Brown: 'Louisiana was dysfunctional'

[TexasStooge]

WASHINGTON D.C. (AP) — Former FEMA director Michael Brown aggressively defended his role in responding to Hurricane Katrina on Tuesday and blamed most coordination failures on Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin.

He also said that in the days before the storm, he expressed his concerns that "this is going to be a bad one" in phone conversations and e-mails with President Bush, White House chief of staff Andy Card and deputy chief of staff Joe Hagin.

And he blamed the Department of Homeland Security, the parent agency for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for not acquiring better equipment ahead of the storm.

His efforts to shift blame drew sharp criticism from Democratic and Republican lawmakers alike.

"I'm happy you left," said Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn. "That kind of look in the lights like a deer tells me you weren't capable of doing that job."

Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss., told Brown: "The disconnect was, people thought there was some federal expertise out there. There wasn't. Not from you."

Brown appeared before a special congressional panel set up by House Republican leaders to investigate the catastrophe.

"My biggest mistake was not recognizing by Saturday that Louisiana was dysfunctional," two days before the storm hit, Brown told the panel.

Brown, who for many became a symbol of government failures in the natural disaster that claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people, rejected accusations that he was too inexperienced for the job.

"I've overseen over 150 presidentially declared disasters. I know what I'm doing, and I think I do a pretty darn good job of it," he said.

Brown resigned as the head of FEMA earlier this month after being removed by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff from responsibility in the stricken areas. Brown will remain on the FEMA payroll for two more weeks, advising the agency, said Russ Knocke, spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security.

Brown, who joined FEMA in 2001 and ran it for more than two years, was previously an attorney who held several local government and private posts, including leading the International Arabian Horse Association.

Brown's testimony drew a scathing response from Rep. William Jefferson, D-La.

"I find it absolutely stunning that this hearing would start out with you, Mr. Brown, laying the blame for FEMA's failings at the feet of the governor of Louisiana and the Mayor of New Orleans."

And in a testy exchange, Shays compared Brown's performance unfavorably with that of former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

"So I guess you want me to be the superhero, to step in there and take everyone out of New Orleans," Brown said.

"What I wanted you to do is do your job and coordinate," Shays retorted.

"I'm happy to be called not a Rudy Giuliani...a scapegoat ... if it means that FEMA that I knew when I came here is going to be able to be reborn," Brown said.

Criticized by Shays for not acquiring better equipment in advance that would have let different emergency agencies communicate with each other, Brown blamed the Department of Homeland Security.

"We put that money in our budget request and it was removed by the Department of Homeland Security" before the budget was finalized, he said.

Brown also said he was "just tired and misspoke" when a television interviewer appeared to be the first to tell him that there were desperate residents at the New Orleans Convention Center.

Brown testified that he had already learned, one day before the interview, that people were flocking to the center.

Brown in his opening statement said he had made several "specific mistakes" in dealing with the storm, and listed two.

One, he said, was not having more media briefings.

As to the other, he said: "I very strongly personally regret that I was unable to persuade Gov. Blanco and Mayor Nagin to sit down, get over their differences, and work together. I just couldn't pull that off."

Both Blanco and Nagin are Democrats.

In Baton Rouge, La., Blanco's press secretary, Denise Bottcher, ridiculed Brown's line of attack. "Mike Brown wasn't engaged then, and he surely isn't now. He should have been watching CNN instead of the Disney Channel," Bottcher said.

"The people of FEMA are being tired of being beat up, and they don't deserve it," Brown said.

The hearing was largely boycotted by Democrats, who want an independent investigation conducted into government failures, not one run by congressional Republicans.

But several Democrats from the stricken region, including Jefferson and Taylor, attended.

Committee Chairman Tom Davis, R-Va., cautioned against too narrowly assigning blame.

"At the end of the day, I suspect that we'll find that government at all levels failed the people of Louisiana and Mississippi and Alabama and the Gulf Coast," said Davis.

He pushed Brown on what he and the agency he led should have done to evacuate New Orleans, restore order in the city and improve communication among law enforcement agencies.

Brown said: "Those are not FEMA roles. FEMA doesn't evacuate communities. FEMA does not do law enforcement. FEMA does not do communications."

In part of his testimony, Brown pumped his hand up and down for emphasis.

Brown said the lack of a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans before the storm was "the tipping point for all the other things that went wrong." Brown said he had personally pushed Louisiana Gov. Blanco to order such an evacuation.

He did not have the authority to order the city evacuated on his own, Brown said.

When asked by Rep. Harold Rogers, R-Ky, whether the lack of an ordered evacuation was "the proximate cause of most people's misery," Brown said, "Yes."

[LAwxrgal]

And so it begins...the fingerpointing....this is going to go on for awhile I'm afraid...

Folks, everyone at every level of government was to blame for the Katrina fiasco.

Meanwhile in Louisiana, according to my local news, the death toll has risen to 885. 885! That's an ungodly number in this day and age. They are definitely going to find more bodies and I wouldn't be surprised if in Louisiana alone the body count was over a thousand. It saddens me but it's true.

[Stephanie]

Folks, everyone at every level of government was to blame for the Katrina fiasco.

I couldn't agree more! Instead of being a "professional" about the whole thing and accepting some responsibility for the problems after Katrina, like his boss who was indirectly over it, he can't point his finger away from himself fast enough.

