act <11>. The emergency declaration provides for federal assistance and funding <12> and assigns to FEMA, by law, the responsibility for coordinating relief efforts <13>. While Blanco's request mentions the City of New Orleans in the first paragraph<14>, the subsequent declaration <15> do not cover the parishes expected to receive the most damage, like Jefferson Parish and New Orleans (Orleans Parish). These and other Southeast Louisiana Parishes were mentioned by name in Blanco's request. See<16>A map of the Federal declaration of emergency parishes is provided by Bob Harris here: http://www.bobharris.com/content/view/637/1/

Saturday night, National Hurricane Center director Max Mayfield briefed leadership on Katrina. According to the St Petersburg State Times <17>, this included President Bush, Governors of Louisiana and Mississipi, and the Mayor of New Orleans. {Note - this shows that the subsequent statements on how Bush did not know are lies.}

Sunday, August 28

12:40 am CDT (0540 UTC) - Hurricane Katrina reaches Category 4 intensity.
7 am CDT (1200 UTC) - Hurricane Katrina reaches Category 5 intensity.

10 am CDT (1500 UTC) - National Weather Service issues a bulletin predicting "devastating" damage.

10 am CDT (1500 UTC) - Mandatory evacuation is ordered for New Orleans City by Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco<18>.

1 pm CDT (1800 UTC) - In the Gulf of Mexico, Katrina quickly strengthens to a strong Category 5. At its peak, far from landfall, hurricane hunter planes measured 175 mph sustained winds, with gusts to 216 mph.

President Bush declares a state of emergency in Alabama <19> and Mississippi <20>, and a major disaster in Florida <21> under the authority of the Stafford Act.

President Bush meets in videoconference with National Hurricane Director Max Mayfield to discuss hurricane Katrina while at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. <22> <23>

Governor Blanco makes arrangements with the Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico for National Guard reinforcements, however the federal authorities do not issue the required authorisation for these reinforcements until September 1. <24>


{THE WIKIPEDIA TIMELINE IS INCOMPLETE - IT IS MISSING THE AUG 28 (STILL PRE-LANDFALL) 2ND LETTER FROM BLANCO TO BUSH. HERE IT IS IN PDF FORMAT:
http://www.gratisnet.com/KatrinaHelp.pdf

Monday, August 29

6:10 am CDT (1110 UTC) - Hurricane Katrina makes a second landfall near Buras, Louisiana, United States with 145 mph winds. {The first landfall had been in Florida}

Maybe I should post a new timeline as a thread on its own, complete with links including to Chertoff's smoking gun memo proving he delayed the response and also with excerpts from the EXISTING DHS National Response Plan proving that Bush and Chertoff ALREADY have all the powers to respond. They just didn't use them.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

101. have you seen anything about an Aug 23rd Blanco letter?

[Nothing Without Hope]

102. Aug 23 was before there was even a tropical storm:

The announcement of the unnamed tropical depression over the Bahamas was on August 23. It became a hurricane and hit Florida on Aug 25, but its path was unexpected.

I'd say that if Blanco wrote a letter on Aug 23 - and I don't know of such a letter - it could not have been specifically about Katrina hitting New Orleans days later. At that point, who could have predicted it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Hurricane_Katrina
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) issues a statement saying that Tropical Depression Twelve had formed over the southeastern Bahamas.

Wednesday, August 24
11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Twelve is upgraded to Tropical Storm Katrina.

First landfall
Thursday, August 25
5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Storm Katrina is upgraded to become Hurricane Katrina, the fourth hurricane of the 2005 season.
6:30 pm EDT (2230 UTC) - Katrina makes its first landfall in Florida as a Category 1 hurricane near Hallandale Beach on the Dade-Broward county line. After landfall, instead as going West as forecast, Katrina jogged hard left (South) almost parallel to the coastline in densely populated metropolitan Miami. ...

(snip)

[ladylibertee]

85. OMG...Way to go DU !!!!

[melissinha]

92. Besides the National Response Plan dictates

The plan explicitly states that the federal government can override notification and request for assistance regulations in order to expedite assistance, and that “the coordination process must not delay or impede the rapid deployment and use of critical resources.” Why did the Bush Administration fail to act according to the National Response Plan?


Quoted Sen Reid in letter to Sen Collins

[Spazito]

94. I honestly believe NO ONE has even read the National Response

Plan, not Homeland Security, not FEMA, none of the signators to the plan and none of the politicians who voted on it. It is a very poorly written Plan to be sure but it does allocate responsibilities that the federal government agencies did not act upon.

The ones actually reading the document are those like us, sadly.

[Nothing Without Hope]

96. Yes, the NRP was the subject of a number of threads here at DU. Here's

one:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4668155
Thread title: The Buck Stops Here: NATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN

[melissinha]

100. aha that must be thread that prompted

me to read it.

[melissinha]

99. sad but true

Do we have access to any James Lee Witt plans....

I rememeber listening to a Rachel interview with George Haddow, Witt's deputy and he said that there would be no "blame game" lack of coordination controversy in Witt's FEMA, because they would and had all parties present in the same when emergency decisions were made.

[Nothing Without Hope]

103. One reason is that they WANT MORE POWER - one part of that is to

pretend they don't have enough to "protect" us now.

The neocon drive toward an ever more powerful and unchecked POTUS, in effect a military dictator, is one of the major issues I'm worried about. If you are worried about the progression toward martial law - though it won't be called that - please read this entire thread, including especially the important articles posted in the replies:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4790112
thread title: Missing A KEY POINT in *'s speech: POWER GRAB FOR POTUS AND MILITARY

[Kurovski]

98. I've been thinking that DU is a great place for reporters to work

undercover, should they be so inclined.

At any rate, in a nation raised on "Nancy Drew" and the "Hardy Boys", sleuthing seems to be in the blood of many Americans.

Good work, y'all.

[Pepper32]

104. So this is true?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4801271#4801513
NOLA- premeditated not criminal negligence


http://www.bobharris.com/content/view/637/1


Many kept saying this was debunked and I couldn't see how... So is it still debunked?


Edited to add title of DU link.