Lady's Human, for years I have heard people complaining that FEMA had too much power and could step in and take over at any time in a disaster. Now the Department of Homeland Security has primary responsibility for terrorist attacks, natural disasters or other large-scale emergencies providing a coordinated, comprehensive federal response to any large-scale crisis and mounting a swift and effective recovery effort.

   On Sunday, I read the New Orleans National Weather Service report online and wondered why the media was not covering their forecast:

MOST OF THE AREA WILL BE UNINHABITABLE FOR WEEKS...PERHAPS LONGER
POWER OUTAGES WILL LAST FOR WEEKS...
WATER SHORTAGES WILL MAKE HUMAN SUFFERING INCREDIBLE BY MODERN STANDARDS.

   On Monday the President issued disaster and emergency declarations.

   Years after the Y2k preparedness, September 11th, the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security and while in a state of war, it's unbelievable how totally unprepared our country is. We have paid billions to prepare for a terrorist attack but we are unprepared for a disaster given days of warning.

   Given the poor and overwhelmed media coverage I would not blame Mayor Nagin. I imagine his actions have saved hundreds of thousands of lives. The only way I can imagine you blaming him would be if you said he was on vacation.

   All government officials should have had General Honore's attitude from Mayor Nagin to the President.

      Paul