The
Washington Post reports
Behind the scenes, a power struggle emerged, as federal officials tried to wrest authority from Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco (D). Shortly before midnight Friday, the Bush administration sent her a proposed legal memorandum asking her to request a federal takeover of the evacuation of New Orleans, a source within the state's emergency operations center said Saturday.
The administration sought unified control over all local police and state National Guard units reporting to the governor. Louisiana officials rejected the request after talks throughout the night, concerned that such a move would be comparable to a federal declaration of martial law. Some officials in the state suspected a political motive behind the request. "Quite frankly, if they'd been able to pull off taking it away from the locals, they then could have blamed everything on the locals," said the source, who does not have the authority to speak publicly.
Thoughts on this, below the break.
I cannot imagine any idea more scary than putting full control of the situation the Feds have screwed up, into the hands of the Feds. There is all ready finger pointing (a Bush official lying to reporters, saying that there was no state of emergency declared.)
I know that there was no way for Bushco to stop the hurricane. But budget cuts on levee building and outsourcing evacuation planning - both done by Bush's Admin - has caused the chaos and much of the devastation. To many people have died because of the ineptitude stagnant in this administration. Cindy Sheehan's cry of "NOT ONE MORE!" is true here, as it is in Iraq.
We must do everything we can ensure that they do not get away with their disgusting blame game. Please make sure that everyone you know is aware of this political manuevering to hide their failures.