The Daily Background

Earlier today, I had to reply to some right-wing Katrina denier was trying to say that the response to the hurricane was largely a local failure and not one of the federal government. I just had to set this idiot straight. The following is what I replied.

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The New Orleans disaster was, as most Americans agree, largely a federal failure. Local officials, did not have an evacuation plan. Why? Because the Bush Administration hired Republican donors to make a plan for the city– which they never did.

Local officials pleaded with FEMA and the White House to send aid but the federal government did almost nothing to help for days– while 1,800 Americans died. Mike Brown, the President’s head of FEMA had zero experience in emergency management (he ran a horse show before being appointed by President Bush) but was a big Bush supporter and campaign donor and had connections with the White House.

Mike Brown ignored emails (which were later leaked to the press) from local officials asking for help, was too busy worrying about his wardrobe, Condi Rice was out shoe shopping during the disaster, Donald Rumsfeld went to baseball games, and the President was too busy fooling around with country music stars to respond to any pleas for help. They didn’t respond for days.

All of this is common knowledge: if you don’t know it, then you haven’t been paying attention.

You are right on one point however: scientists knew that a major hurricane could occur and destroy New Orleans because of the flawed levee system employed by the city. It was widely regarded as one of the worst top-5 natural disasters possible in North America.

Mike Brown, however, the President’s unqualified FEMA appointee, had zero experience in disaster management and didn’t know about the scenario, first warned about by independent scientists as well has government analysts and even Weather Channel meteorologists since 1993.

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