Katrina Timeline

Fusion? You down there?
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FusionAddict tirades about ...well here is a recap:

Bush attempted to federalize the Louisiana National Guard and take control of the situation on two separate occasions, and was soundly rebuffed by Blanco.

Read the links I posted HERE. They CLEARLY enumerate the responsibilities (and resulting culpability) of each member of the US government.

You have to understand something. THE PRESIDENT HAS NO LEGAL AUTHORITY TO FORCE A GOVERNOR TO ASK FOR HELP. The only way the President can legally take control without the Governor's consent is to have the city of New Orleans declared in revolt. Is that what you wanted to happen?

Here is the actual timeline:

Hurricane Katrina hit on Monday, August 29th. Governor Blanco wrote to President Bush on Saturday, August 27th, when it became obvious that Katrina was going to require resources in excess of the state's ability to provide them.

"Dear Mr. President,

"Under the provisions of Section 501 (a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5206 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR 206.35, I request that you declare an emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina for the time period beginning August 26, 2005, and continuing. The affected areas are all the southeastern parishes including the New Orleans Metropolitan area and the mid state Interstate I-49 corridor and northern parishes along the I-20 corridor that are accepting the thousands of citizens evacuating from the areas expecting to be flooded as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

"Pursuant to 44 CFR 206.35, I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments, and that supplementary Federal assistance is necessary to save lives, protect property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster. I am specifically requesting emergency protective measures, direct Federal Assistance, Individual and Household Program (IHP) assistance, Special Needs Program assistance, and debris removal.

"Preliminary estimates of the types and amount of emergency assistance needed under the Stafford Act, and emergency assistance from certain Federal agencies under other statutory authorities are tabulated in Enclosure A."

There is your official request tendered as required by law on the 27TH!

Katrina occurred on Monday, August 29th. The federal troops showed up on Friday, September 2nd. Five days elapsed between the request and direct assistance.

Bush & Co. fucked up big time. A lot of people lost their lives because of the Federal Government's incompetence. For Bush to now insinutate that it was local government's fault is typical and sick. He had the request and failed to act on it.