After reading about the demostrations in D.C this past weekend and viewing photos of the protesters, I was disappointed. Almost all of the photos I saw in the news were images of Cindy and Jackson over and over and over. They were portrayed as a couple of old friends smiling and laughing and hugging. This isn't good. Not only did this represent a demeanor far removed from the issues they were protesting, but it linked an important protest to activists like Jackson and independents like Nader. I think that some of these familiar faces should stay home. Even great politicians like Hillary need to stay away.

Surely the party can muster a few new, intelligent spokespeople to take the place of these people that are so thinly worn, so coupled with the past failures of the party, and who bear enough baggage to sink the planet let alone the democratic party.

What does out party stand for? In the last election, when Kerry started to describe his way of "hunting the enenmy down and killing them" as his apparent response to being soft on military action, I just about checked out. Don't we stand for peace?

I want to have representatives with whom I can align my support. Not people that just respond to the spin. Please someone smart and new come to the foreground.

Please, people like Jackson and Nader and Hillary, stay out of the picture. I feel that the people of this country that want to see a change in the administration will not come forth if we have to stand by you. Hillary won't win in the next election. As much as I wouuld like to see a female for president and as much as I would like to Hillary as president, her past with Bill will not survive the republican campaign that is more than likely being formulated right now.

Brown is just the current poster boy for the Bush administration's incompetence and stupidity...with the full approval of the Republican-ead Congress, who obviously see nothing wrong with his behavior. They all need to be sweept out of office in '06 with an impeachment of Cheney and Bush to follow.

I knew they thought the Katrina bungling was a public relations problem, but to say so in public beats all. No shame. No blame.

I've always heard of the corruption and graft of the Taft administration. Bush has outdone Taft by a long-shot. I find it so ironic that those bullit-proof vests ordered by the White House were sub-par and the manufacturer hid it from them.

I'm watching this and the repugs are simply giving him a pass. AND in a couple of instances they are providing his answers for him.

"So Mr. Brown, would you say the media played a role in making you look bad when in reality you were doing a heck of a job?"

"Yes sir I would".

This is a travesty of the first sort. The repugs are smiling and giving grins and pats on the back.

Republican investigation board investigating a repuglican appointee and both sides blaming the locals and the media for playing it up the wrong way.

No wonder we keep losing elections. Not a single damned democrat is saying anything. I realize they aren't on the investigation, but this is rediculous.

Our democratic party is now going to vote overwhelmingly for a SCOTUS judge, Roberts, instead of standing JUST ONE FREAKING TIME together against a rightwing ideologe who anyone with half a brain could see, that Dumbya would not nominate if Dumbya hadn't gotten private promises to overturn all Civil Rights laws, Roe v Wade, allow states to have state sponsored religion, and get rid of those pesky constitutional rights for anyone who isn't a rich corporate campaign donor.

What has happened to the democratic party? When did we sell our souls for campaign money? And sell our soul in the hopes the reichwing hate media won't attack as badly as those who dare to voice opposition to Dumbya's policies and appointments?

It seems we have become the party of appeasers to the reichwing. We are the Chamberlians of modern politics.

Unless we stand together we will surely lose separately.

Why not just go to lunch and watch the flowers grow since we are basically worthless anyway? Just let the repugs tell us when to show up and vote when they need more than 55 votes and do whatever they want when they want, since we're going to give in no matter what?

We have not defeated a single Dumbya move. The Social Security loss was not because of democrats but rather because the people distrusted the government with their money and democrats simply grabbed onto that coattail.

And I guarantee you Dumbya will still push for the dismantling of SS in the next three years after the Katrina disaster blows over. All it takes is a few cowardly democrats to help that along.

I fear for our democracy and if it falls it will be solely the fault of democrats who were too frightened to stand up for what they knew to be right and were too busy parsing words so they wouldn't actually say something that might be taken in such a way as to offend ANYONE.

It is just one thing after another with the Bush Administration. I am feed up of his presidency and the Republican party and conservatives in general. It has gotten too far out of hand. We need real Democracy in this nation, but we don't. We need to abolish the electorial college and get the influence of power away from corporations in order to acheive real democracy like in France and Germany. Conservatives do not represent Democracy, they represent big business and social fascism. I used to be a conservative at one time I denouce it for good.

It's nice to know that Michael Brown thought the biggest problem with FEMA's response was going on news shows instead of holding press conferences.

