<p>Quote from the President of Jefferson Parrish in New Orleans on the government response to Hurricane Katrina:</p>
<p>“Bureaucracy has murdered people in the greater New Orleans area. And bureaucracy needs to stand trial before Congress today,” Aaron Broussard, president of Jefferson Parish, said on CBS’“The Early Show.”</p>
<p>“So I’m asking Congress, please investigate this now. Take whatever idiot they have at the top of whatever agency and give me a better idiot. Give me a caring idiot. Give me a sensitive idiot. Just don’t give me the same idiot.”</p>
<p>Jefferson Parrish surrounds downtown New Orleans to the west (Metarie, Kenner, the airport) and to the south (across the river). From following the hurricane in the local media, Jefferson Parrish was well-prepared. They had used their Homeland Security grants to put in place new emergency communication systems that remained functional throught the disaster. Their emergency management organization is headed by one of the experts on hurricane preparedness and remained operational throughout. Their shelters were functioning.</p>
<p>Beginning as early as Tuesday, Broussard and his emergency management chief began issuing urgent pleas for help. As people managed to flee New Orleans, they were making their way to Jefferson Parrish and swamping their shelters. Broussard desperately called for food, water, and medical supplies from FEMA and received nothing for four days.</p>
<p>His emergency chief had signed agreements with FEMA to hold down his own fort for 48 hours and then receive FEMA disaster management people to help. Four days after the hurricane, he had not seen a single person from FEMA. His staff had been working non-stop, around the clock for FOUR days, hung out to dry by FEMA’s lack of response. Keep in mind that much of Jefferson Parrish was accessible by car in the days following the hurricane.</p>
<p>There is a reason that Broussard is so angry. And, he has plenty of allies in his anger, including the US Senators from Lousiana.</p>
<p>"Kind of reminds me of the bumper sticker that says, “There’s a village in Texas that’s missing an idiot.” </p>
<p>No weenie, I’m from Texas and I’m pretty sure all of our idiots are accounted for. They’re all in government, and some of them are in high places. I’m afraid there aren’t any better idiots here.</p>
<p>Trent is from Mississippi. Those Southerners all look alike.</p>
<p>Anyone see the report on the Jefferson Parish sherriff’s issuing urgent calls for help to their fellow sherriff departments across the south? The report featured on 20 man unit in Virginia that loaded up a trailer to provide self-sufficiency for the 20 for two weeks.</p>
<p>They were denied access by Louisiana State Police. </p>
<p>The Virginian officers said it was heartwrenching because they could hear the terror in their fellow sherriff’s voices.</p>
<p>btw, I hope Brown has his super-duper clothes pins ready. He’s about to be hung out to dry. Not that he doesn’t deserve it. Is he really that dense?</p>
<p>Heard an interview with Trent on NPR 2 wks ago. Although I don’t always agree with his politics, he sounded sincere, knowledgeable, kept things in prespective, focused, and articulate. He is a worthy senator although made a gaffe concerning S. Thurman. </p>
<p>I wonder how he will support GWB and budgets when Corp Of Engineers had NO projects cut?, Probable tax cut on inheritance tax, additional $100 Bil for NO recovery with unknown resource reallocations - redirections. </p>
<p>Republicans are very quiet. Demos need not say anything. Bush’s butt is warming up-Everytime Bush speaks, people are starting to realize what a poor speaker he is, unfocused, rambling, foot-in-mouth, bubla type of guy. Rove and Card are thinking how they can put forth an presidential image when the image is fading. At least he’s consistant (GWB).</p>
<p>I think this is unfair. In the White House, we have the best idiot money can buy (and apparently often does). At least the White house has told Fema and Homeland security to take the $2,000 suits off and start wearing the kinds of clothes working people wear during an emergency.</p>
<p>It’s a scandal…its an outrage. On the other hand, isn’t it ironic…someone so stupid… gets to put two, two mind you, new justices on the Supreme Court. It’s a scandal…it’s an outrage…and the idiot gets to put two new people on the Supreme Court. This must be very tough for the smart people.</p>
<p>Life is good right now. The President of the United States is about to reshape the Supreme Court and your hero is approaching the favorability ratings of her compatriot David Duke.</p>
<p>“It’s a scandal…its an outrage. On the other hand, isn’t it ironic…someone so stupid… gets to put two, two mind you, new justices on the Supreme Court. It’s a scandal…it’s an outrage…and the idiot gets to put two new people on the Supreme Court.”</p>
<p>I think he should nominate Mike Brown. I mean the Prez already thinks he is the best qualified man in the entire country to run a central part of the Department of Homeland Security; he has all the necessary experience…and it might put him out of harm’s way.</p>