Screw FEMA, call the Boy Scouts

Johns Hopkins has put out a message to its community on how they can helpfully respond to the crisis and I'm going to rebroadcast it to my physician clients as soon as I can.

Let's just get going right now and argue about who should do the job later. (that's a general observation and definitely not directed at Rod or Watcher). My daughter and grandson are in Mobile and my daughter's aunt is in NOLA.

You really think I'm interested in just talking?

I don't happen to be in a position to help this time, at least not yet.

And for goodness sakes... My daughter is IN NOLA, visiting, and as far as I know is going to have to evacuate with the family she's with.

Was anyone really surprised that the levels of government did not coordinate during Hurricane Katrina or that bureaucracy broke down? It wasn't a Republican or Democratic problem, it was a government problem, and people have put a lot of faith in government to solve their problems.

I was heartened by private charities collecting money or bottles of water at what seemed every parking lot and store. Private citizens were driving down there out of human compassion, and taking the people into their homes in their moment of need. The Coast Guard guys risking life and limb to bring those people out. That's what I like to remember about Katrina.

I can't help but compare the dependence we have upon government today and the self-reliance and voluntarism and personal independence that citizens of the eighteenth century had in the face of a deadly hurricane.

I'm just glad we have the foreknowledge and warning that people of that century did not have.

Thanks,
Tony Williams

Jindel looks like he's doing a good job with this so far. Nice to have somebody who can lead.

Hey Mark, have a drink already.

Hurrah Erin.

Prayers for those in the path of the storm.

Thanksgiving for brave people who serve others.

Enough.

"Name anything FEMA did while Clinton was in office. that's right, nothing."

You're kidding, right?
Clinton appointed a FEMA leader with experience in emergency management experience. FEMA had cabinet level status under Clinton. It was never perfect but it was definitely better run than before Bush Jr. gutted it.

God Bless mothers who expose their sons to real life hazards, and not namby pamby them! And g'u'lf-widows ensconced at home while their men folk stride forth to make the bacon among the pork barrels!

& ditto all the anti-potestas ejaculations aimed at big government's sterility!

Honestly,

This is the first time I have read this site. Suggested by a friend for one of the Palin articles....I scrolled around and read a few more...I am blown away by the crude, rude, angry comments tossed back and forth...I haven't seen so much hate in one place in such a long time.

I am going to spend just a few more minutes looking deeper into the mission and "about us" behind this blog...but it definitely is not written by or commented by people who have an alive spirit regenerated by the grace and love of Jesus Christ.

Just wonder why are most of you so full of anger? Yes, God is a holy God, Righteous. And yes, The Bible says be angry, but do not sin...the anger that we are suppose to have is God's Righteous anger against sin and unrighteousness, not against people. Love the sinner, hate the sin.

Try compassion, empathy, looking at things through God's eyes and the mindset of those who have walked in their own shoes, not yours.

Watcher
All were small businessmen, and our worst delays were trying to get past FEMA and past IRC, both of which deliberately delayed us, so that their "chosen" industry friends would get the credit for specific projects.

Small correction: That was the American Red Cross, not the International Committee of the Red Cross, Watcher. The ICRC was not helping at Katrina.

In fact, the IRCR actually criticized the American Red Cross's response, saying it was 'ill-prepared for the disaster, relied on inexperienced volunteers in key positions and had an ineffective system for moving supplies to where they were needed.'.

However, I am somewhat confused as to how the Red Cross stopped you from doing anything at all. What'd they do, threaten to stick you with needles?

No, while the Red Cross's help was somewhat inept, the fact that they were the only people allowed to help was entirely the government's, aka, FEMA's, decision. In fact, the Red Cross itself was held up by FEMA. They were at each other throats the entire time, because the RC wanted to just walk in and provide aid and FEMA...well, didn't want them to for some inexplicable reason.

But, anyway, FEMA, and the National Guard, were the only people with guns, and the only people with any sort of legal authority to stop you from doing anything. Don't go blaming the RC for you being kept out. (Feel free to blame them on their somewhat poor response, although at least some of that is not their fault.)

Essentially, Bush didn't want anyone else helping people, and was willing to do nothing at all if the alternative was someone else helping outside the 'correct channels'. I know that sounds absolutely horrible, but it explains all his behavior, from FEMA blocking help, to Bush wanting to nationalize the Guard and fighting the governor for a day over that.(1)

1) The governor fought that as that would require them to stop enforcing state law thanks to Posse Comitatus, and they were literally the only law enforcement for many areas. Bush, OTOH, wanted to do it, because...he wanted to be in charge.

So, we don't need municipal police officers and fire fighters and EMTs because the Scouts, or your church ladies' guild, or the Elks club can always do the job?

You can never go broke in this country underestimating the lack of a sense of humor in people.