LET'S BE CLEAR: FEMA *IS* A DISASTER...

[berni_mccoy]

Under the BUSH ADMINISTRATION. Until the Bush Administration, FEMA has been THE OUTSTANDING EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM FOR AMERICA. FEMA has existed in one form or another for OVER 200 HUNDRED YEARS.

( For a history of FEMA, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Emergency_Management_Agency )

It has seen America through disasters, both natural and otherwise, and has helped MILLIONS of Americans through tough times.

Let's not forget the GOOD that FEMA has done in the past, among which were rapid, and needed, response to
Toxic Waste Dump in the Love Canal
Three Mile Island
Hurricane Andrew in 1992
The Oklahoma City Bombing
The bombing of the Twin Towers
The Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001

It was NOT UNTIL THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION did FEMA begin struggling to maintain its OUTSTANDING REPUTATION as the Emergency Response System of America.

In the mid-90's, my wife and our Rottweiler served FEMA's canine search and rescue. It *was* an outstanding organization.

Here's an idea for the IDIOTIC SENATORS SUGGESTING THE DISMANTLING OF FEMA: how about DISMANTLING THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION, STARTING WITH IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS!

[dsc]

1. actually FEMA sucked under Bush 1 as well

it was one reason Clinton was able to be competative in Florida in 92 and win it in 96.

[progressivebydesign]

2. Repubs won't give up that cash cow for their donors and friends. n/t

[agates]

3. There you go - FEMA isn't the problem

Bring back Witt to run it, give him a budget and free rein to spend it as he sees fit. He'd have it fixed in months.

[MSgt213]

4. No kidding. This dismantling of FEMA to make it in to what? FEMA

that works. If Bush and the republicans had not been fucking it up in the first place, you would have no problem. But the republicans want to do this to every government agency so they can then say they don't work and get rid of them. Americans will then have no place to turn when they truly need help and of course since help isn't there from the federal government-its all Clinton's fault.

[babylonsister]

5. I second your last idea, berni. Changing the name won't change

a thing! Someone 'responsible' has to be put in charge and FEMA needs to be its own entity, divorced from DHS. The blivet need not be involved AT ALL, as everything he touches turns to poop.
The timing is incredible. Yes, make vast changes now, a few weeks prior to hurricane 06 season.
If they only had a brain. :eyes:

[Disturbed]

7. Rethugs purposely screwed up FEMA.

These asshats screw up every Govt. Agency they can so that privatization of their moneyed contributors can take them over .

[babylonsister]

13. I don't think it was purposeful. They are just woefully clueless. nt

[peacetalksforall]

6. FEMA had a great reputation under Clinton and Witt. All they have to do

is get Witt to TRY to save it. A person works hard and is smart and what does the right wing do - destroy.

They want to privatize charities for profit by a few (as has been the case in all other attempts). They believe that we should all pitch in on top of our taxes to help our fellow citizens. FEMA, dontcha know, is a handout in their eyes.

They, the right wing, did it to us - and their we have that despicalbe Collins up there pimping. This was planned people.

[Coastie for Truth]

8. One idea to improve the management of FEMA

FEMA is part of DHS - and so is the Coast Guard. Make all FEMA managers serve four months on board the Coast Guard's training "Tall Ship" - the CGC Eagle.

<>

Semper Par

[JuniperLea]

9. Great idea!

But first they must learn the names of all the masts and sails! I had to do this as a kid because my godfather was a seagoing chef. He used to brag to his buddies that I could name them. Not easy! I bet Bush would need cards...

fore mast
main mast
mizzen mast
flying jib
outer and inner jibs
fore topmast staysail
fore course
fore lower topsail
blah blah blah blah haha

my favorites were:
fore upper topgallant sail
crossjack, mizzen course
mizzen royal


and last but most favorite: spanker!

I've left out over half i'm sure.

[babylonsister]

12. Make them serve, experience some hardship, and some glory!

Beautiful ship!

[Lisa]

10. they got inside the tent so they could pull it down faster!

The US has always come up with visionary ideas that are meant to benefit the public -- a national parks system, Social Security, the Peace Corps, the EPA, FEMA -- which other countries copy. I'm constantly amazed that people of *'s type are so bitter about the success and popularity of these things that they would be constantly scheming to bust up or discredit them, to impose their "government is evil" view. It's like they are having it both ways ... steal funding from them and put in patronage appointees, then turn around and blame them.

But I guess this is what happens when people who hate government are put in charge of governing!

[sandnsea]

11. The Mississippi Flood of '93

The Grand Rapids flood. Northridge earthquake. Loma Prieta. Certainly FEMA has been able to meet huge disaster needs when we have a government that believes in government.