YOU ARE BEING LIED TO

[jasons2k]

the federal government should have steped in 24 hrs PRIOR to the hurricane making landfall. the enormity of the devestation shouldn't really have surprised anybody. what we are seeing is a complete breakdown on the part of the US response effort. or lack there of.

this is shaming as a US citizen.

Obviously you haven't read up on the law of this country. The federal government does not have the right to step in prior to a natural disaster. Please try and educate yourself before posting this kind of crap.

Hey, that is true. But the President should have been on the horn with the Governors of all 4+ states affected in a conference call, on Saturday, and basically told them "We have to step in, please give me the legal credentials to now to handle this situation. It will need an immediate federal response." And you know what, they would have agreed and all the legal crap is out of the way from the start. Then, a multi-state and federal effort could have been coordinate. There are plans on the books to do this. Scenario #3345 or whatever. The point is, it didn't happen, the government was NOT proactive, they were reactive. And people are DYING because of that.

[mf_dolphin]

the federal government should have steped in 24 hrs PRIOR to the hurricane making landfall. the enormity of the devestation shouldn't really have surprised anybody. what we are seeing is a complete breakdown on the part of the US response effort. or lack there of.

this is shaming as a US citizen.

My thoughts too...troops should have been staged in Houston or Beaumont the day BEFORE, ready to go with trucks of supplies.

A little over 24 hours before landfall the Official NO city position was that mandatory evacs weren't required. Please understand that you're expecting something from the Federal Government that prohibited by law. The supplies being staged is not the issue. The issue is how to get them to where they're needed. The lack of order immediately following the landfall is not the federal government's responsibility. That falls with the City, Parishes and the State.

[Air Force Met]

the federal government should have steped in 24 hrs PRIOR to the hurricane making landfall. the enormity of the devestation shouldn't really have surprised anybody. what we are seeing is a complete breakdown on the part of the US response effort. or lack there of.

this is shaming as a US citizen.

There is a little thing called the CONSTITUTION that prevents this...and for good reason. The same people that brandish constitutional rights around like a bullhorn are always the first ones to scream about breaking it. The Federal Gov't can not legally do anything until the states allow them (in situations like this). That's the law. Blame the state and the city.

[gunner1551]

10.5 Billion dollars just approved by congress is a start!!

Yes its a start but they will need billions more to even get the people food an the bare needs. I have no idea what i would cost to rebuild a city as diverse and as historical as NO. There will be no way to rebuild the history that has been lost, but i would have to think it would cost at least at the very minimum 100 billion to get a start on the city. But at least the government has started to see the scope of the disaster. Lets hope for the lives of alot of people that more $ is on the way.

[MBismyPlayground]

10.5 Billion dollars just approved by congress is a start!!

That is great, for rebuilding the city. Plus the donations across the world. But no amount of money will get this moving any quicker, I dont think. And no amount of money will bring back the lives lost for lack of better planning. I think many people are donating quickly, thinking this will aid in getting these people rescued, fed, watered and housed QUICKER.

[CFL]

Sad to say, but I wonder if this really could have been prevented at all. I do think there has been many mistakes by the NOLA emergency management. But I did read one time that it would take 3 days to fully evacuate NOLA before a storm. Could there really have been a good, smooth outcome when you have half a million people living in a city below sea level? Seems like quite a bit of their population is impoverished to the point that they couldn't have left if they wanted to.

[jasons2k]

the federal government should have steped in 24 hrs PRIOR to the hurricane making landfall. the enormity of the devestation shouldn't really have surprised anybody. what we are seeing is a complete breakdown on the part of the US response effort. or lack there of.

this is shaming as a US citizen.

There is a little thing called the CONSTITUTION that prevents this...and for good reason. The same people that brandish constitutional rights around like a bullhorn are always the first ones to scream about breaking it. The Federal Gov't can not legally do anything until the states allow them (in situations like this). That's the law. Blame the state and the city.

I agree, but I'm telling you, if the Governor or Mayor of wherever got a call from the President and he explained to him that we have a crisis coming with this storm, and he needs to coordinate all efforts at the federal level, they would definitely cooperate. Do really think Mr Mayor would have said "Oh, were OK Mr. President, we won't need any of your help??" C'ome on. Yes, it is the local police force, etc., responsible for law enforcement, but the fact is you can't depend on the mayor or whomever in every single municipality, large and small, to have an evacuation and disaster plan in place. Regardless of whether or not it's legal or not, it's just not feasible to expect them all to coordinate something that truly spans across several states. They should have cleared all legal hurdles needed from the beginning. I'm sure if the Preseident had declared a national emergency (which it is) he has more legal authority anyways. What's the whole point of having FEMA, the National Guard, the Dept. of Homeland Security, and HHS if they can't do anything?? Part of their mission is disaster recovery. But the point is, they simply did not have the resources in place to handle this situation, when they should have.

