I don’t know what has caused more damage to the Gulf Coast: the hurricane itself or the embarrassingly inept government response. Now, we can defer the actual finger-pointing for a little while, until those in need of help actually get some help, but the “blame game” must occur. Republicans don’t want this to happen at all; maybe they have something to hide? But there’s blame to be leveled at the state and local levels as well. I am still stunned at how poorly everyone seemed to be prepared for the hurricane, even though they had days of warning.
Like Bill Maher (read the transcript of his interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper), I am pleasantly surprised by the press’ reaction and asking the difficult questions of government officials. It’s something that’s slid by for far too long in this country, and it’s about time some other people found their balls.
But not to dwell too long on the positive. FEMA director Michael Brown has been removed from hurricane recovery efforts (see the ABC News story). About time this incompetent boob got pulled. I mean, you have someone with zero disaster recovery experience heading up the nation’s disaster recovery agency??
And I have to say that I am appalled that 11 U.S. Representatives voted against the bill (it’s H.R. 3673; to read it, click here and enter “h.r.3673″ in the Bill Number search box) to spend money for hurricane relief. The list (see it here; click on “nay” or scroll to the end to see their names) is shockingly all Republican. So much for the Republicans being a “party of the people”.