The Political Chase

Thailand Tsunami Recovery Faster than Katrina’s

A CNN reporter on Wolf Blitzer’s "The Situation Room" reported moments ago that Thailand’s tsunami recovery efforts were faster than the US recovery efforts for Katrina.

I don’t have the transcript available now, but will post it as soon as possible.

I have been to Thailand and if this report is credible, it is a disgrace and embarrasment to the United States.  Thailand is the most impoverished country I have visited. 

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FEMA Director Sent Home

Announcement:  The AP reports that FEMA Director, Michael Brown, "has been relieved  of his command of the Bush administration’s Hurricane Katrina onsite relief efforts."

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Tom Delay - Going Up the Down Staircase

I don’t know how many wagons House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) has left to circle around himself.  A Texas grand jury indicted Texans for a Republican Majority (TRMPAC) yesterday for allegedly illegal corporate campaign contributions.

DeLay organized the PAC and was a member of the committee’s advisory board.  According to the Washington Post, DeLay signed fundraising solicitations and participated in at least one conference call to discuss the committee’s plans. 

DeLay has not been indicted, but that may be related to the Travis County District Attorney’s jurisdiction limitations.

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Administration Cronyism Continues

The Bush administration’s cronyism continues. 

Joe Allbaugh, Michael Brown’s predecessor at FEMA, with a substantial history of political ties to the administration, has been awarded two $100 million contracts to assist in rebuilding Katrina’s damage.

Surprised?

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Trainees Lead FEMA

The Washington Post reports that five of eight FEMA leaders are rookies.

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Performance Reviews for Bush Employees?

In the private sector, most employees are given performance reviews at least on an annual basis. Does President Bush have a policy that all Bush administration employees receive a periodic performance review? It would have been a great follow up when David Gregory (NBC News) and Terry Moran (ABC News) drilled Scott McLellan about Michael Brown’s performance.

Brown’s performance review should include when he got caught giving away $30 million inappropriately to Florida residents.

Woefully Behind Yet Still Notable

I’m still trying to catch up…too many important issues to just let pass. To keep from looking like a total fool that can only read a page an hour, dated items will be contained to one post, this one. Of course, as I catch up on the actual reading of material, to which I can reference, I will update this post. My objective is to insure I have records of the items that seem important. That notwithstanding, thanks to the broadcast media, I am already aware of many of these items.

Washington Post, September 5, 2005:

Duking it Out

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) accused Bush of failing to fund efforts to fortify the levee protecting New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina hit, and of failing to send troops, supplies and other assistance quickly enough in Katrina’s aftermath. “Would the president please stop taking photo-ops, and please come and see what I’m trying to show him?” Landrieu asked on ABC’s “This Week.” She threatened to “punch” Bush or anyone else who criticizes the response of the local sheriffs, one day after administration officials blamed state and local authorities for missteps in relief and rescue efforts.

The Light’s On but Nobody’s Home

One reason for the slow White House response, said a Republican who has been in contact with several officials, is that so many high-level officials and aides were on vacation. Vice President Cheney, for instance, was in Wyoming and did not return unil [sic] Thursday, and Nicolle Devenish, the president’s top communications adviser, is getting married in Greece with a number of mid-level aides in attendance.

Report - Criminal Negligence and Katrina?

As noted previously, I have been behind due to a brief illness.  I just realized how far behind I am.

The title of this post is profound to say the least.  It is a slight variation of a post titled by Larry Johnson at TPM Cafe.  Plagiarizing Johnson’s words, "the provocative title is intentional."

Johnson blames Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff (and in my opinion the President by default), for failing to act according to the National Response Plan and thereby causing deaths, in part, due to the aftermath of Katrina.  The plan was signed into effect in December 2004.

Download the National Response Plan here (PDF format). 

Johnson’s post is must reading. 

These are not rhetorical questions.  Why has the media not capitalized on this plan, which was formally put into effect in December 2004?  Has the media pointedly addressed the matter with the Bush administration and I missed it?  I would appreciate any info you may have to offer. 

Excellent reporting on Larry Johnson’s behalf.

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