I think the Republicans at the hearing today fianlly realized that

[rodeodance]

Americans-the people were/are furious at what happened during Hurricane Katrina and decided to have a conscious.

Now you can say they are saving their butts--so be it. Whatever their motives were--they want answers. the diging has begun.

[marmar]

1. Never overestimate them...

It could have been a dog and pony show. Brown seems to be the designated scapegoat - in reality Chertoff ought to be before the committee, or in a courtroom!

[rodeodance]

4. yes, Chertoff distanced himself from Browns comments later at a press

conference. Did you catch that?

[rodeodance]

6. In other words-Chertoff was NOT pleased with what Brown said at the

hearing.

[anitar1]

25. Saw a few minutes of it, and the guy who was

questioning Brown mentioned how much better Rudi Guiliani would have performed. My mouth fell open at the outrageous pumping for Rudi.They really have no idea of how they sound, just been in the hallowed halls of money grubbing too long. Sure made Brownie angry though.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

2. Don't Fall For Their Song & Dance

They haven't changed their spots AT ALL! Just because they asked a few probing questions means nothing. It's still a big joke to them, and I could care less what those hypocritcal bastards do.

They'll NEVER be able to repent for their actions in the downfall of our country.

[rodeodance]

3. By the end of the hearing, Brown was blaming lots on not having equip,

personnal, lack of communications, etc. This is a reflection on the Fed gov and the new Homeland Security Dept. If the repugs initally just wanted a scrapecoat--it failed-as the Fed (HSD) has been brought into the discussion BIG time. This will rub off on Bush.

[cantstandbush]

8. I agree. It was all for show. If they really cared they would have

an independent investigation. And i wish the hell they would stop using Rudi Guiliani's name as some kind of hero. If he were to be the head of FEMA cronyism and organized crime would control it all.

[rodeodance]

9. Whaever their motives, they asked lots of good questions.

[rodeodance]

11. and they got real close to Chertoff?WH--would not surprize me if WH

tries to somehow tone down these hearings.

[gordianot]

5. The damage has already been done to the Republican Party.

How much will they distance themselves from Bush in 2006. I can just imagine the Democratic attack ads now.

[rodeodance]

7. What do you imagine?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

10. Collect pictures of Republican candidates with cronies, DeLay, or Shrub.

[rodeodance]

12. ok, yes, that would do.

[natrat]

18. yea but you forget dems these days are just corrupt scumbags

look at voting records etc over the last few years.

[Erika]

17. You mean like pictures of the poor in NO begging for help

with a bubble reading "Is this what compassionate conservative represents?"

[Erika]

13. This hearing made the W administration look very bad

according to the editor of the Wall Street Journal tonight.

Bad appointment, lack of oversight, reducing the budget and size of Fema, making it a step child of Homeland Security.

[rodeodance]

19. yes, that is what I was saying. The hearing puts the spotlight on BushCo

whatever the motives of the repugs were going into the hearing, the Administration got ripped also.

[Erika]

27. Yep. There is no upside for W on this nor should there be.

[Me.]

14. I Think I

am going to agree with you on this. Something is happening, a build up, a hum if you will. And I also agree about the anger. The repugs saw what happened in NO and knew it could be them because at the end of the day, this admin doesn't care about any of the people in this country.

[rodeodance]

20. yes, people are angry and finally some Repugs realized this.

[natrat]

15. wonder if it was this corrupt before rome fell

http://www.topplebush.com/oped2210.shtml

[tulsakatz]

16. this just proves that..........

the Republican argument of local vs fed'l govt is BS!!

I think it was Shay (a Republican) who told Brown he was glad he was no longer in FEMA because what Brown described as coordinating was really nothing more than talking. And Brown's outraged response to his statement is another thing that proves that he is grossly underqualified for that position. Instead of listing in a calm manner the ways that he did his job correctly, he became outraged to try to distract from Shay's comment.

These guys (even Republicans in charge) know that the voters in their states blame the fed'l govt more than the locals..........as well they should!

[rodeodance]

22. and Shay pointed out that Brown should have answered that it would be

a 'take charge" sort of person that was needed for a Fema director!

[cynatnite]

21. They'll send anyone to the wolves to keep their jobs...

It's a show for the American people. Don't believe it unless they are looking to drag rover, dick or bush in to testify.

[rodeodance]

23. I think they may have wanted Brown to be the scrapegoat but it ended

with a scathing knock to HSD and Chertoff for gutting the FEMA.

[Erika]

28. and billions of our dollars spent for nothing

[confludemocrat]

30. If brownie was worth a damn he would have fought for FEMA; he didn't

ergo, he, Chertoff, and Bush are none other than criminally negligent and so what many of us have been saying since Bush started, that he doesn't give a damn about people and he reserves a particular mode of malign apathy for situations involving African-Americans, was proven as surely as the sun rises and sets.

[spindrifter]

24. A Pitiful Display

I give them absolutely failing grades.
Okay, they keep Mike Br*wn on as a "consultant," supposedly for $145,000 (or is it the weekly amount if that were his annual pay--I never saw it explained). That's because they want to be able to say he's a fed. until he finishes testifying.
Anyone would have known that this guy is not reliable on the microphone.
Of course R*ve and Chert*ff need to dig it into the locals, esp. Blanco. He got a little too greedy for his masters' good, however, when he started casting about for other collateral explanations, such as the lack of equipment.
I have every confidence that Mike Br*wn thinks he does a good job. Unfortunately, his record does not bear that out--from the horse club thing onward. He kept taking "umbrage"--yes, I believe I heard him say that--when people were knocking his resume--yet I have never seen him correct Time mag, and all the rest of the places that have done some checking on his FEMA biog.--which he had the hubris to post.

But when all is said and done, Br*wnie is only the public whipping boy--the Lynndie England of FEMA. It's layer of ooze and slime at the top that needs to come over to the Hill and start answering some questions about how they've created a huge government of clusterf*cks.

[Spazito]

26. Bottom line at this point, imo, is everyone for themselves

There is an upcoming election and the repubs will toss any and all overboard as necessary to PTA (protect their ass)and that does NOT exclude bush himself. The repubs are putting into practice what REAL compassionate conservatism is, they will conserve their ass by being conservative with their support for whomever might jeopardize their elected positions.

[in_cog_ni_to]

29. It's all an act. They couldn't care less about the poor people who

lost everything they owned in that hurricane. They're lookin' at 2006. THAT is what they are concerned about. THEMSELVES. It's all a show for their constituents. I don't buy their bullshit. Everything they say and do is a LIE. EVERYTHING.