Paul,

My main confusion in this is not with Mayor Nagin's actions. I just think his post disaster reaions could have been a little better. He reminds me of a commander I had when I was in the field and our field site was hit by a tornado. He ran to our higher HQ in his skivvies and stammerred to our BC "sir, M-16's, tents, gone, tornado, " and a few other incoherent statements. The BC asked him "Mark, what about your people?" after which the CO said a few obscenities and ran back to our AO to check on us.

The main questions I would like to see answered once the situation is well in hand are:

First, why was the LA National guard not mobilized and directing the evacuation of NO from the beginning?

Second, Why were schoolbuses destroyed in the flooding? They should have been loaded with every soul in the area and moved north. Instead they now lie rusting in place.

Third, something needs to be done so the Federal Government CAN just react and not wait until all the "i"s are dotted and the "t"s are crossed. Those troops from hood should have been moving out as soon as possible, not waiting on the Governor's request.

The ball was dropped in many areas, and I hope that the rulebook gets re-written.