The Myth Continues

Tonight on Fox, Jeff Birnbaum, stated flatly that the Bush administration had blown the response to Katrina. Despite recent attempts to prevent Nagin from repopulating the city and it became obvious that the Federal Government has no real power to control a mayor in these situations, the media clings to the myth that Bush blew it.

Maybe the press should do some homework and answer the following questions:
By law, and plans according to the law, the local authorities (mayor and governor) are responsible for initial response. When does the Federal Government become responsible for this, and under what circumstances?

If the response by FEMA is still believed to be slow, then what was the FEMA response time compared to "policy" and plan and how did it compare to other disaster responses?

Is FEMA's role to coordinate or control? If the role is coordinate, what does that mean? Full control of all responders, or provide requested support from those in control of the response?

Does FEMA control the National Guard?

Does FEMA or the Feds control National Guard forces from other states?

What was the New Orleans plan for evacuation and how did it fit into the Louisiana Plan?

Which response was carried out according to the plan?

Under what laws does FEMA's "coordination" indicate it was to take control of every bit of the response?

Were NOLA, Louisiana or FEMA able to adapt any of the plans in light of a catastrophic hurricane?

When did the response really get moving, before or after the Feds moved in?

How many years of working in FEMA makes one "experienced" enough to head the agency?

How many responses must the FEMA director be responsible for before he is considered "experienced." The answer obviously must be greater than 164.

I think both Brown and Chertoff ought to be removed because of the absolutely clueless statements they made early on. It was obvious that they either didn't want to upset relations with the State or believed everything that the State EOC told them when it was obvious that both Blanco and Nagin were overwhelmed and not competent enough to direct actions in this disaster. In addition, there major disaster response had been in Florida, which appears to have its act together and they were not prepared for Louisiana.