In reponse to MSNBC anchor this morning Nagin stated that he is absolutely blown away at Chertnoff's comments that he (Chertnoff) was not aware of the people in need of evacuation at the convention center. Nagin says that he does not know if Chertnoff said that but if he did that was a doggone shame. Nagin stated that FEMA was there on the ground.
I saw Nagin interviewed on 60 Minutes last night. My opinion was "the man needs to put away the crck pipe"
Both could be telling the truth, and it is a doggone shame that supplies were slow in coming.
Chertoff is head of DHS, and likely doesn't micromanage. Not sure what "FEMA on the ground" refers to, but it is highly likely that the Nat'l Guard at the Dome sent at least some people to the Convention Center. People "inside" knew - it was a matter of communications and logistics to get supplies where they were needed.
Anyone listen to drudge last night -- he had an interview with Nagin where he explicitly ruled out using the airport or the conv center as a designated shelter. That was the night before the storm - Sunday. The poeple that went there remembered it had been used after other storms and just broke in.
food and water was being brought to the convention center before the evac, pictures were posted on this thread at the time. the logistical details of what was needed to evacuate the convention center, I admit, some of that was confusing - but the helicopter airlift took time to setup according to general Honore's interview with Geraldo last night.