AS I SEE IT...

Homeland Security Site Statement, & more

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/theme_home2.jsp

Quote:

"Preparing America

In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency, the Department of Homeland Security will assume primary responsibility on March 1st 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 new Department will also prioritize the important issue of citizen preparedness. Educating America's families on how best to prepare their homes for a disaster and tips for citizens on how to respond in a crisis will be given special attention at DHS."

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I don't know if everyone reads this as I do, but it seems to clearly state that the Dept. of Homeland Security will assume primary responsibility for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared for any situation.

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And were the Governors of Alabama and Mississippi made the exact same proposal as it is said was offered to Governor Blanco?

If so, why hasen't anyone said so?

If not, why not?

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/03/AR2005090301680....

Quote:
"Behind the scenes, a power struggle emerged, as federal officials tried to wrest authority from Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco (D). Shortly before midnight Friday, the Bush administration sent her a proposed legal memorandum asking her to request a federal takeover of the evacuation of New Orleans, a source within the state's emergency operations center said Saturday.

The administration sought unified control over all local police and state National Guard units reporting to the governor. Louisiana officials rejected the request after talks throughout the night, concerned that such a move would be comparable to a federal declaration of martial law. Some officials in the state suspected a political motive behind the request. "Quite frankly, if they'd been able to pull off taking it away from the locals, they then could have blamed everything on the locals," said the source, who does not have the authority to speak publicly."

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