Louisana Officials in Flood-money scam

[24champ]

Nine months before the Hurricane Katrina disaster, three Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness officials were indicted for obstructing an audit into flood prevention expenditures.

In a November 2004 press release, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana announced:

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"A federal grand jury has returned two separate indictments charging three members of the State Military Department with offenses related to the obstruction of an audit of the use of federal funds for flood mitigation activities throughout Louisiana.
"The two emergency management officials were senior employees of the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Both were charged with conspiracy to obstruct a federal audit."

Gov. Kathleen Blanco told Louisiana's News-Star at the time that she was disturbed by the indictments. She said the National Guard is cooperating with the investigation "as I expect them to do."

Reports of rampant corruption among Louisiana's state and local agencies have been cited in recent days to explain why officials were so ill-prepared to deal with the Katrina disaster
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/9/6/222032.shtml

[24champ]

After days of blaming the federal officials for not responding quickly enough to the Hurricane Katrina crisis, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin praised President Bush on Monday - and charged that Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco had delayed federal rescue efforts by 24 hours.

"I'm so happy that the president came down here," Nagin said of Bush's Friday visit to Louisiana in an interview with CNN. "He came down and saw it, and he put a general on the field. His name is General Honore. And when he hit the field, we started to see action."

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But Nagin had harsh words for his state's leaders, telling CNN: "What the state was doing, I don't frigging know. But I tell you, I am pissed. It wasn't adequate."
The New Orleans Democrat said he urged Bush to meet privately with Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco during the visit. The meeting took place aboard Air Force One, he said.

After reviewing the crisis with Gov. Blanco, Bush summoned Nagin for a private chat - where, according to Nagin, Bush explained: "Mr. Mayor, I offered two options to the governor. I said . . . I was ready to move today. The governor said she needed 24 hours to make a decision."

Reacting to the governor's footdragging, Nagin lamented: "It would have been great if we could have left Air Force One, walked outside, and told the world that we had this all worked out."

"It didn't happen, and more people died.

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/9/5/234033.shtml

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Newsmax?

Hilarious!

Looks like somebody just got the e-mail with the Rove talking points.

[24champ]

Newsmax?

Hilarious!

Looks like somebody just the e-mail with the Rove talking points.

ok your point?

[DBruleU]

They dont like newsmax. LABF prefers to get his news straight from Mr. Rather, or from buckfush.com.

[24champ]

They dont like newsmax. LABF prefers to get his news straight from Mr. Rather, or from buckfush.com.

Yeah newsmax gets his panties in a bunch....

[24champ]

HURRICANE Katrina was a horrific natural disaster. To America's Angry Left it was yet another occasion to score political points against President George W. Bush. In the same spirit of opportunism that animated looters who stole television sets, Bush's political foes frantically sought to blame the devastation on him.

A measure of the anti-Bush Left's derangement is that it blames him for bad weather. "Complacency will no longer suffice, especially if experts are right in warning that global warming may increase the intensity of future hurricanes," The New York Times editorialised on Thursday. "But since this administration won't acknowledge that global warming exists, the chances of leadership seem minimal."

Whether global warming exists or not, it did not cause Katrina, at least according to a news story that had appeared in the Times two days earlier: "Because hurricanes form over warm ocean water, it is easy to assume that the recent rise in their number and ferocity is because of global warming. But that is not the case, scientists say. Instead, the severity of hurricane seasons changes with cycles of temperatures of several decades in the Atlantic Ocean

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,16501147%255E7583,00.html

[TailgateNut]

No one is blaming him for the Hurricane, I am questioning his lack of response to disasters. Everytime we are faced with a catatrophe, he sits back and wait for his script!

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

No one is blaming him for the Hurricane, I am questioning his lack of response to disasters.

If only mental giants like ratboy and 24chimp could discern the difference...

[24champ]

No one is blaming him for the Hurricane, I am questioning his lack of response to disasters. Everytime we are faced with a catatrophe, he sits back and wait for his script!

why dont you question Blanco and Nagins too for failure to get people out and sitting on there hands when they had a plan in place.

[24champ]

If only mental giants like ratboy and 24chimp could discern the difference...

:spit: yeah whose making personal attacks now? WHINO.....

[TailgateNut]

why dont you question Blanco and Nagins too for failure to get people out and sitting on there hands when they had a plan in place.

