Misc. Ramblings

When things go horribly wrong, the standard bureaucratic response is to say "How could anyone have anticipated this? It is unprecedented. We did everything that a prudent person would do." But my warning to this is that there is always someone who not only could predict it, they did.

As a Democrat, I'm no fan of many policies supported by President Bush (insert disclaimer and disclosures here). But I have to say that the video clip released yesterday that shows the warnings the President received before hurricane Katrina hit confirms why I feel that way in a particularly stark and devastating way.

The President is told that the hurricane could breach "top" the levees (which it did); that there would be wide spread, severe damage that would overwhelm resources (which it did); and that the New Orleans Superdome, the site used to house evacuees, would be inadequate (which it was). To this, President Bush reassuringly responded "We are fully prepared." He promised federal help not only during the hurricane, but also immediately after.

As events actually unfolded, it became clear that all of the worst case predictions were coming true. Tragically, the federal response fell far short of being "fully prepared." Not only wasn't assistance provided during the hurricane, there was none immediately after (except for the magnificent and courageous services of the US Coast Guard).

In this case, the people who should have been providing the warnings did so. Clearly. Directly to the President. But rather than attending to the timely warnings and putting all resources on the alert, the Bush Administration apparently did nothing.

Aloha!