BUSH TEAM CAUGHT LYING ABOUT RELIEF

[freemen2005]

9/7/05

La. Governor's August 28 request for assistance

RAW STORY

The following is a letter written to President George W. Bush, and publicly released, by Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco on August 27, 2005. On August 28, authorities told residents to leave the city of New Orleans. The next morning, Katrina struck in Louisiana. By August 30, an estimated 80% of the city was underwater. See timeline.

On September 4, The Washington Post claimed that Federal authorities blamed Blanco for failure to react and slow response time, reporting that the Bush Administration had asked the Governor to hand authority over to them on the evening of September 2, five days after people were told to leave New Orleans, and four days after the hurricane hit Louisiana. Accusations of slow response have also come in from pundits (like Bill O'Reilly), and an e-mail that is reportedly calling for the Governor's impeachment.

Text of the Governor's letter, sent http://gov.louisiana.gov/Disaster%20Relief%20Request.pdf
August 28, follows.

#

August 28, 2005

The President The White House Washington, D. C.

Through: Regional Director FEMA Region VI 800 North Loop 288 Denton, Texas 76209

Dear Mr. President:

Under the provisions of Section 501 (a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5206 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR § 206.35, I request that you declare an emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina for the time period beginning August 26, 2005, and continuing. The affected areas are all the southeastern parishes including the New Orleans Metropolitan area and the mid state Interstate I-49 corridor and northern parishes along the I-20 corridor that are accepting the thousands of citizens evacuating from the areas expecting to be flooded as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

In response to the situation I have taken appropriate action under State law and directed the execution of the State Emergency Plan on August 26, 2005 in accordance with Section 501 (a) of the Stafford Act. A State of Emergency has been issued for the State in order to support the evacuations of the coastal areas in accordance with our State Evacuation Plan and the remainder of the state to support the State Special Needs and Sheltering Plan.

Pursuant to 44 CFR § 206.35, I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments, and that supplementary Federal assistance is necessary to save lives, protect property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster. I am specifically requesting emergency protective measures, direct Federal Assistance, Individual and Household Program (IHP) assistance, Special Needs Program assistance, and debris removal.

Preliminary estimates of the types and amount of emergency assistance needed under the Stafford Act, and emergency assistance from certain Federal agencies under other statutory authorities are tabulated in Enclosure A.

The following information is furnished on the nature and amount of State and local resources that have been or will be used to alleviate the conditions of this emergency: • Department of Social Services (DSS): Opening (3) Special Need Shelters (SNS) and establishing (3) on Standby. • Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH): Opening (3) Shelters and establishing (3) on Standby. • Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP): Providing generators and support staff for SNS and Public Shelters. • Louisiana State Police (LSP): Providing support for the phased evacuation of the coastal areas. • Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (WLF): Supporting the evacuation of the affected population and preparing for Search and Rescue Missions.

Mr. President Page Two August 28, 2005

• Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD): Coordinating traffic flow and management of the evacuations routes with local officials and the State of Mississippi.

The following information is furnished on efforts and resources of other Federal agencies, which have been or will be used in responding to this incident:

• FEMA ERT-A Team en-route.

I certify that for this emergency, the State and local governments will assume all applicable non-Federal share of costs required by the Stafford Act.

I request Direct Federal assistance for work and services to save lives and protect property.

(a) List any reasons State and local government cannot perform or contract for performance, (if applicable).

(b) Specify the type of assistance requested.

In accordance with 44 CFR § 206.208, the State of Louisiana agrees that it will, with respect to Direct Federal assistance:

1.

Provide without cost to the United States all lands, easement, and rights-of-ways necessary to accomplish the approved work.
2.

Hold and save the United States free from damages due to the requested work, and shall indemnify the Federal Government against any claims arising from such work;
3.

Provide reimbursement to FEMA for the non-Federal share of the cost of such work in accordance with the provisions of the FEMA-State Agreement; and
4.

Assist the performing Federal agency in all support and local jurisdictional matters.

In addition, I anticipate the need for debris removal, which poses an immediate threat to lives, public health, and safety.

Pursuant to Sections 502 and 407 of the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5192 & 5173, the State agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the United States of America for any claims arising from the removal of debris or wreckage for this disaster. The State agrees that debris removal from public and private property will not occur until the landowner signs an unconditional authorization for the removal of debris.

I have designated Mr. Art Jones as the State Coordinating Officer for this request. He will work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in damage assessments and may provide further information or justification on my behalf.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Governor Enclosure

ENCLOSURE A TO EMERGENCY REQUEST

Estimated requirements for other Federal agency programs:

• Department of Social Services (DSS): Opening (3) Special Need Shelters (SNS) and establishing (3) on Standby. Costs estimated at $500,000 per week for each in operation.

• Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH): Opening (3) Shelters and establishing (3) on Standby. Costs estimated at $500,000 per week for each in operation.

• Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP): Providing generators and support staff for SNS and Public Shelters. Costs estimated to range from $250,000-$500,000 to support (6) Shelter generator operations.

• Louisiana State Police (LSP): Costs to support evacuations - $300,000 for a non-direct landfall.

• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (WLF): Costs to support evacuations - $200,000 for a non-direct landfall.

• Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD): Costs to support evacuations - $2,000,000 for a non-direct landfall.

Totals: $ 9,000,000

Estimated Requirements for assistance under the Stafford Act:

Coordination: $0

Technical and advisory assistance: $0

Debris removal: $0

Emergency protective measures: $ 9,000,000

Individuals and Households Program (IHP): $0

Distribution of emergency supplies: $0

Other (specify): $0

Totals: $ 9,000,000

Grand Total: $ 9,000,000




More:
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/La._Governors_August_27_request_for_assista_0906.html

[gratuitous]

1. Hey c'mon, if you're not going to let them lie their butts off

They won't have anything left but to own up to their failures. Don't you have even the slightest shred of decency and humanity for these colossal fuck-ups who have killed so many thousands through their incompetence?

[Just Me]

2. She took appropriate actions. They intentionally failed to respond.

The pResident even left out the entire coastal area in his emergency declaration. This is criminal. Their actions constitute manslaughter at the very least. They have breached their oathes of office to serve and protect. They should be removed, immediately!!!

[The White Tree]

3. This seems especially damning

Pursuant to 44 CFR § 206.35, I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments, and that supplementary Federal assistance is necessary to save lives, protect property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster. I am specifically requesting emergency protective measures, direct Federal Assistance, Individual and Household Program (IHP) assistance, Special Needs Program assistance, and debris removal.

Say what you will about the preparedness of the city and state but this seems to be proof positive that the governor anticipated that the local levels would not be able to respond effectively to save lives and asked for federal help.

Maybe George never got the letter cause he wasn't reading his mail while on vacation. Or maybe, like the Aug 6 report about terrorists determined to strike America, nobody seems to have explained to him the significance of this letter.

Remember after 9/11 the President said if anyone knew that an attack was imminant that they would have moved mountains to prevent it. Well this shows that they were not sincere.

Katrina was an attack on our nation by the forces of nature. The administration knew it was coming, they were asked to help. The President did not move mountains, he did not even come back from vacation. As on 9/11, he sat out the disaster and waited to see how things would turn out.

[amandabeech]

4. They tell me that she didn't ask for the right stuff; i.e., transportation

for the evacuation.

At that point, I give up.

It sounds to me like none of FEMA, Homeland Security or the Office of the President was responding anyway. If I had been in charge of things, I would have been on the phone with Nagin and Blanco and said, "What do you need? Just call if you need anything else. We'll worry about the paperwork later."

How did things go in Mississippi and Alabama with their Pubbie governors? I've sure seen enough here and elsewhere indicating that FEMA dragged its heels there, too.

[Garbo 2004]

5. Aug 27 FEMA press release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, today announced that Federal resources are being allocated to support emergency protective response efforts response efforts in the parishes located in the path of Hurricane Katrina.

Brown said President Bush authorized the aid under an emergency disaster declaration issued following a review of FEMA's analysis of the state's request for federal assistance. FEMA will mobilize equipment and resources necessary to protect public health and safety by assisting law enforcement with evacuations, establishing shelters, supporting emergency medical needs, meeting immediate lifesaving and life-sustaining human needs and protecting property, in addition to other emergency protective measures. http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18447&title=Emergency+Aid+Authorized+For+Hurricane+Katrina+Emergency+Response+In+Louisiana

[Garbo 2004]

6. "hand over authority" means federalize state resources: not required,

not necessary and certainly did not prevent the feds from doing anything they needed to do after the fed emergency declaration on Aug 27.

If anything, it looks like Bush was blackmailing and setting up Blanco.

[Angry Girl]

7. Rove/GOP is spreading the same lies to WP and Newsweek

See my post here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=22805&mesg_id=23044

[Imagevision]

8. Independant investigation will hang Bushco

http://downingstreetmemo.com/

[Joe Chi Minh]

9. This is not news any more than "dog bites man".

Perhaps Bushco, FEMA - all of them - should be nicknamed, the "dogbiters". In this case, "FEMA dogbiters". Though, alas, they make the news all the time by lying: which is the eqivalent of "dog bites man". Or are the MS playing a subtle game in reporting these lies as news?