You know, let's look back on the last 5 years ... We had the "public perception" of a Bush win in 2000;

We had the public perception that Bush was screwing up in the 2001;

Then we had the public perception that Bush was going to rally the country to stand up and united in a War On Terra' that would make the World safe for Democracy and Freedom and Deliver US From Evil;

We had the impression that they did a good job in Afghanistan and that we were on a roll through 2003 in Iraq;

We had the impression that Bush was kind of in charge in 2004 and things were going to get better if he just didn't screw up again -- even if he would never catch Osama or find the WMDs;

we had the impression that Kerry was a flip-flopper (whatever that is);

We now have the impression that we're getting used up in Iraq, that the earth is getting warmer and the country going broke while Bush's friends get rich, that the deficit is out of control and the economy is tanking;

and we have the impression that things are falling apart at FEMA and in Washington in general.

They can't keep staging these publicity stunts and hope to get over on the public any more. It's too late for them. Everybody's onto their tactics, and we're sick of them.

They better start the shredder.

Why do I seem to be the only person here who thinks the most important, the most glaring, the most deplorable aspect of Brown's "testimony" and Donald Rumsfeld's subsequent echoing of the official excuse, is that the OFFICIAL FREAKING EXCUSE is: The federal government cannot be held responsible, it is impractical to think the federal government can or should be responsible, for handling the situation in a disaster of this nature and magnitude and then they proceeded to blame the entire matter on every possible local entity in New Orleans, including first responders, the very people the Republican voters would tar and feather US if we said anything about first.

They blamed the first responders. The same people who were in tears because they weren't being allowed to go help, and were told, by FEMA, to stand down, and when they were finally given orders, it was to flank the president as he walked through for his photo op.

This is the most disgusting, cowardly, incompetent, blaming others, bunch of fat cat losers I have ever seen and in my worst nightmares, I could not have imagined during the 90s our country being this now.

Posted by Buzz on September 27, 2005 at 01:59 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Buzz, I agree with you.

I wonder how many cities have plans when 80-90% of their cities underwater and the infrastruction is distroyed.

Silly Rabbit, Tricks are for Kids!

"...the OFFICIAL FREAKING EXCUSE is: The federal government cannot be held responsible, it is impractical to think the federal government can or should be responsible, for handling the situation in a disaster of this nature and magnitude and then they proceeded to blame the entire matter on every possible local entity in New Orleans, including first responders, the very people the Republican voters would tar and feather US if we said anything about first."

You have that one right, Firefly. They never admit to a mistake or take any responsiblity for their own failures. Just stick together with the agreed upon lies, blame others, and brazen it out. The "little people" will never hold us accountable....because they are too stupid to figure it out.

Well, they figured it out on the Social Security "reform". I think the "little people" are two steps ahead of all those Republicans at the hearings making excuses and blaming our first responders....bad move on their part. The only people we trust any more are first responders and singling them out is political suicide...even for Republicans.

Posted by HybridFuel on September 27, 2005 at 03:17 PM

Well, almost none, because our president has provided no leadership in ordering them to devise plans and then coordinating them.

We're either one country or not. If they're going to push for this extreme embodiment of strong states-weak federal government, let's just dispense with being one country, and we can have 50 independendent states. At least then, you can find a place to live that's as red or blue as you want it to be without having it imposed on you.

Posted by SandyH on September 27, 2005 at 03:37 PM

Unfortunately, I think our little people are smart enough and their little people aren't, and unless our reps stand up, get some balls, and decry immediately that they just blamed first responders, this is going to slip under the radar with those people just like every other atrocity has.

Did anyone notice how Brown was about as prepared for this hearing as he was for handeling a Natural Disaster! When ask what did he do when he noticed that the local Authorties were not evacuating all the people? He claimed to have contacted them? But when ask for the contact record, he had none? It looks like he would have made up a fake e-mail or phone record or something but he just said he would get the records? And of course the GOP allowed this without blasting him. I guess you are as fed up with so called Christians as I am? We can't stand anymore of these so called Christian activities. I would imagine we will be leary of voting for anyone claiming to be a Christian in the future. They can be a Christian but don't use it to get the Christian vote unless you have the Christian Graces?

Michael Brown is a glaring example of the effectiveness of cronyism.

What is even more tragic that here in Sonoma County, California, the Central Democratic Committee has issued an edict that all local Democratic officeholders MUST appoint a democrat for local jobs and commissions, or be banned from local sponsorship of the Party.

