The Lost City

[ECH1969]

But after Katrina, a strange paralysis set in. For days, Bush's top advisers argued over legal niceties about who was in charge, according to three White House officials who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the negotiations. Beginning early in the week, Justice Department lawyers presented arguments for federalizing the Guard, but Defense Department lawyers fretted about untrained 19-year-olds trying to enforce local laws, according to a senior law-enforcement official who requested anonymity citing the delicate nature of the discussions.

While Washington debated, the situation in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast deteriorated. Bush traveled to the region in part to work out a deal with local officials to establish a clearer chain of command. By the weekend, federal officials said there could be tens of thousands of troops in New Orleans in short order. Saturday, Bush pledged to return to the region on Monday—and to deploy 7,000 additional active-duty troops under the Pentagon's control. But for many, the help was arriving too late. Officials worked through the weekend trying to hammer out the jurisdictional issues.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9179587/page/5/

[KamaAina]

1. DoD lawyers fretted about untrained 19yo's enforcing the law?

Who in the suffering hell do they think is enforcing the law in Baghdad (a city considerably better off than my New Orleans at this moment)?! :grr: :banghead:

edit: emoticon

[NYC]

4. Just more excuse making.

Hammering out the jurisdictional issues. Like that's a reason to let people drown.

Like Aaron Broussard said, it is bureaucratic murder.

[ClayZ]

2. Baby left behind, mama forced on bus and maced!

:banghead:



:kick:

[Matariki]

12. was that in the article? i missed it.

[ahem]

13. Yes, on page 7 of the article. n/t

[ECH1969]

3. I was wondering what was going on

And, it appears what was keeping things up was a bureaucratic bitch fight.

[fooj]

5. People in Washington didn't debate! No one was in Washington!

This is premeditated killing. period. There is no way around it!

Peace.

[ECH1969]

6. The Lawyers are always in Washington

[AZBlue]

7. PLEASE please help the animals too!

"No animal groups have been allowed in to help animals in New Orleans, and the problem is just worsening.

Meanwhile, Federal authorities are forcing everyone, including elderly residents who have stayed in water-logged residences for 5 days just to safeguard their beloved animals, to now leave them behind to starve. In some cases people are told that they must choose between bringing vital medicine and their dog. This is illegal. It has to stop."

http://www.helpinganimals.com/f-disasterupdate.asp


Please contact your congressional representatives and senators!


For more reading on the issue:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/04/katrina.pets.ap/index.html

[Piperay]

11. THANKS

for the info, I will do it.:thumbsup:

[Robert Oak]

8. doesn't make sense

for in Florida or 9/11 they did not argue about who was in charge for days and left people to die.

I don't quite buy this.

[happyslug]

9. 9/11 call up of the Guard hurt bush in Iraq.

Congress has imposed limits on how much time Reservist and National Guard troops can be on federal service (One year out of three). When Bush moved the Guard into the Airports after 9/11 the federal time of the Guard started to run. Many Guard units had to come home early (or be filled up by other personnel) as the Airport time AND the time in Iraq started to hit one year in duration (One year out of three, which is the test).

Thus the Pentagon were burned, sent in Guard units and than had to pull them out BEFORE their one year in Iraq was done. This is the FEAR the Pentagon is fearing, not the fear that a 19 year old could NOT enforce New Orleans laws. Any time on FEDERAL DUTY counts to that one year out of three Congress passed, while any time on State Duty (i.e. if th Governor of Louisiana called up the Guard) does NOT count to the max time on federal Duty. The Pentagon needs these troops in Iraq NOT serving part of their one out of three year federal service commitment cleaning up New Orleans.

[arewenotdemo]

10. sounds about right

Iraq and Iran are priorities #1 and #2.

[bemildred]

14. Yep, didn't want to divert resources from the Iraq boondogle.

Remember that long sort of looney-feeling period from
several days before it hit until around Friday when the
feds finally caved in? That was all about not wanting
to do anything and not wanting to say they didn't want
to do anything.

I'm wondering if the fact that in the end they still
had to divert resources will affect things is Iraq.
A yet greater lack or money, men, materiel.

If you pay attention you can see they are still working
to minimize the diversion.

A truly amazing exposure of the ruling elites complete
lack of concern with the welfare of the citizenry.