Posted on 09/07/2005 5:51:39 AM PDT by Past Your Eyes
Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2005 11:48 p.m. EDT Hillary Clinton: Bush Ruined Bill's FEMA
2008 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said Tuesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency was better organized to deal with disasters like Hurricane Katrina while her husband was president - an approach, she said, that was "rejected" by President Bush.
"FEMA was the lead agency during the Clinton administration; it was in charge," Mrs. Clinton boasted during a conference call with reporters. "James D. Witt, the director, understood how to deal with emergencies."
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
Oh, the b*&%tch!
Then dear Mrs. Clinton, why did you vote for the DHS to include FEMA?
Then WHY is the Governor he is advising such a hideous f***-up?
Sorry 'bout that.
Hey, Hillary. Did you forget that you voted to put FEMA under the same umbrella as Homeland Security?
Only a handful of Democrats voted against that little item. And you weren't one of them.
She makes me so mad that I cannot comment. Stupid itch!
(YAWN) It's Bush's fault, it's Rove's fault, it's Cheney's fault, it's Halliburton's fault, yada yada yada....
NOT in 1995 when Hurricane Opal came to Panama City, FL., nor in any other hurricane I can remember.
They came in several days later, long after the heavy lifting was done.
FEMA never was a first responder. Local government has that duty.
I think this demonstrates Hillary's liberal view that the federal government should be in charge of everything, and that she should be in charge of the federal government.
Closer scrutiny reveals the lies surrounding Katrina evacuation and recovery
By Linda Prussen-Razzano
web posted September 5, 2005
Having lived on Long Island for most of my life, I weathered only the most minor effects of hurricanes. Typically, their devastating strength drained along the coastline as they churned northwards. When I was a child, my father comforted me through Hurricane Belle; not by holding me and telling me everything would be alright, but by his activity in securing our house, his purchase of supplies and preparations, and his explanations of hurricanes and their threats.
While the storm whipped overhead, my piqued curiosity prompted me to ask about all different kinds of natural disasters. We passed the time discussing typhoons, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods. I never thought I would use this information, but I did; twice.
At 19, my passenger and I found ourselves caught in the only flash flood in the history of Long Island. What started as a heavy rain became an overwhelming downpour within minutes. Not unlike the City of New Orleans, the patch of road on which I traveled was nestled in a natural funnel. In the space of minutes, we experienced more rain in that small bit of road alongside Eisenhower Park than all of Long Island had received in a year. With traffic surrounding me, I had not choice but to inch forward to the overpass that would take me to higher ground. Just moments before my car cleared the water now pouring in under my doors, the engine stalled, and my Monte Carlo sank back down the embankment, eventually to be completely submerged.
We had to wait until the water rose inside the car and the pressure stabilized before we could get out.
The gas pumps at the corner station began bubbling up, turning the water so black you couldn’t see your hand just two inches under the surface. An elderly man, trapped in his car, didn’t want to leave. Plodding through chest deep water, my passenger and I managed to get his door open and help him slog back to safety.
Everyone caught in that mess experienced a loss, but it is nothing compared to Katrina.
The second time I used my father’s sage advice came when I moved to Texas. In the bottom tip of the tornado belt, I knew what to do when the sky turned an ominous shade of green, the clouds started rotating above my head, and where to seek shelter to maximize my potential for living. It was in those few moments, when the doors and windows rattled and I imagined that my new house would be reduced to kindling around me, that all my priorities changed…forever.
The folks in Louisiana and Mississippi experienced wide scale devastation during Katrina. New Orleans, and other parts of the coast, experienced a second, even more devastating blow from the horrible flooding. One is bad enough, but both? It’s a catastrophe beyond comprehension, and our fellow Americans need our compassion, our generosity, and our understanding as they rebuild their entire lives.
We should be coming together, as we did after other catastrophic events in the last decade, to help and heal.
Sadly, that is not the case.
What I find astonishing is the almost immediate response from Bush Bashers to blame everything that happened, from the actual hurricane itself, to the anarchy that quickly erupted, on the President and his administration. When they do so, they not only distort the truth, they outright lie to the public, and they are doing so daily through any media venue that will give them the opportunity.
Lie #1: President Bush doesn’t care about the people of New Orleans.
This outrageous lie is thoroughly debunked by the fact that it was President Bush who pushed for a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans.(1) Governor Blanco issued only a voluntary evacuation order, but admitted that she received a call from the President on August 27, 2005, urging her to make it a mandatory one. He wanted as many people as possible out of the path of the storm.