I do question their lack of pro-active planning, but after the hurricane the federal goverment needed to get in gear and take over. This disaster was WAY beyond the means of any state or local emergency system to handle.
The reaction, or lack thereof is what bothers the #$@% out of me. How can we sit back and not question why the "man in charge" constantly sits back and waits for instructions.
I've heard all the BS about the local goverment responsibilities, but ultimately the "Buck stops at the top of the chain of command". How can we condone the fact that the goverment sits back and while hundreds, possibly thousands of our citizens die due to lack of action.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

why dont you question Blanco and Nagins too for failure to get people out and sitting on there hands when they had a plan in place.

Because such claims are nothing more than damage control, spin, and the usual evasion of responsibility by the Rove ministry of truth.

For the rest of us, there's honesty.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

This disaster was WAY beyond the means of any state or local emergency system to handle.


And Bush understood this.

That's why the newsmax.com spin job 24chimp is pimping here isn't working.

Blanco’s letter requesting Emergency aid under the Stafford Act, August 27th:

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/articles.aspx?aid=4843

President Bush legally puts the ball in Chertoff and Howard’s court, August 27th:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050827-1.htm

Which means, as of August 27th, it was all Homeland Security/FEMA, all the way to the bank:

In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency, the Department of Homeland Security will assume primary responsibility on March 1st for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared for any situation. This will entail providing a coordinated, comprehensive federal response to any large-scale crisis and mounting a swift and effective recovery effort. The new Department will also prioritize the important issue of citizen preparedness. Educating America's families on how best to prepare their homes for a disaster and tips for citizens on how to respond in a crisis will be given special attention at DHS.

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/theme_home2.jsp

[Ratboy]

If it isn't New York Times, It isnt news.

[24champ]

I do question their lack of pro-active planning, but after the hurricane the federal goverment needed to get in gear and take over. This disaster was WAY beyond the means of any state or local emergency system to handle.
The reaction, or lack thereof is what bothers the #$@% out of me. How can we sit back and not question why the "man in charge" constantly sits back and waits for instructions.
I've heard all the BS about the local goverment responsibilities, but ultimately the "Buck stops at the top of the chain of command". How can we condone the fact that the goverment sits back and while hundreds, possibly thousands of our citizens die due to lack of action.

I see your point but you do know that the Governor of LA has sole authority of National Guard right? She didnt sign for the feds to help until Wednesday. Two FEMA is NOT first responders, City and State agencies are always first responders. Two Bush declared the city a disaster area two days before the hurricane hit.

[24champ]

If it isn't New York Times, It isnt news.

Or LA times for that matter..... :spamattac

[DBruleU]

Or LA times for that matter..... :spamattac

Or BUCKFUSH.COM!!!!! Yeah, LABF's first source for reliable news.

[24champ]

Or BUCKFUSH.COM!!!!! Yeah, LABF's first source for reliable news.
or moveon.org or mikeymoore.com REALLY RELIABLE sources! :bs:

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Yep, every good BushCo Kool-Aid guzzler knows that

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050827-1.htm

and

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/theme_home2.jsp

are subsidiaries of "buckfush.com"

Hilarious!

[TailgateNut]

I see your point but you do know that the Governor of LA has sole authority of National Guard right? She didnt sign for the feds to help until Wednesday. Two FEMA is NOT first responders, City and State agencies are always first responders. Two Bush declared the city a disaster area two days before the hurricane hit.

The responsibilty of the goverment starts at the bottom of the chain, and continues to the top. As in business, if the bottom echelon fails, the leaders MUST take over to avoid complete failure.
Everyone has their part in this disaster, but as a nation we should expect our goverment to monitor dire situations, and if neccessary, step in and take over when it is obvious that situation is not being handled efficiently.
If Bush in fact declared the city a disaster area prior to the arrival of the hurricane, why did we not mobilize at that time in anticipation. WHY WERE WE NOT PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THIS UNTIL THE MEDIA OUTCRY??????

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Earth to 24chimp:

Post #14 was game, set, match.

[24champ]

Earth to 24chimp:

Post #14 was game, set, match.

I know this is a game to you..... :juggle:

[24champ]

The responsibilty of the goverment starts at the bottom of the chain, and continues to the top. As in business, if the bottom echelon fails, the leaders MUST take over to avoid complete failure.
Everyone has their part in this disaster, but as a nation we should expect our goverment to monitor dire situations, and if neccessary, step in and take over when it is obvious that situation is not being handled efficiently.
If Bush in fact declared the city a disaster area prior to the arrival of the hurricane, why did we not mobilize at that time in anticipation. WHY WERE WE NOT PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THIS UNTIL THE MEDIA OUTCRY!!!!!!!!

