So I open my local paper today, and a letter to the editor jumps out from the page from someone trying to lay the blame for the aftermath at the feet of the local officials, claiming that local officials have the "primary responsibility" for dealing with this type of disaster.
I have copied the text of my own letter to the editor that I sent today below. I know I am preaching to the choir, but we must do what we can to make sure the letters pages of our papers tell the truth of this situation:
I read with dismay today a letter to the editor which seeks 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 have all witnessed over the past week was in the hands of the Department of Homeland Security. How do I know this? Because DHS's own website says so. It says: "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 a disastrous fashion. With all the threats that America faces, does anyone still believe that this administration is up to the job of protecting us? The safety of our nation demands that President Bush do three things immediately: (1) Fire Michael Chertoff; (2) Fire Michael Brown; and (3) then resign from office.