Yesterday, I posted a diary that set out the LTTE I sent to the paper here in Memphis. With a few very minor edits, they published it. I set the text out below as published, but, I want to reemphasize that it is incredibly important for all of us to make sure to get the message out through the editorial pages. Why do I want to reemphasize that? Because alongside my letter was a letter essentially saying that anyone who criticizes the President right now is as bad as the looters.
The text of my published letter in The Commercial Appeal is below the fold:
Primary responsibility was DHS's
A Sept. 6 letter to the editor sought to perpetuate the White House talking point that the blame for the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina should be placed on local government officials.
The primary responsibility for avoiding the tragic events we witnessed over the past week belonged to the Department of Homeland Security. How do I know this? DHS's Web site says so:
"In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency, the Department of Homeland Security will assume primary responsibility ... for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared for any situation. This will entail providing a coordinated, comprehensive federal response to any large-scale crisis and mounting a swift and effective recovery effort."
The federal government failed the people in disastrous fashion. With all the threats America faces, does anyone still believe this administration is up to the job of protecting us? The safety of our nation demands that President Bush immediately fire DHS Director Michael Chertoff and FEMA Director Michael Brown, and then resign from office.