Katrina Timeline @ Think Progress
See, this is why I'm not going to dig into the immediate responses and such at this point - Other people do a far better job than I could.
I'm hoping that they will do a rundown of the previous events and practices that set the reigon up for this disaster, but this timeline is already pretty damning. Only thing its really missing is children's books and Bush's 'deer-in-headlights- look...
-Tiger
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Two of the most prominent Katrina failures
Like most of the country i've been watching the coverage of Katrina on a number of sources. Internet, Radio, Television. Of everything, two particular pieces of evidence are the most striking to me. We can argue about the handling of emergency services, the lag between the disaster and governmental action, but I believe there's much more solid footing before the fact.
First, this:
"Louisiana has made a commitment. Now, it's time for the President to step up to the plate and support funding to prevent the untold damage to the ecology, economy and potential loss of life in large numbers.
With the National Hurricane Center predicting another active hurricane season, PACE President Aaron Broussard said he fears that it is going to take a major storm and significant loss of life before the nation acts responsibly. " - America's Wetland
Well, between the America's Wetland's above statement and the prophetically detailed scenario for flooding reported by the Houston Chronicle in 2001, Bush's statement of "I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees." Just seems more and more asinine. These statements, coupled with the slashing of grants that would go towards solving these demonstratable problems, show that Katrina was a real possibility, and it was ignored. In fact, despite Louisiana having a third of the most threatenned structures under the Bush-edited FEMA's policies, no funding was appropriated to the state. None. Not since 2002, where they recieved $250,000. And while Louisiana could not get any money from the grants in 2003, Texas got $8.8 million, and California $6.1 Million. These details and more are available Here.
And the second item:
If the denial of funding in the face of an imminent threat and sound-science predictions doesn't bother you, then maybe the choice of who is in charge of FEMA will disturb you. To sum it up simply, Michael Brown was asked to resign from his position with the International Arabian Horse Association after piling up eleven years of lawsuits over what are nicely called "Supervision Failures". Crooks and Liars does a better job than I of following the blatant "Cronyism" of the situation.
We can sit here and point out the flaws in the response all day and argue on what should have been done there, but these situations are just two of many smoking guns to prove that this administration is incapable of, or unwilling, to listen to people who know what they are talking about, and respond to prevent disasters on American soil.
Funding for projects in the at-risk Gulf States being pulled despite obvious warning signs, coupled with the appointment of incapable 'good old boys' to extremely important positions in the government were just two pieces in the equation for a perfectly terrible aftermath to a long-predicted natural disaster. I cannot imagine the response if a huge and relatively unpredictable earthquake hits California, completing the Trifecta of the "three likeliest, most castastrophic disasters facing this country."", according to FEMA.
First, this:
"Louisiana has made a commitment. Now, it's time for the President to step up to the plate and support funding to prevent the untold damage to the ecology, economy and potential loss of life in large numbers.
With the National Hurricane Center predicting another active hurricane season, PACE President Aaron Broussard said he fears that it is going to take a major storm and significant loss of life before the nation acts responsibly. " - America's Wetland
Well, between the America's Wetland's above statement and the prophetically detailed scenario for flooding reported by the Houston Chronicle in 2001, Bush's statement of "I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees." Just seems more and more asinine. These statements, coupled with the slashing of grants that would go towards solving these demonstratable problems, show that Katrina was a real possibility, and it was ignored. In fact, despite Louisiana having a third of the most threatenned structures under the Bush-edited FEMA's policies, no funding was appropriated to the state. None. Not since 2002, where they recieved $250,000. And while Louisiana could not get any money from the grants in 2003, Texas got $8.8 million, and California $6.1 Million. These details and more are available Here.
And the second item:
If the denial of funding in the face of an imminent threat and sound-science predictions doesn't bother you, then maybe the choice of who is in charge of FEMA will disturb you. To sum it up simply, Michael Brown was asked to resign from his position with the International Arabian Horse Association after piling up eleven years of lawsuits over what are nicely called "Supervision Failures". Crooks and Liars does a better job than I of following the blatant "Cronyism" of the situation.
We can sit here and point out the flaws in the response all day and argue on what should have been done there, but these situations are just two of many smoking guns to prove that this administration is incapable of, or unwilling, to listen to people who know what they are talking about, and respond to prevent disasters on American soil.
Funding for projects in the at-risk Gulf States being pulled despite obvious warning signs, coupled with the appointment of incapable 'good old boys' to extremely important positions in the government were just two pieces in the equation for a perfectly terrible aftermath to a long-predicted natural disaster. I cannot imagine the response if a huge and relatively unpredictable earthquake hits California, completing the Trifecta of the "three likeliest, most castastrophic disasters facing this country."", according to FEMA.
Monday, September 05, 2005
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This blog, If it is considered a worthy use of time and energy, will be about topics. Topics that include, but may not be limited to: Gaming of all kinds. Politics. Conservation. Art. Academics. Philosophy. Science. A certain individual's worldview. The things that affect that person and others they know. These topics, and likely many others.
It may become a collection of links about these topics. Observations. Advice. Personal ancedote. While sometimes a plan is important, sometimes it just pays to funnel the raw need to do Something at that moment in time, to ensure that more is done later.
This is a Blog. It's more than just a Diary. More than a mere Journal. It is intended to be shared and spread, to others willing to listen or to criticize in ways that help. It is not a log of activities or a communique for friends. It is a 'published' Web Log of information one person intends to be considered by many.
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