a key problem in New Orleans seems to be that no one is in charge . . .

[OneBlueSky]

there's no central command center, no temporary communications, no coordination, no place to accept information about people in need and dispatch the resources to help them . . .

and I still can't understand why, at minimum, there isn't a massive drop of pallets of bottled water all over the city . . . people can live without food; they cannot live without water . . .

[ohio_liberal]

1. They said on the nat'l news that the mayor has evacuated to another city

This is a massive breakdown of government, from the feds all the way down to the local level.

[AlCzervik]

2. FEMA has basically been dismantled by Bush---it's all up to

Homeland security now and as we can see thats not working out to well.

[DoYouEverWonder]

3. This is what happens when the PRESIDENT

Refuses to lead. This is Deriliction of Duty. He UNFIT for command. He needs to resign NOW.

[Ripley]

4. Exactly - if saving lives is the number one priority- each helicopter

going in should be filled with water bottles and drop them before they airlift the people. DUH.

[fasttense]

5. Reporter on CNN said that it is nothing but chaos in NOL

No one is in charge and nothing is getting done. He said the dome was pretty much the same. I'm dumbfounded.

[Toots]

6. What you are describing is incompetence

It is the Hallmark of this Administration and evident in every decision they make.

[murray hill farm]

7. Beginning to sound like Iraq...

no one in charge...chaos with no communication..insurgents looting and shooting...it is how our govt seems to do things....there is no reason for help to not be there...in every form...while they stumble around, people are dying....and they are told to just be patient..."we are making progress"...i would like to see even one of them "be patient" after three days without a drink of water.

[earthside]

8. THIS is Bush's Fault

This is a national emergency.

The hurricane went over several state lines.

This is a responsibility of the federal government.

The mayor of New Orleans has very limited authority and resources.

The very existence of the Department of Homeland Security and -- the office of the Presient -- is to provide protection and 'security' to the citizens of the United States.

Bush is supposed to be in charge by virtue of the office he holds.

He is failing miserably.

If things do not right themselves in the next 72 to 96 hours -- Bush's and Cheney's (I heard that he's STILL on vacation!) resignations should be demanded.

[bertha katzenengel]

9. And where the hell is the federal presence?

Fuck you, George W. Bush, for gutting FEMA and starting this piece of shit war that's gutted our ability to send troops to do rescue, evacuation, graves detail, and impose order.

Fuck you, George W. Bush.

[abluelady]

10. Louisiana is a Very Poor State

When you have a state as poor as LA, you have to remember that the leadership there can be only so good. There is a tremendous lack of education. LA is generally in the last 5 states when it comes to education, health care, mortality, etc.

We need leadership from the top. And sadly, our commander in chief has nothing much to offer either. This is a more terrible situation than most people realize.

States rights are wonderful, but you have to remember that not every state can manage.