The people of the United States expected something from the Federal Government in the midst of this terrible tragedy.
Why? Why did they expect this? And just what were those specific expectations?
I think they were right in those expectations, but we have to come up with some history, in a concise manner. What in the recent -or distant- past led the American people to believe that the Federal government should have done more? And what, specifically, do Americans believe they should have done?
There's more, too.
It's obvious, also, that the statewide elected officials in Louisiana expected much more, too.
What did they expect, specifically? What promises were made in the past few years, months, weeks and days that weren't kept?
This is an important question. Senator Vitter gives the president and F grade. On what facts does he base that?
And further, the local leadership-mayors, parish presidents-also expected more. What were they told in the past that they should expect in the event of a massive hurricane hitting New Orleans? What did they not get that they were told they would get?
It's obvious that something went terribly wrong. It's obvious that somebody didn't do their job right? What jobs, specifically were supposed to get done? Who didn't do those jobs?
There is a paper trail out there. We need to find it. And we need to find it quickly before the hearings that get called begin some sort of whitewash.
Should we do something along the lines of other past "open-source" journalism projects? We should be making FOIA requests of every single governmental agency and office involved. We should be taking down testimony of officials who can remember spcific conversations and promises made.
We should be finding article in newspapers and telivision and radio that set up these expectations in the American public's mind.
I am not capable of doing this on my own. I certainly can try and help. But I know there are people on this board who can do this. It's been done and it's been done well, ie. Jeff Gannon.
What information do we have now? Where do we go next?
If we don't do this now, it won't get done untill it's too late.
phat