"Frank" wrote...
could possibly get out, you should. Finally, the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police had rescue/aid forces in the New Orleans area right after the
storm and a full week before FEMA showed up from their "nearby" staging
area, from which they were "unable" to get to some areas quickly.
Wonder how those mounties managed? Thanks, Canada. The Red Cross was
there, too. FEMA was MIA.


FWIW FEMA says they cannot do anything until local/state authorities ask them
for specific help - and nobody asked.

"Frank" wrote...
could possibly get out, you should. Finally, the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police had rescue/aid forces in the New Orleans area right after the
storm and a full week before FEMA showed up from their "nearby" staging
area, from which they were "unable" to get to some areas quickly.
Wonder how those mounties managed? Thanks, Canada. The Red Cross was
there, too. FEMA was MIA.



Vito wrote:
FWIW FEMA says they cannot do anything until local/state authorities ask them
for specific help - and nobody asked.


I guess going on TV and saying "We need help" is not
specific enough? What's clear to me is that a lot of people
want to play it for politics.

One issue I have personal experience with... the naval
auxiliary hospital & supply ships were not given orders
until 5 days after the disaster, and of course take several
days to steam to their destination, making a huge delay.
Problem- private contractors are paid big bucks to keep
those ships ready to go, and those orders *could* have been
issued at least a week earlier when it became obvious they
would be needed. Two specific places in which the officials
involved were grossly incompetent... to a degree worthy of
jail time IMHO. No other explanation.

DSK

Vito said:
FWIW FEMA says they cannot do anything until local/state authorities
ask them
for specific help - and nobody asked.

Ack! What?

Well, now I have a new saying: There are four kinds of lies - lies,
damned lies, statistics, and FEMA justifications.

Every official in both Louisiana and Mississippi from the governor on
down was begging for aid from any and all sources. FEMA was sitting
around scratching its collective fundament somewhere high and dry and
safe. Plus, this statement contradicts other FEMA position statements
which declared that they were on their way when they were ordered to
hold short because it would be impossible to get their equipment in. So
which is it? Not asked or on our way and tried really hard but couldn't
get there? They can't both be true.

Like I said, the MOUNTIES managed to get in. The Red Cross managed to
get in. Many, many private charities managed to get in. Having been
there myself, and having most of my immediate family there, I'd like to
extend a grateful "Thank you!" to the RCMP, the Red Cross, et al. And
I'd like to extend a hearty "F*ck you!" to FEMA.

Frank and krewe