Why should the feds help with Katrina or Why I'm Fu**ing pissed at Mr. Bush

Mr. Bush retained the oval office for a second term on his promise to keep Americans safer. He basicaly said "I can do it better than the other guy" - we will never know how Kerry would have fared in this situation - we couldn't. But I am fairly certain that anyone could have. My government takes around 13% of my income - they commit to protecting me. The FEMA Mission is:

FEMA Mission

DISASTER. It strikes anytime, anywhere. It takes many forms -- a hurricane, an earthquake, a tornado, a flood, a fire or a hazardous spill, an act of nature or an act of terrorism. It builds over days or weeks, or hits suddenly, without warning. Every year, millions of Americans face disaster, and its terrifying consequences.

On March 1, 2003, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 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.

Here is the President's authority in an emergency:

§ 5170a. GENERAL FEDERAL ASSISTANCE {Sec. 402}

In any major disaster, the President may--

1. direct any Federal agency, with or without reimbursement, to utilize its authorities and the resources granted to it under Federal law (including personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, and managerial, technical, and advisory services) in support of State and local assistance efforts;

2. coordinate all disaster relief assistance (including voluntary assistance) provided by Federal agencies, private organizations, and State and local governments;

3. provide technical and advisory assistance to affected State and local governments for--
1. the performance of essential community services;
2. issuance of warnings of risks and hazards;
3. public health and safety information, including dissemination of such information;
4. provision of health and safety measures; and
5. management, control, and reduction of immediate threats to public health and safety; and

4. assist State and local governments in the distribution of medicine, food, and other consumable supplies, and emergency assistance.

(Pub. L. 93-288, title IV, § 402, as added Pub. L. 100-707, title I, § 106(a)(3), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4696.)

From

Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended by Public Law 106-390, October 30, 2000

There are a lkot more documents regarding the feds responsability tyo all Americans and their safety. I am sure that a lot of failures happened on a State and local level as well, but the fact is that the Feds are supposed to take over and coordinate all efforts across the board - instead all FEMA did for four fucking days and longer in instances to hold back the help coming in. They are supposed to asses and act - simultaniously. Chicago made an incredible deal - they would send over 100 police officers, over 140 health care workers, 40 some engineers, 60 some fire and rescue workers. They made the offer the day before Katrina hit - as of Last friday they were allowed to send one tanker truck. Mind you they were going to send these people with their own food and water and a lot to share. They were prepared to send all the equiptment and trucks these people needed to work. A self sufficient force and FEMA told them they weren't needed - we'll call when they need you. My city had fire/rescue people ready to go that Monday - they didn't leave until Sunday. The red cross was kept out by national gaurdsman brandishing weaopons. I could go on - I haven't the stomach to track the links back down but this was all reported by major media - This story was not - but the convention coord. confirmed much of the story as do their companions.

Here is a great timeline of events. Each segment linked to major news agency varification. I'm not terribly keen on Arovois but America blog has a lot of links to major news that Paint a gruesome picture of inneptitude on a scale unthinkable in America, today. . . We are supposed to do try and save lives - that is what my fucking president would do. It is bad enough that they bungled trying to save lives themselves - they prohibited anyone else from helping these people - they told everyone that their help was unneeded - wait for a call. The top three people at FEMA are public relations people, the top man at FEMA lied on his app and was asked to resign his last job - they dont know what the fuck they are doing - they are political appointees who helped Mr. Bush get elected.

These are the same fucking people who are supposed to help any of us who fall victim to catastrophic terrorist attack. We have just seen how they perform. Some tens of thousands dead and dying - and our "leaders" are to busy playing "save my ass" and "damage control" that they still hamper the efforts to save lives. And they tried to ban the media from the scene to bar public criticism. Efforts have also been made to bar democrat's involvment in congressional hearings. Republicans who don't toe the party line and are genuinely pissed are being told to shush by fellow republicant's.

This is supposed to be our government - majority picks em - but they are our leaders. These people have led us to slaughter - while vacationing - and the terrorists now know just how very vulnerable we are. I am afraid. I have no effective government. Some developing nations protect their citizens more thouroghly than this nation does. We the people have been shown that, should it happen to be us, a lot of fucking people gonna die and nobody is likely to save us. Bombs don't neccasarily offer any warning - how would our government deal with hundreds of thousands - even millions trapped in a burning, possibly eradiated city? How would these same people deal with a major bio-weapon attack - thousands - then hundreds of thousands - when do we shutt down all transportation - millions - ????????????