Is this condoned by the DNC? Are we morphing into the Republican Party? If so, as a life-long Democrat, I will resign from the Democratic Party. My vote and support will go elsewhere.

How can the Democratic Party speak with any kind of moral authority when criticizing Bush and Chertoff for appointing an inexperienced Brown when we order the same practice?

The Sonoma County Democratic Central Committee failed in trying to mitigate its edict by saying that "qualified" Democrats must be chosen over another party candidate for the position. Who is to say what qualified is? Their rationale is Democrats need to be mentored. BULL@#$*! Sure, and Michael Brown needed to be mentored as well so he could later run for office! There are other ways to mentor young Democrats. Let them earn their positions and our respect.

This sends the wrong message not only in its small-mindedness, but also blatantly not trusting Democratic officeholders to appoint the most qualified people to positions.

This is a clarion call to all Democrats to pay attention to what your local committees are up to.

This is a warning to the DNC that if practices such as these are adopted and enforced, liberal and moderate democrats will be driven away.

Can the DNC afford to lose more votes in the next election? Are we Democrats or Republicans in sheep's clothing? And what do we stand for?

oneforall, they aren't Christians, they're John Birchers. Robertson, Falwell and the rest of them are all political hacks not religious men.

Firefly, you are falling into their trap. They want us to abandon the federal government. Retreat from the commitments made to the people for security and safety nets by FDR. Don't let them fool you into thinking we can't be strong.

Posted by SandyH on September 27, 2005 at 04:31 PM

Sorry for the delay. I have clearly been working on this for a while.I hope you're still here to read it.

Sandy, I don't fall into people's traps. To be glaringly honest, there are moments where I think I may be the only person around here who actually knows what's really going on. This is my perception. I could be wrong, but if I'm right, we are in a mess of trouble.

You say, "Don't let them fool you into thinking we can't be strong." What does this phrase mean to you? Please elaborate. How are they fooling me and how do you think we can be strong? And for that matter, what is your definition of strong?

I see people who support them, people who hate everything we stand for and who believe in everything we hate, clearly. About the only thing the right and left share in common at this point is a deep-seated belief that the other side's vision will be the death of this country. The moderates are few, and those tend to be seen as sleeping with the enemy. I am realistic enough to know this: there is no going back. The division has been wrought, and no matter how many people may wake up and realize how incompetent Bush is, that is not going to make them abandon a core of beliefs to which they hold firm, beliefs that make them the right-wingers they are. In fact, what they will do is look for the Republican leadership they think will vindicate them. I believe that most of these people are hanging on in part because to admit that a set of people in whom they have believed so vehemently are so disasterous, makes a statement about THEM, their intellect, their judgment. They will elect the next Republican who seems to dazzle them, who seems to have the personality they want, and they will do this on a presidential level, and they will do this on a city council level, and they will do it at every level in-between, and if they don't, well, the top of the GOP already has the black boxes set to make sure that the election results come out that way anyway, and they'll succeed because of people on our side who insist on seeing a version of reality that reflects, unfortunately, the past and not the present, a chance at unity that will never happen, at least not until something catastrophic has happened that lets off all this steam, and who cannot recognize a war when they see one.

I'm sorry, I know that isn't what you believe and I know it isn't what you want to hear. I know from experience that people are very reluctant to accept this, continually having Titanic Syndrome, or, Katrina Syndrome -- that human tendency not to see the worst case scenario until it happens, and even when it does, to be sure it won't happen again and do the same thing. The fact that people are trying to re-populate New Orleans without some major man-made changes to the landscape first is phenominally astounding to me, and if they do that, I will be unable to do anything other than say, "Well, yeah, what did you expect?" next time disaster hits.

In any event, our only hope is a candidate with Bill Clinton's level of leadership and charisma, who not only believes in the right things for our country, but who UNDERSTANDS the psychology that the right-wing voters bring to the table and can make them comfortable with understanding that voting Democratic does not mean they're bandwagon voters, or that everything they thought was important was a delusion, but simply that they took a leap of faith, they trusted people who presented themselves as trustworthy, but that it's time to consider that while what they want for themselves, their families, their country and their planet, is probably right, the way they've been told is the best way to achieve it is not.

So you don't have to believe me now, but remember where you heard this, because I believe there is going to come a day when everyone suddenly realizes it and thinks nobody ever said it before.

