FEMA Union speaks out
""FEMA is not going to hesitate at all in this storm," Brown said. "We are not going to sit back and make this a bureaucratic process. We are going to move fast, we are going to move quickly and we are going to do whatever it takes to help disaster victims."
But inside FEMA, longtime emergency managers were convinced the agency was not ready for Katrina.
"All of us were just shaking our heads and saying, 'This isn't going to be enough, and the director has to know this isn't going to be enough.' But nothing more seemed to be happening," said Leo Bosner, president of the FEMA Headquarters Employees Union.
Bosner has been with FEMA since it began 26 years ago. He says the agency has been systematically dismantled since it became part of the massive Department of Homeland Security.
"""One of the big differences I see," said Bosner, "besides taking away our staff and our budget and our training, is that Homeland Security now, in my view, slows down the process."
The union warned Congress in a detailed letter about FEMA's decline a year ago. State emergency managers also warned Capitol Hill and Homeland Security just weeks ago that DHS was too focused on one thing -- terrorism. ""
I can put up with anything for that.
Even "silly and barbaric manpris." That made me laugh. I mean, even if they're authentic manpris - still funny, because, manpris.
Even "silly and barbaric manpris."
That's hilarious. I hadn't thought up a name for them myself. But considering the alternative is riding horses in togas, I'll give those soldiers the benefit of the doubt.
They may be too soft to ride sans pants, like the Celts, but they did import the hypocaust to Britain.
I was hoping for full frontal nudity in the screencaps...
Laura Bush implied today that the television footage we've seen doesn't reflect "what really happened."
its, have a wonderful time in Kenya! I hope we get to hear all about it. Kenya is definitely on my list of places I hope to visit some day.
Thanks, guys. I don't get on the plane for almost another 24 hours, though, so I'll hold the well wishes for then.
Just mildly preoccupied and insanely underprepared.
Just mildly preoccupied and insanely underprepared.
That's how I operate every. single. day.
At least you have a family, Cash. I'm spending undue cycles wondering if I should pack running shoes.
Actually, this is where I look forward to the moment the plane doors close .. when it's too late to second guess having to do more. Whatever's done is done, and there's no mitigation and guessing for hours and hours.
Love it!
Right now I just need to call it quits for the night.
