Wash. Post echoed Bush administration's false claim that federal agencies "function as backup" in a disaster
In a September 9 Washington Post article, staff writer Bradley Graham falsely claimed that under the National Response Plan (NRP) developed after 9-11, federal agencies "are supposed to function as backup to state and local ones" in the event of a catastrophe, echoing statements made by Bush administration officials. In fact, the Department of Homeland Security's NRP clearly states that in catastrophic cases, the federal government should adopt a "proactive" response and operate independently of state governments to provide disaster relief.
In his September 9 Post article, Graham wrote:
National plans developed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks rest on the notion that police, fire and other emergency groups are best positioned to serve as first responders. Federal agencies are supposed to function as backup to state and local ones, and military forces are meant to play a largely supporting role to civilian authorities.
But Katrina showed what can happen when the foundation of this organizational structure is quickly overwhelmed and disintegrates, according to government officials and independent analysts.
"The would-be first responders at the state and local level were themselves victims in very large numbers," Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said at a news conference this week. As a result, "we had a situation that was distinctly different than in past events of this type."
As Media Matters for America noted, the National Response Plan prescribes a "proactive federal response" to "catastrophic events" such as Hurricane Katrina. Under such a response, standard procedures regarding requests for federal aid by state governments are expedited or even suspended so that "federal response resources" may be immediately deployed. The National Response Plan stipulates that the federal government must notify and coordinate with the state, but "the coordination process must not delay or impede the rapid deployment and use of critical resources."
Additionally, The New York Times reported on September 9 that the Bush administration recognized the federal government's authority to assume full control of the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts as the situation in New Orleans deteriorated after the levees were breached. However, according to the Times: "For reasons of practicality and politics, officials at the Justice Department and the Pentagon, and then at the White House, decided not to urge Mr. Bush to take command of the effort. Instead, the Washington officials decided to rely on the growing number of National Guard personnel flowing into Louisiana, who were under Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco's control."
And yet again we see the failure of the media.
I have read the document from the office of Homeland Security. This document is posted online and the link is floating around various web sites. It would have taken about 1 minute to get the link and verify the document.
Why did Bradley Graham fail to perform this elementary task? Since the information was so easy to get and since his purported job is to investigate his own stories before submitting them for publication, and since he obviously knew that what he was printing was not only factually in error but an outright lie, we can only conclude that he did so on purpose.
Given this line of reasoning, the question can be raised, is Mr Graham taking money outside of his regular pay to print stories that attempt to cover up the actions of government officials?
If the foresight of many of the posters on the threads on this site regarding the disaster known as Katrina is as good as their hindsight, I would urge them to apply at the nearest Federal, State &/or Local emergency response agency, because if those agencies are anything like what we saw/heard during Katrina coverage, they could certainly use your talents. In the meantime, each of us can take a few simple steps to help avoid being a "victim" if a disaster should strike in our area. A few cans of tuna, Spam, a box or two of crackers, a gallon or two of water can get a person through 3-4 days, doesn't cost much, relatively easy to transport even if we depend on others for transportation. (If you can, plan for extra for your neighbor) Keep your vehicle 2/3 full of fuel (sticker shock at the gas pump is also less), know your local response plans, evacuation routes, etc. Volunteer to be a "block watch captain" to help your neighbors. Lots of ways to be prepared that could prevent the haunting images that we have seen over the past couple of weeks, people stranded on rooftops (or worse), mass transportation means stranded in flooded parking lots (school buses, etc). Be proactive in your own situation, seeing the response of various government entities during this last major disaster.
oscar the grouch - Sunday September 11, 2005 12:53:47 AM EST -
Foresight on the part of the Federal government wasnt lacking. In 2001 they identified THIS VERY SCENARIO, as one of the three most likely disasters to hit the US. What was lacking was the WILL to do something about it by the Bush administration. The foresight was there, what was done about it was siphoing OFF the very funds that were doing a minimal job of protection for Bushs Disaterous Iraqi policy.
10,000 predicted to be found dead, 25,000 body bags ordered. Any loss of life is tragic, but at least for the moment it appears that less than 200 bodies have been recovered, projections are now at 1,000 or less. Katrina, as bad as it was, may turn out to be no worse than several other past hurricanes, and FEMA's response not out of line with their normal timetable in responding to other disasters. It appears that the media and the Democrats may have blown this out of proportion, and once the American people realize they've been duped again by a bunch of drama queens they aren't going to shrug it off.
Can anyone say backlash?
"Can anyone say backlash?"
===============
Can you say, "Michael Brown, you're fired"?
Sgt. Pepper - Monday September 12, 2005 03:26:21 PM EST
Yeah and the coroner in New Orleans is under a gag order from Homeland security and cant say how many bodies she has seen. Lets wait and see if there are less than two hundred. Boy I sure HOPE that the toll is so small. As for the FEMA timetable, maybe up to 72 hrs would be acceptable for an EARTHQUAKE, that comes out of nowhere but since NO was declared a disaster area, 72 hrs before the hurricane hit, that just wont cut it.