I'm not sure, but was the extent of his "responsibility" just calling President Bush, etc. before the hurricane to say "this is going to be a bad one"??? *snark*

[Skywatch_NC]

I believe President GW Bush will go in history as the Blamee Prez...from Iraq and Afghanistan to Katrina efforts...you name it!

Eric

[thermos]

I don't think it gets any better than this. Michael Brown literally blamed a blog called horsesass.org for his failures today.

http://www.bloggersblog.com/cgi-bin/blo ... log=927052

[streetsoldier]

It doesn't help matters that the NO Police Superintendent resigned today, amidst reports of 250 NOPD officers being evaluated for disciplinary action related to fleeing their posts during and after Katrina...one wonders how many other heads will roll before this is all said and done.

[kevin]

I believe President GW Bush will go in history as the Blamee Prez...from Iraq and Afghanistan to Katrina efforts...you name it!

Eric

"The buck stops here."
Harry S. Truman

[Stephanie]

It doesn't help matters that the NO Police Superintendent resigned today, amidst reports of 250 NOPD officers being evaluated for disciplinary action related to fleeing their posts during and after Katrina...one wonders how many other heads will roll before this is all said and done.

There should be alot of heads rolling from every direction. This was a disgrace anyway you look at it.

[feederband]

I believe President GW Bush will go in history as the Blamee Prez...from Iraq and Afghanistan to Katrina efforts...you name it!

Eric

Don't forget the President that also had to deal with 9/11..Also the one that did not let all these country's that baby terrorist and terrorist country's not influince are stand to wipe out these criminals off the face of the earth..Also the one that had to deal with several major natural disaters including the largest to ever hit the country...I sit here and think I could not even fathom what direction the country would be in if Gore/ Kerry would have been Pres....I don't agree with everything Bush does but just think of everything that has been on his plate...

[GalvestonDuck]

Shhhhhhhhhhh....you're okay (in my opinion), FB, but very, very close.

Let's not get into a Bush v. Gore debate.

[x-y-no]

Well, even though I strongly disagree with Brown's claims of having done a great job and everything being everybody else's fault ... I'd have to agree with the statement the Louisiana was dysfunctional.

There were failures at every level in Katrina - from individuals through local, state and federal governments.

I hope we can all learn from them.

[sunny]

There were failures at every level in Katrina - from individuals through local, state and federal governments.

I hope we can all learn from them.

This is the truth. Lord knows there is enough blame to go around a couple of times.

[crazycajuncane]

Don't give me that bull $hit... Louisiana is dysfunctional. Does FEMA reside in Louisiana? Does Bush reside in Louisiana?

I just hope Mr. Brown doesn't come around Louisiana, cause he'll learn just what dysfunctional is.

This goes DIRECTLY to FEMA and the U.S. Government.... this was a disaster that would have needed national support. There is no way Louisiana could have handled it along... no matter what Blanco DID or DID NOT say.

Everyone is to blame... at all levels... SOMEONE should have stepped up

[feederband]

Shhhhhhhhhhh....you're okay (in my opinion), FB, but very, very close.

Let's not get into a Bush v. Gore debate.

]

[MGC]

Being a former resident of Louisiana for 22 years, I can believe the dysfunctional statement. It takes forever to get anything done in Louisiana unless you are willing to "grease-the-skids" (bribe an offical). I know of too many occasions where a bribe was the only way to get the ball rolling. I'm certain most of the politicians are licking their chops with the thought of all the recovery monies they will get to control and pocket......MGC

[arkess7]

Hello Brown WAS THE HEAD OF FEMA............ I think he is to blame that he didnt step up when he should have.......thats are EMERGENCY help for the whole U.S. for christ sakes!!!! The guy Allen that replaced him should have been the head the whole time!!!!! Browns an idiot IMO.....pointing fingers at everyone else.....geez

[chrisnnavarre]

I believe President GW Bush will go in history as the Blamee Prez...from Iraq and Afghanistan to Katrina efforts...you name it!

Eric

Don't forget the President that also had to deal with 9/11..Also the one that did not let all these country's that baby terrorist and terrorist country's not influince are stand to wipe out these criminals off the face of the earth..Also the one that had to deal with several major natural disaters including the largest to ever hit the country...I sit here and think I could not even fathom what direction the country would be in if Gore/ Kerry would have been Pres....I don't agree with everything Bush does but just think of everything that has been on his plate...

The only thing Bush will be remembered for is the Iraq War, the reasons we entered (WMD Issue) and where he was when Katrina hit New Orleans which was on Vacation. Compare it to Carter and the Failed Iran Rescue Mission, and that's what you have and that's what will stick.

Well I don't know if its over yet, because now the Republican Majority Leader in the House has stepped down due to a criminal indictment and the Senate Majority Leader is under investigation for Martha Stewart like activities.

Considering the squandering of the National Treasury he may be remembered for the rebirth of the Robber Barrons of the 1930's.

http://econ161.berkeley.edu/Econ_Articl ... aper2.html

Not to be political, (but after Clinton, Mr. Blue Dress) I'm starting to think we can't trust any of them... Republicans or Democrats.

[ajurcat]

Actually I think this has become political. I have my thoughts and beliefs but I also know that, from past history, those that cry the loudest end up believing everything they say is gospel, whether true or not. Silence is golden and actions speak louder than words.

[Stephanie]

ajurcat - you're correct - it has become political AGAIN.

Since we've kind of discussed this issue every which way but inside out, I'm going to lock this so it doesn't get out of hand.