So much for the President not caring.
Despite the fact that New Orlean’s own Emergency Response Guidelines call for a mandatory evacuation of the City if a strike by a Category 3 Hurricane is projected, with 72 hours advance notice to all residents, Mayor Nagin didn’t order a mandatory evaluation until Sunday. Further, he only did so after Max Maxfield, the National Hurricane Director, called Nagin at his home to plead that he empty the City. (2)
Why did Nagin wait so long? He was worried about the legalities. If people want to affix blame, perhaps they can look at lawyers.
How ironic, that The Drudge Report (3) and Free Republic (4) have pictures of dozens of New Orleans’ submerged and now useless school buses, buses that could have been used to transport residents out of the City prior to the storm, bring in supplies after the storm, and help evacuees escape the flooding. Meanwhile, Governor Blanco issued a request to the State of Louisiana to provide her with buses from local school districts.
According to a Washington Post report on Sunday, September 4, “Shortly before midnight Friday, the Bush administration sent her a proposed legal memorandum asking her to request a federal takeover of the evacuation of New Orleans, a source within the state's emergency operations center said Saturday.”
Bush’s offer to have the federal government aid in the evacuation was rejected. (5)
Lie #2: The Bush Administration was slow in coordinating help.
Mike Brown, Under Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security for Emergency Response and Preparedness, received the order from President Bush on August 27, two full days before the storm hit the region, to prepare for Katrina disaster relief. (6) The President also declared the entire region under a State of Emergency, so that FEMA could coordinate efforts at the request of the Governors. (7) Under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, the Federal Government and FEMA are not allowed to interfere with local operations unless they are authorized by state and local leaders.
Blanco did not authorize this until September 1, 2005.
Further, according to an Association Press report on August 30, “The federal government began rushing baby formula, communications equipment, generators, water and ice into hard-hit areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, along with doctors, nurses and first-aid supplies. The U.S. Defense Department sent experts to help with search-and-rescue operations.” (8) FEMA was there and helping, in the capacity that was allowed by local officials, but could not swing into full gear until after Blanco gave them permission.
Lie #3: The Bush Administration did nothing to control the anarchy.
The local and state governments have control over law enforcement activities in their state, and such activities could only be coordinated through the federal government with their permission. It was not until terrible reports of rapes and violence, videos of looting, and reports of shoots being fired at rescue workers did Governor Blanco relinquish any claim of control on an out-of-control city.
An August 31, 2005 Fox News Report reveals, “The looting prompted authorities to send more than 70 additional officers and an armed personnel carrier into the city. One police officer was shot in the head by a looter but was expected to recover, authorities said. Blanco said she will ask President Bush for military troops to help keep looting under control.” (9) Almost immediately thereafter, FEMA, the military, and the Bush Administration began to restore order.
Further, on September 2, 2005, the Bush administration “sought unified control over all local police and state National Guard units reporting to the governor. Louisiana officials rejected the request after talks throughout the night, concerned that such a move would be comparable to a federal declaration of martial law.” (10)
Lie #4: The Bush Administration did nothing to prevent the flooding.
Predictions of wide spread devastation have been known since Hurricane Camille in 1969. Despite these, it was local officials who reportedly appropriated funds designated for levee improvements towards such necessary purchases as a casino, hotel, and other projects.
Amazing, isn’t it?
From the carnage inside the Superdome, to the massacre of the truth on television, this is a sad time for all of America.
Just don’t forget who helped all this to happen….because despite what the media wants you to believe, it wasn’t President Bush.
Linda Prussen-Razzano is frequent contributor to Enter Stage Right and a number of other online magazines.
Footnotes:
1. Associated Press, “Mandatory Evacuation Ordered for New Orleans,” August 28, 2005, 10:48 a.m. CT.
2. Knight Ridder Newspapers, “National Hurricane Director had to call Nagin at home Saturday night to plead: "Get people out..." by Marc Caputo, David Ovalle, and Erika Bolstad, August 28, 2005
3. www.drudgereport.com
4. www.freerepublic.com
5. Washington Post, “Many Evacuated, but Thousands Still Waiting, White House Shifts Blame to State and Local Officials,” Manuel Roig-Franzia and Spencer Hsu, Washington Post Staff Writers, Sunday, September 4, 2005; Page A01
6. FEMA Press Release, “Emergency Aid Authorized For Katrina Emergency Response In LA” August 27, 2005
7. Associated Press, “Bush Declares Emergency in Louisiana,” August 27, 2005
8. Associated Press, “Federal Government sent emergency supplies to Louisiana as early as Tuesday,” August 30, 2005
9. Fox News.com, “It’s Not Safe In New Orleans,” August 31, 2005
10. Washington Post, Ibid
Hey honey...Bill's FEMA Director was hired to helped to run the show down in Louisiana. A worse expenditure of the taxpayers money I cannot recall.