You have to admit, from the top-down, they were caught completely off guard by what this hurricane did.

[soonertwister]

The biggest failure has been one of the American people. We have chosen these people who have allowed this disaster to become worse than it had to be.

But make no mistake, this would be a horrible disaster no matter how good the response had been. But the underlying causes of this, poverty, ignorance, apathy; those things will remain until we have the backbone, as a people, to rid ourselves of such things.

[wayoutfront]

All levels of government.. city, state, and Federal, are to blame for this. There should have been at least one staging area set up prior to the landfall of the hurricane. Is there even a staging area now?

Kristi

I won't believe this until I hear this...


the interview I heard he praised all the above

[photoguy]

Hey, that is true. But the President should have been on the horn with the Governors of all 4+ states affected in a conference call, on Saturday, and basically told them "We have to step in, please give me the legal credentials to now to handle this situation. that.

I keep reading repeatedly on this board about how "the state had to request federal assistance."

How does anyone here know that DIDN'T happen immediately?

There is only one entity on earth that is equipped to handle this. There is NOTHING better able to handle this situation than our armed forces.

But they follow orders. Someone needed to be giving orders.

[mf_dolphin]

I agree, but I'm telling you, if the Governor or Mayor of wherever got a call from the President and he explained to him that we have a crisis coming with this storm, and he needs to coordinate all efforts at the federal level, they would definitely cooperate.

That is not the function of the President of the United States. That's the very reason we have local and state governments.

Do really think Mr Mayor would have said "Oh, were OK Mr. President, we won't need any of your help??" C'ome on. Yes, it is the local police force, etc., responsible for law enforcement, but the fact is you can't depend on the mayor or whomever in every single municipality, large and small, to have an evacuation and disaster plan in place.

I'm sorry but you're dead wrong.

Regardless of whether or not it's legal or not, it's just not feasible to expect them all to coordinate something that truly spans across several states.

It's up to the state to request federal assistance. In this case the President declared the emergency before the storm hit which is fairly uncommon. Why don't you ask why the state didn't have the troops ready to move in and establish order right after the storm? That's the function of the local and state police in conjunction with the state's National Guard.

They should have cleared all legal hurdles needed from the beginning. I'm sure if the Preseident had declared a national emergency (which it is) he has more legal authority anyways.

Check your facts. As I said above, the emergency was declared before landfall.

You have to admit, from the top-down, they were caught completely off guard by what this hurricane did.

[MBismyPlayground]

First let's at least try and be accurate. There is no division capable of full deployment in 24 hours. I was attached to the 82nd Airborne Division for 2 years so I know the truth. We don't even have the airlift capability to deploy a full division at once. Posting blind and inaccurate "assumptions" only inflames a situation.[/quote]

geez, the last thing I want to do is disagree with a head honcho. But having been an 82nd ABN wife for MANY(15+) years I have to. The "READY BRIGADE" of the 82nd is "WHEELS UP" anywhere in the world in 12 hours.
They are on DRF status which is under a 2 hour call in. Their bags are ALWAYS packed during this time and their personal paperwork(wills, power of attorneys ect) was taken care of when they take over DRF 1. The immediate support, artillery, maint, cooks, ect are also ready.
I have dealt with many deployments thru out the years, cried many tears, birthed several children, handled family support issues, during these times.
No offense, but leaving OUT the 82nd ABN, you also have 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th SF groups plus Delta. My ex is part of 3rd and I have seen then leave at a moments notice.

Each of these units have the capability.

[mf_dolphin]

geez, the last thing I want to do is disagree with a head honcho. But having been an 82nd ABN wife for MANY(15+) years I have to. The "READY BRIGADE" of the 82nd is "WHEELS UP" anywhere in the world in 12 hours.
They are on DRF status which is under a 2 hour call in. Their bags are ALWAYS packed during this time and their personal paperwork(wills, power of attorneys ect) was taken care of when they take over DRF 1. The immediate support, artillery, maint, cooks, ect are also ready.
I have dealt with many deployments thru out the years, cried many tears, birthed several children, handled family support issues, during these times.
No offense, but leaving OUT the 82nd ABN, you also have 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th SF groups plus Delta. My ex is part of 3rd and I have seen then leave at a moments notice.

Not to be mean but I was responding to the post that said a full division could deploy fully equipped in 24 hours. That's what was inaccurate. A ready brigade is not a full division with all of the logistics. All I'm asking people to do is try and be accurate.