Well, I think I've made my point. No need to continue. You've taken enough time reading it.

Posted by Freedom on September 27, 2005 at 04:12 PM

Freedom, I have a different perspective on this issue.

You need to understand something. That the party in control would appoint only their own is not a surprise, nor is there necessarily anything wrong with it. The problem is when they will choose someone incompetent to perform a job RATHER than, God forbid, hiring outside of their party. I have sufficient confidence that in the huge array of Democrats in this country, Sonoma County can find competent Democrats to fill the various positions. Competency IS non-negotiable. To the Bush administration, it is fairly low down on the list of requirements for a job applicant. And these are business people. Don't they understand HR better than that?

In the next aspect, I would say this. The Democratic Party has been under attack by the GOP for the last 20 years, and they have built a devastating war machine against us. I'm from New York, and I have a strong belief that New York needs to send a message that Republicans are NOT electable in New York City, and need to do their best to vote down Bloomberg and Pataki. I think the latter might happen but the former probably won't, because people don't like the Republicans, but think Bloomberg has been a good mayor. I think the fact that the Republican National Convention was held in New York is an abomination, pure and simple.

If our side is starting to band together and protect their own, I'm sorry, I don't know that I can see that as necessarily being a bad thing. Now, if they pass the 11th commandment, like the Republicans did (do not speak against a member of your own party or you will be dropped like a hot rock from the support list of the party), that would bother me.

Firefly,

I think at the end of the day, we may have to agree to disagree.

I believe that threatening "banishment" for not hiring Democrats to local posts in Sonoma County, California is on the slippery slope to the Republican's 11th commandment of dropping a party member like a rock if they disagree with the party.

As American's, Democrats and Republicans, our world and country are approaching a precipice where we need the best and the brightest above the fray of partisanship and cronyism.

Perhaps I'm naive in believing that the best part of our country is about fairness and inclusion.

Will it have to come to and take disgusted Democrats and Republicans taking their votes elsewhere or form a new party to rise above partisanship before Party leaders listen?

I have been a Democrat for so long because I have been more closely aligned to what the party's stated beliefs and platforms. The time comes when I or anyone is bullied or threatened into toeing the line is the day I leave. The only way to achieve greatness is to be open to hearing all ideas and hiring the best.

That being said, all politicians need to be on the alert that just belonging to a party will not guarantee election results...else we'd never see a change of party in the White House or Congress.

We need to find bright people to run,and even brighter people to carry the message to the majority of voters who never read sites like this. Trust me, threats of banishment will only alienate a large section Democrats and give even more fodder to Republicans as they trot out names like Panetta.

Take care, Firefly from an ex-New Yorker, Freedom

I cannot believe that the Dems, the folks I have voted for to represent me, are boycotting these hearings.

WTH. I just heard about this and I am P'ed off. You know, it will not surprise me at all when the GOP wins again. All the Dems do is B**** and moan. No action. No looking into price gouging. No energy plan initiative. No bills to stop illegal aliens. No showing up to at least question Mike Brown. No nothing.

You bunch of lazy ass Dems need to start doing your job and representing "we the people".

I finally signed up for these blogs because my family and freinds, who are all Democratic supporters, feel the same way I do. They just don't have the time to waste writing these emails. They have jobs, families, and other responsibilities that prevent them from giving the time it takes to do these kind of things. I do not have a wife and kids, so I have a little time to give to do this, and I will be on these boards from now on expressing mine, and others, feelings about the absolute total lack of commitment and representation the Democratic party is showing.

Does H. Dean reaed these? Does any of my Democratic representatives read these posts?

Thanks, -Griff

Surely the party can muster a few new, intelligent spokespeople to take the place of these people that are so thinly worn, so coupled with the past failures of the party, and who bear enough baggage to sink the planet let alone the democratic party.

Posted by whatcouldwork on September 27, 2005 at 12:25 PM

You must be kidding, right? You link Jackson to the DNC???? He has zero connection to them. and NADER????? He was there on the OTHER side, for PRO WAR because he got all his last campaign money from the Republicans!

I do not know where you have been getting your news, bud, but better start reading the Internet news instead, where you get the truth.

