Peter - I watched a lengthy interview with Mr. Broussard on Saturday. He was complaining then that the government was "ignoring middle class white people and rescuing inner city blacks instead". Some of the comments he made were sounding like rhetoric from a Klan rally.

The idea that "overspun.com", as an obviously left wing blog, is using this racist to make a political point, should hopefully disgust you. As he was being interviewed, you could see dozens of wrecked cars in the background, and people standing on their houses. In other words, these people could have driven safely out on Thursday, the 25th, Friday, the 26th, Saturday, the 27th, Sunday the 28th. These people stayed, as did most of the "victims".

As for the mayor of New Orleans, and the governor of Louisana, and their complaints about the Federal response, the Louisana Guard is under direct control of the governor.

Each state controls its own guard units. Governors have historically fought against federal control over "their" troops. States have constitutionally stipulated control over each's National Guard as a buffer against a tyrannical Central Federal (ie. Washington) government.

Here is a link to the pdf file which explains how local, state and federal authorities are to respond in a disaster situation:

https://www.doctrine.quantico.usmc.mil/signpubs/w3334.pdf

The primary rule is this (and this is in bold face in the doctrine) :

"The National Guard in a non federal status has the primary responsibility for providing military assistance to state and local governments".

I know will probably get some hackles up, but here are some facts regarding this tragedy:

1. A category 4 hurricane more energy than 10,000 nuclear weapons.

2. This much force actually hit in a really bad spot.

3. People are trying to find someone to blame, and most of those trying to blame someone else for this tragedy are doing so to either: a. gain politically or b. cover their own asses.

4. If we, as a populace, decide we want "heads to roll", and for people to be publically humiliated, WE are asking for more trouble. Because, instead of seeking to be better prepared in the future, WE will be forcing people to go in CYA mode.

Finally, if we are to be intellecually honest, There is not anyone who would have been better prepared than those people at the state, local, and federal levels than what we have today. We have never seen anything like this. ever.