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Originally posted by KSig RC
How on Earth can you, in good faith, assign blame in a situation that 1) exceeds every "worst-case scenario" model . . . 2) is not yet even mildly under control . . . and 3) is dissimilar from any other response agenda ever implemented?
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1) Actually it hasn't exceeded the "worst-case scenario" model... the worst case model as presented to the White House in 2002 was a direct hit on New Orleans; so this was slightly less than the "worse-case scenario".
2) No it is not even mildly under control... and that is the problem. The fact that it isn't is one of the things that infuriates me... I mean what was the response time for US assests to be deployed in aid of the Tsunami? That was on the other side of the world, this is in metophorically speaking in the US's living room.
3) It is not dissimilar to any other response agenda ever implemented... oh wait do you mean in the US? Because massive disaster plans have existed and have been implemented by other countries - countries that have sought to send advisors and response teams... but have been rebuffed.
As for how I can assign blame - simple the response "isn't adequate" (or a too little too late) as described by even Bush. Now last time I checked he is the head of the federal government and therefore ulitimately responsible - as for whether he's directly responsible for the lackluster relief effort prior to his arrival... I don't know....
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Feel free to play Monday-morning quarterback after the situation is resolved, but I can't imagine how you think this could have been handled more easily. Feel free to provide a detailed plan of action, if you have one at hand, to show me the error of my ways . . .
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Having been involved into two Canadian relief operations during the 90's - the Red Rive Flood, and the Ice Storm - I took some basic lessons from what was said during the briefings. Despite the fact one was somewhat expected and the other wasn't in both cases a rapid deployment of troops to aid in the relief of the region was emphasized - deploying in company-sized units through out the region (of course more hevaily concentrated in urban areas) to provide security and relief, but more importantly to act as organizational and communications centres.
People need to see the government there and doinging something, and just as importantly communications have to be restored in order to prevent the people from feeling cut off from there government, abandoned, or forgotten.