A "failure of local government"? Uh, no. Responding to disaster is NOT...

[Zenlitened]

... a local government function.

Local government is supposed to hang on by its fingernails until help arrives. Like, you know, from FEMA. Theoretically.

The police, the fire-fighters, the EMTs and hospitals -- no sane person expects them to carry the load. Sane, rational people understand that local first-responders are going to be stressed to the max by a disaster. That's why we (again, theoretically) have federal disaster relief plans in the first place.

Particularly when a state's National Guard forces and equipment have been looted for an unnecessary war.

I realize the right-wing is famous for making up idiotic talking points, but this "blame it on the local governments" one truly takes the cake.

:crazy:

[Mountainman]

1. What is the source of these talking points? Do they all send each other

e-mails with suggestions then pick the best ones? All wing nut talk shows and soon LTTERs will be saying that.

[snippy]

3. The RNC sends them out. You can sign up to receive them. n/t

[kenny blankenship]

2. A bona fide emergency takes local gov't OUT

(as obviously happened in this case.)

local gov't can only see that they can't see what all is going on when real disasters strike. Communications are out. Power is out. Police and other public safety workers can't get around everywhere. When the Big One hits, they lack resources to even evaluate how bad and how big the disaster is.

That should be enough for officials upstream to understand their own role has expanded to finding out if possible, how bad and extensive damage is, not just responding to requests of "send everything!" with counter requests for specific information.

This isn't occult knowledge, it's Disaster Relief 101 material and well understood in this country, throughout modern history, at least until the "special needs" Administration took office. They don't seem to know shit about anything (the common theme of all their excuses), and they don't seem to think that's a problem.

[Zenlitened]

4. The "special needs" administration. Sadly, that's so accurate.

Though probably unfair to true special needs people, who generally don't wake up every day thinking of new ways to destroy America. :(