In any event, our only hope is a candidate with Bill Clinton's level of leadership and charisma, who not only believes in the right things for our country, but who UNDERSTANDS the psychology that the right-wing voters bring to the table and can make them comfortable with understanding that voting Democratic
Posted by Firefly on September 27, 2005 at 06:02 PM

Firefly,
Over the last year, I have seen Many, Many Democrats come in here and say we need Bright, Charismatic Candidates. Men with Leadership qualities.
I do not think that This is as easy as you think! Right at this moment, that is the problem with the party, we have no clear Leaders. And Charisma is not something you buy! Have you ever seen anyone with Charisma? It is a RARE quality that few posses. I saw John Kennedy and Bill Clinton and they both exuded it.

Yes, it would be wonderful if we had these guys coming out of the woodwork, but we do not.

So, we must look for other qualities that will sell, like Honesty, Strength, Good past record, etc.

I watched a lot of the Michael Brown deal on C-Span today.

The man clearly was on a mission from the first minute, to place blame on the Locals!

I was happy at the Representative (forgot his name), who called him on his saying they did not expect it. He brought up the Hurricane Pam TEST they went thru a year before, with the exact perimeters , and the results of that which Should have made them prepared for this one.

We have a blogger from Holland who comes in here, and he was in here 3 weeks ago, to say that in Holland, where they have levees and Dikes, it would be Totally Unheard of for the Government to cut any money for Maintenance of them! It would not even be considered to do such a thing.
Yet Bush decided he needed cash for his ill begotten Invasion , more than he cared about people in Louisiana

And no one will convince me, that had those TVs showed White, well dressed individuals in squallor conditions in that superdome, the Aid would have come MUCH , MUCH faster !!!

Brownie? can you say perjury?

GOTCHA!

Micahel Brown is truly a pathetic individual.
This incompetent moron is a typical Republican, blaming everyone else for his own miserable failings.

Watching the A-Hole try to cover his ass, while taking ZERO blame for what was obviously his fault, is just puke inducing.

This punk should be made to PERSONALLY help clean up New Orleans. He should be on the ground cleaning up crap and debris, and at night he can sleep on a cot at that Superdome that he "Knew nothing about".

Truly this is a world class coward.

The things you listed, with the component of an ability to communicate an idea in a commanding and concise manner, are the components of charisma.

Posted by Freedom on September 27, 2005 at 07:29 PM

Freedom, I respect your opinions and see that they are heartfelt and well-considered. Nonetheless, I think we suffer from a critical overload of too nice and playing too by the rules already, and the consequence tends to be that the Republicans call us everything they are and it sticks.

Almost everyone, both sides, say that John Kerry's critical weakness was not fighting harder. Don't concern yourself with the potential slippery slope into C11. We Democrats don't slide that far. If the same could be said for the Republicans, our country wouldn't be headed for what I predicted.

Take it easy. Sonoma county, eh? Nice.

Michael Brown doesn't have any credibility, considering his forged resume, being fired by his previous employer, and that his only qualification for leading FEMA is his connection with Bush.

So using Michael Brown to blame local government for all the weak response to Hurricane Katrina by the Bush administration is like slapping someone's own face for someone's own mistake, which is quite fitting.

This belated saving face gimmick is actually quite consistent with Bush's lifelong record. In Bush's adulthood, he has never achieved anything on his own right but by using his father's connection. The worst is that in all his failure, he has never had to face the consequence or pay any price, which all of us have to face or pay.

No wonder, for the past few years until now, we have had to pay all the prices for the mistakes a lousy president has made.

Posted by PamB on September 27, 2005 at 08:05 PM

Pam, we are so often of a like mind. I tend to think on this one though that this was more race than class, and part of me thinks that they decided that if a very blue city were to be wiped out, and all it's voters who are most likely to vote blue, well, dead, that would make their job that much easier.

Posted by Firefly on September 27, 2005 at 11:43 PM

Oops, under the gun and not thinking straight. I meant, class and not race, not the opposite.

If I was manager at anything I don’t think I would want Brown as my co-worker. This is just typical of this government. The conservatives in the White House are willing to destroy what our founding fathers spent their whole entire lives building. Did you know today Senator Sessions (R ) Of Mississippi read the Preamble of the Constitution today, he when he read the part that the government should “…provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare..” I just started laughing. I laughed because the president and the policies he supports goes completely against what he said in his speech today in the senate. With Brownie, the duties of the government was far from providing for the “common defense”. Along with his poor job, Bush’s cuts on social program does not promote the “general welfare”. Does this really sound like a government that supports the constitution right wingers?

