Curious editorial from our libertarian, Republican apologist rag.

[MissMarple]

http://gazette.com/display.php?secid=13

It's the second one down on the page, but the first one on cutting Colorado,s gas tax is so stupid it is almost tax cut parody. The editorial staff is famous for their lack of lucidity and inability to logically reason out of a brown paper bag.

"Loyalty has its limits

Washington insiders for years jokingly referred to the Federal Emergency Management Agency as “the turkey farm,” because it was known as a dumping ground for political appointees passed over for the ambassador’s job in Monaco, Bermuda or Jamaica. FEMA’s reputation for competence rose somewhat in recent times, due largely to the trend to “federalize” virtually every storm that came along. But practice hasn’t made perfect, as the agency’s response to Katrina demonstrated.

Although the rescue and recovery effort has gained momentum of late, and there’s plenty of blame to go around for why it got off to such a slow start, FEMA director Michael Brown seems to have become a focal point for criticism. And perhaps with good reason. Brown appears to have been appointed because of connections rather than competence. He was a college roommate of Joseph Allbaugh, the former campaign manager President Bush first appointed to head FEMA. Brown’s biggest job prior to FEMA was with the International Arabian Horse Association. And that could explain a lot.

FEMA operatives were on the ground in New Orleans almost immediately, but some of their actions raise questions. Wal-Mart loaded three trucks with food and water, according to Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard, but FEMA turned them back. A Coast Guard ship reportedly invited local authorities to get 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel, but FEMA rescinded the offer. Volunteers from Lafayette, La., with 500 boats headed for New Orleans to aid in rescue efforts, but FEMA turned them back. Firefighters from Houston, Maryland and elsewhere were turned away by FEMA or assigned to other tasks, according to various reports.

The president, like his father, is known for valuing and rewarding loyalty, and that’s an admirable trait up to a point. But perhaps it’s time that Brown be pushed aside in favor of someone with a more suitable background for such a job.

It’s time, as well, to stop using FEMA as a dumping ground for the president’s political pals and to professionalize its top ranks, in recognition of the deadly serious mission with which it is charged."

edit: Yes, I added the text.

[applegrove]

1. As if filling emergency preparedness positions were not important.

This implies the Bush WH were just being political. Have they filled the Pentagon with idiots too? Yes. People who are incompetent and get rewarded for that? Yes.

This is pattern. Bolton is at the UN to dismantle it - so too an unqualified Brown at FEMA.