Didn't she vote for the reorganization of FEMA? The Dem's nagging wife routine is becoming "unhelpful".
Yes, my husband said she was all over the morning shows this morning spouting this view. I don't watch them, so all I could hear was his disgusted comments coming from the other room.
Where's Barbara Bush???? I would pay money to see Mama Bush take thunder thighs to the wood shed....hehehehehe....you want to whine some more, you slimy RAT!
LMAO at the tag line.
Why should she care? He hasn't used it on her in years, accdg to rumours. :)
The Sociopath is lying....*again*....
I remember Belle! It took Lilco weeks to get the lights back on. Belle, incidentally, was nothing compared to the hurricane of '38 or Katrina. It was 1976, though, and a lot of people decided to "ride it out..."
When Fran came through Raleigh in '96, we did without power, water, etc for over a week. So many trees blocked the roads it took us 3 days to get out of our neighborhood, by dint of all the neighbors working together.
Never met, saw or talked to anyone from FEMA.
After about a week Clinton came to town. Went directly from the airport to the fairgrounds where he addressed an invitation only group, all local partisan democrats.
Thanks, Bill! (At least he left the b!tch at home)
Because any Clintonista's primary task is preserving Beezelbubba's legacy and enhancing Hellary's presidential chances. In this case, that is accomplished by not cooperating with the feds and having the MSM and the RATS like Pelosi, Kennedy et al. successfully spin it as the fault of the Bush administration.
http://boortz.com/nuze/index.html
MEANWHILE -- THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BELIEVE DIFFERENTLY
We have the results of a CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll this morning. People were asked who they blamed for the disaster in New Orleans. I'm sure that the angry left will be disappointed with the results:
So ... who's to blame?
Local officials, 25%
Federal officials 18%
Bush 13%
No one 38%
Meanwhile ... people are still stepping forward to help. Across the country Americans are still volunteering their money and their time to help the victims of Katrina. Yesterday I told you of one man who wrote that he was driving down an expressway and saw a car broken down on the side. There was a woman holding a small child standing outside the car. He pulled over to help, but when he saw the "W" sticker on the woman's car he drove off. He just couldn't bring himself to help anyone who supported George Bush. People like this, thank God, are in a tiny minority in America. Perhaps you will find some way to help today. There's a link at the top of Nealz Nuze to help you.
After our ice storm of January '98, FEMA was around. They helped us pay the bills.
I guess from now on, we're supposed to just sit and whine until the gubmint comes to rescue our wretched arses and pass out the tater tickets.
The Dems are throwing Witt's name all over the place. I believe they are polishing him up to take the Jamie Gorelick role once their wished-for Katrina commission is empanelled.
My brother (retired Army pilot) and his wife (retired nurse) are going to take the month of November and head to Alabama or Mississippi or wherever they are needed.
LOLOL!!!!
Not even announced yet but it's just a given!
Bush has "ruined" many liberal federal programs by asking them to do their job.
EPA
FEMA
Department of Education
Thankfully, the one federal agency he has asked to do their job, and they have responded well is the military...a conservative program...coincidence?
She did look particularly unpleasant yesterday, more than usual.
Yep.
http://www.denverpost.com/katrina/ci_3002107
In a clear slap at Chertoff and the FEMA director, Michael Brown, Blanco announced Saturday that she had hired James Lee Witt, the director of FEMA during the Clinton administration, to advise her on the recovery.
What is Clinton doing to help the victims of the disaster? Getting her ugly mug on the teevee? Criticizing those who are actually doing the hands-on job of helping?
If you're busy pointing your blame-finger at others, your hands can't be busy helping the victims.
I'm sure someone will research this, and find a quote or three from Clinton advocating for DHS to oversee all of the other agencies that were put under it. We know she voted for that to happen, but there must be a soundbite from her, too.
Yes. Like he dealt with terrorism. Rose garden speeches and no action.
Truth Trumps Lies Bump!