Hot off the press from the Washington Post.

Quote;

Brown Defends FEMA's Efforts
Former Agency Director Spreads Blame for Failures in Katrina Response

By Spencer S. Hsu
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 28, 2005; Page A01

Former Federal Emergency Management Agency director Michael D. Brown said yesterday that it was not his job to take over the evacuation of New Orleans and rescue the drowning city from Hurricane Katrina, blaming Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin and "dysfunctional" state officials for the government's failed response to the disaster.

Over six hours of tense and at times angry testimony to a House investigative panel whose members condemned and derided him, Brown strongly defended his agency and himself against what he called "false, defamatory statements" spread by the news media about the agency's capabilities after the hurricane.

But he also spread responsibility widely for what President Bush has called an inadequate response -- to a White House that he said was fully apprised before Katrina's Aug. 29 landfall, to a Department of Homeland Security whose leaders cut money and staff for three years as they pursued the "emaciation of FEMA," and to a military he said was slow to react.

Brown admitted that FEMA's ability to move life-sustaining supplies was flawed and "easily overwhelmed" by Katrina's scale. He said that emergency communications broke down because the country made little "real progress" in learning from the 2001 terrorist attacks, and he warned that if U.S. authorities remain focused on preparing for terrorism instead of natural disasters, "then we're going to fail."

Brown said he is "happy to be a scapegoat . . . if it means that the FEMA that I knew when I came here is going to be able to be reborn and we're going to be able to get it back to where it was" when he joined the agency in 2001.

Brown, 50, took responsibility for two mistakes. He said he should have set up regular media briefings instead of conducting numerous television interviews. He added: "I very strongly, personally regret that I was unable to persuade Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin to sit down, get over their differences and work together."

"You want me to be this superhero," Brown told Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.). Instead, he said, his role as federal coordinator was to talk to Blanco and Nagin and encourage them "to do their obligation to their citizens. I am not a dictator, and I . . . cannot go in there and force them to do that. "

Shays expressed shock. "The whole reason why I think you're there is to take command of coordinating -- working with, not just complaining about, what other people are doing," Shays said.

"You can try to throw as much as you can on the backs of Louisianans, but I'm a witness as to what happened in Mississippi. You folks fell on your face," said Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.), who lost his home to the hurricane.

In Baton Rouge, La., Blanco spokeswoman Denise Bottcher said, "Mike Brown wasn't engaged then, and he surely isn't now. He should have been watching CNN instead of the Disney Channel."

Nagin spokeswoman Sally Forman said, "The governor and the mayor were totally on the same page."

The much-anticipated testimony of Bush's ousted disaster management director came against a backdrop of partisan fighting over the administration's handling of the Katrina crisis. It handed new ammunition to leaders in both parties who have expressed growing misgivings over the course of homeland security.

Except for Taylor and Rep. William J. Jefferson (La.), Democrats boycotted the panel, which Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) called a partisan whitewash. They said they will seek a floor vote on forming an independent investigation akin to the one that explored the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (Va.), chairman of the GOP-led House select investigative committee, promised a thorough, fair inquiry.

Brown, a lawyer and former commissioner of an Arabian horse association, became the focal point of anger after the storm, which killed more than 1,000 people and caused more than $100 billion in damage. Bush initially stood by Brown, saying he was "doing a heck of a job," before Brown was recalled to Washington on Sept. 9. He resigned three days later.

Critics have said Brown's political ties to the White House and lack of qualifications symbolized an inept and inattentive administration.

Yesterday, Brown took his turn defending himself, speaking in alternately combative and contrite tones, flanked by FEMA's counsel and his personal lawyer.

"The way that FEMA works with state and local officials is well-established, and it's worked well," said Brown, who remains on the FEMA payroll until Oct. 10 at $148,000 a year as a consultant on a Katrina review. "Unfortunately, this is the approach that FEMA had great difficulty in getting established within Louisiana."

Brown said he communicated several times with the White House, including Bush and Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card Jr. and his deputy, Joseph Hagin, starting two days before the storm.

But Brown said that over three years, FEMA's operating funds were cut 14.5 percent by the Department of Homeland Security and that he probably should have resigned in protest.

He acknowledged that he should have asked the president to push state and city officials to call an evacuation and perhaps federalized the National Guard earlier, and said he did not know what happened to his early requests for military help. He also said he learned at 10 a.m. Aug. 29 that New Orleans's levees had broken, a day earlier than officials have acknowledged.

