Centerfield

Republicans and Good Government Redux

I couldn't resist a follow up post to look at two key "set ups" to Katrina and FEMA.

1) The creation of the Department of Homeland Security. Note in the administration's proposal FEMA is subserviant to protecting us fropm terrorist attack

The Department would oversee federal government assistance in the domestic disaster preparedness training of first responders and would coordinate the government's disaster response efforts. FEMA would become a central component of the Department of Homeland Security, and the new Department would administer the grant programs for firefighters, police, and emergency personnel currently managed by FEMA, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Health and Human Services. The Department would also manage such critical response assets as the Nuclear Emergency Search Team (Department of Energy) and the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile (Health and Human Services). Finally, the Department would integrate the federal interagency emergency response plans into a single, comprehensive, government-wide plan, and ensure that all response personnel have the equipment and capability to communicate with each other as necessary.

and

To fulfill these missions, the Department of Homeland Security would build upon the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as one of its key components. It would continue FEMA's efforts to reduce the loss of life and property and to protect our nation's institutions from all types of hazards through a comprehensive, risk-based, all-hazards emergency management program of preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. And it will continue to change the emergency management culture from one that reacts to terrorism and other disasters, to one that proactively helps communities and citizens avoid becoming victims.

Looks like the reverse happened
2)Michael Chertoff, the right man for the job. Did we get what we asked for? With all the heat Chertoff has been getting its easy to forget the great bipartisan support and easy confirmation he got back a year ago. This excerpt from an NPR story

The tone set in that exchange remained throughout the hearing. It wasn't in the least contentious, as were the hearings for Secretary of State Rice and Attorney General nominee Gonzales. Most of the questions focused on actions the Department of Homeland Security might take to better protect America

Note the last sentence "Better protect America". Or how about this quote in USA today from the loyal opposition regarding Mr Chertoff.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., a frequent critic of the Bush administration, called Chertoff a good choice for the job.
"Judge Mike Chertoff has the résumé to be an excellent Homeland Security secretary, given his law enforcement background and understanding of New York's and America's neglected homeland security needs," Schumer said.

So what can we expect from a security department in responding to a natural disaster?

Posted by c3 at February 21, 2006 11:56 PM