Brown admits calling WH within hours of Katrina's hit

[Holly_Hobby]

NEW YORK - The former FEMA director who became a lightning rod for the sluggish federal response to Hurricane Katrina blamed state officials for the delays, according to a newspaper report.

Michael Brown told The New York Times that within hours of Katrina's attack on New Orleans he told the White House that Louisiana officials lacked an organized response, leading to an "out of control" situation.

Brown said he called Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and White House chief of staff Andrew Card to let them know the situation was out of control.

His account suggests the White House knew right away that the storm was leaving the coast in shambles.

...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050915/ap_on_re_us/katrina_brown

[sdfernando]

1. Blaming LA officials doesn't cut it!

"Michael Brown told The New York Times that within hours of Katrina's attack on New Orleans he told the White House that Louisiana officials lacked an organized response, leading to an "out of control" situation."

So the Federal Government knew LA couldn't handle the situation and still waited 5 days to do anything?? Sorry, that doesn't cut it!

[Holly_Hobby]

3. Yes, I agree completely

But, while slamming locals, he admits to calling the WH "within hours".

[bee]

5. No. Youre right. it doesnt cut it.

but it does show that bushco sat around on its collective ass for several days after being notified of how bad it was... shooting holes in their claim to have had no idea. I think while trying to blame LA, he inadvertently exposed *. Which is a good thing. a great thing. IMO.

edited for clarity

[Poiuyt]

6. Everyone was afraid to disturb Bush on his vacation

That's why Dan Bartlett had to make the DVD showing just how bad Katrina was.

[bee]

18. speaks volumes doesnt it?

imagine what a maniac he is behind closed doors. :scared:

[AuntiBush]

26. Bush & Co Do Not Give A Damn!

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. What a liar

Louisiana Officials at least showed up for work. What did Brown's Boss do?

[Be Brave]

4. Surely this jerk can be sued by the victims, yes?

I hope they do.

[lonestarnot]

16. Not a lawyer, but feds have sovereign immunity unless sue

under a valid 1983 claim.

[displacedtexan]

7. In other words, people died because no one was at home?

And because no one understood the procedure?

Unbelievable.

I'm surprised they didn't just go with the old Duck 'n Cover crap.

[msgadget]

8. Focus on who he called and when and not so much on his

'slamming' the Louisiana officials. This isn't the first time I've read that Brown DID notify his higher ups and waited for the go-ahead from them. We shoulda known he had absolutely no power when they let him go so quickly. The people to blame (as with the prisoner torture case) are at the top of the pile.

[chalky]

9. Nommed.

n/t

[Johonny]

10. I can't understand

why the headline to this is about LA officials. When the damaging info hear is that the white house knew right away!

[Catchawave]

11. Like I said, the Buck Stops with Bush....

And this article combined with the staff admitting they don't like upsetting George, makes sense to me.

Worst. President. Ever.

[Be Brave]

12. James Lee Witt just categorically denied this on CNN. n/t

[Holly_Hobby]

14. So is Brownie covering his ass?

Or?

[daninthemoon]

22. Denied what?

[alittlelark]

13. The headline "Report: Ex-FEMA Director Blames La."

tells the 'blame game' story. This guy is worse than an Elmer Fudd. I hope the ppl of New Orleans and the entire Gulf Coast are able to sue his and his masters' collective asses off.

[pepperbear]

15. and did you catch the last couple of lines of the article...

"A top administration official told the Times that White House officials remember Brown's calls, but don't think they had the urgency he recalls."

So the person is saying: "well, he called and said something about a hurricane down in N.O. Heck we thought he meant the drink, so we were all "party on, dude!"

so ...uh, we know a hurricane is slamming the coast, and uh, he doesn't recall as much urgency!?!?!?!?

[Beaverhausen]

17. What the fuck were those officials doing?

seriously - I can't believe there was anyone in america who didn't know the devastation that was going on in the gulf states. jesus!

[babylonsister]

19. I think they were looking for the major league head sheds

(the blivet, Cheney, et. al.) and THEY were MIA. Can't take directions from your fearless leaders if you can't find them.

[faithnotgreed]

23. the calls were historic in nature

pdb anyone?

[Schema Thing]

20. "How is it that I'm out on my ass" ask Mike Brown

"I began covering my ass the minute I realized we feds should have had it in gear for the several days preceding landfall, and that things were fubar as a result"

[daninthemoon]

21. When the whole world could plainly see on cnn what was happening,

for these bozo's to even think they could deny knowing is just another of their boldface lies that it's treasonous for any of us to notice.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

24. They Don't Watch TV....So How Could They Know?

They only CONTROL the media, they don't actually watch it.

[babylonsister]

25. Ironic, ain't it? Their total failure wasn't mentioned-now

they want to mend the country? Pack sand!

[whosinpower]

27. Just like 911.....

LIHOP..........

[Done]

28. Wow! The very idea that local official were overwhelmed by...

the magnitude of this disaster. Perhaps we should establish some type of "Federal" government which would have the resources to deal with something like this. :sarcasm:

[Az_lefty]

29. the WH knew but they were on vacation...

just like they knew about the threats leading to 9-11 and didn't care. This is the absolute worst administration in history.
:mad:

[lyonn]

30. With all that info Brown still did nothing?

Wasn't he head of FEMA? What did he think his job description was? To call bush?

Edit: Well, yes, to call the pres. and then get off his ass and make recommendations or whatever. Brown fits the description of a loyal bush employee, do nothing and point fingers.

Within hours after Katrina's hit he calls? What about 48 hours prior to landfall? Like preparing for the worst that was predicted for NO. It's all too ridiculous to ponder.

[suegeo]

31. Language cop

The article says "within hours of Katrina's attack on New Orleans"

Since when did the media whores start describing acts of nature as "Attacks"? Why the shift to describing things in war terms?