From Levees.org: "White House admits responsibility for Levee Failures"

[Wayward Episcopalian]

Here's another e-mail from Levees.org. Note: I am NOT affiliated with Levees.org, I just feel this needs highlighting. Cross-posted from The Wayward Episcopalian: Nathan on New Orleans.

"May 25, 2007

Breaking News:

Yesterday Donald Powell, recovery czar for the Gulf Coast, publicly made this statement regarding the survivors of the federal levee breaches. He said, "...the federal government is responsible for this hurricane damage because of the failure of the levee system...."

This is the very first statement ever out of the White House that accepts responsibility for the failure of the federal flood protection system in Louisiana.

Powell made this statement regarding Louisiana's Road Home payments to homeowners who suffered only wind damage implying that only flood damaged homeowners deserved compensation. Nonetheless, this statement by a representative of the White House is the very first that admits responsibility for the flood protection failures.

Also yesterday, Senator Mary Landrieu spoke in support of Louisiana citizens in a confrontational interview with Erin Brunette with CNBC. You can watch the video at CNBC's website.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP LOUISIANA:

With one click of a mouse, you can send a letter to your members of Congress demanding the 8/29 Commission.

The 8/29 Commission is an unbiased analysis of the failure of the federal levee system in metro New Orleans. The 8/29 Commission is being sponsored by Senator Mary Landrieu and co-sponsored by Senator David Vitter as an amendment to the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

Click here to help Louisiana.

Sincerely,
Sandy Rosenthal
Founder, Levees.Org
www.levees.org"

[EFerrari]

1. K&R

[Suich]

2. It took them 19 months to admit responsibility.

How long is it going to take to repair the levees???

:shrug:

[malaise]

4. But aren't they admitting responsibility now to help their

financiers, the insurance companies?

[BOSSHOG]

3. Other things you can do to help Louisiana

Come on down, spend a night or two, buy a couple of beers, have a meal, buy tacky tshirts for those back home, go on a swamp tour and take pictures of alligators. Have a good time and help the city and the state out. Thanks in advance.

[Suich]

7. Funny you should mention swamp tours!

My son called last night and he's going on his first one today! He's been volunteering since last fall in Violet.

:)

[Wayward Episcopalian]

8. Your Son

Violet? Is he with Habitat for Humanity?

[Suich]

12. He's with these guys:

http://www.camphopeonline.com/

They're on E. St. Bernard Hwy. in the same school building as Habitat.

:)

[Wayward Episcopalian]

14. Camp Hope

I've been to Camp Hope before, didn't realize there was more to it than Habitat. Good for your son!

[BOSSHOG]

15. He'll have a great time

Honey Island Swamp is northeast of New Orleans, about 55 miles from the Quarter. I've never been to the St Bernard swamp. That's farther south and that should be even better. Two Sundays ago we were coming home from NOLA heading east on I-10 and saw about a five foot gator attempting to cross the interstate. Heavy Traffic. He changed his mind, made a u-turn and zoomed back into the swamp.

Your son is my hero!!

[BOSSHOG]

11. Outstanding

Is he going to Honey Island? Very nice and educational and there should be a lot of alligator activity although it does get better later in the summer. The scenery is really very nice and if ya get a good tour guide its well worth the trip. I hope he enjoys it and his work here is greatly appreciated.

[Suich]

13. Not sure where he's going but

he really wants to see some gators! I'll keep you posted!

:)

[KansDem]

5. I don't see where the "White House" (Bush) made this quote...

I read:
"As elected officials have said many times, the federal government is responsible for this hurricane damage because of the failure of the levee system. And now nearly half of the federal funding is going to homeowners that experienced no levee-related damage," he said.

"Federal government" not "Bush" or even "White House."

Am I missing something here?

[Wayward Episcopalian]

9. Executive Branch

Donald Powell, who made that quote, is a Bush apointee who reports to Michael Chertoff. He represents Bush's Executive Branch, so this is bascially the White House admitting, in a roundabout way, that ACOE (also Executive) screwed up.

[BadgerKid]

6. Start up the lawsuits?

Wrongful death...involuntary manslaughter...?

[Wayward Episcopalian]

10. Bad Idea

That would just discourage future such admissions. Better to use it as political leverage.