DNC condemns Bush's emergency readiness...not ready for another Katrina.

[madfloridian]

America Not Ready for Another Katrina

"This morning, Federal Emergency Management Agency Director David Paulison shed light on the short-sightedness of the Bush Administration’s emergency preparedness efforts and called into question the Administration’s ability to respond to another disaster. Asked whether New Orleans’ levees could withstand another storm, Paulison said, “I don't know whether they'd hold or not. It really doesn't matter because that whole area is in an evacuation zone.” It is precisely this kind of short-sighted thinking that has made America less safe on Republican watch."

"“David Paulison’s comments confirmed what Democrats have been saying for five years, that the failed leadership and misplaced priorities of the Bush Republicans in Washington have made the American people less safe,” said Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney."

"“The fact that Republicans in Washington blocked Democrats’ efforts to ensure that our first responders were given the tools they needed to effectively communicate in an emergency four years after September 11 was inexcusable, but the fact that they are still resisting Democratic efforts to provide those resources today is simply unconscionable. Now, President Bush’s FEMA Director doesn’t know or even care if the New Orleans levees can withstand another storm. These failures are typical of the tragic ambivalence, incompetence and shortsightedness of the Bush Administration and Republicans in Washington who refuse to take the steps needed to keep Americans safe."

There is more DNC research at the site under this heading:

BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MARRED BY
SHORTSIGHTEDNESS AND MISSED WARNINGS

America not ready for another Katrina

[madfloridian]

1. Kick because of the outrages.

This country is not prepared, FEMA is basically defunded and being used more for national security than emergency preparedness. Not just New Orleans and the upper gulf coast will be devastated without aid, but any area.

I read at another side that someone who was flooded recently in a northern state found out insurance covered little, and they could not get a FEMA loan because they had to use their pensions up first.

I am hearing more tales like this...insurance doesn't cover because there are no regulations, FEMA little funds and doesn't care.

The world once believe Americans could fix anything, but Katrina showed us for what we are.

[texpatriot2004]

2. Kick it for Katrina Victims nm

[aaronbees]

3. “I don't know whether they'd hold or not. It really doesn't matter ..."

Did I hear that right? Paulison said it doesn't matter? It does matter, maybe not to the bean counters in DC who'd rather funnel billions to a dirty, mindless war, but it does to the thousands of people back in New Orleans and thousands who want to return. And this is our new FEMA replacement? Republicans, out of step with the mainstream ... that's for damn sure. :mad: :wtf: Perhaps if Paulison himself had to kick back and ride out the next hurricane in a home near a levee, then perhaps he'd take an interest in whether these levees would hold or not. Unbelievable.