Ray nagin is a moron.

[BOBS DAD]

I'm not going to get into a discussion on Pres. Bush, as he has nothing to do with the situation in New Orleans. FEMA power is limited by law due to fears of FEMA stepping out of bounds. As FEMA is the lead agency in disaster recovery, that means all other fed agencies' power is limited as well.

If a higher division of government were to step in, it should be the State of Louisiana. Not the Federal government/US military/UN/illuminati/masons.......

It should follow the logical progression of government. The Federal Government is NOT the answer to all of life's problems, and in most cases just makes them worse when they stick their fingers into things.

REALLY???

So I see. Federal Government is "NOT" a viable resource to tap, in the case of national disasters. AND Federal Government "ACTUALLY" make matters worse when called upon to assist??? Thanks for the education.

[Lady's Human]

Once again........The required steps to take to get FEMA assistance in the form of boots on the ground (as opposed to money, which merely takes declaration of a state of emergency)

1) Declaration of a disaster by local government
2) same from state
3) same from fed govt
4) State calls out NG
5) AFTER calling out NG, the state Governor can then request fed assistance.

Federal assistance is limited in scope, by statute. The people who wrote the laws regulating FEMA wanted FEMA to be an ASSISTANCE and coordination agency, not an agency to come in and take over.

Federal military personnel, can be used, but only as a labor force, not as law enforcement/security. Law Enforcement and security falls on the shoulders of local law enforcement and the NG.

FEDERAL military personnel CANNOT train civilians on the use of military equipment (bulldozers, etc). The state assets can do so.

FEDERAL military personnel cannot take control of National Guard assets to perform NG missions.

Federal assistance in a disaster is mainly limited to financial assistance. the Southern Tier in NY had severe flooding at the end dof June. There were no federal personnel on site with the exception of the people from FEMA handling paperwork. No military troops, just National Guard. No whining from local officials (Gov. Pataki brought local needs to the fed level, as is supposed to happen).

Who's rebuilding the southern tier? Local residents, with financial help from FEMA, which is the way things are designed to work.

[BOBS DAD]

Federal military personnel, can be used, but only as a labor force, not as law enforcement/security. Law Enforcement and security falls on the shoulders of local law enforcement and the NG.

FEDERAL military personnel CANNOT train civilians on the use of military equipment (bulldozers, etc). The state assets can do so.

Who is talking about "Military Personnel"??? The Federal Government most definitely has the pwer and the authority to jump start any program it so desires. Training of "miltary equipment" - like the stealth "bulldozer" should be an "easy process".

I guess my concern is that when you see a member of your family struggling and failing - even due to his own ineptness and bad decisions - do you simply say, "I can't get involved"?

They created their own mess and they need to clean it up - EVEN WHEN YOU KNOW that eventually there mess (in the form of Crime, Poverty and Civil Unrest) is "going to be yours" in due time. Only by the time you inherit it - IT WILL BE BIGGER.

[Lady's Human]

BOB's Dad, there are these little things called laws that limit what the federal government can or cannot do.

For example.........

I cannot train a civilian on the use of military equipment (a bulldozer, for instance). It would be a violation of federal law, (barring non uniformed personnel from utilizing military equipment), the UCMJ, and orders from every command I've ever been in. The president cannot at a whim suspend several chapters of the Combined Federal Code.

The National Guard, however, can do so, and do so easily, as they have the authority to do so, normally granted by the governor of the state.

Civil relief in disaster areas is a local (local and state government) responsibillity. Period. By law.

[BOBS DAD]

BOB's Dad, there are these little things called laws that limit what the federal government can or cannot do.

For example.........

I cannot train a civilian on the use of military equipment (a bulldozer, for instance). It would be a violation of federal law, (barring non uniformed personnel from utilizing military equipment), the UCMJ, and orders from every command I've ever been in. The president cannot at a whim suspend several chapters of the Combined Federal Code.

The National Guard, however, can do so, and do so easily, as they have the authority to do so, normally granted by the governor of the state.

Civil relief in disaster areas is a local (local and state government) responsibillity. Period. By law.

C'mon Lady's Human...

Adding a "Period" to the end of your comment doesn't make it any more authoritive or conclusive!

A Bulldozer is not Military Equipment (and I am not so sure why you continue to refer to it as such). I myself, can operate a bulldozer. And as far you, an NCO - training a civilian on a Bulldozer (or a Tank for that matter) - I suppose you are right. Seems reasonable... and a bit of a waste of your time. But as far as the Federal Government contracting a private firm to coordinate and handle the project - I am sure they can. It is called cooperation between the state, local and federal governments. And if you think it would be so beneficial (as you stated earlier) to do so, then it perhaps should be implemented.

I am not so naive as to think that the Federal Government is no longer involved in the affairs of Lousianna and New Orleans in particular. I would bet all of the money I have and will ever earn that they are still firmly entrenched in the matter. I am absolutely certain that there organizations, firms and individuals currently involved in the reconstructuion of New Orleans at the beheast of the Federal Government - contracted by and paid for by Federal Tax Monies. Perhaps their efforts and funding would be better directed at the development and implementation of the ideas you expressed earlier!!! See... we agree!!!

[Lady's Human]

By referring to a bulldozer as military equipment, I am referring to the several thousand bulldozers that the federal and state governments have painted in funny camoflage paint with men and women in funny looking tan/grey/green uniforms driving them.

The national guard can take these bulldozers in time of emergency (or any other horizontal/vertical building equipment in the military inventory), and train civilians in using the equipment, providing contractors with a trained workforce in the area, instead of having contractors import workers from other areas (expensive), and instead of having people sitting on their front porch collecting welfare checks.

The federal government is probably very much involved in the reconstruction of New Orleans, but they shouldn't be. Federal involvement directly means that the state and local governments have fallen flat on their faces and been unable to accomplish the job. Federal involvement should be limited to monetary contributions. If the people of New Orleans don't want to lift a finger to help rebuild the place, let the Gulf and Mississippi river reclaim it.

[BOBS DAD]

Again...

I agree with you in concept, but you and I both know that it will not be so simple as to let New Orleans be absorbed by the impending ocean. It will become a sore that will fester and develop into a cancer. It will become a cesspool of poverty and crime and eventually spread. You and I will become infected and ultimately have to clean it up. Pay me now or pay me later!

Again, I can't overstate my position that I agree that "the locals" should be taking the bull by the horns and rebuilding "their town". But they obviously either can't - don't know how, or simply won't. In any event, someone needs to step and and take control. If that is local and state governments, then so be it. BUT if the Federal Government has a "good idea" and the capabilities to render "real, tangible" progressive action - then they should find a way to do it. Actually, I think you and I agree more than perhaps you think!!!

Remember this exchange?
Richard Nugent: Hey, you remind me of a man.
Susan Turner: What man?
Richard Nugent: Man with the power.
Susan Turner: What power?
Richard Nugent: Power of hoodoo.
Susan Turner: Hoodoo?
Richard Nugent: You do.
Susan Turner: Do what?
Richard Nugent: Remind me of a man...

Awhhh... the power of talking in circles....

[Grace]

BOB's Dad, there are these little things called laws that limit what the federal government can or cannot do.

This is a bit off the subject at hand, but I can't resist after this comment. So far, with this administration, it seems there is no law they won't try to bend or break.

[Edwina's Secretary]

This is a bit off the subject at hand, but I can't resist after this comment. So far, with this administration, it seems there is no law they won't try to bend or break.

Or suspend!

Never let a silly law get in the way of helping your friends!

[Grace]

Absolutely! I was trying to be PC - to start with. Not wanting to offend anyone too badly.