Well gosh Hill, FEMA worked just fine for Charley(Aug 13, 2004), Frances(Sept 5, 2004), Jeanne(Sept 23, 2004) & Ivan(Sept 16, 2004). What? Bush broke FEMA during this past year? Boy, she must think that people are total morons to try to pass that one off. Florida had 4 hurricanes within a 41 day time span and we survived. Of course, we have a better govenor than LA. By the look of things, so does MS and AL.
June 3, 2004 - IEM, Inc., the Baton Rouge-based emergency management and homeland security consultant, will lead the development of a catastrophic hurricane disaster plan for Southeast Louisiana and the City of New Orleans under a more than half a million dollar contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
In making the announcement today on behalf of teaming partners Dewberry, URS Corporation and James Lee Witt Associates, IEM Director of Homeland Security Wayne Thomas explained that the development of a base catastrophic hurricane disaster plan has urgency due to the recent start of the annual hurricane season which runs through November. National weather experts are predicting an above normal Atlantic hurricane season with six to eight hurricanes, of which three could be categorized as major.
The IEM team will complete a functional exercise on a catastrophic hurricane strike in Southeast Louisiana and use results to develop a response and recovery plan.
IEM Team to Develop Catastrophic Hurricane Disaster Plan for New Orleans & SE Louisiana
Shut the hell up, Hillary.
"Where's Barbara Bush???? I would pay money to see Mama Bush take thunder thighs to the wood shed....hehehehehe....you want to whine some more, you slimy RAT!"
The only thing I've seen published quoting Barbara Bush, has been worded so as to make her look mean-spirited and petty. Some doorknob from DU spams me every week with leftist articles:
Barbara Bush: Things Working Out 'Very Well' for Poor Evacuees from New Orleans
By E&P Staff
Published: September 05, 2005 7:25 PM ET updated 8:00 PM
NEW YORK Accompanying her husband, former President George
H.W.Bush, on a tour of hurricane relief centers in
Houston, Barbara Bush said today, referring to the
poor who had lost everything back home and evacuated, "This is working very well for them."
The former First Lady's remarks were aired this
evening on American Public Media's "Marketplace"
program.
She was part of a group in Houston today at the
Astrodome that included her husband and former
President Bill Clinton, who were chosen by her son,
the current president, to head fundraising efforts for
the recovery. Sen. Hilary Clinton and Sen. Barack
Obama were also present.
In a segment at the top of the show on the surge of
evacuees to the Texas city, Barbara Bush said: "Almost
everyone I’ve talked to says we're going to move to
Houston."
Then she added: "What I’m hearing which is sort of
scary is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is
so overwhelmed by the hospitality.
"And so many of the people in the arena here, you
know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this (she
chuckles slightly) is working very well for them."
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001054719
Mandatory hillary the absolut b**ch pic.
How many times did a Category 4/5 hurricane create a disaster area larger than the land mass of Great Britain during X-42's term in office?
It's easy to criticize when your only experience is with an administration whose most challenging "emergency" situation involved the immolation of 88 U.S. citizens in Waco, Texas.
Yes, strange thing about how efficient FEMA was here in Florida - where we have a plan, a good governor and efficient state support. FEMA came in afterwards with loan and grant apps, etc. - all the stuff it's supposed to do. Rescuing people from rooftops is not one of them.
BTW, FEMA is also pretty efficient. They are now recovering amounts that were "paid in error" (that is, for fraudulent claims filed by low-lifes who lost nothing) - and prosecuting some of the scum who were trying to profiteer. Guess LA wouldn't like that part of it at all! What's a government program if you can't steal from it?
I do not want to stereotype here, but when a woman like the B%^$# starts running her mouth like this, makes me yearn for the caveman days...
Just another case of "anything you can do, I can do better!"
Hillary does this every time. "We" did this better and Bush screwed it up is a running theme.
Didin't Clintoon also have to deal with Hurricane Lewinsky?
Mr. Witt is there to control the mouth of Blanco and make certain Hillarys roll in this mess never sees the light of day.Mr Witt is there to review all documents and expunge anything from the printed record involving Ms.Clinton.
I know this is a little conspiratorial, but it is in character with what we have learned about Hillary over the past 15 years. We shall see.
Yeah and under Bill did NO have the same kind of disaster? What a jerk.
/sarcasm
Hillary is shameless, she is trying to ride the victims of a disaster to the White House...... What a HAG
Ah, the good old days when the Clinton's ruled, I mean ruined everything.
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