End Quote.

Now compare FEMA's national responce plan to what Brownie said;

Quote;

National Response Plan

The National Response Plan establishes a comprehensive all-hazards approach to enhance the ability of the United States to manage domestic incidents. The plan incorporates best practices and procedures from incident management disciplines homeland security, emergency management, law enforcement, firefighting, public works, public health, responder and recovery worker health and safety, emergency medical services, and the private sector and integrates them into a unified structure. It forms the basis of how the federal government coordinates with state, local, and tribal governments and the private sector during incidents. It establishes protocols to help

Save lives and protect the health and safety of the public, responders, and recovery workers;

Ensure security of the homeland;

Prevent an imminent incident, including acts of terrorism, from occurring;

Protect and restore critical infrastructure and key resources;
Conduct law enforcement investigations to resolve the incident, apprehend the perpetrators, and collect and preserve evidence for prosecution and/or attribution;

Protect property and mitigate damages and impacts to individuals, communities, and the environment; and

Facilitate recovery of individuals, families, businesses, governments, and the environment.

End Quote.

A few simple words. The truth is not in Brownie nor the GOP. The GOP used this hearing to cover up what happened trying to lay blame on Louisanas officials. The only thing I believed out of Brownies mouth was that Bush was warned way ahead of time. That's about as much as I can honestly say about it. If ant Democrat does not continue to push for the independant investagation, no voter should vote for them, period!

For some reason, hearing Michael Brown answer the questions of Congressman Shays reminded me of Super Dave. I get the exact same impression from both, except that one is intentionally funny when answering questions. That's hardly an encouraging sign from someone who had so much responsibility to many as FEMA head.

PROGRESSIVE VALUES

Firefly, thanks for the thoughtful response. I understand your reasoning. There are those who will hold on to their fallen dreams and heros no matter what. They cannot admit that they have falled to protect us.

But like Lincoln, we cannot let them destroy this union. By dismantaling the federal government, they are trying to bring back the days of economic slavery for women, minorities, and the poor. It cannot be allowed to happen. We are the land of opportunity...for all not just those with power and influence.

By saying each state is responsiblie for solving all problems and the federal government has no responsibility to its citizens beyond protecting against foreign invasion, they are resurrecting the Confederacy which allowed the most grevious of human suffering for those not of the aristocracy. We are not going to abandon our freedoms and the Bill of Rights for their convenience.

You forget that American blood was shed twice within our borders over the principles set forward in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. We cannot forget the sacrifices of those through the years who have fought for them. To retreat within the borders of a few blue states would be the most strategic of mistakes.

We must persist to uphold the Union and the rights of all to equal opportunity and justice. We are not red and blue states, but one nation.

It was very interesting to flick from channel to channel last night and watch the various Reporters discuss the Day's Brown hearing.

I was extremely and pleasantly surprised that Joe Scarborough, who had been Down there during the Hurricane, placed the blame on FEMA. He often likes to protect and defend Bush, so this came as a surprise.

Others though, were only too eager to go along with Brownie, and blame the Mayor and Governor!
Now the Chief of Police in New Orleans is under fire. I understand he resigned yesterday.

I think the Movie "Kill Bill" should have been
"Kill B...."

"Surely the party can muster a few new, intelligent spokespeople to take the place of these people that are so thinly worn, so coupled with the past failures of the party, and who bear enough baggage to sink the planet let alone the democratic party."

Posted by whatcouldwork on September 27, 2005 at 12:25 PM

"You must be kidding, right? You link Jackson to the DNC???? He has zero connection to them. and NADER????? He was there on the OTHER side, for PRO WAR because he got all his last campaign money from the Republicans!

I do not know where you have been getting your news, bud, but better start reading the Internet news instead, where you get the truth."

Posted by PamB on September 27, 2005 at 07:57 PM

From the streets -- talk to anyone outside lately? All of the information in these postings is already known. The republicans suck... Bush is an idiot... blah blah blah.

The political celebs at the protests, any one against the war, as well as any one with a liberal slant are considered left wing, unchristian, liberal democrats. Heard of polarized America? Sorry, but the perception is there.

Have any of the leaders named a candidate for the court that they would vote for? Haven't heard a name. Have you?

Just lots of bashing, bashing, bashing.

Real productive.