[brettdale]

10. kick

kick

[freemen2005]

11. KIK DA MUNKY

[librechik]

12. I was able to correct a couple of people on this fact today

:kick:

they said yeah but Blanco is a sad case too, no?

I said I imagined there was a lot of fault to go around, but the Feds should be held accountable instead of passing the buck.

Agreed! A tense moment avoided! And a truth passed on.

:party:

Peace!

[jazzjunkysue]

13. 15 Characteristics of a dysfunctional church (or administration)

Fifteen Characteristics Of A Dysfunctional Church
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/8247.htm
1) Abusive Relationships

Abusive relationships are found when the organization (or parts of it) seek a Scapegoat (an individual or a group) designated to suffers pain for others or the organization. Anyone who chooses not to share in the Scapegoating will also be scapegoated.and or face severe consequences (e.g. rejection, blame, physical and/or emotional abuse, censure, et al) for rejection of that role. Dysfunctional organizations tenaciously maintain the Scapegoat role, for without it, they would be unable to project their dysfunction on others but would have to bear the pain of the dysfunction themselves.

2) Perfectionism

This goes beyond merely seeking excellence. Instead, it is a controlling tactic by which individuals or groups replace a healthy sense of trust and spontaneity with a legalistic, over-zealous, destructive focus on minute defects of others, their leadership styles, their procedures, the organization, et al.

Mercilessly drawing attention to otherwise irrelevant minutiae, it directs energy from focusing on the big picture to an over-attention to details.

3) Rigidity

Rigidity, like Perfectionism, relies on unbending rules and strict adherence to various "objective" standards (Constitutions, Policies, Doctrines, supposed denominational dictates, the "right" way). The main purpose of the bureaucracy (formal or informal) is to enforce and enlarge control over others while squashing spontaneity and risk taking. No surprises are allowed. Those in or seeking control may instantaneously and repeatedly change any dictum or direction without warning. However, those being controlled must do everything the "right" way.

4) Silence

People don't speak up at appropriate times in appropriate situations with appropriate people. Results: Repeated "unanimous" decisions that get undermined, sabotaging supporters.

5) Repression

Unspoken rules that it is not "Christian" to express feelings of disagreement, dissent, or anger. Instead, one must hide how one really feels or suffer censure for expression of emotions. Instead of expressing feelings, feelings must be hidden. Result: Repression ultimately must be released in episodes (or series of episodes) of uncontrollable anger and hostility.

6) Rationalization and Denial

Groups or individuals re-work truth and reality to fit their distorted view of situations, individuals, and other groups.

7) Triangulation

Triangulation is using "go-betweens" to communicate indirectly with other parties. Results: Unsuspecting, but sympathetic message-bearers become entangled in an unwanted destructive web of blame, anger, and miscommunication. Result: They become uncomfortable with their roles and jump ship.

8) Double Messages

Such duplicity or "two-faced" aspect is exemplified by people whose actions always have an opposite "flip side." Some examples: "I care/get lost;" "I love you/don't bother me;" "I need you/You're in my way," "Yes, I accept you just as you are/Why don't you change!".

9) Lack Of Fun/Anti-Spontaneity

Dysfunctional churches can't loosen up, let go, play and have fun. Being overly serious, humor will be seen an un- "unrighteous" and "undignified" church activity.

10) Martyrdom

High tolerance by individuals or groups to bear abuse, pain, and extreme sacrifice for the organization. No real atmosphere or opportunities exist in the organization for expressing pain, loss and providing healing mechanisms. Designated martyrs are made to feel "deserving" of their pain.

11) Entanglement: The "Hooterville Syndrome"

This is the situation where everyone knows everyone else's business but the information is never accurate, relevant, timely or constructively directed.

12) "We Care" Syndrome

An extension of the double messages mentioned above, dysfunctional individuals and organizations will often claim to care but, when given opportunity to assist, have other "priorities and needs" which will cause presented needs to go unmet on a regular basis.

13) Elevations of Dysfunctional Leaders

When certain attention-seeking individuals can't find attention in their family, job, or elsewhere, the church becomes a convenient - and easy - place for such "attention addicts" to get their attention by becoming a Chairman of a congregational group. By not saying "no" to such incompetents, the church succumbs to an inordinate amount of incompetence, incomplete tasks, and other types of associated narcissistic fallout.

14) Inability to Grasp a Positive Vision.

Those entrenched in perfectionism, procedures, victimization and control will be too pre-occupied to deal with positive things such as present and future organizational vision. Instead, there's a self-defeating zealous preoccupation with the past and present which leaves no possibility for deliberating regarding the future.

15) Dysfunctional Expectations of the Pastor

The general disrespect for the Pastoral Office, testified by an on-going succession of short-tenured pastors often indicates that either one or both of the following dysfunctionalities are present and operative in the given congregation.