The other point here is that active duty soldiers cannot be deployed to a natural disaster to enforce law and order without a federal declaration of martial law. The request for that declaration has to come from the State's Govenor. As far as I know that still hasn't happened. As a military wife you should know that very well. That's part of our constitution that's been pointed out in many many threads here. You can't ignore the constitution because it's a convienient way to place blame.

[artist]

I have to step back in here as much as I don't want to - do you remember Maxfield contacted the mayor or sat. night and asked him to please evacuate immediately???? What was his reply? I can't - we have to wait til I can be given the authority. Seems New Orleand nor the state had the documents ready for being able to do such a thing - the states attorney had to draft a proclamation to do such! How much time was wasted because the state had not prepared for a worst case scenario?? Which everyone knew that IF a cat 5 came barreling at New Orleans there would be no time to spare because of the direness of the situation if it arose!

[jburns]

There is a little thing called the CONSTITUTION that prevents this...and for good reason. .

Interestingly enough if you follow the constitution strictly the federal government has no buisness helping rebuild. That is a state function.

[mf_dolphin]

I have to step back in here as much as I don't want to - do you remember Maxfield contacted the mayor or sat. night and asked him to please evacuate immediately???? What was his reply? I can't - we have to wait til I can be given the authority. Seems New Orleand nor the state had the documents ready for being able to do such a thing - the states attorney had to draft a proclamation to do such! How much time was wasted because the state had not prepared for a worst case scenario?? Which everyone knew that IF a cat 5 came barreling at New Orleans there would be no time to spare because of the direness of the situation if it arose!

Great point! Thank you!

[MBismyPlayground]

On those points you are so right as I have stated many times.
Although, they can deploy to LA but will not be able to enforce the law. As hubbie said to the current news of the deployment of Bragg soldiers to LA, this will suck if it is not martial law, They can be shot at but not shoot back.
I must have missed the part where a DIVISION was disscussed.
heck, I have never seen a whole division deployed all at once. There is always someone in the rear to take care of any other needs.

But, accordingly, they will be coming......guns loaded or not.
Was really hoping it was guns loaded.....of course, who knows what is going on behind the scenes. I think the fact that there is a lack in the amount of local/state police force, this may change up the senario.

[jasons2k]

I agree, but I'm telling you, if the Governor or Mayor of wherever got a call from the President and he explained to him that we have a crisis coming with this storm, and he needs to coordinate all efforts at the federal level, they would definitely cooperate.

That is not the function of the President of the United States. That's the very reason we have local and state governments.

Please explain. In a national crisis they both have a responsibilty. That's the very reason why we have a HHS, FEMA, Dept of Homeland Security, and even the NHC.

Do really think Mr Mayor would have said "Oh, were OK Mr. President, we won't need any of your help??" C'ome on. Yes, it is the local police force, etc., responsible for law enforcement, but the fact is you can't depend on the mayor or whomever in every single municipality, large and small, to have an evacuation and disaster plan in place.

I'm sorry but you're dead wrong.

How is this wrong? Let's take an example. NOLA used the Superdome as a shelter. That can easily be arranged because they have local control over that facility. But obviously that wasn't enough. They have now had to open facilities in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and elsewhere. They goes beyond the city and state jurisdictions. They can't coordinate all that by themselves.

Regardless of whether or not it's legal or not, it's just not feasible to expect them all to coordinate something that truly spans across several states.

It's up to the state to request federal assistance. In this case the President declared the emergency before the storm hit which is fairly uncommon. Why don't you ask why the state didn't have the troops ready to move in and establish order right after the storm? That's the function of the local and state police in conjunction with the state's National Guard.

They BOTH share failure here. but once again, beyond what a single state or city can handle alone. I'll use another example for this - take a small state like Rhode Island with a major hurricane making landfall. The whole state would be paralyzed. Obviously the federal government would have to step-in from the very beginning.

They should have cleared all legal hurdles needed from the beginning. I'm sure if the Preseident had declared a national emergency (which it is) he has more legal authority anyways.

Check your facts. As I said above, the emergency was declared before landfall.

OK, so it was. That backs-up my argument even more that they should have been ready sooner.

You have to admit, from the top-down, they were caught completely off guard by what this hurricane did.

[/quote]

[artist]

Lt. Kevin Kowan stated earlier today that they have now asked for an additional 1400 national guard coming in each day for the next few days. (head of La Homeland Security)
As well as they had not prepped for not being able to communicate with one another - the state police or the police dept. - the national guard was asked to bring in equipment yesterday so they could start doing such. A little late if you ask me - had anyone heard they couldn't communicate with each other???

[jasons2k]

Sorry for the quotes all messed-up in my last post