Bush's FEMA -- Disaster in the making

[rodeodance]

long but good article!


http://www.sfbg.com/38/52/news_fema.html

THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY

Sept. 15 - Sept. 21 2004• Vol. 38, No. 51

Disaster in the making

As FEMA weathers a storm of Bush administration policy and budget changes, protection from natural hazards may be trumped by "homeland security."
By Jon Elliston

..........






Bush's FEMA

From its first months in office, the Bush administration made it clear that emergency programs, like much of the federal government, were in for a major reorientation.

At FEMA, Bush appointed a close aide, Joe Allbaugh, to be the agency's new director. Allbaugh had served as then-governor Bush's chief of staff in Texas and as manager of his 2000 presidential campaign. Along with Karl Rove and Karen Hughes, Allbaugh was known as one part of Bush's "iron triangle" of professional handlers.

Some FEMA veterans complained that Allbaugh had little experience in managing disasters, and the new administration's early initiatives did little to settle their concerns. The White House quickly launched a government-wide effort to privatize public services, including key elements of disaster management. Bush's first budget director, Mitch Daniels, spelled out the philosophy in remarks at an April 2001 conference: "The general idea – that the business of government is not to provide services, but to make sure that they are provided – seems self-evident to me," he said.

In a May 15, 2001, appearance before a Senate appropriations subcommittee, Allbaugh signaled that the new, stripped-down approach would be applied at FEMA as well. "Many are concerned that federal disaster assistance may have evolved into both an oversized entitlement program and a disincentive to effective state and local risk management," he said. "Expectations of when the federal government should be involved and the degree of involvement may have ballooned beyond what is an appropriate level.".......

[DELUSIONAL]

1. One of the first disasters after bushie stole the white house

was the earthquake in Seattle.

There were so many political strings attached to the Government aid that I doubt Seattle got very much (or any Fed aid). And then there were the Floods -- Mississippi and Missouri Rivers -- and the Feds and do remember Allbaugh's name was associated with the attitude of "don't expect the Feds to bail you out".

Their attitude really goes against the reasons why there is a "UNITED" States of America. In theory the Feds collect money from all the states so that if one state has a crisis -- money from all the states can help where needed.

But under the bushie crime family -- only their really rich friends seem to be getting any "aid".

We need to watch carefully how the Feds get involved -- what they do and if FEMA continues to have the attitude -- "that's you problem -- now you can solve it".

Damn -- I have a good memory: In February 2001, for example, the Bush administration proposed eliminating Project Impact, a move approved by Congress later in the year. (On the very day the White House proposal was submitted, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake rocked Washington state, which was home to several communities where Project Impact had sponsored quake mitigation efforts.) Ending the project and trimming other FEMA programs, the White House argued, would save roughly $200 million. In its place, FEMA instituted a new program of mitigation grants that are awarded on a competitive basis.

[rocktivity]

2. Here are links to more articles

link
No wonder the MSM is putting so much emphasis on the looting.

:headbang:
rocknation