Bush urged an evacuation of New Orleans (he has no legal power to order one) and that he did acknowledge the "unacceptable" pace of the relief effort. Further, they say that aid is now flowing and reconstruction will take place.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Bush urged an evacuation of New Orleans (he has no legal power to order one)

:bs:

This is total LIE.

See the following:

Blanco’s letter requesting Emergency aid under the Stafford Act, August 27th

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/articles.aspx?aid=4843

President Bush legally puts the ball in Chertoff and Howard’s court, August 27th:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050827-1.htm

Which means, as of August 27th, it was all Homeland Security/FEMA, all the way to the bank;

In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency, the Department of Homeland Security will assume primary responsibility on March 1st for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared for any situation. This will entail providing a coordinated, comprehensive federal response to any large-scale crisis and mounting a swift and effective recovery effort. The new Department will also prioritize the important issue of citizen preparedness. Educating America's families on how best to prepare their homes for a disaster and tips for citizens on how to respond in a crisis will be given special attention at DHS.

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/theme_home2.jsp

[TailgateNut]

Bush urged an evacuation of New Orleans (he has no legal power to order one) and that he did acknowledge the "unacceptable" pace of the relief effort. Further, they say that aid is now flowing and reconstruction will take place.

And Nagin ordered an evacuation. So f-ing what, thousands of residents stayed, which is no t unusual. When I lived on the coast, I stayed when storms were forecast to hit.
The point is lack of reaction after the storm...........why does he have to wait for mommy to tell him to clean up his mess.
I expect more of my president, no I DEMAND more of my president, regardless of political party!

[24champ]

And Nagin ordered an evacuation. So f-ing what, thousands of residents stayed, which is no t unusual. When I lived on the coast, I stayed when storms were forecast to hit.
The point is lack of reaction after the storm...........why does he have to wait for mommy to tell him to clean up his mess.
I expect more of my president, no I DEMAND more of my president, regardless of political party!

Do you know if the federal goverment is the first responders?

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Do you know if the federal goverment is the first responders?

Maybe repetition is the key to comprehension:



In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency, the Department of Homeland Security will assume primary responsibility on March 1st for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared for any situation. This will entail providing a coordinated, comprehensive federal response to any large-scale crisis and mounting a swift and effective recovery effort. The new Department will also prioritize the important issue of citizen preparedness. Educating America's families on how best to prepare their homes for a disaster and tips for citizens on how to respond in a crisis will be given special attention at DHS.

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/theme_home2.jsp

[TailgateNut]

Do you know if the federal goverment is the first responders?

WTF does that have to do with the price of eggs in china. The first responders were overwhelmed with the catastrophy at hand. FEMA obviously has no clue, nor any funding, and Georgie was on f-ing vacation with a do not disturb sign on his door.
The only ones who knew about this disaster were the people who were dying and the ones who turned on the tube.
I could'nt believe my ears when I heard Chertoff say "we weren't aware of this until wednesday". The last time I was in DC, they had cable tv available. Maybe that program was also cut to improve funding for IRAQ!

[24champ]

WTF does that have to do with the price of eggs in china. The first responders were overwhelmed with the catastrophy at hand. FEMA obviously has no clue, nor any funding, and Georgie was on f-ing vacation with a do not disturb sign on his door.
The only ones who knew about this disaster were the people who were dying and the ones who turned on the tube.
I could'nt believe my ears when I heard Chertoff say "we weren't aware of this until wednesday". The last time I was in DC, they had cable tv available. Maybe that program was also cut to improve funding for IRAQ!

man you are clueless. :poke:

[Bronco_Beerslug]

WTF does that have to do with the price of eggs in china. The first responders were overwhelmed with the catastrophy at hand. FEMA obviously has no clue, nor any funding, and Georgie was on f-ing vacation with a do not disturb sign on his door.
The only ones who knew about this disaster were the people who were dying and the ones who turned on the tube.
I could'nt believe my ears when I heard Chertoff say "we weren't aware of this until wednesday". The last time I was in DC, they had cable tv available. Maybe that program was also cut to improve funding for IRAQ!
Brown and (hopefully Chertloff too) are going down. FEMA will be moved back to where it's suppose to be before Bush compromised them. Lawmakers already have called for Brown to step down immediately.

[TailgateNut]

man you are clueless. :poke:


A lemming calling me clueless. I do question what my goverment does, rather than following them with blinders on.

Cheerleaders cheering for a cheerleader!