Brown Out, Full Accountability Remains Elusive

[paineinthearse]

Blogged by JC on 09.09.05 @ 08:54 PM ET

Brown Out, Full Accountability Remains Elusive

The news that FEMA Director, Michael Brown, was being relieved of day-to-day duties in New Orleans was welcomed by those of us who found leadership lacking in the federal relief...

The news that FEMA Director, Michael Brown, was being relieved of day-to-day duties in New Orleans was welcomed by those of us who found leadership lacking in the federal relief efforts. The revelation that there were significant inaccuracies in his resume was very surprising, considering political appointees are typically subjected to substantial background checks. But perhaps most perplexing, was Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff's insistence that Brown was not being fired, but was returning to DC to lead FEMA in preparation for "other challenges and threats remain around the world." The administration seemingly has not come to grips yet with its vast shortcomings despite the President's plummeting favorability ratings, which today sank below 40 percent in today's AP/IPSOS poll. Even in his darkest days, Clinton did not suffer from such low approval ratings.

What is also alarming about this tragedy is how Republican leaders can't help but be insensitive to those who are suffering. It was reported today that House Majority Leader Tom Delay compared the situation of evacuees in Reliant Stadium to summer camp, asking the children, "is this kind of fun?" Were this an isolated incident, it may be easier to overlook, but Louisiana Representative Richard Baker exclaimed, "we finally cleaned up public housing in New Orleans... We couldn't do it, but God did," House Speaker Hastert suggested that New Orleans ought not be rebuilt, and Senate Republican Conference Chairman Rick Santorum suggested those who couldn't evacuate themselves should be fined. I am deeply saddened when people who have lost everything hear these disparaging comments from Republican Leadership in Washington. Those who are suffering and grieving deserve so much more.

[MADem]

1. OK, will he be fired, or resign?

I'm betting on resign--because chimp will not want to admit he made a lousy pick for that job.

Right now, Heckuvajob Brownie is at home eating mexican food and sipping on a margarita--his words, not mine!

[paineinthearse]

2. Neither. He'll be PROMOTED

Isn't that the way with this administration?

[OneTwentyoNine]

5. Yup,probably the Congressional Medal of Honor,then a big ass check...

And then brown nose will never be seen again....

[MADem]

6. True, that

In the military, the term used was "fuck up, move up."

[Crunchy Frog]

10. I see a Medal of Freedom in his future.

He hasn't been relieved of duty, or any acknowedgemet made of his incompetence. He's been kicked upstairs as nearly as I can tell. This regime is like the Soviets. Nobody is every fired for incompetence unless they weren't all that close to the crime family anyway.

Under the Soviets, people would retire for "health reasons". That way they could avoid any suggestion of dissension in the top ranks, or any acknowledgement of incompetence on the party of any high ranking official. I keep feeling more and more like I'm living in the Soviet Union.

[Nothing Without Hope]

3. Bush's only criterion for appointment is total personal loyalty to him

combined with willingness to break any law, do anything to promote his (Bush's) interests.

As Tenet is finding now, once the person becomes a real liability to Bush's ratings, he'll be cut loose and trashed without a qualm. But Bush has that childish stubborness when told by other people that he must do something. Even worse if he's told he's made a MISTAKE! He NEVER admits those.

I really, REALLY hope Mr. Conyers is aware of all the information in the opening post and replies in this thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4715924
Thread title: NPR Reports: GW to Blanco"I'll send in the troops if you answer to the WH"

This isn't the first time this incident has been discussed. It shows clearly what is behind the DELIBERATE withholding and blocking of aid in the hurricane-struck areas: they are angling for an excuse to launch martial law. Blanco was blackmailed for it. She refused to cave, but they will continue to try to find a way. I believe they will do everything they can to promote and incite "civil disturbances" around the country in protest of hurricane non-relief. That is another excuse for declaring widespread martial law and suspension of the Constitution.

This is not tinfoilhattery - they have been working toward this and now they are trying to use this disaster to get their chance. Some of the background is in this post, but there is much much more:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1765780&mesg_id=1766896

[paineinthearse]

4. Thanks for sharing

Skinner has placed this on the home page.

This is a power grab, treason, and grounds for impeachment.

[cliss]

7. Thanks for the info, N.

While this may be a fuzzy mystery to the world at large, it's no mystery to DU readers.

We saw what was going on. We read the threads. It's unmistakable: murder by neglect.

[paineinthearse]

8. Share, share, share

Use the "Email to a friend" feature to share with friends and neighbors.

[Crunchy Frog]

9. I'm glad, for the sake of the people in the disaster areas

that he's no longer going to be handling the situation on the ground. But after the dust clears, there needs to be a real accounting for this fiasco. People need to ask the bid questions about why people like Brown, who had no qualifications for this sort of work, were put in charge of an organization like FEMA. This is surely a systemic problem that infests every single one of our Federal agencies and threatens to cripple this country in any situation where it can't cope simply running on autopilot.

Brown should not be a focal point for investigations, rather, the person who appointed him, and the process by which people under this regime are appointed to various positions in our government.

Amazing that so many Repukes don't even know the meaning of the word "tact". They seem to have gotten elected, mainly by being able to flap their jaws and say the most outrageous things possible. Why voters think that sort of thing belongs in elective office rather than tald radio, I don't know. Could you imagine trying to take one of those social misfits to a funeral? "Well, it's sad that he's dead, but the widow is coming off very well with his insurance package". "It's sad that he's dead, but he was on the chubby side. Sould have stayed away from those Quarter Pounders with Cheese". Do these people have any concept whatsoever of what if means to behave appropriately in human society? I wonder if some of them were actually raised by rats.

[Nothing Without Hope]

11. kick - Molly Ivins realizes the race card is being played;

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4726121
Thread title: Molly Ivins: The bottom line is they're PLAYING THE RACE CARD

I believe the Bush/Cheney cabal is inciting racial violence and will hype and if necessary fabricate reporting on it to scare the public into accepting their long-planned move to full martial law - though they won't call it that. I'm betting on something Orwellian like "Operation Safe America."

NorthCom was created for this in 2002 - it's an official part of their mission to administer martial law if it is declared, and it can be declared for civil disturbances/unrest.

By the way, the first head of Northcom, General Eberhard, was promoted from his first gig: he was head of NORAD on 9/11 when ALL fighter-interceptors were coincidentally and mysteriously called off so that the hijacked planes could complete their long, long flights to the normally heavily protected Pentagon and New York City. You'd think he'd be court-martialed for such a thing, but the grateful Bush Administration promoted him to be the head of the most powerful military entity of all: NorthCom.