Blame game

I do distinctly recall Bush saying there would be plenty of time for blame later. I guess now it's time.

The House of Representatives brings you The Blame Game!

Our congressfolk seem genuinely concerned about how far the shit will splatter but it looks like they're willing to try to play for GW and the GOP. The committee former FEMA director Brown is talking to (below) is not the independent investigative panel that we the people as well as some lawmakers have been asking for. To me, it kinda seems like Brown's being hung out to dry. It doesn't seem like he was incredibly qualified for the job, but if you follow the news on this, you might notice stuff like a repeated theme of misallocation of funds (for things like disaster plan development) at many levels. Oh yeah, and then there's the part about ordering an evacuation but not making sure that folks had (a) a way to get out and (b) a place to get to. Even the Hurricane Rita Houston evacuation stories highlight this. How do you get out if you lack certain necessities like a car or the money to fill it up?

While I find the comments of the members of the House well, somewhat validating, I can't help thinking if they really cared about addressing and hopefully fixing what happened they wouldn't be satisfied to just beat up on Brown for the cameras at this farce of an investigation. They would press for a real investigative panel. Unless that is only reserved for something as dangerous and controversial as a mislead young woman and an unfortunately stained blue dress.

Brown Shifts Blame for Katrina Response
By Lara Jakes Jordan
Associated Press Writer

Former FEMA director Michael Brown blamed others for most government failures in responding to Hurricane Katrina on Tuesday, especially Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin.

...."I'm happy you left," said Rep. Christopher Shays (R – Conn)

...In a testy exchange, Shays compared Brown's performance unfavorably with that of former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

"So I guess you want me to be the superhero, to step in there and take everyone out of New Orleans," Brown said.

"What I wanted you to do is do your job and coordinate," Shays retorted.

"I'm happy to be called not a Rudy Giuliani ... a scapegoat ... if it means that FEMA ... is going to be able to be reborn," Brown said.

(Brown added "And you're a big doodie head Chris!")