Why did FEMA block Wal-Mart shipments of water to the New Orleans area?
Why did FEMA block fuel shipments to the New Orleans area?
Why did FEMA cut emergency communication lines from the New Orleans area?
Why wouldn’t FEMA let the Red Cross deliver food to the New Orleans area?
Why wouldn’t FEMA let the people in downtown New Orleans leave?
Why wouldn’t FEMA let others come in to deliver relief supplies or transportation out from New Orleans?
Why did it take the government 5 days to give a “yes” to airlines who had asked to ferry refugees out of New Orleans for free, immediately after the storm?
The problem isn’t that FEMA botched rescue efforts — it’s that they PREVENTED rescue. They PREVENTED survival. They didn’t just “oops!” screw up — they actually CAUSED death by their actions, not through their lack of action. They have actually slapped sanctions on the city of New Orleans and are slowly finishing off any hold-outs. I wonder how many people will die getting shot for refusing to be removed from their own homes?
The best we could have hoped for from any level of government was the get the hell out of the way, but how can they resist the opportunity to absolutely ruin absolutely everything they touch, and then say “See? We needed more money and power”? Breathtaking.
Hat tip to James Redford at ASC.